12/20/2017 : Gayatri Mantra

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 Shivas 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 pavimocana mantras, which is also known as curse removal mantras. There are three pavimocana mantras to Gyatr mantra and they are by God of
creation Brahm, Sages Vasiha and Vivmitra. Following are the mantras. Each of these mantras is to be recited three times before the commencement of Gyatr mantra proper.
1. r Brahm pavimocana mantra:




om asya rbrahmapavimocanamatrasya brahm i | bhuktimuktiprad brahmapavimocan gyatraktirdevata | gyatr chada | brahmapavimocane viniyoga ||
om gyatr brahmetyupsta yadrpa brahmavido vidu || t payati dhr sumanas vcmagrata ||
om vedtanthya vidmahe hirayagarbhya dhmahi | tanno brahma pracodayt ||
om dev gayatr tva brahmapavimukt bhava ||
2. r Vasiha pavimocana mantra:



om asya rvasihapavimocanamatrasya nigrahnugrahakart vasihai | vsihnugaht gyatr aktirdevat | vivodbhav gyatr chada | vasihapavimocane viniyoga
||
om so'hamarkamaya jyotirtmajyotiraha iva | tmajyotiraha ukra sarvajyotraso'smyaham ||
om dev gyatr tva vasihapavimukt bhava ||
3. r Vivmitra pavimocana mantra:



Asya rvivmitrapavimocanamatrasya ntanasikart vivmitra i | vivmitrnught gyatr aktirdevat | vgdeh gyatr chada | vivmitrapavimocane viniyoga ||

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12/20/2017 : Gayatri Mantra
om gyatr bhajmyagnimukh vivagarbh yadudbhav devvatriktre vivasi t kalymiakar prapadye yanmukhnni sto'khilavedagarbha ||
om gyatr tva vivmitrapdvimukt bhava ||

Correct Gayatri Mantra

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

om bhrbhuvassuva |
om tatsaviturvareyam |
bhargo devasya dhmahi |
dhiyo yo na pracodayt ||

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