Ramanisblog

Tag: Gayatri

  • Twenty Four Rishis Of Gayatri One For Each Syllable

     I have written on the Gayatri Mantra, the most sacred of the Mantras of Hindus, quite a few articles,

    Gayatri Mantra.jpg
    The Gayatri Mantra.

    its efficacy in realizing The Reality and its effect in warding off evil and its power to sharpen the Intellect and bestowing Prosperity.

    I have also written about the number of letters in the Gayatri Mantra.

    Based on Intonation the Gayatri Mantra has Twenty our letters

    Now, who are the Rishis of the Gayatri Mantra and the Chief Rishi who released the Gayatri Mantra?

    The Rishi who revealed the Gayatri Mantra is Sage Visvamitra.

    The Rishis, according the Nyasa we recite for the Gaytri are seven in number..

    They are,

    Atri,

    Bhrigu,

    Kutsa,

    Vasishta,

    Gautama,

    Kasyapa and

    Angirasa.

    But the Devi  Bhagvatham states there are twenty our Rishis

    The Risis, in due order, are

    (1) Vâma Deva,

    (2) Attri,

    (3) Vas’istha

    ,(4) S’ukra,

    (5) Kanva,

    (6) Parâs’ara,

    (7)  Vis’vamitra,

    (8) Kapila,

    (9) S’aunaka,

    (10) Yâjñavalkya,

    (11) Bharadvâja,

    (12) Jamadagni,

    (13) Gautama,

    (14) Mudgala,

    (15) Vedavyâsa,

    (16) Lomas’a,

    (17) Agastya,

    (18) Kaus’ika,

    (19) Vatsya,

    (20) Pulastya,

    (21) Mânduka,

    (22)  Durvâsâ,

    (23) Nârada and

    (24) Kas’yapa.

    ( 12th Book,Chapter I, Slokas 1 to 7)

    It may be noted that one Rishi seems to have been assigned to One tone(for one syllable)

    And Agastya seem to find a place a well.

    There is Kausika, apart from Viswamitra.

    Viswamitra was known as Kausika when he was a King.

    I am checking on this Kausika as I feel he is another Rishi.

    Reference and citation.

     Devi Bhagavtham

  • Why Many Mantras For Same Problem

    Hinduism, being a Way of Life tries to offer solutions to day to day problems , apart from enquiring into the nature of life and death.
    To know the nature of life and Life one must Live.
    The body is considered sacred because Life dwells in it.
    image

    Abusing body in the name of piety is not sanctioned.
    The practice of undertaking penance by subjecting body to extreme rigors is rated as the lowest form of Tapas, penance.
    Krishna declares it as Asura Tapas, rated lowest.
    The body is to be respected.
    Such is the concern for humans and life Hinduism offers solutions in the form of Slokas , Mantras and Poojas.
    Each is different from the other.
    One may notice that many Mantras are available for the same problem, be it removal of obstacles, success in endeavours, marriage, health issues, mental illness. …
    For instance one has Asha Garuda Mantra, Varaha Kavacha, Sri Mantraraja Padham, Subrahmanya Bhujanga, Durga Suktha,Hanuman Mantras for the same issue.
    Mental issues.
    Why so many Mantras for the same problem?
    There are two reasons.
    One may have a personal deity which he adores.
    The Mantra offered may not be on that Deity.
    This may not deliver results.
    Reason unknown.
    On the other hand Mantras devoted to other Deities might deliver.
    Second reason is that Mantras are sounds grasped from Ether by Rishis.
    And Mantras being vibrations , one Mantra might suit one, but not others.
    The Vibrations must suit the vibrations of the individual.
    For instance my Family Deity is Subrahmanya, Palani Dhandayuthapani.
    But one of the most powerful Mantras of Subrahmanya in Tamil, Kanda Shasti Kavacha does not suit me.
    Instead of providing relief I get more problems.
    But the other Mantras , either in Tamil or Sanskrit on Subrahmanya grants me relief.
    I do not know the reason.
    So I avoid Kanda Shasthi Kavacha and recite other Subrahmanya Mantras.
    This peculiar aspect of the power of Mantras is the reason for the Sastras to declare that Mantra has to be initiated by Guru properly.
    A GURU feels individual vibrations and offers a suitable mantra.
    A real Guru does not offer a standard Mantra for all his disciples.

  • Bhogar Explains Gayatri Mantra New Approach

    The interpretation of the Gayatri Mantra depends on one’s spiritual status and his enlightenment level.

    I have written a few articles on the meaning of the Gayatri Mantra, including the explanation by Adi Shankaracharya.

    The interpretation  depends on one’s system of Philosophy/Faith.

    Whatever the interpretation  is the core meaning and the power of Gayatri remains unchanged.

    Siddhas are Realized souls who are timeless.

    Gayatri Mantra.jpg
    The Gayatri Mantra.

    Their interpretation of the Gayatri Mantra provides a different and novel Perspective.

    One might notice that no deity is mentioned in the Gayatri mantra.

