Wednesday, Dec 25 2024  

GAYATRI MANTRA - 28 JULY 2003

Om Sri Sai Ram. My humble pranams at the Lotus Feet of Swami.

Dear Uncles, Aunties, Brothers and Sisters. I am Bro Aditya from Group 4. Today I will be talking about the Gayatri Mantra, its latent meaning, how and when it should be chanted and its potential benefits.

Swami has said “Never give up the Gayatri, you may ignore any other mantra, but you should recite the Gayatri Mantra at least a few times a day.” So it is mandatory for us to chant this powerful mantra as often as possible.

We may be chanting “Om Bhur Buvah Suvah Tat…” quickly and impatiently, and in the long run we will not reap any benefits. Yes! Success is impossible without patience! When we chant the Gayatri Mantra, we should chant the mantra slowly while contemplating upon its meaning. The pronunciation should be meticulously correct, each word should be pronounced clearly and distinctively.

Swami has said in a discourse “The Gayatri Mantra has to be chanted three times a day-in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening.” Nonetheless, there is no limit to the number of times we should chant this mantra.

One may ask what is the actual meaning of the Gayatri Mantra?
Om
- the primordial sound as the basis of creation
Bhur Buvah Suvah
- the body, lifeforce and wisdom within it
Tat Savihtur Varenyam
- The Divine who is the very source of the above is exalted and worthy of praise
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
- We meditate on the Divine Light which is like a thousand Suns
Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayat
- May the Divine illuminate and inspire our intellect
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
- Peace to the body, mind and soul

Thus, the Gayatri Mantra removes us from all ignorance and sin. Goddess Gayatri, the five-faced divinity is the Mother of all Vedas. From the five faces emanate the five life forces and thus Goddess Gayatri is our supreme protector. Sage Vishwamitra realized this Truth and composed the Gayatri Mantra

Now, let us explore the spiritual and mental benefits of this mantra. The Gayatri Mantra dispels all darkness and ignorance. It will endow us with intelligence. The Gayatri Mantra purifies our mind and leads us to the realization of the Brahman.

Moreover, scientific theories have proven the significance of this Mantra. It has been discovered that the Gayatri Mantra recited with a yagna (Vedic fire ceremony) can cure mental and physical illnesses and has beneficial effects on the environment. Many scientific theories convey that Gayatri Mantra can act as a shelter to India if millions of people recite it at the same time. Moreover, the famous scientist JBS Haldane has said, “The Gayatri Mantra should be carved on the doors of every laboratory in the world.”

It has been scientifically proven that the Gayatri Mantra protects and enlivens the pranic energy which is vital to our galaxy.

The Gayatri Mantra protects us from danger. Let me narrate a story to prove this. One day, one of Swami’s students was walking on a live wire. When his friend saw him and realised the danger, he tried to save him by pushing him away from the live wire which he successfully did. However, the 2nd friend was electrocuted while he was trying to save his friend. To everyone’s amazement, the 1st friend was perfectly fine. Why? Swami later explained that the student who was walking on the live wire was chanting the Gayatri Mantra and thus was protected!

Thus we can see that Gayatri Mantra is very important to us. So, we have to chant the Gayatri Mantra conscientiously with faith. Moreover, we must understand its meaning. I have known the Gayatri Mantra for seven years but only recently, I have fully understood its meaning. I am certain that itt has improved my concentration power for my studies and removed obstacles too.

Swami says, “Solar energy has to be drawn to reinforce the inner vision of man. When this soul force is strengthened, the intellect, the scenes and the emotions are activated and guided along the fruitful paths. Can darkness confuse the brain when the sun shines? Thus rely on Gayatri to draw the effulgence of sun so that it would illuminate our heart”.

It is indeed very clear that we must chant the Gayatri Mantra regularly.

Om Sai Ram

Bro Aditya
SSEHV Group 4