THE GAYATRI MANTRA The beautiful rhythmic patterns, soothing ancient sounds and powerful intent make the Gayatri Mantra a magnificent part of daily spiritual practice. The Gayatri Mantra combines the effects of mantric sound with the effects of a deep and profound prayer, resulting in a combination which is exceedingly potent. As with all spiritual practices, this is a vehicle for intent. The stronger and greater the intent, the stronger and greater the results. Just like the Sun annihilates darkness, so does the Gayatri Mantra destroy ignorance. The Gayatri Mantra invokes the power and radiance of the Sun to energize all earthly life, to destroy our sins and to reveal the Supreme Self to us. OM BHU OM BHUVAHA OM SWAHA OM MAHA OM JANAHA OM TAPAHA OM SATYAM OM TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI DHIYO YONAHA PRACHODAYAT Summary of the Mantra: Oh Self-Illuminated, Eternally Conscious Divine Light, Who has given birth to the seven spheres of consciousness, We meditate on your glory Creator of the Universe, you are worthy of worship You are the embodiment of Knowledge and Light You are the remover of all Sin and Ignorance May we receive Your Eternal Grace Elements of the mantra: OM BHU= Om and salutations to the Earth Plane (1st chakra) OM BHUVAHA = Om and salutations to the Atmosphere Plane (2nd chakra) OM SWAHA = Om and and salutations to the Solar Region (3rd chakra) OM MAHA = Om and salutations to the First Spiritual Region Beyond the Sun (4th chakra) OM JANAHA = Om and salutations to the Second Spiritual Region Beyond the Sun (5th chakra) OM TAPAHA = Om and salutations to the Third Spiritual Region Beyond the Sun (6th chakra) OM SATYAM = Om and salutations to the Abode of Supreme Truth (7th chakra) OM TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM = Om and salutations to that realm which is beyond human comprehension BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI = In that place where all the celestials of all the spheres have… DHIYO YONAHA PRACHODAYAT = … received enlightenment, kindly enlighten our intellect. AUM, the primordial sound, resides in all elements of the universe. It permeates the earth (-bhUH), water (-bhuvaH), fire (-svaH), air (-mahaH), ether (-janaH), intelligence (-tapaH) and consciousness (-satyam). We pay homage to Gayatri, the one who shines like the sun (tat savitur), the one who destroys all our sins through her everlasting and effulgent light. Dear Goddess Gayatri, please illuminate our path towards our higher consciousness and lead us to our true purpose in life. Please shine your light (-jyotiH) in our path so we may partake of the everlasting nectar (rasomRRitaM) of brahman while chanting the primordial sound, AUM! This mantra is considered to be the greatest of all Mantras. Those who repeat this mantra with devotion develop a brilliant intellect. This Mantra grants health of body and mind, and also success, peace, prosperity and spiritual enlightenment. The Gayatri Mantra is the great calling of spiritual light into the practitioner. It petitions the Divine Goddess to impart Her spiritual light into us. It is practiced by Hindus and Buddhists alike and one thing they all agree on, is the tremendous power that is the Great Gayatri Mantra. There are 5 aspects to Gayatri. One is Lakshmi (Primordial Abundance) who is in the center. The other four are Saraswati (Divine knowledge), Bhuh Devi (Earth Goddess), Parvati (The power of Consciousness) and Kali (The dark Goddess of the Void). The best time to repeat it at the dawn and sunset and the hours before and after them. There is a special energy at that time that crosses the planet. This Mantra is truly the Mother of all Mantras and all Mantras are said to be contained within it. This is a liberation Mantra of the highest order.