GAYATRI MANTRA

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

                                                               ~ 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."