THE POWER AND THE POTENCY OF
THE GAYATRI MANTRA
AS TAUGHT AND EXPOUNDED BY
BHAGAVAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

Vematha Gayathri - Click to enlarge
Published by The Sri Sathya Sai Organisation Sri Lanka (Region
XV)
22 Barnes Place Colombo 7 Sri Lanka
Thai Pongal Day January 15 1996
Dear Sai Brothers and Sisters,
This book was blessed by Bhagavan on Tuesday, the 2nd April,
1996.
On Bhagavan's Divine Command, 2,000 copies of this book
were given for study to the students attending the Summer Course
held at the Brindavan Campus in May 1996.
This is for your information, please.
The Publishers
No copyrights are claimed in respect of this book
In humble adoration at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan Sri
Sathya Sai Baba
INTRODUCTION
There appear to be reservations in the minds of some learned
people as to who are and who are not entitled to chant or to
repeat the Pranava and the Gayatri Mantra as part of their
spiritual Sadhana.
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Avatar of our Age, has
declared to us as follows:
"There are many who argue that the Pranava can be repeated
only by a few, and that others are not entitled to it. This is
wrong. This false conclusion has been arrived at since they do not
know the Truth. It springs from a mistaken belief. The Gita does
not mention this group or that group. Krishna declares 'whoever'
(Gita VIII - 12,13) without any qualifying words limiting it to
one class or sex." (GEETHA VAHINI-143)
Bhagavan has also declared:
"The Gayatri Mantra is the elaboration of the Pranava Sabda
or OM. It (the Gayatri Mantra) is now held so venerable and
valuable that initiation into the Adhyatmic life is achieved by
its contemplation." (SADHANA - The Inward Path - 90, Prasanthi
Nilayam. Also: SATHYA SAI SPEAKS - III - 242)
Quoting the Shukla Yajur Veda (XXVI - 2),
Swami Vivekananda asks: "Can you show any authority from this
Veda of ours that everyone has not the right to it? This Veda is
our only authority, and everyone has the right to it." (Collected
Works Vol III - 457)
The Publishers
1. What is the Gayatri Mantra?
The Gayatri Mantra is the Universal Prayer enshrined in the
Vedas, the most ancient Scriptures of Man. (SATHYA SAI SPEAKS - X
- 109)
The Gayatri Mantra is a Prayer that can well be spoken with
yearning by men and women of all creeds and climes in all
centuries. Repetition of this Mantra will develop the
Intelligence. (SATHYA SAI SPEAKS - V - 58)
2. Recite the Gayatri Mantra.
The Gayatri Mantra is as follows:
Om |
Bhur Bhuva Svaha |
Tat Savitur Varenyam |
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi |
Dhiyo yonah Prachodayat |
|
|
3. How may the Gayatri Mantra be
translated?
OM - Para Brahman
BHUR - Bhu loka (Physical plane). It also refers to the
body made up of the 5 Pancha Bhutas (5 elements). These 5 elements
constitute Prakriti (Nature).
BHUVA - Bhuva loka - The middle world. Bhuva is also
Prana Sakthi. However, it is the presence of Prajnana that enables
the Prana Sakthi to animate the body. It is on this account that
the Vedas have declared "Prajnanam Brahma" (Constant Integrated
Awareness is Brahmam).
SVAHA - Swarga loka (Heaven - the land of the Gods) (SS
9/95-234)
TAT - Paramatma, God or Brahman
SAVITUR - That from which all this is born
VARENYAM - Fit to be worshipped
BHARGO - The Radiance, the Spiritual Effulgence, the
Light that bestows Wisdom
DEVASYA - Divine Reality
DHEEMAHI - We meditate
DHIYO - Buddhi, Intellect
YO - Which
NAH - Our
PRACHODAYAT - Enlighten.
The Gayatri Mantra may be translated in many ways. One such
translation is as follows:
(OM) OM (Dheemahi) We meditate (Bhargo)
upon the Spiritual Effulgence (Varenyam Devasya) of THAT
Adorable Supreme Divine Reality (Savitur) the Source (Bhur,
Bhuva, Svaha) of the Physical, the Astral and the Heavenly
Spheres of Existence. (TAT) May THAT Supreme Divine Being
(Prachodayat) enlighten (Yo) which (Nah) our
(Dhi Yo) intellect (so that we may realise the Supreme
Truth).
