Gayatri Mantra

Gayatri Mantra Explained 

 

Gayatri Mantra is considered as one of the holiest and powerful mantras that finds a place in three Vedas and a few Upanishads. The main difference between Vedas and Upanishads is that the former talks about the Brahman and the latter shows the ways and means of realising the Brahman revealed by the Vedas. In practical applications, Upanishads play an important role than the Vedas as Vedas mostly talk about mantras and rituals. Amongst all the mantras, Gayatri mantra is considered as the most sacred one. Let us now understand Gayatri mantra. Each mantra is made up of certain number of syllables and a mantra with 24 syllables is called Gayatri chandas. This mantra was first realized by the sage Vishvamitra. He attained enormous siddhis by chanting this mantra. The 24 syllables are placed in three lines or padas and each pada has 8 bijas. The mantra proper is preceded by OM and then by three vyahrtis. Vyahrtis represent the three types of worlds. Then follows the Gayatri mantra proper. Let us first understand OM. We have already to a certain extent, discussed about OM in our posting Understanding OM . OM or pranava is the first manifestation of shabdha Brahman. Before OM could manifest into A, U and M it was in the form of nadabindu (un-manifested form of sound), the creative power of the universe. All sounds originated from Shiva’s drum.

We have already seen that Shiva is the static energy, created on its own. Shakthi was created out of this static energy by means of abnormal pulsation. Possibly this is the only instance when the static energy pulsated. The pulsation of Shiva manifested as Shakthi and from Shakthi all other manifestations such as Prakrti. From Prakrti the five elements originated. This is how the creation was commenced by the Supreme Shakthi, in her vimarsha form. From the Nadabindu (Shiva and Shakthi combine) three syllables A, U and M originated, representing various triads. These are Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra (one of the forms of Shiva is Rudra and this Rudra should not be confused with ekadasa (11) Rudras); creation, sustenance and dissolution; past, present and future and desire, knowledge and action. Thus the Gayatri mantra begins with OM, the original manifested sound of the Brahman. Next to pranava are three vyahritis Bhuhu, Bhuvaha, Suvaha. These vyahritis represent further manifestation of OM and this manifestation is called origin of speech and said to represent the three worlds of this universe. These three worlds originated from the three letters A,U,M of OM. From these vyahritis ,was derived the Gayatri mantra. Gayatri mantra is the origin of three Vedas (Rik, yajur and Sama Vedas). But what do these three lokas or worlds mean? They mean the three stages of consciousness. Bhuh means the lower level of consciousness and means the lower planes. Bhuvah means the ordinary or normal level of consciousness that is associated with our day to day activities. This vyahriti refers to the earth. Suvaha means higher level of consciousness. The higher level of consciousness is used to realize the Brahman. Thus the three vyahritis in fact mean the modifications in the level of consciousness.

The Supreme Gayatri Mantra

After OM and three vyahritis, the famous Gayatri mantra of 24 syllables is placed. It has three padas or lines. The first line of eight bijas is ‘tat-savitur-varenyam’. Tat means that, savitir means the Creator, varenyam means the supreme. The first pada means ‘That Supreme creator’. The second pada or line of 8 bijas is ‘bhargo-devasya-dhimahi’. Bargo means illuminating form, devasya means that belongs to the Brahman, dhimahi means meditate. The second pada means we meditate on the illuminating form that belongs to the Brahman. The third pada or line of 8 bijas is ‘dhiyo-yo-nah-prachodayat’. Dhiyo means the modifications of the mind, yo means that Brahman, nah means ours, prachodayat means inducing. The third line means modification of our mind is induced by that Brahman. As a whole this is the meaning of Gayatri mantra without vyahritis and pranava. “We meditate on that illuminating form of the Supreme Creator, who induces modifications in our mind (mental modifications).” It is to be understood that such mental modifications do not happen if our consciousness is in the same frequency as that of the Brahman. Mental modifications happen only in the lower planes. Any mantra with gayatri meter will have 24 bijas and this meter is supposed to protect our gross body. The gross body is nourished by the vital force or prana and the first pada of Gayatri mantra represents this vital force. The second pada gives knowledge. Knowledge means, knowledge about the Brahman. This knowledge is gained through Vedas and Upanishads. In the olden days, a disciple is sent to a Guru for learning Vedas at a very young age. As first step towards learning Vedas, the disciple is initiated into Gayatri mantra. The third pada of this mantra refers to Turiya stage, a stage beyond the three stages of sleep, dream and deep sleep.

