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Gayatri Mantra

Shehjar e-magazine

antras are sound vibrations that permeate every cell of our being; they let the mind dissolve. Mantras are impulses or rhythms of consciousness They create spiritual vibrations. Mantra is that which saves you from repetitiveness. A repetitive thought is a worry. Mantras help to free us from worries.

Often we wonder why we chant some sounds without understanding their meanings. Can something that we do not understand, help us? A mantra is like a seed. Every seed has the potential to become a tree. Similarly, these sound vibrations contain all the possibilities of creation. Some mantras are in seed form, called the bija mantras. Others are fully expressed, that is the fruit of the mantra is also expressed, like the Gayatri mantra.

It is wrong to conceive of the notion that the Gayatri Mantra is solely meant for the chosen orthodox Brahmin class. It is universally applicable, for it is nothing but an earnest prayer for light, addressed to the Almighty supreme spirit. It is verily the sole transcendental guide-light to humanity. Of all Mantras the supreme and the most potent power of powers is "The Gayatri Mantra". The nature of Gayatri is such that you can adore worshiping it in any form or name you like.

The Gayatri is the support of every seeker after Truth who believes in its efficacy, power and glory, be he of any caste, creed, clime, or sect. It is only one's faith and purity of heart that really count. Indeed Gayatri is impregnable spiritual armour, veritable fortress that guards and protects the votary that transforms him into the divine and blesses him with the brilliant light of the highest spiritual illumination.

One must start regular daily Gayatri Mantra/Japa and and you will feel for yourself the wondrous power that you derive there from. It is always advisable to fix a particular time for the Japa and stick to it permanently. At least one mala of Japa should be done daily without a break. It will guard you from all dangers, give you infinite strength to overcome all obstacles and give you power, peace and bliss.

THE GAYATRI MANTRA WHICH WE HAVE TO PRACTICE DAILY AND REGULARLY IS: -

"Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah"
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat".
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Gayatri Mantra

"Let us meditate on Ishvara and His Glory, who has created the universe, who is fit to be worshipped, who is the remover of all sins and ignorance. May he enlighten our intellect."

You pray to Gayatri as the Divine Mother: "O Beloved Mother! At present I have taken my body as the Self owing to ignorance, through my impure intellect. Give me a pure intellect which will enable me to know my real nature. Give me light and knowledge"

Gayatri is the 'Blessed Mother' of Vedas. There is no milk superior to cow's milk. There is no Mantra superior to Gayatri. As Omkara is for Sanyasins so is Gayatri for brahmacharins and householders. The fruits that are attained by meditation on Omkara can be attained by meditation on Gayatri.

For meditation of Gayatri we would have to get up at early in dawn and start Japa and meditation on Gayatri, five faced Devi seated in a lotus flower, sitting on Padmasana, or siddhasana facing north or east.

You must constantly feel that you are receiving light, purity and wisdom from Gayatri. One should concentrate on the meaning of Gayatri which is very important and keep the image of the Gayatri at the Trikuti, the space between the eyebrows by closing the eyes and concentrate there, or keep the image in the lotus of the heart and concentrate there. You will have Darsana of Gayatri.

It the advisable to have Japa of Gayatri 3000 to 4000 times daily. Your heart will be purified rapidly. If you are not able to do this number, you can do 1008 times daily. If you find it difficult to do this number, do at least 108 times daily, 36 times at sunrise, 36 times at noon, 36 times at sunset.

In the Gayatri Mantra there are nine names and herein there are five halts or stops,

1. Om - 'Om' is the first stop
2. Bhur
3. Bhuvah
4. Svah - 'Bhur Bhuvah Svah' the second
5. Tat
6. Savitur
7. Varenyam, -‘Tat Savitur Varenyam' the third;
8. Bhargo
9. Devasya. Through these nine names the Lord is praised. "Dhimahi" is worship of the Lord. 'Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi’ the fourth;

'Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat' is prayer. "Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat" the fifth

While chanting or doing Japa of the Mantra, we should stop a little at every stop or halt.

When we chant the mantras, or listen to them, we get purity of mind and word. This prepares us for meditation. As a result of the sound vibrations, different patterns of the mind rearrange themselves to become tranquil. Agitation is reduced, helping us to turn inward. For instance, when we laugh, our happiness increases. When we cry, the heaviness of sorrow is released. Just as sounds of laughter and crying help, mantras act similarly. Repetition of mantras creates a psychological or mental response that is deep, beyond the realm of words or expression. It can only be experienced. Speech falls short as it cannot go beyond expression into the experiential level.

*Kanayalal Raina is a Brampton based writer who contributes regularly to various Canadian publications. He is working as Executive Director at Canada Hindu Heritage Centre in Canada. An automobile Engineer and MBA (Mktg) by profession he is providing consultancy on Project Management, Financing and Marketing.

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