Also: Dhi Yo YoNah Prachodayat = Awaken my
Discrimination, O Lord and guide me. (GEETHA VAHINI - 3)
4. Who discovered the Gayatri Mantra?
The Gayatri Mantra was discovered by Sage Viswamitra. It was
the same Sage Viswamitra who initiated Sri Rama into the mysteries
of Sun worship, through the Mantra Aaditiya Hrdayam. (Sathya Sai
Vahini - 183, 184)
Aaditiya Hrdayam is chanted by many people as part of their
Sadhana. Booklets on the Aaditiya Hrdayam have been published by
the Sri Ramakrishna Math, Madras 4 and by the Central Chinmaya
Mission Trust, Bombay 72.
5. What did the Gayatri Mantra enable
Sage Viswamitra to do?
The Gayatri Mantra enabled Sage Viswamitra to use rare weapons
which bowed to his will when the Mantra was repeated with faith.
Through the powers he attained in this way, Viswamitra was able to
create a counterpart of this Cosmos. (Sathya Sai Vahini - 184)
6. To whom is the Gayatri Mantra
addressed?
The Gavatri Mantra is addressed to the energy of the Sun, Surya.
(Sathya Sai Vahini - 183)
(Bhagavan is Surya Narayana)
7. What is the potency of the Gayatri
Mantra?
This Mantra has infinite potentiality.
It is a vibrant formula.
It has immense powers, powers that are truly amazing, for the
Sun is its presiding Deity. (Sathya Sai Vahini - 184)
8. Where is the Gayatri Mantra
enshrined?
The Gayatri Mantra is enshrined in the Vedas, the most ancient
Scriptures of Man. (Rg Veda III 62. 10)
9. Who is Gayatri?
Gayatri is the Mother of the Vedas -
Gayatri Chandasaam Maathaa.
10. Whom does Gayatri redeem?
Gayatri redeems the chanter of the Mantra -
Gaayantham thraayathe ithi Gayatri.
11. Where is Gayatri present?
Gayatri is present wherever the Mantra is chanted. (SS
9/95-235)
12. What are the three Names of
Gayatri?
Gayatri has 3 names - Gayatri, Saavitri and Saraswathi. These
three are present in each one of us. Gayatri is the master of the
senses. Saavitri is the master of Prana (Life Force). Saavitri
signifies Truth. Saraswathi is the presiding Deity of Speech (Vaak).
These three represent purity in Thought, Word and Deed (Trikarana
Suddhi). (SS 9/95-235) See also Q 30
(One who practises purity and harmony of Thought, Word and
Deed will have Gayatri, Saavitri and Saraswathi residing in
him)
13. To whom is the Gayatri Mantra
addressed?
The Gayatri Mantra is addressed to the Immanent and
Transcendent Divinity.
14. What name has the Immanent and
Transcendent Divinity been given?
The Immanent and Transcendent Divinity has been given the name
'SAVITHA'.
15. What does 'SAVITHA' mean?
'SAVITHA' means "that from which all this is born".
16. How many parts may the Gayatri
Mantra be considered to have?
The Gayatri Mantra may be considered to have 3 parts. The
Mantra has all the three elements that figure in the adoration of
God - Praise, Meditation and Prayer. The first nine words
represent the attributes of the Divine
"OM BHUR BHUVA SVAHA
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA"
"DHEEMAHI" pertains to Meditation.
"DHI YO YONAH PRACHODAYAT"
is the Prayer to God to confer on us all powers and talents.
(SS 9/95-236)
17. What may these 3 parts also be
described as?
The three parts may also be described as:
(1) Praise to Savitha. The Divine is first praised.
(2) Meditation on Savitha. The Divine is then meditated upon
in reverence.
(3) Prayer to Savitha.An appeal is made to the Divine to awaken and strengthen our
Intellect, the discriminating faculty (Buddhi) in us.
