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			Gayatri Notes Gayatri Mantra was heard through divine blessings from Rig Ved 3.62.10. It was in Gayatri Chhand of 24 syllables of 3 couplets, of 8 syllables each. However Om was not there in Rig Ved (3.62.10), had it been there it would not have been in Gayatri Chhand. Vishwaamitra Jee gave the entire essence of Ved in one platter. Later it was seen in Yajur Ved (36.3), (22.9), (30.2), and (36.3); and in Saam Ved with a little accent. Sandokya Upanishad and the rest, expanded the virtue ascribing the power of it. Brihadaaranyak Upanishad (5.14.5) mentions that the Mantra in Gayatri Chhandas dedicated to Savitr Devataa was initially known as Saavitree Mantra. It says: "The people were calling that Mantra in Gayatri Chhand as Saavitree (Gayatri-meva Saavitree-manu-bhrooyaat), because it was addressed, in particular, to Savitra (Savitr iyam). Another authority, Manu (2.77 and 2.81), also names the Mantra as Saavitree Mantra; and avers that there is no Mantra that is superior to Saavitree (Savitryaastu param naasti: Manu 2.83). Other texts (Maitree Upanishad, 6.2) too declares that Saavitree Mantra with Pranav and Vyaahriti is the best means (na Savitrah paro Mantrah) to attain Brahman. It is explained that the term Gayatri is derived from the root "traing" (Paalan) which means "to protect". Expanding on that explanation, Chhandogya Upanishad says: "This Mantra called Gayatri in Gayatri Chhand protects one who chants it. That is why it is called Gayatri (Gayatri trayate cha - Chhaandogya Upanishad). Shatapath Braahman (14.8.15.7)  in a similar manner explained Gayatri as that which protects (Tatre) sense faculties (including mind) and the life-principles (Praan) which are called "gaya": (Praan vai gayaasthan trayati  tasmat Gayatri). There is a belief that it's goddess Gayatri; it is also interpreted to mean Sun god; feminine gender of Gayatra; however none would apply as such. As a matter of fact, when looked at carefully, one can see the five faces and constituted body creations would include all deities, male-female codes and distinct characters of the Image of Gayatri ,to mean Ekamev, one and lone only, unknown, Jyoti Tat. No name, that already existed, Sat. Gayatri is Pranav propitiating and praying Tat (God). As Rig Ved is telling elsewhere, who knows, it was there when speaking about the creation. And hence the Gayatri is very important. Om denotes the sound (the big bang) heard and continuously being heard (not by us, but by great sages), with tri-force of creation, Gun, protective deities ,so on so forth. Gayatri Mantra was named because it was written in Gayatri Chhandas. Gayatri was as split would suggest, as musical (hence Saam Ved also took it). The accent, intonation and articulation too play a role in the efficacy of a Mantra. So can be uttered as in mind (Maanas), speech (Vaachaa)) and body (Roopeshu or Karmanaa), no absolute path but path as per the usage. It is universal as chanted on That. It can be chanted not only but by women but all. But there is one qualifications in the mode of its execution. The right pressure utterances with the varied degree of tone in recitation by so many numbers, do a lot good for the mind, for atheist and ecome embassy of Mumukshu, to the believers. (1) Universal Law: Gayatri teaches us a fundamental universal law. If we direct the output of a system back to the source, the outputs are further magnified. This law is applicable everywhere machines, economics, mathematics, society, inter-personal relations. "Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayaat" says that if the system is such that there is Bhargo, the system is without any inefficiency or disorder, the way Eeshwar is Devasya the source does not share for itself and only gives out back whatever is inputted into it. Dhiyo and Dheemahi come from the same root word. Thus if we direct our output (intellect) 100% back to the source of intellect, we make it a perfect system causing us to achieve ultimate bliss. (2) Universal Welfare: Gayatri Mantra is in first person plural. This clearly means that bliss of Eeshwar does not come in isolation. Whatever you do, you have to rise beyond the "Me" and do for "We". Your goal is not bliss for "Me" but bliss for "We". All your acts and thoughts and words should be for benefit of all souls and not only for you. This feeling of "Idanna Mama" or "Nothing personal" is essence of Ved and Gayatri.

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Created on Oct 14, 2000 and Updated on Tuesday, August 27, 2013
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