Gayatri Mantra is considered as one of the holiest and powerful mantras that finds a place in three Vedas and a few Upanishads. The main difference between Vedas and Upanishads is that the former talks about the Brahman and the latter shows the ways and means of realising the Brahman revealed by the Vedas. In practical applications, Upanishads play an important role than the Vedas as Vedas mostly talk about mantras and rituals. Amongst all the mantras, Gayatri mantra is considered as the most sacred one. Let us now understand Gayatri mantra. Each mantra is made up of certain number of syllables and a mantra with 24 syllables is called Gayatri chandas. This mantra was first realized by the sage Vishvamitra. He attained enormous siddhis by chanting this mantra. The 24 syllables are placed in three lines or padas and each pada has 8 bijas. The mantra proper is preceded by OM and then by three vyahrtis. Vyahrtis represent the three types of worlds. Then follows the Gayatri mantra proper. Let us first understand OM. We have already to a certain extent, discussed about OM in our posting
Understanding OM . OM or pranava is the first manifestation of shabdha Brahman. Before OM could manifest into A, U and M it was in the form of nadabindu (un-manifested form of sound), the creative power of the universe. All sounds originated from Shiva’s drum.
We have already seen that Shiva is the static energy, created on its own. Shakthi was created out of this static energy by means of abnormal pulsation. Possibly this is the only instance when the static energy pulsated. The pulsation of Shiva manifested as Shakthi and from Shakthi all other manifestations such as Prakrti. From Prakrti the five elements originated. This is how the creation was commenced by the Supreme Shakthi, in her vimarsha form. From the Nadabindu (Shiva and Shakthi combine) three syllables A, U and M originated, representing various triads. These are Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra (one of the forms of Shiva is Rudra and this Rudra should not be confused with ekadasa (11) Rudras); creation, sustenance and dissolution; past, present and future and desire, knowledge and action. Thus the Gayatri mantra begins with OM, the original manifested sound of the Brahman. Next to pranava are three vyahritis Bhuhu, Bhuvaha, Suvaha. These vyahritis represent further manifestation of OM and this manifestation is called origin of speech and said to represent the three worlds of this universe. These three worlds originated from the three letters A,U,M of OM. From these vyahritis, was derived the Gayatri mantra. Gayatri mantra is the origin of three Vedas (Rik, yajur and Sama Vedas). But what do these three lokas or worlds mean? They mean the three stages of consciousness. Bhuh means the lower level of consciousness and means the lower planes. Bhuvah means the ordinary or normal level of consciousness that is associated with our day to day activities. This vyahriti refers to the earth. Suvaha means higher level of consciousness. The higher level of consciousness is used to realize the Brahman. Thus the three vyahritis in fact mean the modifications in the level of consciousness.
(To be concluded)
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April 07, 2013 03:13 PM
Ravi, please provide Gayatri mantra with 24 syllables for those who don't know.
April 07, 2013 04:56 PM
This is the famous Gāyatrī Mantra:
ॐ।
भूर्भुवस्सुवः।
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम्।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
om |
bhūrbhuvassuvaḥ |
tatsaviturvareṇyam |
bhargo devasya dhīmahi |
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt ||
April 23, 2013 01:06 PM
Ravi - understanding OM link in the above article does not work.
April 23, 2013 01:32 PM
The following link will work http://manblunder.com/articlesview/understanding-om
June 12, 2014 12:15 AM
sir i want to know that in the verse भूर्भुवस्सुवः .It must be readed as " bhuburva " but we all read it as " bhūrbhuva " why ??
June 12, 2014 09:58 AM
This is like this. भूः + भुवः + सुवः (bhūḥ + bhuvaḥ +suvaḥ). When we join all the three, it gives rise to भूर्भुवस्सुवः.
June 12, 2014 01:42 PM
sir , i heard that mantra is to be chanted with particular rhythm or sawara for it to be effective , Is this correct ??If yes , then how to find particular rhythm or sawara for a particular mantra ??
June 12, 2014 01:47 PM
Veda mantras should not be recited with svara, except in the case of Sama Veda.
June 12, 2014 04:47 PM
There should be two OMs in Gayatri mantra. First as given in above article and second should be before tatsaviturvareṇyam. It is like follows.
Om |
bhūrbhuvassuvaḥ |
Om tatsaviturvareṇyam |
bhargo devasya dhīmahi |
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt ||
Any Veda mantra should be recited with Swara only. Swara will change the meaning of mantra. Hence, it should be recited with proper swara.
December 13, 2015 05:24 PM
Sir, could you please throw further light on this? Why should we not recite Vedic Mantras with svaras?
December 13, 2015 05:56 PM
Vedic mantra produce vibrations not only in the body of the one who recites, but also in the whole atmosphere in that place. Svara is mainly used to produce energy for a particular word in a Vedic verse.
December 23, 2015 12:26 AM
Thank you for the quick response. But, I did not follow what you tried to explain.
My understanding, based on what you said, is something like this: Svaras are not necessary to produce energy/vibrations (does energy and vibration mean the same thing here?) when the Vedic mantra is chanted as a whole, but Svaras become necessary only when a particular Vedic Rik/verse is chanted. That is, a mantra derived from the Vedas need not be chanted with swara as it generates energy by itself, whereas a rik or verse from the Vedas, which is not a mantra by itself, needs the Svaras for it to be able to generate the energy.
Is this understanding accurate?
December 23, 2015 09:33 AM
Please read my reply. I have clearly said that svaras are important to produce energy. Even a part of Vedic mantra is chanted, svara is necessary. Any violation of this prescribed rules is not looked upon favorably.
December 23, 2015 04:37 PM
Thank you for your response. I think my confusion arose because of your original comment which reads "Veda mantras should not be recited with svara, except in the case of Sama Veda." I think you meant "without svara" instead of "with svara".
October 05, 2022 01:10 PM
hello sir/madam, is it svaha or suvaha?