18. What is the Gayatri Mantra
considered to be?
The Gayatri Mantra is considered to be the Essence of the
Teaching of the Vedas - the Veda Sara.
19. What does the Gayatri Mantra
foster?
Chanting the Gayatri Mantra fosters and sharpens the
knowledge-yielding faculty in man.
20. What are the other benefits to one
who chants the Gayatri Mantra?
To one who chants the Gayatri Mantra regularly and with faith -
the Gayatri Mantra is the reliever of diseases -
Sarva roga nivaarini Gayatri,
the Gayatri Mantra wards off all misery -
Sarva duhkha parivaarini Gayatri,
the Gayatri Mantra is the fulfiller of all desires -
Sarva vaancha phalasri Gayatri.
(SS 9/95-236)21. What does the Gayatri Mantra
bestow on the person who chants it with faith?
The Gayatri Mantra is the bestower of all that is beneficial to
the person who chants it with faith. (SS 9/95-236)
22. What are the other results of
chanting the Gayatri Mantra?
If the Gayatri Mantra is chanted various kinds of powers will
emerge in one. Hence the Gayatri Mantra should not be treated
casually. (SS 9/95-236) See also Q 30
23. What is Truth?
Truth is that which is valid at all times past, present and
future.
That Truth is the Gayatri Mantra. (SS 9/95-236)24. What does the Gayatri Mantra imply?
The Gayatri Mantra implies the 4 Maha Vakyas or the 4 core
declarations enshrined in the 4 Vedas.
25. What are the four Maha Vakyas?
The four Maha Vakyas are:
1. PRAJNANAM BRAHMA
Consciousness is Brahman (Aitareya Upanishad of the Rg Veda)
2. AHAM BRAHMA ASMI
I Am Brahman (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad of the Yajur Veda)
3. TAT TVAM ASI
That Thou Art (Chandogya Upanishad of the Sama Veda)
4. AYAM ATMA BRAHMA
This Self is Brahman (Mandukya Upanishad of the Atharva Veda)
26. When should the Gayatri Mantra be
chanted?
The Gayatri Mantra should be chanted at dawn, noon and dusk.
27. What are these times also known as?
These times are also known as Sandhya Kaalam, that is to say,
the meeting point between night and day, morning and evening, day
and night. These times are beneficial for spiritual practices.
28. Do we have to be bound by these
periods of time to chant the Gayatri Mantra?
No, we do not have to be bound by these three periods of time
to chant the Gayatri Mantra.
29. When then can the Gayatri Mantra
be chanted?
The Gayatri Mantra can be chanted at any time and everywhere.
30. What should the person chanting
the Gayatri Mantra ensure at all times?
The person chanting the Gayatri Mantra should ensure that
his heart is pure at all times.
Bhagavan's injunctions are that we should -
(1) not treat the Gayatri Mantra casually (Q 22) and
(2) that our heart should be pure at all times. We should
therefore obey and practise implicitly Bhagavan's Teachings. These
are to be found in Summer Showers 1990. Briefly, they are as
follows:
1. Speak Truth. Attach value to your words. Truth is
the life of a word.
2. Practise Righteousness. How? By developing Trikarana
Suddhi (Q12).
3. Purity and Harmony of Thought, Word and Deed.
Think no evil - Think what is good
See no evil - See what is good
Hear no evil - Hear what is good
Talk no evil - Talk what is good
Do no evil - Do what is good
At all times follow Bhagavan's maxim -
4. Help ever - Hurt never.
5. Dedicate all your actions to the Lord - without
undue concern for the results, and without the false sense of
doership ("I am the doer").
31. What is Bhagavan's advice to young
people?
Bhagavan's advice to young people is that they should chant the
Gayatri Mantra when taking their bath.
32. Why does Bhagavan recommend this?
Bhagavan says that when we take our bath, we are cleansing our
bodies. Therefore, we should take this opportunity to cleanse our
minds and intellects also at the same time.
33. At what other times does Bhagavan
recommend that we chant the Gayatri Mantra?
