AUM
BHUR BHUVAH SVAH
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHE
DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT
Aum : Sound as the basis of Creation, Brahman
Bhuh : The earth, the gross
Bhuva : The atmosphere the Ether, subtle
Swaha : Heaven, the region beyond Bhuvah the Causal
Tat : Stands for “That” the ultimate reality
Savitur : Stands for Divine Savitri, equated with Divine
Power, contained within the sun
Vareniyum : Adore, we adore the glorious power pervading the
Sun
Bhargo : Radiance Lustre, illumination
Devasya : Divine radiance or Grace of God
Dhiyo yo nah : May He enlighten our intellects (The prayer)
Prachodayat : May you direct our intellect towards that
(Ultimate reality)
We Meditate on that ishwara’s glory
Who has created the Universe
Who is fit to be Worshipped
Who is the Embodiment of Knowledge and light
Who is the remover of all sins and ignorance
May He enlighten our intellects
“The Gayatri is the universal prayer enshrined in the Vedas, the most ancient scriptures of man. It is addressed to the Immanent and Transcendent Divine which has been given the name ‘Savitha’, meaning that from which all this is born”. The Gayatri may be considered as having three parts – (i) Praise (ii) Meditation and (iii) Prayer, First the Divine is praised, then it is meditated upon in reverence and finally an appeal is made to the Divine to Awaken and strengthen the intellect, the discriminating faculty of man.
The Gayatri is considered as Vedasara or the essence of Veads
Veda means knowledge and this prayer fosters and sharpens the knowledge yielding faculty.
The Gayatri Mantra has to be taken up for chanting at any time, preferably during the period 4.00 A,M to 8.00 A.M and then at any time between 4.00 P.M. and 8.00 P.M.
It can be repeated always and everywhere, only one has to ensure that the mind is pure. And also repeat ‘shanti’ thrice at the end, for the repetition will give shanty or peace to three entities – body, mind and soul.
When it is recited with the correct accent as laid down in the Vedas, the atmosphere around becomes visibly illumined. So Brahmaprakasa, the effulgence of Brahma will descend on you and illumine your intellect and light your path when this mantra is chanted. Gayatri is Annapurna, the Mother, the Force that animates all life.
(Extract from Divine Discourse, page 121 and 122 – Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol X)
