Om bhurbhuvah svah
thath savithuR varENyam
bhaRgO dEvasya dheemahi
dhiyO yOnah pRachOdayaath
The meaning in English
We contemplate on the wonderful brilliance of Savitr
May our intellect be inspired by him
The Gayatri mantra is addressed to Savitr,the Devata of the mantra.
This mantra is the 10th Mantra of the 62nd Sukta which comes under the 3 Mandala or Book of the Rig Veda
It is not just a prayer but a Mantra with a specific structure of sound patterns.
What is a Mantra?
Mananat Trayate Iti Mantrah
It is the continuous repetition, contemplation and recollection of
a word or statement, ( in prose or poetic form) which protects us and provides beneficial results.
Incorrect pronunciations of Mantras result in no benefits, it may even cause harm in the form of inviting negative energy instead of positive. It is therefore ideally to be taught by a teacher who is proficient in it.
Chhandas
Chhandas is the metre in which the Mantra is uttered. It sets the rhythm of chanting the Mantra. Chhandas is very important in order to maintain the purity of the utterences of the Mantra.Gayatri is one of the Metrical forms or the Chhandas in Sanskrit grammer.
There are 14 Chhandas or Metres followed in sanskrit grammer. 7 are considered very important,
- Gayatri
- Ushnik
- Anushtup
- Brhati
- Pankthi
- Trishtup
- Jagati
These 7 are the names of the horses that yoked the chariot of Surya Devata.
Gayatri Chhandas is the shortest and most basic of the metrical sytems used in the vedas. This Chhandas has 3 paadaas or Verses with 8 syllables each,Totally 24 syllables. ( OmBhur Bhuvah – is not part of the original Savitr Mantra.
Gayatri Mantra was initially only known as Savitr Mantra as it was dedicated to Savitr Devata. Savitr is understood ,interpreted and explanationed over a wide spectrum ranging from ritualistic, philosophical and esoteric understanding.
There are different way to interpret the word meaning of Savitr
- The dispeller of darkness
- The first rays of the Sun
- Agni or Fire
- Antaryamin or Consciousness
The Mantra should always be chanted with acknowlegment to the Rishi who created it, the Metre in which it is uttered, the Deity to which it is dedicated and the Purpose.
Surya Deva (11th Centruy)
Currently at the British Museum. Acquired by Major General Charles Stuart (Officer in the East India Company) He lived in India from 1777 to 1828 and was a collector of Indian sculpture mostly from Bihar, Bengal, Orissa and Central India. A lot of his collection sold at auction at Christie’s in London in 1829 and 1830, was bought by John Bridge. The Bridge collection was acquired by the British Museum from Bridge’s heirs in 1872.