Bhagavan recommends that we chant the Gayatri Mantra
(1) before every meal
(2) when we wake up from bed
(3) when we go to bed.
34. What should we repeat after
chanting the Gayatri Mantra?
We should repeat 'Santhi' three times after we finish chanting
the Gayatri Mantra.
35. Why should we repeat 'Santhi'
after completing our recitation of the Gayatri Mantra?
We should repeat 'Santhi' because it will give 'Santhi', or
peace of mind, to the three entities in us - body, mind and soul.
36. Bhagavan taught the Gayatri Mantra
and its importance to Sri E.B.Fanibunda. What are the main points
in Bhagavan's Teaching?
Bhagavan's Teachings to Sri Fanibunda are given in his book
"Vision of the Divine" (pages 79 to 88). The main points are -
1. If the Gayatri Mantra is not recited correctly, it has the
opposite effect of enveloping the person in darkness. But, if
we recite it with Love, God will accept it.
2. Baba advises that each word should be pronounced clearly
and distinctly, without undue haste or hurry.
3. Gayatri is at the very basis of the Vedas, and merits the
name Veda Mata or The Mother of the Vedas.
The Gayatri Mantra is all-pervasive throughout the manifest
Cosmos.
4. Gayatri is "That which preserves, protects and rescues
the chanter from mortality".
5. The Gayatri Mantra is a Universal Prayer which asks for a
clear Intellect so that the Truth may be reflected therein without
distortion.
6. Bhagavan has said that the Gayatri Mantra can be chanted
by men and women of all climes and creeds. It calls upon the
Glorious Power that pervades the Sun and the Three Worlds to
arouse, awaken and strengthen the Intelligence, so that it may
lead us through intense Sadhana to success. (See also: SATHYA SAI
SPEAKS - III - 242)
7. The heart needs to be cleansed thrice a day - dawn, noon
and dusk. Besides these times, Bhagavan has said that the
Gayatri Mantra can be repeated anywhere at any time, including
night time.
8. The Gayatri Mantra is synonymous with Divinity and has
therefore to be approached with humility, reverence, faith and
love towards the Mantra.
9. The Vedas are the very breath of God and the Gayatri
Mantra is at the very basis of the Vedas.
10. Bhagavan is the Vedapurusha and is therefore the Supreme
Authority on the Vedas.
11. Love and reverence for the Mantra and faith in its
promised results are far more important than mere mechanical
repetition while the mind wanders.
12. This prayer is directed to the Divine Mother -
"O Divine Mother, our hearts are filled with darkness. Please
make this darkness distant from us and promote Illumination within
us".
13. Full faith in the power and potency of the Gayatri
Mantra will be generated only when the seeker has developed the
requisite degree of enthusiasm, reverence and love towards this
Mantra.
14. The more one chants the Gayatri Mantra, the greater the
benefit to the one who chants it. (See Q47)37. How does man misuse his life?
Man forgets his true nature owing to his attachment to his
body. He makes bodily comforts the goal of his life and involves
himself in misery. The body is a car and the Atma is the driver.
Forgetting one's true role as a driver, one identifies one's Self
with the body, which is only a vehicle. (SS 9/95-233,234)
38. What should man's life be?
Man's life should be a continuous series of sacrifices of the
lower for the sake of the higher, or of the tiny in favour of the
vast.
39. What cannot our two eyes reveal to
us?
Our two eyes are focussed towards the objective world and its
transient attractions. They cannot therefore reveal the
magnificience and the majesty of the realm of the Spirit.
40. For what purpose has the Gayatri
Mantra been given to us?
The Gayatri Mantra has been given to us as the Third Eye (the
Ajna Chakra) - to reveal the inner vision to us. By developing
this inner vision, we may realise Brahman. (Q46)
41. Why should we guard the Gayatri
Mantra throughout our lives?
The Gayatri Mantra is a treasure and we must therefore guard
it throughout our lives. We must learn to pronounce and chant
the Gayatri Mantra correctly and exactly as taught by Bhagavan.
