The Gayatri Mantra

 by Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati

OM BHUR BHUVAHA SWAHA TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI DHIYO YONAHA PRACHODAYAT

Two Translations:

"Let us meditate upon the Light of that adorable Sun (of Spiritual Consciousness). May it awaken our spiritual perception on all the three planes – physical, vital and mental."

"Let us contemplate the Radiant Source of all Light; may our minds merge with It, thereby awakening our Perception and Understanding on all three planes – physical, vital and mental."

Scriptures: The Gayatri mantra is said to have been realised by Sage Vishva Mitra. It is found in the Rig Veda (3-62-10) and in the Yajur Veda 3-63. It is known as the Mother of the Vedas since it stimulates Revelation.

Background. The Gayatri has 24 syllables and is one of the most important mantras of Yoga. It is said that the Gayatri contains the essence of the Vedas; that OM contains the essence of Gayatri, and that OM is the expression of the Absolute. Gayatri can be considered as a concrete expression of one’s aspiration to go deeper. It can be used as a focal point for meditation, as a prayer (expression of devotion) and as a sankalpa (vow).

Benefits. Chanting the Gayatri calms the mind and emotions, thereby preparing us for Meditation. It helps to awaken the "buddhi" – the Third Eye or Agya Chakra which allows subtle perception and the capacity to SEE behind ‘the scenes.’ It initiates us into "nivritti marga" – the Spiritual return to the Source.

Word Meanings:
“OM” - symbol of the Primordial vibration which created (and still creates) Everything.

“bhur” - the physical plane.

“bhuvaha” - the vital/ energetic plane.

“swaha” - the mental plane including the psychic.

"tat” - That; the Absolute; Paramatma; Underlying Intelligence.

“savitur” - the Sun; which can refer both to the physical sun in the sky which allows life to exist on Earth and to the Atma (Consciousness) which sustains us from within and from which we can become Spiritually awakened.

"varenyam" - most excellent, adorable; fit to be worshipped.

"bhargo" - light; radiance; light which bestows wisdom.

"devasya" - Divine; the Ineffable.

"dhimahi" - may we meditate upon. (Note: 'dhimahi' is plural not singular which implies that the person chanting is asking for the spiritual perception to be given to all beings, not just to him/herself. Prayers are often selfish; here Gayatri is being chanted for the benefit of all).

"dhiyo" - buddhi; mental faculty which allows the flow of Awareness.

"yo” - which

"naha” - our.

"prachodayat" - enlighten; awaken.

Practice. Ideally, Gayatri should be chanted for three periods of time each day at the ‘sandhyas’ – between night and day (dawn), between morning and afternoon (midday) and between day and night (dusk).