We have already discussed that knowledge about the Brahman can be realized only in this fourth state. In other words, self-realization can take place only in the state of turiya, the level of super-consciousness or un-consciousness level (frequency of the Brahman). Only when you move away from all types of your consciousness, the Supreme self-illuminating Brahman will be realized. When the mind gets detached from consciousness, unconsciousness level is reached. However, it is extremely difficult to dissociate the mind from consciousness. Gayatri mantra is often said to represent the sun. In fact this is true to a certain extent. Sun fits perfectly the description of the Brahman. Without sun the world cannot function. The energy itself is derived from the sun only. Sun is also self illuminating like the Brahman. The light of the sun alone illuminates other objects, or other objects are known only with the rays of the sun. Since all the qualities of the Brahman perfectly fit the sun, it is referred to as the creator. That is why the word ‘savitur’ in the first pada is said to mean the sun. But it should not be construed that Gayatri mantra is about sun. Sun is one of the creations of Shakthi and it is not the Brahman that we are discussing about. The main qualities of the Brahman like illumination, creation etc happens only through the light of the sun and we realize that these acts happen because of suns’ energy. The internal self illumination that is several times powerful than the sun when realized within us is called the Brahman or self-realization. Therefore, Gayatri mantra is about the supreme Brahman that we are trying to realize. That is why the mantra itself uses the word ‘meditate’. Only through meditation, modifications of the mind can take place that can ultimately lead to un-conscious state of the mind where the self illuminating Brahman is realized. If Panchadasi mantra of Lalithambigai is recited once, it is equivalent to three recitations of Gayatri mantra. Each line of Panchadasi manta is equivalent to one recitation of Poorna Gyatri mantra. The Gayatri mantra has got several curses from various gods and sages. Before the commencement of recitation of Gayatri mantra, these curses are to be removed. The sage Vishvamitra himself has cursed this verse. There are three mantras that are to be recited three times before the commencement of reciting the mantra proper to remove all such curses. Unless these curses are removed, no one can attain siddhi in this maha mantra

 

Removal of Curses of Gayatri Mantra 

 

there is a reference to śāpavimocana mantras, which is also known as curse removal mantras. There are three śāpavimocana mantras to Gāyatrī mantra and they are by God of creation Brahmā, Sages Vasiṣṭha and Viśvāmitra. Following are the mantras. Each of these mantras is to be recited three times before the commencement of Gāyatrī mantra proper.

1. Śrī Brahmā śāpavimocana mantra:

ॐ अस्य श्रीब्रह्मशापविमोचनमंत्रस्य ब्रह्मा ऋषिः। भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदा ब्रह्मशापविमोचनी गायत्रीशक्तिर्देवत। गायत्री छंदः। ब्रह्मशापविमोचने विनियोगः॥
ॐ गायत्री ब्रह्मेत्युपासीत यद्रूपं ब्रह्मविदो विदुः॥ तां पश्यंति धीराः सुमनसा वाचामग्रतः॥
ॐ वेदांतनाथाय विद्महे हिरण्यगर्भाय धीमहि। तन्नो ब्रह्म प्रचोदयात्॥
ॐ देवी गयत्री त्वं ब्रह्मशापविमुक्ता भव॥