(Bhagavan has taught the correct pronunciation and
intonation of the Gayatri Mantra in Sathya Sai Bhajanavali Tape No
14 sold at the Prasanthi Nilayam General Stores (Rs 30). The Tape
is entitled - Bhagavan speaks on Gayatri at Upanayanam Ceremony on
17-3-83 at Prasanthi Nilayam.)
42. What should we never give up?
We should never give up the Gayatri Mantra. That is to
say, we must chant the Gayatri Mantra at least a few times
every day with a pure heart.
43. What may we give up?
We may give up or ignore any other Mantra, but we should never
give up the Gayatri Mantra throughout our lives.
44. What benefits can we derive by
chanting the Gayatri Mantra several times a day with a pure heart?
The Gayatri Mantra will protect us from harm wherever we are,
whether - in a bus or car, in a railway train or a plane, in a
bazaar or on the road.
45. What have the Westerners
discovered about the Gayatri Mantra?
The Westerners have discovered that when the Gayatri Mantra is
chanted with the correct accent as laid down in the Vedas, the
atmosphere around is visibly illumined by the vibrations produced
by the Gayatri Mantra.
Bhagavan tells us: "The Sound of a Mantra is as valuable as
its Meaning". SADHANA - The Inward Path - 90, Prasanthi
Nilayam. Also: SATHYA SAI SPEAKS - III - 242
(We should therefore learn to chant the Gayatri Mantra
correctly as taught by Bhagavan.)
(The Gayatri Mantra chanted by Bhagavan is repeated 3 times at
the end of each Bhajan session in the Sai Mandir at 22 Barnes
Place, Colombo 7.
It is not advisable to learn the pronunciation of the Gayatri
Mantra from other teachers.)
46. What spiritual benefits will we
derive by chanting the Gayatri Mantra?
The effulgence of Brahma - Brahmaprakasa, will descend on us,
illumine our intellect and light our spiritual path when we chant
the Gayatri Mantra correctly as taught by Bhagavan.
While chanting the Gayatri Mantra, we may be well advised to
follow the Instruction that Lord Krishna gave to Arjuna in the
Bhagavad Gita V - 27 "Shutting out all sense perceptions, and
fixing the gaze between the eye-brows..."
47. How often should we chant the
Gayatri Mantra?
Bhagavan has said that we should chant the Gayatri Mantra as
often as possible. (SS 9/95-238)
See also Q 36 Item 14 - "The more one chants the Gayatri Mantra,
the greater the benefit to the one who chants it."
We should chant the Gayatri Mantra at least 108 times (One
Mala) every morning. This will take only 15 minutes.
Those who take up to the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra as a
Sadhana by itself may chant 3 or, preferably, 5 Malas every
morning and an equal or lesser number of Malas in the evening.
Chanting 10 Malas (2 1/2 hours) every Sunday morning and on
holidays is not beyond the capacity of the earnest Sadhaka.
Gayatri purascharana consists in chanting 10 Malas each morning
for 24 or 40 days without a break.
To absorb the Mantric power, purity of life and an
abstemious diet are essential.
48. What is the result if we chant the
Gayatri Mantra while taking a bath or before taking our food?
If we chant the Gayatri Mantra while taking a bath, our bath
gets sanctified. If we chant it before taking our food, our food
becomes an offering to the Divine. We should develop heartfelt
devotion to God. (SS 9/95-238)
49. Who is Gayatri?
Gayatri is Annapurna, the Divine Mother, the Divine
Force that animates all Life.
50. Gayatri is described as five-faced.
What are they?
The five Faces of Gayatri are:
1. "Om", the Pranava is the 1st Face. The Pranava
Principle represents the eight different forms of wealth (Ashta
Aiswarya).
2. "Bhur Bhuva Svaha" is the 2nd Face.
3. "Tat Savitur Varenyam" is the 3rd Face.
4. "Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi" is the 4th Face.
5. "Dhi Yo YoNah Prachodayat" is the 5th Face.
All these five aspects of the Gayatri Mantra are within each
one of us. (SS 9/95-235) See also Q 12
51. Why should we take up the Gayatri
Mantra and chant it unceasingly?
