Chant Book / Yoga Mantras / Mantra More / Affirmations / Glossary OM BHUR BHUVA SVAHA TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI DHI YO YONAH PRACHODAYAT The Gayatri Mantra is the universal prayer enshrined in the Vedas [the most ancient Scriptures of Man] for everyone's spiritual benefit, to be chanted with devotion throughout the ages, all over the world. Sage Vishwamitra discovered the Gayatri Mantra, addressed to the energy of the Sun, Surya. It is addressed to the Immanent and Transcendent Divinity. Gayatri is the Mother of the Vedas and Gayatri redeems the chanter. There are three elemental facets to the adoration of our Lord: Praise, Meditation and Prayer. Notice the partitions:  OM BHUR BHUVA SVAHA TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT (OM) We meditate (DHEEMAHI) upon the spiritual radiance (BHARGO) of worhipful, higher reality (VARENYAM DEVASYA), the Source (SAVITUR) of the physical (BHUR), the astral (BHUVA), and the heavenly (SVAHA) spheres of existence. May The (TAT) One enlighten (PRACHODAYAT) our (NAH) intellect (DHIYO); So we realise Supreme Truth. OM - Para Brahman BHUR - Bhu Loka, Physical Plane - Five elements that constitute the body. BHUVA - Bhuva Loka, Middle Plane - Refers to life force or Prana Sakthi. SVAHA - Swarga Loka, Heaven TAT - That, refering to God, or Paramatma. SAVITUR - That from which all is born VARENYAM - Worthy of worship BHARGO - The radiant, wisdom bestowing Light. DEVASYA - Divine Reality DHEEMAHI - We Meditate DHI YO - Buddhi, Intellect YO - Which, may, so that NAH - Our PRACHODAYAT - Enlightenment The Gayatri should not be chanted casually, as it awakens and strengthens our intellect. This mantra should be chanted three times a day - Dawn, Noon and Dusk, although the mantra is not bound by these time periods. Just as we take bath to cleanse our bodies, so also we should chant the Gayatri Mantra to purify our mind and heart. It bestows all that is beneficial to the chanter: regularly with faith the mantra relieves disease and wards off misery. The most recommended time for chanting the Gayatri are : When we get up from bed in the morning Before every meal When we go to bed in the evening After the Gayatri one should chant 'OM' and 'Shanti' Three times. The Gayatri Mantra protects the chanter wherever he may be. The importance of the mantra are given as follows: If Gayatri Mantra is not recited correctly it has opposite effect of enveloping the chanter in darkness. If it is chanted with Love, God will accept it.  Each word should be pronounced clearly and distinctly, without  hurry, to cleanse heart atleast three times a day.  Gayatri is the very basis of Vedas. It is also called Veda Mata (Mother of the Vedas). Gayatri preserves, protects and rescues men and women of all climes and creed from mortality.  The Gayatri mantra is a Universal prayer, which asks for a clear Intellect so the Truth may be reflected without distortion.  The Gayatri Mantra is synonymous to the Divinity and therefore must be approached with humility, reverence, faith and love towards the Mantra; more important than mechanical repetition with the mind wandering. Next  ^ Top ^  Kabbalah  Chant Book Buddha Says On Meditation  What is a Homa? What is Darshan? Sanskrit Dictionary   Vedic Links-I  and II   Attend Practice in SA   Sanskrit Zodiac-I and II   Upanishads Part 1  Part 2 * Vedic Hindi Sanskrit Alphabet  What's New   main links   photos   messages   YHVHomepage