In the last two Sutras Patanjali spoke of the Pranava, OM, and the need to concentrate on this.
As I posted earlier all the sounds originate from three places in the human body, Mouth,a-Throat ,u and from the pit of the stomach M.
From the se sounds came words and language,
Language, nay sounds exist with a corresponding image.
When a sound is made an image flashes in or mind.
At times we may not be able to identify these images.
It is wisdom of the Vedas that there is NO Sound without a corresponding image.
The images we do not recognize are those that spring from our unconscious which is Universal Consciousness.
The Mantras and the Japas of these Mantras help one to unleash the human potential.
Words and their meanings can not be separated.
So much so the Great Poet Dramatist Kalidasa opens his Raghuvamsa with this sloka,
”
वागर्थाविव संपृक्तौ वागर्थप्रतिपत्तये|
जगतः पितरौ वन्दे पार्वतीपरमेश्वरौ||
–> I salute the parents of the world, Parvati and Parameswara, who are inseparable like the “vAk” (word) and “artha”(its meaning); to gain expertise in the right understanding of the words and their meanings.”
Here he describes Lord Shiva and Goddess Abirami as united and One as Word and Meaning’
So the concentration on the Pranava delivers results in therm of worldly pleasures and Yoga Siddhi.
The Constant and regular Japa removes obstacles in the path of Realization and lead one to Atma Sadhana.
It is not always necessary to understand he meaning; what is required is Sraddha or faith.
As you do the Japa you will realize this.
Yoga Sutra 1.29
Tatah Pratyak Cetana Adhigamah Api Antaraya Abhavah Ca
Pratyak : individual Cetana : consciousness Adhigamah : understanding, realization Api : also Antaraya : of obstacles or impediments Abhavah : absence , removal Ca : and, also
From that comes Realisation of the individual Self and the obstacles are removed.
.(These are body gestures and hand gestures to invoke the Gods of the mantra. Thegestures are called Anga nyaasa and karanyaasa. (Anga means parts of the body and karameans hand. Nyasa is the gestures.) The 6 gestures are made uttering the seed letterscalled Bijaksharas. They are Klaam, Kleem, Kloom, klaim, klaum and klah.
They should be learnt from the Guru.)
Ater this, meditation is done with the following thoughts:
Vishvamitra addressed Rama in a harmonious voice calling, ‘oh, Rama’, on the southern riverbank of Sarayu. ( Valmiki Ramayana, Book 1, Chapter 22, Verses 10b, 11a)
गृहाण वत्स सलिलम् मा भूत् कालस्य पर्ययः || १-२२-११
मंत्र ग्रामम् गृहाण त्वम् बलाम् अतिबलाम् तथा |
“Take water, my boy, and like that you receive a group of hymns, bala and ati bala from me, and let no time lapse. (1-22-11b, 12a)
“On receiving these hymns neither tiredness nor fever, nor disfiguring of personality can effect you, nor the demons can charge you either you are sleeping or unvigilant. (1-11-12b, 13a)
“As it is none whosoever on earth can equal you in dexterity, Rama, and by reciting these hymns none can equal you in the three worlds. (1-22-13b, 14a)
“My dear Raghava, if bala atibala hymns are practised, oh, impeccable one, none can equal you in the world by your handsomeness, calibre, erudition, by your discernment, and even in replying or rebutting you. (1-22-14b, 15)
“On receiving these two teachings there will be none similar to you, for bala and atibala are the mothers of all knowledge. (1-22-16)
“Oh, best one among men, Raghava, if you go on reciting bala and atiblala hymns, my dear Rama, there will be no hunger or thirst to you. (1-22-17)
“And if these twin teachings are practised an inestimable renown will also accrue, oh, Raghu’s legatee, these two hymns that possess brilliance are the daughters of Forefather Brahma, and oh, Rama of Kakutstha, I intend to impart these hymns to you, oh virtuous one, as you are the most eligible one, hence take the teachings that are kept safe from the world. (1-22-18, 19a)
“Though all of these numerous qualities are undoubtedly available with you, that too in abundance, yet these hymns if ascetically nurtured will yield various results.” Thus spoke Sage Vishvamitra to Rama. (1-22-19b, 20a)
(ii) Bala Atibala Teaching:
Sage Vishvamitra is the Seer for Gayatri hymn. He is the same Sage to impart bala atibala hymns to Rama and Lakshmana. This hymn is yet another aspect of Gayatri, and there is no hymn superior than Gayatri, na gaayatriyaah paramam japam.
