The Mantra of Vedmata Gayatri, consisting of twenty-four letters, is very small but it contains an ocean of infinite knowledge. The knowledge underlying it is so profound and all encompassing that if a person understands it properly and brings it into practice, he can make his present as well as future life truly happy and peaceful.
T he message of Gayatri is most meaningful both form spiritual as well as material point of view. If it is well understood and contemplated upon, it manifests itself as a source of perennial fountain of true wisdom. The meaning of Gayatri Mantra, in brief, is given below in the form of Gayatri Geeta.
Meaning of Om -"Om is the best, holiest, sacred, worth meditating upon and highest name of God whom the Vedas have described as just, impartial, formless, sachidanand, Sarveshwar, the blissful Master spirit of the universe"
Explanation - The path of God-realization means adherence to Divine laws. He remains unaffected by censure or praise. Man suffers pain or gets pleasure according to his won deeds. Considering God to be all prevailing, there is no question of committing sins secretly. Human service is worship of God. Presence of God should always be felt within one's self. It purifies the soul and the person experiences Sat, Chit, Anand.
Meaning of Bhooha - "Munis (Saints) call pran (life energy) as Bhooha. It indwells uniformly all the living beings. This proves that all living beings are alike. Man should, therefore, consider all human beings and other living beings like himself"
Explanation - Like one's self, everybody undergoes pain and suffering and so no one should be tortured. We should behave towards other as we would like to be behaved by them. None should be discriminated against on account of caste, creed, family, community, country or sex. An only good or bad act needs to be appreciated or deprecated.
Meaning of Bhuvaha -"The elimination of all sufferings in the world is known as Bhuvaha. All work should be done with a sense of duty. People who work without expectation of any reward in return always remain happy"
Explanation - Man's duty is only to work, the result rests with God. Instead of thinking that happiness lies in getting a particular outcome, one should think that honest discharge of one's duty is the source of all happiness. One who regards a duty well done as his only reward becomes a Kaarmyogi and he always remains happy. A person should always remain engrossed in doing good deeds. This is the sum and substance of Geeta's Kaarmyog
Meaning of Swaha -"This signifies steadiness of one's mind. Mind should be made steadily and calm. A person should remain engrossed in the seeking of truth and exercise self-control to attain three kinds of peace"
Explanation - Confronted with uncertain circumstances, man often becomes restless on account of sorrow, suffering, anger, malice, poverty, disappointment, worry, fear etc. and thus loses his mental equilibrium. On the other hand in favorable circumstances he gets puffed up with ego, arrogance, impertinence, assumes an air of self-exaltation, and squanders money and starts behaving quite erratically. Both these mental states are like intoxication or fever which blurs far-sighted wisdom, vitiating a person's actions and thoughts. To save the inner soul from these de-vesting storms, man's mind should be made steady, balanced, harmonious and truthful. Then alone he gets physical, mental and spiritual peace.
Meaning of Tat -" It indicates that he alone is wise and free of fear and attachment in this world. Who understands the mystery of life and death?"
Explanation - All creatures are always in the jaws of death. What is the certainty that we may not stop breathing the next moment? Thinking in this manner, human life which is rarely available even to the gods, should be utilized in the pursuit of self-knowledge. It should be pondered over whether in this short life it is worthwhile to invite suffering for a long time by committing sins for momentary pleasures of the senses.
I f noble pursuits like advancement of knowledge, social welfare, religious preaching are to be done, one must have a wider perspective in view, that life is immortal and we are spiritual beings living a human experience through a mortal body. If the work cannot be completed with this body it will be done in the next one. It is certain that a person who makes best use of his present life enjoys bliss even after death. But the future of a person who misuses the present moments of his life is dark indeed. Therefore, one should not repent for all that has happened and should start making the best possible use of the remaining life.
Meaning of Savita - "It suggests that man should be strong like the sun and believe that all the objects and experiences of life relate to one's own soul"
Explanation - The sun has been called veerya and earth as Raj. The world functions on account of the power of the sun. The souls own actions create various kind of circumstance. Destiny, fate, etc are also the result of one's past actions. So we should adopt ourselves according to circumstances. It is within man's power to make his own destiny. More attention should therefore, be paid to self-growth. A person gets external help according to his inner condition.