We should take up the Gayatri Mantra and chant it unceasingly,
because -
(1) The Gayatri Mantra will protect us from harm wherever we
are, whether - in a bus or car, in a railway train or in a plane,
in a bazaar or on the road.
(2) Brahmaprakasa (the effulgence of Brahman) will descend on
us and illumine our spiritual path when we chant the Gayatri
Mantra.
52. How does the Gayatri Mantra
protect us?
The Gayatri Mantra protects us because Gayatri is Annapurna,
the Mother, the Force that animates all Life. We do not therefore
have to wail for food or for shelter when we are under the
protection of Annapurna, the Divine Mother.
(We should therefore chant the Gayatri Mantra as often as
possible. The more we chant the Gayatri Mantra, the greater the
benefit to us. See Q 47)
53. Do we need any protection other
than what we can get by chanting the Gayatri Mantra?
No. Bhagavan tells us that the Gayatri Mantra is enough to
protect the person who chants it. (SS 9/95-237)
54. Why is the Gayatri Mantra enough
to protect the person who chants it?
The Gayatri Mantra is enough to protect the person who
chants it because, as Bhagavan tells us, the Gayatri Mantra
embodies all the Divine Potencies.
55. What are the benefits that
students will derive by chanting the Gayatri Mantra?
At the Upanayanam ceremony held at Prasanthi Nilayam on
17-3-1983, (Bhajanavali Tape No 14) Bhagavan told the students:
"You may or you may not chant any other Mantra, but do remember
that by chanting the Gayatri Mantra, the benefits are there for
you to see. By continuously chanting the Gayatri Mantra you
yourself will reach the state of fulfilment, a sense of feeling
that you have achieved something. But there is an inner
meaning in this Gayatri Mantra being given to young children. We
have in this Mantra the concluding words - 'Dhi Yo YoNah
Prachodayat'. The meaning is this: Before you have been given
this Mantra, you have been backward intellectually, mentally a bit
lazy and with a few negative points to your credit. But after you
have been given this Mantra, you have become sharper in Intellect,
you have become more zealous, more enthusiastic, and certainly
qualified to get better marks, better rank and first classes. From
tomorrow, the children by virtue of chanting this Mantra in the
morning and in the evening, may they be endowed with a rare
Intelligence which will take care of their fortunes that will be
presiding over their destiny. They will become highly qualified.
They will become model citizens so that the future of the country
will be safe in their hands."
In His Discourse in the Prasanthi Mandir on 23-8-1995, Bhagavan
said:
"It (the Gayatri Mantra) is an essential requisite for the
young, because it ensures a bright and auspicious future for them."
(SS 9/95-237)
NOTE - Except where otherwise stated, the answers to the
above questions have been taken from SATHYA SAI BABA SPEAKS Vol
X pages 109 and 110 and from SANATHANA SARATHI September
1995 pages 233 to 238.
APPENDIX
WHAT INDIA'S SAGES HAVE DECLARED ABOUT THE GAYATRI MANTRA
Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh (1887 - 1963)
Of all the Mantras, the Supreme and the most potent power of
powers is the great, glorious Gayatri Mantra. It is the life
and support of every true Hindu. It is the support of every seeker
after Truth who believes in its efficacy, power and glory, be he
of any caste, creed, clime or sect. It is only one's faith and
purity of heart that really count.
Indeed, Gayatri is an impregnable spiritual armour, a veritable
fortress that guards and protects its votary, that transforms him
into the Divine and blesses him with the brilliant light of the
highest spiritual illumination.
The regular repetition of a few Malas (one Mala
consists of repeating the Gayatri Mantra 108 times) of Gayatri
every day will bestow upon you all that is auspicious and
benevolent to you, herein and hereafter.
It is wrong to conceive of the notion that the Gayatri Mantra
is solely meant for the orthodox Brahmin class. It is universally
applicable, for it is nothing but an earnest prayer for Light
addressed to the Almighty Supreme Spirit. It is verily the sole
transcendental Guide-Light to humanity.
The Sun that the Gayatri Mantra speaks of is 'TAT SAVITUR', the
Great Sun which this sun or moon does not illumine, and that is
the Impersonal Absolute Brahman.