(One will get maximum benefit if the teaching from Guru).
om aapyaayantu mamaangaani vaakpraanashcakshuh shrotramatho balamindriyaanicasarvani | sarvam brahmaupanishadam | maaham brahma niraakuryaam maa maa brahma niraakarot | aniraakaranamastu aniraakaranam me’stuh tadaatmani nirate ye upanishatsu dharmaaste mayi santu te mayi santu || om shaantishshaantishshaantih |
Gayatri Mantra is the most celebrated Mantra of the Hindus.
This Mantra precedes all Mantras for the three Varnas,Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas
Smritis declare ,
‘There is nothing for a Man in this world who neglects his parents
There is nothing for a Man here and beyond who neglects Gayatri Mantra”
It is ordained that for one who neglects parents nothing auspicious will accrue and no Mantra,Japa,Yagas, Yagnyas will yield results for one who does not recite Gayatri Mantra.
Gayatri is the Mother of all the Mantras.
‘Gayathreem Chandasaam Maadheethi’
Gayatri is the Mother of all Veda Mantra’-Narayanopanishad.34
What one can visibly see is a Glow in the face, mental tranquility and mental toughness to tide over difficulties if one were to recite the Mantra in the way it has to be, that is in Five Padas, the total mantra is to be recited in five groups.
Various meanings of the words used in the Gayatri Mantra.
Bhuh
Bhuvah
Svah
Earth
Atmosphere
Beyond Atmosphere
Past
Present
Future
Morning
Noon
Evening
Tamas
Rajas
Sattwa
Gross
Subtle
Causal
The Gayatri mantra is composed of a metre consisting of 24 syllables – generally arranged in a triplet of eight syllables each. Therefore, this particular meter (tripadhi) is also known as the Gayatri Meter or “Gayatri Chhanda.”
The Mantra
Aum
Bhuh Bhuvah Svah
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo nah Prachodayat
“O thou existence Absolute, Creator of the three dimensions, we contemplate upon thy divine light. May He stimulate our intellect and bestow upon us true knowledge.”
Or simply,
“O Divine mother, our hearts are filled with darkness. Please make this darkness distant from us and promote illumination within us.”
Let us take each word of the Gayatri Mantra and try to understand its inherent meaning.
The Gayatri Mantra. Silently thinking or speaking or chanting the Gayatri Mantra influences the physical body, clears the emotional body, leading one to the inner heart1. The Gayatri stimulates and facilitates insightfulness and awakening to the Truth within all. Our energy centers, levels and rhythms are activated by the measure of breaths that are drawn in through the nostrils and released during recitation of the Gayatri Mantra (even during silent repetition)2. This balances electromagnetic rhythm and energy currents in the body with prana. Prana is an undetectable life force energy which is similar to orgone3. During recitation, all elements of the mantra are in use; even the breath is a precision instrument. It all works together, like an orchestra and the conductor. The breath, voice, meditation and intention, efficiently and effortlessly function (like the sun efficiently and effortlessly shines).
The First Word Om (Aum)
It is also called Pranav because its sound emanates from the Prana (vital vibration), which feels the Universe. The scripture says “Aum Iti Ek Akshara Brahman” (Aum that one syllable is Brahman).