    This is like the Ganesha Mantra,

    suklambratharam vishnum sasi varnam chatur bhujam,

    prasanna vadnam dhyayeeth sarva vignopasanthaye.

    The term Vishnu means the one who supports.

    Siddhas refer to Reality the Brahman as Nirguna, Without Attributes.

    And the mention Siva  mostly in the sense of attribute-less reality as auspicious.

    Siva means auspiciousness.

    An interesting explanation of the Gayatri Mantra is provided by Bhogar,a Siddha on par with sage Agastya.

    He occupies the second list of Siddhas after Siva and is among the top of the eighteen Sidddhas.

    Bhogar explains,

    The sound ‘o’ expanded by an explosion into the sounds of ‘A’,’U’ and ‘M’

    These three sound became the Motion.

    This in turn expanded into the Five Elements,

    Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether.

    These in turn combined to form four different wombs and seven births.

    This expands as the Universe.

    This power is in many Forms

    This Power Impels our Mind to function.

    Let us Pray to Light the most potent of this Power .

    Seven births indicate the number of births one has to undergo.

    As to four wombs (Yonis) one explanation can be the three genders,Male, Female and Neuter.

    In this case what does Bhogar indicate?

    The other explanation is the essence of Saiva Siddhantha.

    Pasu, ( Jivatma, individual soul)

    Pathi (Paramatma, the Brahman, Universal Soul without Attributes.

    Paasam, the bond akin to Maya/Avidya of Advaita.

    I am trying to get clarification on this

     

    ‘ஓ என்ற புள்ளியாகிய இறைவன் ஓம் என்ற பிரணவமாக பெரு வெடிப்பானான் . இந்த பிரணவம் அகார உகார மகார என்ற சக்தியாக விரிவானது . இந்த ஓங்காரம் விரிவடைந்து அகார உகார , மகர நாத விந்து சக்தியானது . . இது பஞ்ச வித்தாக , பஞ்ச பூதமாக விரிவானது . பஞ்ச பூதங்கள் நால்வகை யோனி எழுவகை பிறப்பாக இப்பிர பஞ்சமாக விரிவானது . இந்த பஞ்சபூத இறை சக்தி நமது புத்தியை செயல் படவைக்கிறது. இந்த இறை சக்தி பல வடிவாக இந்த பிரபஞ்சதில் உள்ளது அவற்றுள் மிக சிறந்த வடிவான ஒளி வடிவத்தில் இறைவனை தியானிப்போம் . இந்த விளக்கத்தில் காயத்திரியும் இல்லை சூரியனும் இல்லை

    Reference and citation

    http://www.siddharyogam.com/siddharphilosopies/gayathrimanthra

  • Difference Between Viswamitra Kaushika Gotras Why No Bharata

    I have noticed that there are two Gotras, Lineage associated with Sage Viswamitra.

     

    Gotras in general, refer to the lineage of a specific Rishi.

    Gayathri . Gayatri Mantra was By Viswamitra.jpg Gayathri . Gayatri Mantra was By Viswamitra.

    ‘

    It is customary for Ancient Indian writers to refer either to parents or their preceptor/s, as they were placed in a Higher Status than parents,.

    Thus we have the parent,Grand parent referred to in Slokas and Stuthis.

    Vyaasam Vasishta Napthaaram, Sakthe Pauthra Kalmasham,

    Parasaraathmajam Vande Sukha Naadham Thapo Nidhim-Vishnu Sahasra Naama.

    Here the author Vyasa introduces himself as,,

    Great Grand son of Vasishta,

    Grand son of Sakthi,

    Son of Parasara, and

    Father of Sukha.

    How logically the terms are arranged.

    Great Grand Father, Grand Father, Father, Self and son!

    In case where the Sages had more than one wife, then the Gotra of the son of each wife is added.

    ”

    It may be noted in the Pravara,three or Five Rishis are mentioned.

    For example, Kasyapa, Apasthara, Naithruva’

    This is different from Kasyapa Gotra.

    There is another Pravara for Kasyapa Gotra as well.

    Kasyapa, Aavatsaara, Daivala.

    The same with the other Rishis.

    Sometimes three Rishis are mentioned and at times Five.

    Why?

    One view is that these references are to the excellent ancestors from the Gotra.

    My view is that , if that be case the first Rishi should always be the founder.

    But , as in Nythruva Kasyapa, Kasyapa does not appear as the First Rishi but it is Naithruva.

    Reason is that many Rishis have more than one wife and many children through each of them.

    Kasyapa had more than one wife.

    The Prajapati Daksha gave his thirteen daughters (Aditi, Diti, Kadru, Danu, Arishta, Surasa, Surabhi, Vinata, Tamra, Krodhavasha,Idā, Vishva and Muni in marriage to Kashyapa.

    Though the Father is one, mother is different.

    To identify and emphasize the differentiate, the three or Five Rishis are mentioned.

