What is the Gayatri Mantra?

The Gayatri mantra is considered one of the most powerful mantras in the Sanathanam dharma tradition - the Hindu tradition. It is at once a mantra, a chant, a prayer and a spiritual invocation. It is directly linked to the Vedas, the great texts of the Indian tradition: it perfectly reflects the spirit of grandeur, of nobility in the divine sense of the term. In India, it is recognized as the supreme mantra because it unites all the Vedas.

What does the Gayatri mantra mean?

It is also called Gurumantra or the "master's mantra" because it opens access to the hidden, subtle dimensions of existence and the universal consciousness present in every human being. The Sanskrit term mantra consists of two words; "manas" which means the mind and "tra" which means deliverance - protection. And the word "Gayatri" contains two words, also meaning: "agya" - song and "tri" - three. We can also say that Gayatri is the mantra that protects from the traps of the mind.

What are the words of the Gayatri mantra?

This song is in three parts and is composed of 24 syllables:

"Om bhurbhuvah svh

tat saviturvarenyam bargo devasaya dhimadi

"I am going to pray for you"

Here is the translation of this very powerful mantra.

Om, earthly world, sky world, celestial worlds

Meditations on the Divine Splendor of the Sun

May it bring forth revelation and knowledge in us.

From the transcendent light of consciousness.

Om = is the Pranaya (the primordial sound from which all creations come)

Bhùr = the earth, the physical plane

Bhuvah = the intermediate world, space

Svah = the celestial world or the world of the gods far beyond our solar system

Bhurbuvah svah = the form of sàt -cit - ananda (being - consciousness - bliss)

tat = that, the Paramatma or the supreme soul

Savitur = name of the Sun, the one who shines, the spiritual sun

Varenyam: perfect, which is revered

Bargo = the light that awakens consciousness

Devasya: Guessing the Inexpressible

Dhimahi = we meditate on

Dhiyo = understanding

Yo = who

Nah = our

Pracodayat = awakened, enlightened one who sets out on the path of truth.

The Gayatri mantra is the testimony of the power of the universal divine soul. It is the union of the 24 invocatory vibrations charged with the power to bring back inner unity to those who come into contact with them through chanting.

It is recommended to perform this japa mantra, the "continuous repetition" at least one hundred and eight times, preferably on Sundays or twice a day at sunrise and sunset.

here is a link to the very beautiful Mantra Gàyàtri by Deva Premal