Therefore it is the greatest of all Mantras, and its
presiding Deity is Para-Brahman Itself. Yet it is acceptable to
all types of aspirants. The tejas of the Brahmachari, the
prosperity of the Grihastha and the strength and solace
of the Vaanaprastha lies in his Gayatri Japa.
Even if you are of a different religion or caste, you can also
take to the Gayatri Sadhana, if you are really sincere, earnest
and faithful. Your life will indeed be blessed.
Dear aspirants! Realise the wondrous potency of the glorious
Gayatri. Realise clearly what a precious heritage you have in
this Mantra. Neglect not this Divine Shakthi that the Rishis of
yore have bequeathed to us.
Start regular, daily Gayatri Japa and feel for yourself
the wondrous power that you derive therefrom. Fix a particular
time for the Japa and stick to it permanently.
At least one Mala of Japa you must do daily without a break.
It will guard you from all dangers, give you infinite strength to
overcome all obstacles, and take you to the very pinnacle of
splendour, power, peace and bliss.
The Lord says in the Vedas "Samano Mantraha". Let one Mantra be
common to all, and that Mantra is the Gayatri. The secret lore of
the Upanishads is the essence of the Four Vedas, while the Gayatri
Mantra with the three Vyahritis (Bhur, Bhuva, Svaha) is the
essence of the Upanishads.
Gayatri is the Mother of the Vedas and the destroyer of all
sins. There is nothing more purifying on earth than the Gayatri
Mantra. The Japa of Gayatri brings the same fruit as the
recitation of all the Vedas with the Angas. This single Mantra
repeated sincerely and with a clear conscience brings the Supreme
Good, which is liberation or emancipation from the wheel of birth
and death.
SADHANA
by Swami Sivananda
1985 pages 217 to 220.
(Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba spent one full week in the Ashram of
Swami Sivananda in Rishikesh from 22-7-1957 to 28-7-1957. There is
no record of Bhagavan having visited any other Ashram.)
See Satyam, Sivam, Sundaram - Part I
pages 107 to 115.
Sri Chandrasekharendra Sarasvati Svami (1894 -1994)
(The Shankaracharya of Kaanchiipuram)
Gayatri is the mother of all the Vedic Mantras. People who
chant the Gayatri Mantra with affection and devotion are protected.
Gaayantam traayate yasmaat Gayatri tyabhidhiyate.
If the Brahmin keeps the fire of Mantras always burning in him,
there will be universal welfare.
He must be able to help people in trouble with his Mantric
power. He lives in vain indeed if he turns away a man who seeks
his help, excusing himself thus: "I do the same things that you
do. I possess only such power as you have."
Today, the fire of Mantric power has been put out, or perhaps
it is like dying embers. But may be, a spark of the old fire still
gives off a dim light. It must be made to burn brighter, so that
one day, it may become a blaze.
This spark is the Gayatri Mantra which has been handed
down to us through the ages.
At least on Sundays, all those who wear the sacred thread must
do Gayatri Japa a thousand times. They must take every care
to see that their body is kept pure and fit to absorb the
Mantric power.
The Gayatri Mantra contains in itself the spirit and energy
of all the Vedic Mantras. Indeed it imparts power to the other
Mantras. Without Gayatri Japa, the chanting of all other Mantras
would be futile.
Only by the intense repetition of the Gayatri Mantra
shall we be able to master the Vedic Mantras.
Gayatri is essential to the Self and its Japa must not be
given up at any time.
Gayatri must be worshipped as a Mother.
The Vedas proclaim Gayatri to be such a Mother.
The benefit we derive from the Gayatri Mantra is the cleansing
of the mind - Chitta suddhi. Even other Mantras have this
ultimate purpose.
However, Chitta suddhi is the direct result of Gayatri Japa.
Let us all pray to the Lord that the fire of the Mantras is
never extinguished in us, and that it will keep burning
brighter and brighter.
HINDU DHARMA pages
548 to 553
(Translation of Discourses originally delivered
in Tamil by The Shankaracharya of Kaanchiipuram) -Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan 1995.
