ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः।
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥
The English translation of the Gayatri Mantra is:
"Om, the Earth, the Heavens, and the Celestial Abode.
Let us meditate on the adorable splendor of Savitr,
the Sun God.
May he stimulate our intellect and inspire our lives."
Key elements and meanings of the Gayatri Mantra:
The syllables "ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः" (Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ) are an additional part that is often added before the main body of the Gayatri Mantra. These syllables are known as the Mahavyahritis and are considered sacred in their own right.
The Mahavyahritis are derived from the Yajurveda and are often chanted before the Gayatri Mantra as a form of invocation and to establish a connection with the divine.By chanting the Mahavyahritis before the Gayatri Mantra, practitioners seek to purify and prepare themselves for the recitation of the main mantra. It is a way of acknowledging and connecting with the divine presence within and around them.
Om: It is a sacred sound representing the cosmic vibration and the essence of the universe.
Bhur, Bhuvah, Svah: These are the three worlds or planes of existence in Hindu cosmology. Bhur represents the physical world, Bhuvah represents the mental world, and Svah represents the celestial or spiritual world.
Tat: It refers to "that," representing the divine power or Brahm.
Savitur: It is one of the names of the Sun God, Savitr. The word "Savitr" is derived from the Sanskrit root "sū" which means "to generate" or "to impel." It signifies the life-giving and illuminating aspect of the Sun.
Varenyam: It means "adorable" or "worthy of worship." The practitioner contemplates the divine qualities of Savitr and seeks to connect with those qualities.
Bhargo Devasya: Bhargo means "splendor" or "radiance," and Devasya means "of the divine." It refers to the divine effulgence or brilliance of the Sun God.
Dheemahi: It means "we meditate" or "we contemplate." The practitioner focuses the mind and engages in deep meditation on the divine radiance of Savitr.
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat: Dhiyo means "intellect" or "understanding," Yo means "who," Nah means "our," and Prachodayat means "may he inspire." This part of the mantra is an invocation, where the practitioner seeks the illumination of their intellect and the inspiration to lead a righteous life.
The Gayatri Mantra is considered a powerful tool for spiritual upliftment, intellectual growth, and self-realization. It is believed to purify the mind, awaken higher consciousness, and lead to spiritual enlightenment. Regular recitation or chanting of the mantra is said to bring inner peace, mental clarity, and divine blessings.
It is important to note that the Gayatri Mantra is not limited to any particular gender, sexual orientation, or religious belief. It is a universal mantra that can be practiced by anyone, irrespective of their background. The mantra emphasizes the pursuit of knowledge, righteousness, and the realization of the divinity within oneself.
Written By: Ritesh Mishra