    Traditionally the first wife’s son carries the Father’s name as Gotra and the others the son of the Second or third wife and but to make the reference correct the founder is mentioned later in the Pravara’

    Why No Bharata in Viswamitra Gotra?

    In the case of Viswamitra, we have two Pravaras,

    1. Koushika: Vaiswaamitra,Aghamarshana,Koushika.
    2. Viswamitra: Vaiswaamitra,Devaraata, Owtala.

    There seems to be no sons mentioned  other than the fifty sons being banished by Viswamitra to Dravida Desa.

    (Reference History of Tamils by PT Srinivasa Iyengar)

    Their descendant Apasthamba established the Apasthamba Sutra , which is being followed by Brahmins of South India(South of Vindhyas).

    Since the Dravidians and Bengalis were considered by the people  viswamitra do not find a mention in the Gotra,

    Though King Bharata after whom India is named as Bharatavarsha,is the grand son of Viswamitra(through his daughter Shakuntala), Bharata’s name does not appear in the Gotra because Gotras are through the Male Child.

    Why Two Pravaras for Viswamitra?

    Viswamitra was called Kaushika in his early days , before he became a Raja Rishi and was christened as Viswamitra(Friend of the Universe)

    Because he became a Brahma Rishi he was considered as a Brahmin by behaviour and Penanance.

    ( This is yet another example of disposition and character determing The Varna, loosely translated as Caste)

    So the Kaushika Gotra probably indicates the lineage of Viswamitra in his early days and Viswamitra Gotra , after he became a Raja Rishi.

    I am yet to find the name of Viswamitra’s son.

    Readers may contribute.

    Post follows on Viswamitra.

    Related articles

  • Did Rishis Compose The Vedas

    The Vedas are called Apaurusheya, not made by Man.

    Vedas are the breath of God/Reality Brahman.

    Hindu Scriptures List.jpg Hindu Scriptures List. Image credit.http://www.crystalinks.com/vedas.html

    They are the Uswaasa and Viswaasa ,Inhalation and Exhalation.

    Yet we find references that rishis have composed the Vedas, Sukthas of the Vedas.

    And we have , for every mantra, Devatha, Adi Devatha, and  Rishis.

    And many women were also involved in the process.

    Vedas are grasped from Ether by the Realized Souls.

    For those who want to criticise this concept, let me remind them where their emails and files are if they have been saved in G Drive.

    Those attuned to the frequency of the Mantras receive them intuitively.

    To attain that level one needs practice and application.

    It is Apps for reaching Reality.

    These Mantras were grasped by more than one at the same time or at different time frames.

    For every Manvantara the Saptha Rishis change.

    They are in charge of grasping these Mantras, to be later compiled by some body else.

    For Our Manvantara, the Vedas were compiled by Krishna Dwaipaayana Vyaasa.

    It is the same Vyasa who wrote the Mahabharata and The Seventeen Puranas.

    His Father Parashara wrote the First Purana, The Vishnu Purana.

    There is also a view that this Vyasa could be differnt as the adjective Krishna Dwaipaayana is provided.

    Krishna means ‘Dark/Black.

    Dwaipaayana is his name,meaning Island born.

    He was born on Island in Yamuna river near Kalpi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

    There is also a view that he was born in the Tanahun district in western Nepal.

    It is also stated that he was an extension of the Krishna  Avatar of Vishnu, in the Dwapara Yuga.

    ( I am of the view that he was born in Yamuna Island . I shall be posting on this issue later)

    Vyasa means compiler ,one who composes Prose.

    So Krishna Dwaipaayana is a Vyasa.

    I take the view that he is an extension of the  Krishna Avatar of Vishnu.

    Now to Vedas and Rishis.

    Each Veda Mantra has a Rishi, who grasped the Mantra, Chandas, (the meter in which it is to be recited) and Adhi Devata,he Presiding Deity of the Mantra.

    When one chants a Veda Mantra, one has to recite all the three.

    For Gayathri, the Rishi is Savtiraya Rishi Viswamitra,Chandas is Nisruth Gayatri and the Presding Deity is Savitha.

    ( The adjective Savitraya Rishi to Viswamitra raises a question whether this is the same Viswamitra who antagonized Vasishta and  with Lord Rama.i am researching into this.Scholars may contribute)

    Maha Mantras have the same rules,

    Vishnu Sahasranama has Rishi Agasthya, Chandas Anushtup and Presiding Deity Maha Vishnu.

    For Sri Rudram , Rishi Agoora Chandas Anustup and the Presiding Deity is Sri Rudra.

    For Lalitha Sahasranama Rishi is Vagdevata, Chandas is Anushtup and the Presiding Deity is Lalita Parameswari.

    Please read my posts on Saptha Rishis, Rishi’s list, Chandas.

    https://ramanisblog.in/2014/04/06/chandas-vedic-meters-details/

    https://ramanisblog.in/2014/05/30/sages-of-india-list-a-timeline/

    https://ramanisblog.in/2014/09/09/saptha-rishis-qualification-details/

    Reference.

    https://www.trsiyengar.com/id137.shtml