Man should be far-sighted, strong and industrious. He should try to equip himself with eight kings of strength viz. health, knowledge, wealth, efficiency, organization, fame, courage and truth and always remain stead-fast in his faith.
Meaning of Vareniyam - "It indicates that every man should always strive far greatness and excellence. A man attains excellence by seeing, contemplating, thinking about and doing excellent deeds.
Explanation - A man is as he thinks. Thought is a mould and life wet clay. Our life is molded according to the thoughts in which we are engrossed. We should, therefore, cultivate the company of noble persons, read ennobling literature, entertain uplifting thoughts, see soul elevating scenes and do noble works, if we want to become great. To maintain faith in excellence, to pay due regards to and imbibe excellence which is found in other persons are matters essential for those who aspire for moral ethical and spiritual excellent.
Meaning of Bhargo - "Bhargo suggest s that man should become sinless. He should be on his guard to avoid sins. He should abhor sins and struggle hard to eliminate them, keeping in view their evil results.
Explanation - All the suffering in the world is due to sins. People are found suffering from innumerable pains and agony in hospitals, Jails and other places on account of their present and past sins. A sinner suffers in hell. Saints and benevolent persons take the burden of sins committed by other on their own shoulders and reform them through voluntary suffering for the sins of others. Whosoever may suffer, it is certain that sufferings are due to sins. Therefore, those who are afraid of sorrows and aspire for happiness should try to shun sins and atone for sins committed in the past. It is a sacred task to remain alert against sins and to struggle hard to destroy them because by doing so, we not only make ourselves truly happy but also save others from suffering. True happiness lies in sinlessness.
Meaning of Devasya - "The word Devasya signifies that man who is physically mortal can attain I m mortality or divinity. A man creates heaven within him as well as outside by cultivating godlike qualities, by serving all living beings by doing benevolent deeds and by extending help to the weak."
Explanation - Whatever exists in this divine creation is scared and blissful. To have a view of this worlds as 'God's creation', to remove perversities created by men and to promote growth of goodness is divine work. A man can become god-like (Devta) by having such an enlightened vision. A person who does not consider himself to be a mere mortal physical body, but knows that he is deathless soul, attains immortality. Hegets rid of the fear of death. To treat all living beings with loves as one's own self, to keep ofe's conduct and character pure and to utilize one's talents for uplifting the poor and down-trodden are godly deeds. This earth becomes blissful as heaven for those having these virtues.
Meaning of Dhimahi - "It implies that we should cultivate and activate within us all dormant divine energies. Vedas proclaim that without so doing a man cannot attain peace.
Explanation - There are several material powers in the world. People get prosperity and praise on the strength of wealth, position, political power, physical strength, organization, arms, knowledge, wisdom, efficiency etc., but all are temporal powers. They may give pleasures but such pleasures are all transient. Lasting happiness lives in cultivating spiritual virtues which are known as divine powers or divine wealth. Happiness attained by divine virtues like fearlessness, far-sighted wisdom, steadiness, generosity, self-restraint, benevolence, scriptural scholarship, devout austerity, compassion, truth, non-violence, politeness, patience, love, judiciousness, etc. cannot be compared with any amount of material affluence. Man should therefore, constantly endeavor to increase his store of divine affluence.
Meaning of Dhiyo - "Dhiyo indicates that a wise man should ponder profoundly and make an in-depth study of Veda, Shastras and extract their essence, like butter from milk, because truth can be known only by purified intellect".
Explanation -There are numerous ideologies, most of which are contradictory to each other. Principles underlying one Shastra are quite opposite to those propounded by others. The thoughts of different Rishis, learned persons are, therefore, not similar. Under these circumstances, one should not become confused. A thing which was once correct according to time, space, person and circumstances may not be correct in different circumstances. Clothes which are useful in winter become useless in summer. In the same way a thing which is appropriate in particular circumstance may become inappropriate in changed circumstances. We should not, therefore, blame learned persons Rishis, Munis or Shastras but accept only such of their teachings and thoughts which are appropriate in the present circumstances. A decision about right or wrong should, therefore, be made on the basis of logic, wisdom and justice, keeping in view the present circumstances.