When you pronounce AUM:
A – emerges from the throat, originating in the region of the navel
U – rolls over the tongue
M – ends on the lips
A – waking, U – dreaming, M – sleeping
It is the sum and substance of all the words that can emanate from the human throat. It is the primordial fundamental sound symbolic of the Universal Absolute.
The “Vyahrities”: Bhuh, Bhuvah & Svah
The above three words of the Gayatri, which literally means “past,” “present,” and “future,” are called Vyahrities. Vyahriti is that which gives knowledge of entire cosmos or “ahriti”. The scripture says: “Visheshenh Aahritih sarva viraat, praahlaanam prakashokaranh vyahritih”. Thus, by uttering these three words, the chanter contemplates the Glory of God that illumines the three worlds or the regions of experience.
The Remaining Words
Tat simply means “that” because it defies description through speech or language, the “Ultimate Reality.”
Savitur means “Divine Sun” (the ultimate light of wisdom) not to be confused with the ordinary sun.
(Aachamya+Wear Pavithram(*) + Put Durbha Aasanam under the legs + Wear Two Dharbha
between the Pavithram)
AUM SUKLAAM BARADHARAM VISHNUM SASHI VARNAM CHATHURBHUJAM PRASANNA
VADHANAM DYAAYETH SARVA VIGNOPASSANTHAYE – OM BHUHU, OM BHUVAHA, OM
SUVAHA, OM MAHAHA, OM JANAHA, OM THAPAHA, OOGUM SATHYAM OM
THATSAVITHURVARENYAM BARGO DEVASYA DEEMAHI DHEEYO-YONA
PRACHOTHAYAATH – OM AAPO JYOTHEERASO AMRUTHAM BRAHMA
BHURBUVASUVAROM OM OM OM.
MAMOPAAKTHA SAMASTHA DHURITHAKASHAYADWARA SRI PARAMESWARA
PREETHYARTHAM –
THATHEVA LAGNAM SUDHINAM THATHEVA, THARABALAM CHANDRABALAM
THATHEVA, VIDHYABALAM DAIVABALAM THATHEVA, SRI LAKSHIPATHE AGRIYUGAM
SMARAAMI – APAVITHRA PAVITHROVAA SARVAA VASTHAAM GATHOPIVAA –
YASMARETH PUNDAREEKAAKSHAM – SABAAHYA ABHYANTHARAHAA SUCHIHI,
MAANASAM VAACHIKAM PAAPAM – KARMANAAM SAMUPARJITHAM – SRI RAMA
SMARANENAIVA VYAPOHATHI NA-SAM SHAYAHAA – SRI RAMA, RAMA RAMA – THITHIR
VISHNU – THATHAA VAARA NAKSHATRAM VISHNUREVACHAA YOGASCHAA KARANAM
CHAIVAA SARVAM VISHNU MAYAM JAGATH SRI GOVINDA, GOVINDA GOVINDA – AADYA
SRI BAGAVATHAHAA, MAHA PURUSHASYA, VISHNO RAAGNAYA,
PRAVARTHAMAANASYA,
SHUBHE DINE SHOBHANE MUHURTE ADYA BRAHMANAHA, DWITHEEYA PARAARDHE,
SWETHA VARAAHA KALPE, VAIVASWATHA MANWANTHARE, ASHTAAVIGUM
SATHITHAME, KALIYUGE, PRATHAME PAADHE, JUMBOO DWEEPE (For North America – KRAUNCHA DWEEPE), BHAARATHA VARSHE (For North America – RAMANAKA VARSHE), BHARATHA KHANDE (For North America – UTTARA OR GOTEERTHA OR AINDRA KHANDE), MEROHO DAKSHINE PAARSHWE DANDAHAARANYA SHAALIVAHANA
SAKAABDE, ASMINNU VARTHAMAANE, VYAVA HAARIKE, PRABHAVAADHEENAAM
SHASHTYAA SAMVATSARAANAAM MADHYE
IN CANADA, USA:
JAYA NAAMA SAMVATSARE, DAKSHINAAYANE, VARSHA RITHOW, Sravana MAASE,
KRISHNA PAKSHE, ADHYA PRATHAMAAYAAM SUBHATHITHOW SOMA VAASARA
YUKTHAAYAAM, SRAVISHTA UPARI Sravana NAKSHATRA YUKTHAAYAAM – SRI
VISHNU YOGA, SRIVISHNU KARANA, SUBAYOGA, SUBAKARANA, EVAM GUNA
VISESHANA VISISHTAAYAAM, ASYAAM PRATHAMAAYAAM SUBHATHITHOW..
