[Temple Purohit]

Meaning of Gayatri Mantra

Aum = Brahma ; bhoor = embodiment of vital spiritual energy(pran) ; bhuwah = destroyer of sufferings ; swaha = embodiment of happiness ; tat = that ; savitur = bright like sun ; varenyam = best choicest ; bhargo = destroyer of sins ; devasya = divine ; dheemahi = may imbibe, pertains to meditation ; dhiyo = intellect ; yo = who ; naha = our ; prachodayat = may inspire!

Gayatri is not the name of the mantra as such. It is the measurement. Any mantra set in the CHANDAS of Gayatri is called Gayatri mantra and chandas is a measure, and the one that is popularly known today As Gayatri mantra, is actually Savitri Mantra set in Gayatri chandas. The “Gayatri” chandas itself got its form from the Gayatri mantra. It is said that when the Gayatri mantra was revealed it was a chandas which was not known before, and that new Vedic meter was named with the name of the name of the mantra itself. In Vedas there are many other mantras which are in the Gayatri chandas (Vedic meter).

This is one of the first mantras we are introduced to as children. This is also one of the most powerful and significant mantra in Hinduism. It roughly translates to “May the divine light of the Supreme Being illuminate our intellect, to lead us along a path of righteousness”. The effects of chanting the Gayatri mantra are immense. It purifies the spirit of the chanter and also those who are in the vicinity; they are also benefited by the positive vibrations of the gayatri mantra. In certain translations, Gaya is referred to as the vital source of energy and tray ate which is the protective energy of the earth to liberate people from ignorance.

Gayatri Devi is the incarnation of shakti who embodies virtue, peace, purity and wisdom. In this form she receives the blessing of Lord Brahma and she is believed to have given the four Vedas to mankind.

This is considered to be false by many Hindus as the Gayatri mantra has nothing to do with a singular goddess or god. It is a prayer to the formless, omnipresent ishwara (the supreme power).The Gayatri mantra present in the rig Veda was not written very lightly. It has a Vedic metre of 24 syllables.

The Gayatri mantra was present in the rig Veda which originated in the Vedic age almost 3000 years ago. It is speculated that the Gayatri mantra could have been existent several centuries ahead of that time. The sages of ancient times selected the words of the Gayatri carefully and arranged them so that they not only convey meaning but also create very specific vibrations and powers of righteous wisdom through their utterance.

Often in search of religious and spiritual meaning we tend to ignore the scientific basis for it; the gayatri mantra has a perfect scientific explanation too. The earth(bhur), the planets(bhuva) ,and the galaxies(swah) , are moving at a great velocity, the sound produced is Om ,(the name of formless God.) That God (tat), who manifests Himself in the form of light of suns (savitur) is worthy of bowing/respect( varenyam) . We all, therefore, should meditate (dheemahi) upon the the light(bhargo) of that deity(devasya) and also do chanting of Om. May He (yo) guide in right direction(prachoday at) our (nah) intellect(dhiyo).

[Temple Purohit]

Dear Sai, please do not worry or have any feeling of guilt for stopping midway. That feeling is what is troublesome, not the fact that you had to stop chanting midway. Mantras help us focus and the vibrations have a lasting effect on us. You can very well chant without pooja and havan. I hope whatever mental problems you have is a minor blip that you will tide over soon. Please speak to someone, it always helps. Don’t worry about the negative effects, try and sort out all your problems first. I hope you do sort out all your problems at the earliest.

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