Meaning of Yonaha - "The word 'Yonaha' means that we should utilize minimum of our talent and resources for our own use and utilize the rest selflessly for the benefit of the weak and the needy".
Explanation - God has given knowledge, strength and prosperity to us in truth so that we may earn the credit of getting respect, fame, happiness and the results of righteous deeds.
All our wealth and possessions should be utilized more and more for the good of others, especially in helping the poor. These must not be squandered away for luxury and comfort, sensual enjoyment, nor should these be accumulated for ego-satisfaction. The glory of persons who are learned strong and rich lies in trying to uplift the innocent, weak and poor people. Just as the power and potentialities of trees, wells, pools, parks, flowers, fire, water, air, electricity etc. are utilized in doing good to others, so also we should offer all our talents and resources for the common good, keeping back just enough for leading a modestly simple life.
Meaning of Prachodyat - "It means that man should inspire himself and others to follow the path of truth. Learned people call such work as true righteousness".
Explanation - Inspiration is the greatest power in the world, without which all resources, howsoever vast they may be, are useless. An inspired person gets engrossed in his chosen work and is able to gather and harness all the resources required. He gets divine help and also ideal collaborators. Therefore, a man should first get himself inspired and then inspire others to march ahead on the path of righteousness. The real help of the poor and the needy lies not in giving them material gifts but in inspiring them to awoken their dormant talents and virtues to inspire them to help themselves through self-growth and service.
"Conclusion of Gayatri Geeta - Any person who rightly understands this Gayatri Geeta gets rid of all sufferings and always remains happy".
These fourteen couplets of Gayatri Geeta are the sum and substance of the knowledge contained in all the Vedas and Shastras. Fourteen gems were found as a result of churning of the ocean. These fourteen couplets are gems found by probing deep and conducting an in-depth study of all the scriptures. A person who assimilates these teachings in his life can never remain unhappy. He enjoys perennial bliss.
T he message of Gayatri is most meaningful both form spiritual as well as material point of view. If it is well understood and contemplated upon, it manifests itself as a source of perennial fountain of true wisdom. The meaning of Gayatri Mantra, in brief, is given below in the form of Gayatri Geeta.
Meaning of Om -"Om is the best, holiest, sacred, worth meditating upon and highest name of God whom the Vedas have described as just, impartial, formless, sachidanand, Sarveshwar, the blissful Master spirit of the universe"
Explanation - The path of God-realization means adherence to Divine laws. He remains unaffected by censure or praise. Man suffers pain or gets pleasure according to his won deeds. Considering God to be all prevailing, there is no question of committing sins secretly. Human service is worship of God. Presence of God should always be felt within one's self. It purifies the soul and the person experiences Sat, Chit, Anand.
Meaning of Bhooha - "Munis (Saints) call pran (life energy) as Bhooha. It indwells uniformly all the living beings. This proves that all living beings are alike. Man should, therefore, consider all human beings and other living beings like himself"
Explanation - Like one's self, everybody undergoes pain and suffering and so no one should be tortured. We should behave towards other as we would like to be behaved by them. None should be discriminated against on account of caste, creed, family, community, country or sex. An only good or bad act needs to be appreciated or deprecated.
Meaning of Bhuvaha -"The elimination of all sufferings in the world is known as Bhuvaha. All work should be done with a sense of duty. People who work without expectation of any reward in return always remain happy"
Explanation - Man's duty is only to work, the result rests with God. Instead of thinking that happiness lies in getting a particular outcome, one should think that honest discharge of one's duty is the source of all happiness. One who regards a duty well done as his only reward becomes a Kaarmyogi and he always remains happy. A person should always remain engrossed in doing good deeds. This is the sum and substance of Geeta's Kaarmyog
Meaning of Swaha -"This signifies steadiness of one's mind. Mind should be made steadily and calm. A person should remain engrossed in the seeking of truth and exercise self-control to attain three kinds of peace"
Explanation - Confronted with uncertain circumstances, man often becomes restless on account of sorrow, suffering, anger, malice, poverty, disappointment, worry, fear etc. and thus loses his mental equilibrium. On the other hand in favorable circumstances he gets puffed up with ego, arrogance, impertinence, assumes an air of self-exaltation, and squanders money and starts behaving quite erratically. Both these mental states are like intoxication or fever which blurs far-sighted wisdom, vitiating a person's actions and thoughts. To save the inner soul from these de-vesting storms, man's mind should be made steady, balanced, harmonious and truthful. Then alone he gets physical, mental and spiritual peace.
