I memorized Gayatri Mantra on my 50th birthday by taping it to the steering wheel of my car as i drove up to Rocky Mountain National Park for a horseback ride. it was worth it. i have ever since enjoyed the pleasure of singing it to the rising sun.
Introduction to Gayatri Mantra
Give in to her infinite power and truly believe in her ability to change your life.
Gayatri is a Sanskrit word, made up of the two sounds, “Gaa” (to sing) and “Yatree” (protection). Gayatri is a name for the Divine Mother, she who protects her children and leads them toward self-realization (fulfillment of one’s potential).
Gayatri mantra is said to be the essence of the Vedas, seed sounds which embody the collective wisdom of the Vedas. The Vedas venerate an intangible reality through hymns to a tangible cosmos. It is said that only 25 Rishis since ancient times have understood the full meaning and used the whole power of the Gayatri Mantra.
Gayatri honors our source energy for life on earth. It is said to be a formula which invokes spiritual illumination and liberation, bringing us to an elevated state. It is considered to burn away all impurities and fill us with the pure energy of the Cosmos. Gayatri mantra expresses gratitude and conjures grace.
Gayatri is traditionally chanted silently or in a soft, sweet voice either at brahma muhurta (the Creator’s hour) between 3:30-4:30 am or at the sandhyas (junctures) of sunrise, noon, sunset.
Written in the gayatri meter (24 syllables divided into 3 lines of 8 syllables each)
Tat savitur varenyam
bhargo devasya dhimahi
dhiyo yo nah prachodayat
Gayatri is recited beginning with Om, followed by three seed sounds called maha vyahritis (the great utterances) bhur bhuvah svah, which serve as an invocation to the Gayatri. Bhu, Bhuvah, Svah are also referred to as the three worlds, earth, outer space, and inner space.
GAYATRI MANTRA
Om bhur bhuvah svah
Tat savitur varenyam
bhargo devasya dhimahi
dhiyo yo nah prachodayat
Additionally, an extended form-an invocation to illuminate the seven chakras, blessing the seven realms, and activating the seven Lokhas (planes of existence or spheres of consciousness):
EXTENDED (SEVEN CHAKRA) GAYATRI MANTRA
Om bhu (first chakra, earth plane, existence)
Om bhuvaha (second chakra, atmospheric plane, consciousness)
Om swaha (third chakra, solar region, inner space, bliss)
Om maha (fourth chakra, first spiritual region beyond the sun: heart vibration)
Om janaha (fifth chakra, second spiritual region beyond the sun: power of the divine spiritual world)
Om tapaha (sixth chakra, third spiritual region beyond the sun: sphere of the progenitors, realm of highest spiritual understanding while still identified with individual existence)
Om satyam (seventh chakra, the abode of supreme truth: absorption into the supreme)
Seven Chakra Gayatri Mantra
Om bhu, Om bhuvaha, Om swaha,
Om maha, Om janaha, Om tapaha, Om satyam,
Om Tat savitur varenyam
bhargo devasya dhimahi
dhiyo yo nah prachodayat
Translation of Gayatri Mantra
Sun who gives us life on earth, whose power extends beyond the cosmos,
who is present in us all,
Whose fountain of Grace is our Source,
your Glorious Light purifies us when we focus upon You,
may i merge with you in union;
may i selflessly dedicate my efforts.
May you spread from my heart to my mind,
may my prayers lift the whole of humanity,
Please direct my energies in the right way,
and to your sanctuary of tranquility and peace.
Om (seed sound of the Universe, cosmic yes of unification) Bhur (physical world, earth plane, eternal nature) Bhuvah (mental world, subtle or astral plane, boundless nature) Svah (spiritual world, higher celestial plane, omnipresent nature) Tat (paramatma, selflessness) Savitur (sun, creator) Varenyam (the most adorable, highest) Bhargo (luster, effulgence, glorious light, purity) Devasya (the Supreme) Dhimahi (we meditate upon) Dhiyo (intellect, understanding) Yo (who) Nah (our, the whole world is one big family) Prachodayat (enlightens, guides, removes darkness on our path and escorts us through the chaos of the world)