The Gayatri Mantra, chronicled in the Rig Veda and written in Sanskrit, has been chanted for many centuries before.
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं ।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Om Bhuur-Bhuvah Svah
Tat-Savitur-Varennyam |
Bhargo Devasya Dhiimahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Pracodayaat ||
~ The Rig Veda (10:16:3)
Breakdown:
1: Om, that (Divine Illumination) which Pervades the Bhu Loka (Physical Plane), Bhuvar Loka (Antariksha Loka or the Astral Plane) and Suvar Loka (Swarga Loka or the Celestial Plane),
2: That Savitr (Divine Illumination) which is the Most Adorable,
3: On that Divine Radiance we Meditate,
4: May that Enlighten Our Intellect and Awaken our Spiritual Wisdom
Meaning:
We meditate on the transcendental Glory of the Deity Supreme, who is inside the heart of the earth, inside the life of the sky and inside the soul of Heaven. May He stimulate and illuminate our minds.
OR:
OM. I adore the Divine Self who illuminates the three worlds — physical, astral and causal; I offer my prayers to that God who shines like the Sun. May He enlighten our intellect.
According to the Vedas, there are seven realms or spheres or planes of existence, each more spiritually advanced than the previous one. It is written that through spiritual awareness and development, we can progressively move through these realms and ultimately merge with the Supreme Being. Many Buddhist teachings have also referred to these seven realms.
The Gayatri mantra is one of the oldest and most powerful of Sanskrit mantras. It is believed that by chanting the Gayatri mantra and firmly establishing it in the mind, if you carry on your life and do the work that is ordained for you, your life will be full of happiness.
The word “Gayatri” itself explains the reason for the existence of this mantra. It has its origin in the Sanskrit phrase Gayantam Triyate iti, and refers to that mantra which rescues the chanter from all adverse situations that may lead to mortality.
Goddess Gayatri is also called “Veda-Mata” or the Mother of the Vedas – Rig, Yajur, Saam and Atharva – because it is the very basis of the Vedas. It is the basis, the reality behind the experienced and the cognized universe.
The Gayatri mantra is composed of a metre consisting of 24 syllables – generally arranged in a triplet of eight syllables each. Therefore, this particular meter (tripadhi) is also known as the Gayatri Meter or “Gayatri Chhanda.”
By chanting this mantra, it is said that Divine spiritual light and power is infused in each of our seven chakras and connects them to these seven great spiritual realms of existence.
Other Benefits of Gayatri Mantra:
1. Removes obstacles from your life
2. Protects you from danger
3. Brightens you mind
4. Dispels ignorance
5. Improves communication abilities
6. Opens your psychic vision
7. Brings direct knowledge of the eternal truths