om asya śrībrahmaśāpavimocanamaṁtrasya brahmā ṛṣiḥ | bhuktimuktipradā brahmaśāpavimocanī gāyatrīśaktirdevata | gāyatrī chaṁdaḥ | brahmaśāpavimocane viniyogaḥ ||

om gāyatrī brahmetyupāsīta yadrūpaṁ brahmavido viduḥ || tāṁ paśyaṁti dhīrāḥ sumanasā vācāmagrataḥ ||
om vedāṁtanāthāya vidmahe hiraṇyagarbhāya dhīmahi | tanno brahma pracodayāt ||
om devī gayatrī tvaṁ brahmaśāpavimuktā bhava ||

2. Śrī Vasiṣṭha śāpavimocana mantra:

ॐ अस्य श्रीवसिष्ठशापविमोचनमंत्रस्य निग्रहानुग्रहकर्ता वसिष्ठऋषिः। वासिष्ठानुगृहीता गायत्री शक्तिर्देवता। विश्वोद्भवा गायत्री छंदः। वसिष्ठशापविमोचने विनियोगः॥
ॐ सोऽहमर्कमयं ज्योतिरात्मज्योतिरहं शिवः। आत्मज्योतिरहं शुक्रः सर्वज्योतीरसोऽस्म्यहम्॥
ॐ देवी गायत्री त्वं वसिष्ठशापविमुक्ता भव॥
om asya śrīvasiṣṭhaśāpavimocanamaṁtrasya nigrahānugrahakartā vasiṣṭhaṛṣiḥ | vāsiṣṭhānugṛahītā gāyatrī śaktirdevatā | viśvodbhavā gāyatrī chaṁdaḥ | vasiṣṭhaśāpavimocane viniyogaḥ ||
om so'hamarkamayaṁ jyotirātmajyotirahaṁ śivaḥ | ātmajyotirahaṁ śukraḥ sarvajyotīraso'smyaham ||
om devī gāyatrī tvaṁ vasiṣṭhaśāpavimuktā bhava ||

3. Śrī Viśvāmitra śāpavimocana mantra:

अस्य श्रीविश्वामित्रशापविमोचनमंत्रस्य नूतनसृष्टिकर्ता विश्वामित्र ऋषिः। विश्वामित्रानुगृहीता गायत्री शक्तिर्देवता। वाग्देहा गायत्री छंदः। विश्वामित्रशापविमोचने विनियोगः ॥
ॐ गायत्री भजाम्यग्निमुखीं विश्वगर्भाः यदुद्भवा देवाश्वत्रिक्त्रे विश्वसृष्टिं तां कल्याणीमिष्टकरीं प्रपद्ये यन्मुखान्निः सृतोऽखिलवेदगर्भः॥
ॐ गायत्री त्वं विश्वामित्रशापाद्विमुक्ता भव॥
Asya śrīviśvāmitraśāpavimocanamaṁtrasya nūtanasṛṣṭikartā viśvāmitra ṛṣiḥ | viśvāmitrānugṛhītā gāyatrī śaktirdevatā | vāgdehā gāyatrī chaṁdaḥ | viśvāmitraśāpavimocane viniyogaḥ ||
om gāyatrī bhajāmyagnimukhīṁ viśvagarbhāḥ yadudbhavā devāśvatriktre viśvasṛṣṭiṁ tāṁ kalyāṇīmiṣṭakarīṁ prapadye yanmukhānniḥ sṛto'khilavedagarbhaḥ ||
om gāyatrī tvaṁ viśvāmitraśāpādvimuktā bhava ||

  Correct Gayatri Mantra

 

Gāyatrī mantra should have two ॐ; one at the beginning of vyāhṛti-s and another for the second part, the Vedic mantra.

ॐ भूर्भुवस्सुवः।
ॐ तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम्।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥

om bhūrbhuvassuvaḥ |
om tatsaviturvareṇyam |
bhargo devasya dhīmahi |
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt ||