The most revered mantra of the Rig Veda, a meditation on the divine light that illumines the mind.
Tagged: Mantra Meditation Prayer Hindu
The Text
Om bhur bhuvah svah; tat savitur varenyam; bhargo devasya dhimahi; dhiyo yo nah prachodayat.
"Om. Earth, atmosphere, heaven. We meditate on that excellent glory of Savitar, the divine light; may he inspire our thoughts."
Historical Context
The Gayatri Mantra is a verse of the Rig Veda (3.62.10), composed well over three thousand years ago and addressed to Savitar, the solar deity who stimulates life and thought. Named for the gayatri meter in which it is composed, the mantra became the central verse imparted to a young Hindu at the upanayana initiation, when the sacred thread is received and the student is considered twice-born. It remains the most widely known and honored of all Vedic mantras.
Use and Practice
Traditionally the Gayatri is recited silently or in a low voice at dawn, noon, and dusk, often counted on a rosary of 108 beads, as part of the daily sandhya prayers. Today it is also chanted communally and taught well beyond its original initiatory setting.
References
- Britannica — Gayatri Mantra Free / open access
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