The Gayatri is a meditation on spiritual light that is universally known as the essence of all mantras. Spiritual lights are what guide us on our path to enlightenment, and the Gayatri helps us get there.
Gayatri Mantra Lyrics in Sanskrit:
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Gayatri Mantra Lyrics in English:
Om Bhuur-Bhuvah Svah
Tat-Savitur-Varennyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhiimahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Pracodayaat
Meaning of Gayatri Mantra:
O Self-effulgent Light that has given birth to all the lokas (spheres of consciousness), who is worthy of worship and shines through the orbit of the Sun, shed light on our intellect.
The Significance of Gayatri Mantra
The Gayatri mantra is a sacred chant with origins in the Rig Veda, a collection of Hindu hymns that is over thousands of years old.
The Gayatri incorporates all vibrations of the upper luminous spheres of light. Each luminous sphere is attainable as one progresses on their path of spiritual development. There are seven total spheres of light, each with its single vibration. Earth represents the lowest sphere of light, with the vibrational sound Bruh. When we recite the mantra, we welcome the vibrations into ourselves.
The realms of light embody all that is holy, including saints and prophets. The Gayatri is one of the ways to channel all these realms. By reciting the mantra, we create a connection between ourselves and these spiritual lights. The connection eventually becomes so powerful that we are able to maintain these vibrations in our day-to-day physical life.
How Mantras Work
Mantras are sounds or phrases that are repeated slowly in a rhythmic fashion. Often, people will choose words or phrases that are meaningful to them to repeat. They can be used to focus, to tell yourself to do an action, or to pray.
Usually, mantras are a type of sacred Sanskrit word or phrase that we use to help us focus our minds. Hindu, Buddhist, and Native American cultures use mantras as a means of concentrating the mind and getting it to focus on a single point. Some people use mantras to help them sleep or to relieve anxiety, while others use them to focus their mind on their work or their goals.
Benefits of Chanting Gayatri Mantra
Gayatri mantra is specifically for enlightening the mind and intellect. In addition, the mantra has the following benefits:
- Helps calm the mind: Clarity is attained when we are focused, and we are focused while chanting. Focus helps relieve tension and release happy hormones like serotonin.
- Helps improve heart health: Breathing techniques and chanting combined help regulate the pumping of blood to the heart, and as a result, helps to maintain healthy blood pressure.
- Helps build the immune system: Chanting Gayatri activates the area in our brain responsible for immunity, the hypothalamus.
- Helps treat anxiety and stress: Chanting mantras can help reduce stress levels since the mantras are said to enhance the memory and ability to think.
How to Chant Gayatri Mantra
The Gayatri mantra should be chanted in a calm environment to experience its soothing effects. Focus on the meaning and pronunciation of the words to connect deeper with the universe.
It can be performed at any time of the day facing the sun (east in the morning and west at night).
Pranayama can also be practiced with the mantra. Pranayama, which literally means “breath control”, is a method for learning to control all of your life energy, and, when done correctly, results in vibrant health, peace (of mind and heart), and joy.
Listen to Gayatri Mantra
Chant along to this recording of the Gayatri to begin enlightening both your mind and intellect.