IN INDIA:
VIJAYA NAAMA SAMVATSARE, DAKSHINAAYANE, VARSHA RITHOW, SIMHA MAASE,
SHUKLA (Upto 7:15 am) / KRISHNA PAKSHE, ADHYA POURNAMYAAM (Upto 7:15 am)
UPARI PRATHAMAAYAAM SUBHATHITHOW SOUMYA VAASARA YUKTHAAYAAM,
SRAVISHTA NAKSHATRA YUKTHAAYAAM – SRI VISHNU YOGA, SRIVISHNU KARANA,
SUBAYOGA, SUBAKARANA, EVAM GUNA VISESHANA VISISHTAAYAAM, ASYAAM
PRATHAMAAYAAM SUBHATHITHOW
THAISHYAAM PRATHAMAAYAAM MITHYAA DHEETHA DOSHA PRAYASCHITHAARTHAM,
DHOSHAVATH APATHANEEYA PRAAYASCHITHAARTHAM SAMVATSARA
PRAAYASCHITHAARTHAM CHA ASHTOTHARA SAHASRA (1008) OR SHATHA (108)
SANGYAYAA GAYATHRI MAHAAMANTRA JAPAM ADHYA KARISHYE (Repeat this sentence
twice).
Remove the two dharbha and put it on the north side (which you kept between the Pavithram).
Slightly wash the hand with little water from the Panchapathram. APA UPA PRASYA.
The Smritis declare ‘No Mantra/prayer will yield results if one does not perform the Sandya Vandana as no Good will come to one who neglects his parents, even if he worships God and performs all the Duties enjoined by The Vedas‘
The Sandya Vandana addresses The Sun.
Sun is the visible God , who showers His Blessings to all irrespective of who or what they are .
The mantras seek atone for sins committed by one knowingly or unknowingly to the other Living beings in the process of Living,seeks guidance, Blessings for Clarity of Vision, Knowledge and the well-being of all.
The mantras differ slightly for each of the Time we perform the Sandya Vandana, depending on the senses which go active during this period.
To quote one.
In the Morning Prachanam it seeks atonement for the’ sins committed during the Night by the Genital Organs’ .
This is not present in the other Mantras used in the Sandya Vandana Prachanam-because it is only at night Human beings ae expected to have sexual Relationship.
Acahamana To be performed by sitting on the heels ,keeping the forehands in between the knees;water is to be taken from a receptacle kept only for Puja with a spoon with deep cavity,’water is to be taken and dropped in the Palm of the right palm(for the position look up to YouTube;this has to be done thrice;each time the water is to be sipped without touching the lips)
Pranayama is the control of breath;there are definite rules on the number of seconds one has to inhale,retain and exhale the breath with a special arrangement of the fingers of the Hands.
Salkalpam, Clear Determination.
Jalaprasthanam or Maarjanam, the sprinkling of water over one’s head after the water has been purified with the mantras.
Argya Pradhanam, the offering of the Life giving water as a token .
Navagraha,Kesavaathi Tharpana,the offering of gratitude to the Planets and the Lord of Beings and protector,Narayana.
Gayatri Japam ,Prayer,Self dedication and Dedication, The results of every thing we do,including this action to Lord Narayana .
Audio Link in a separate posts(in two parts-read these posts ,play the Link and perform Sandya Vandana).
Mantras in Text form with details of actions to be performed are posted separately.
You must be logged in to post a comment.