Gayatri Mantra - A Universal Prayer
Gayatri Mantra - A Universal Prayer
Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Suvaha
Tat-savitur Vareñyaṃ
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt
The Gayatri has 24 syllables, and is listed below with phonetic pronunciation in brackets:
Om bhuh, bhuvah, swaha (Aumm Bhoor Bhoo-va Su-va-ha)
Tat savitur varenyam (Tat Sa-vee-toor Var-ayn-yam)
Bhargo devasya dhimahi (Bar-go Day-vas-ya Dhee-ma-hee)
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat (Dhee-yo Yo Nah Pra-cho-da-yaat)
A general translation of the mantra is:
O Divine mother, may your pure divine light illuminate all realms (physical, mental and spiritual) of our being. Please expel any darkness from our hearts and bestow upon us the true knowledge.
Translations vary, but Vyaas Houston’s is among the most accessible:
“Earth, atmosphere, heavens. We meditate on the sacred light of the effulgent source. Let that inspire our thoughts.”
What is “effulgent”?
Merriam-Webster’s defines it as “radiant splendor,” but in a yogic sense, it refers to the all-pervading light of the celestial realms.
A word-for-word translation is:
Om: The primeval sound
Bhur: The human body, earth, physical realm, existence
Bhuvah: The vital energies, heaven, consciousness
Suvah: The soul, inner space, spiritual realm, bliss
Tat: That
Savitur: The Sun, solar powers
Varenyam: To choose, the best, adore
Bhargo: Effulgence, self-luminous, divine light
Devasya: The divine, radiant
Dhimahi Dhiyo: the intellect
Yo: Which
Nah: Our, of us
Prachodayat: Illuminate, inspire
Benefits of chanting the Gayatri
It’s said that by regularly chanting the Gayatri mantra, you accumulate spiritual light, and that you will not only raise your own vibratory level but also the levels of those around you your family and friends, your circle of acquaintances, the entire global community.
The sound of the Gayatri mantra brings us back to our own true nature, which is pure consciousness itself. It reminds us that we are already perfect beings, and that we have been given everything we need to manifest our highest potential. When we practice the Gayatri, we remember that we are divinely connected to the universe, and that we are blessed by its abundance.
A regular meditation practice using this mantra can bring peace, joy, grace, and happiness prosperity. It is also said to strengthen concentration, heal the physical body, and protect against negativity, fear, anger, jealousy, hatred, greed, and envy. The ancient texts claim that chanting the Gayatri 10 times per day removes the bad karma in this lifetime and chanting 108 times daily will dissolve the karma from previous lives.
Written By: Kathleen Bryant
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