GAYATRI MANTRA
Gayatri
word composed of two words: “Gayat”
means sin, and “tri” means deliverance,
thus Gayatri means “deliverance from sin”. Gayatri Devi blessed the mankind by giving the
"Gayatri Mantra", also
known as the "Guru Mantra"
or the "Savitri Mantra". Practice of Gayatri Mantra is the essence of all Vedas. Goddess Gayatri
is also called "Veda-Mata"
or the Mother of the Vedas. Lord
Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva
mediate and perform Jap of this mantra. Gayatri Mantra
is said to be the food of Gods. This
is the mantra that transforms human being to original nature by annihilating
ignorance. The self (soul) is nothing but God but it has lost its identity
because of ignorance. When ignorance is eliminated, we resume to our original
nature. Gayatari Mantra is also considered
as a prayer to the "giver of light
and life" – The Sun (Savitur).
In the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 10: Verse 35), Lord Krishna had proclaimed to Arjuna:
"Among all the mantras, I am the Gayatri".
The Mantra
Aum
Bhur Bhuvah Swaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat
~ The Rig Veda (10:16:3)
The Meaning:
"O thou
existence Absolute, Creator of the three dimensions, we contemplate upon thy
divine light. May He stimulate our intellect and bestow upon us true
knowledge."
Or
"O Divine mother,
our hearts are filled with darkness. Please make this darkness distant from us
and promote illumination within us."
Or
"May the
Almighty God illuminate our intellect to lead us along the righteous path."