Sadguru Sant Keshavadas
Gayatri meditation is the highest form of meditation known in
the Vedas. Gayatri is chanted for the attainment of universal
consciousness and for the awakening of intuitive powers.
Gayatri meditation destroys all delusions, energises prana,
bestows longevity, health, brilliance and illumination.
The Gayatri Mantra is the key to opening the door of Cosmic
Consciousness.
The best times for meditation are in the morning, just before
sunrise and in the evening, just before sunset.
Sit facing East or North in Padmasana or Siddhasana (or
Vajrasana), or in any other easy, comfortable posture. Sit on
a mat covered with a woollen blanket and cotton cloth (to
insulate your body from the ground). Once you sit in a
posture, avoid unnecessary movement of the body.
Keep the trunk, head and neck erect.
Be fearless.
Sit with a firm determination to realise the Truth.
The Gayatri Mantra is a cosmic rhythm consisting of 24
syllables, arranged as a triplet of 8 syllables each.
When you repeat the Mantra, meditate on the meaning of the
Mantra and pray for the vision of Mother Gayatri Devi. This
Mantra is dedicated to God as Light and the Sun is the symbol
of that light.
This Mantra has universality, because it is meditation on Light
through the Sun, which is the same to the whole of humanity.
This Mantra confers wisdom, prosperity, purity and liberation.
One who repeats the Mantra 108 times in each sitting will
attain radiance soon.
One who repeats the Mantra 1008 times with sincerity and
devotion in each sitting will attain illumination in 40 days.
Gayatri Mantra removes all fears.
Gayatri Mantra is the best cure for all ills.
Gayatri Mantra destroys karma and blesses us with liberation.
This entire universe has emerged by the power of the Gayatri
Mantra. Indeed all this is nothing but the manifestation of the
power of God.
There is no Japa higher than the Gayatri Japa.
There is no greater wealth than the Gayatri Mantra.
Whoever meditates on the Gayatri Mantra every morning and
evening will certainly be blessed with long life, good health and
peace. His word becomes a blessing. He will attain enlightenment
and will become a great blessing to the society and the entire
world.
Even though the holy Gayatri Mantra is chanted for the highest
Light of God, still anything a man wishes in the name of Mother
Gayatri is instantaneously fulfilled.
Gayatri brings healing to any sickness, be they physical,
mental, emotional or spiritual.
The Gayatri Mantra is the Body of the Deity.
Therefore by constant repetition of this holy Mantra, one will
have the darshan or perception of that Deity.
The scripture says a purascharana (repetition of the holy word
of God) should be at least 24,000 times.
Gayatri Mantra has 24 syllables.
To repeat the Gavatri Mantra 24,000 times is therefore very
auspicious.
The Vedas constantly emphasise the performance of Gayatri
purascharana and Gayatri yajna for peace - individual, national
and international.
May the Universal Mother Gayatri bless the entire world with
transcendental peace!
GAYATRI - THE HIGHEST MEDITATION
by SADGURU SANT KESHAVADAS
1983 (pages 74 - 78 and 157 - 159) Vishwa
Shanti Ashrama,24 Km. Arasinakunte, Bangalore District 562 123.
Svami Mukhyananda
In the Sukla Yajur Veda (XXVI - 2) it is urged to spread the
beneficient words (Vaacham Kalyaaniim) of the Vedas to all people
without distinction of caste, creed or sex, even to people of
other religions.
Now the time has come, as declared by Swami Vivekananda in
1901 (Complete Works III - pages 454-461 The Religion we are
Born in) that the Vedas and the Gayatri Mantra must be
propagated among all, as before, irrespective of caste, creed, sex
or religion. Women should also perform Sandhya as in olden
times.
"This Veda is our only authority, and everyone has the right
to it."
OM, GAYATRI and SANDHYA
by Svami Mukhyananda
1989 pages 48 and 49 - Sri Ramakrishna Math,
Mylapore, Madras 600 004.
First Edition 3,000 copies December 6,1995
Second Edition 5,000 copies (Revised & Enlarged) January 15,1996
Third Edition 15,000 copies (With minor amendments) November
23,1996
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