Meaning of Tat -" It indicates that he alone is wise and free of fear and attachment in this world. Who understands the mystery of life and death?"
Explanation - All creatures are always in the jaws of death. What is the certainty that we may not stop breathing the next moment? Thinking in this manner, human life which is rarely available even to the gods, should be utilized in the pursuit of self-knowledge. It should be pondered over whether in this short life it is worthwhile to invite suffering for a long time by committing sins for momentary pleasures of the senses.
I f noble pursuits like advancement of knowledge, social welfare, religious preaching are to be done, one must have a wider perspective in view, that life is immortal and we are spiritual beings living a human experience through a mortal body. If the work cannot be completed with this body it will be done in the next one. It is certain that a person who makes best use of his present life enjoys bliss even after death. But the future of a person who misuses the present moments of his life is dark indeed. Therefore, one should not repent for all that has happened and should start making the best possible use of the remaining life.
Meaning of Savita - "It suggests that man should be strong like the sun and believe that all the objects and experiences of life relate to one's own soul"
Explanation - The sun has been called veerya and earth as Raj. The world functions on account of the power of the sun. The souls own actions create various kind of circumstance. Destiny, fate, etc are also the result of one's past actions. So we should adopt ourselves according to circumstances. It is within man's power to make his own destiny. More attention should therefore, be paid to self-growth. A person gets external help according to his inner condition.
Man should be far-sighted, strong and industrious. He should try to equip himself with eight kings of strength viz. health, knowledge, wealth, efficiency, organization, fame, courage and truth and always remain stead-fast in his faith.
Meaning of Vareniyam - "It indicates that every man should always strive far greatness and excellence. A man attains excellence by seeing, contemplating, thinking about and doing excellent deeds.
Explanation - A man is as he thinks. Thought is a mould and life wet clay. Our life is molded according to the thoughts in which we are engrossed. We should, therefore, cultivate the company of noble persons, read ennobling literature, entertain uplifting thoughts, see soul elevating scenes and do noble works, if we want to become great. To maintain faith in excellence, to pay due regards to and imbibe excellence which is found in other persons are matters essential for those who aspire for moral ethical and spiritual excellent.
Meaning of Bhargo - "Bhargo suggest s that man should become sinless. He should be on his guard to avoid sins. He should abhor sins and struggle hard to eliminate them, keeping in view their evil results.
Explanation - All the suffering in the world is due to sins. People are found suffering from innumerable pains and agony in hospitals, Jails and other places on account of their present and past sins. A sinner suffers in hell. Saints and benevolent persons take the burden of sins committed by other on their own shoulders and reform them through voluntary suffering for the sins of others. Whosoever may suffer, it is certain that sufferings are due to sins. Therefore, those who are afraid of sorrows and aspire for happiness should try to shun sins and atone for sins committed in the past. It is a sacred task to remain alert against sins and to struggle hard to destroy them because by doing so, we not only make ourselves truly happy but also save others from suffering. True happiness lies in sinlessness.
Meaning of Devasya - "The word Devasya signifies that man who is physically mortal can attain I m mortality or divinity. A man creates heaven within him as well as outside by cultivating godlike qualities, by serving all living beings by doing benevolent deeds and by extending help to the weak."
Explanation - Whatever exists in this divine creation is scared and blissful. To have a view of this worlds as 'God's creation', to remove perversities created by men and to promote growth of goodness is divine work. A man can become god-like (Devta) by having such an enlightened vision. A person who does not consider himself to be a mere mortal physical body, but knows that he is deathless soul, attains immortality. Hegets rid of the fear of death. To treat all living beings with loves as one's own self, to keep ofe's conduct and character pure and to utilize one's talents for uplifting the poor and down-trodden are godly deeds. This earth becomes blissful as heaven for those having these virtues.
Meaning of Dhimahi - "It implies that we should cultivate and activate within us all dormant divine energies. Vedas proclaim that without so doing a man cannot attain peace.
Explanation - There are several material powers in the world. People get prosperity and praise on the strength of wealth, position, political power, physical strength, organization, arms, knowledge, wisdom, efficiency etc., but all are temporal powers. They may give pleasures but such pleasures are all transient. Lasting happiness lives in cultivating spiritual virtues which are known as divine powers or divine wealth. Happiness attained by divine virtues like fearlessness, far-sighted wisdom, steadiness, generosity, self-restraint, benevolence, scriptural scholarship, devout austerity, compassion, truth, non-violence, politeness, patience, love, judiciousness, etc. cannot be compared with any amount of material affluence. Man should therefore, constantly endeavor to increase his store of divine affluence.
Meaning of Dhiyo - "Dhiyo indicates that a wise man should ponder profoundly and make an in-depth study of Veda, Shastras and extract their essence, like butter from milk, because truth can be known only by purified intellect".
Explanation -There are numerous ideologies, most of which are contradictory to each other. Principles underlying one Shastra are quite opposite to those propounded by others. The thoughts of different Rishis, learned persons are, therefore, not similar. Under these circumstances, one should not become confused. A thing which was once correct according to time, space, person and circumstances may not be correct in different circumstances. Clothes which are useful in winter become useless in summer. In the same way a thing which is appropriate in particular circumstance may become inappropriate in changed circumstances. We should not, therefore, blame learned persons Rishis, Munis or Shastras but accept only such of their teachings and thoughts which are appropriate in the present circumstances. A decision about right or wrong should, therefore, be made on the basis of logic, wisdom and justice, keeping in view the present circumstances.
Meaning of Yonaha - "The word 'Yonaha' means that we should utilize minimum of our talent and resources for our own use and utilize the rest selflessly for the benefit of the weak and the needy".
Explanation - God has given knowledge, strength and prosperity to us in truth so that we may earn the credit of getting respect, fame, happiness and the results of righteous deeds.
All our wealth and possessions should be utilized more and more for the good of others, especially in helping the poor. These must not be squandered away for luxury and comfort, sensual enjoyment, nor should these be accumulated for ego-satisfaction. The glory of persons who are learned strong and rich lies in trying to uplift the innocent, weak and poor people. Just as the power and potentialities of trees, wells, pools, parks, flowers, fire, water, air, electricity etc. are utilized in doing good to others, so also we should offer all our talents and resources for the common good, keeping back just enough for leading a modestly simple life.
Meaning of Prachodyat - "It means that man should inspire himself and others to follow the path of truth. Learned people call such work as true righteousness".
Explanation - Inspiration is the greatest power in the world, without which all resources, howsoever vast they may be, are useless. An inspired person gets engrossed in his chosen work and is able to gather and harness all the resources required. He gets divine help and also ideal collaborators. Therefore, a man should first get himself inspired and then inspire others to march ahead on the path of righteousness. The real help of the poor and the needy lies not in giving them material gifts but in inspiring them to awoken their dormant talents and virtues to inspire them to help themselves through self-growth and service.
"Conclusion of Gayatri Geeta - Any person who rightly understands this Gayatri Geeta gets rid of all sufferings and always remains happy".
These fourteen couplets of Gayatri Geeta are the sum and substance of the knowledge contained in all the Vedas and Shastras. Fourteen gems were found as a result of churning of the ocean. These fourteen couplets are gems found by probing deep and conducting an in-depth study of all the scriptures. A person who assimilates these teachings in his life can never remain unhappy. He enjoys perennial bliss.
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Spiritual spirit comes from the very inner layer of our body. This is known as feeling of an individuals.