Gayatri Mantra - An interpretation by T. P. Sreeraman(1999)
Sree Gurubhyo Namah
Gayatri Mantra:
On the day I left TCR (04/09/99) for Bangalore, a very reputed artist and intellectual came to my friend Dr. T.I. RadhaKrishnan. Dr. T.I. RadhaKrishnan has done a lot of research on the relation between VEDA and modern Science. He has authored a book in Malayalam christened 'VEDAM ENNA SASTRAM' . He called me also for the discussion. He put forth a lot of material before that lady. It was a nice discussion.
The lady remarked "Modern science lacks poetry. Our ancients have presented Science poetically. I felt it is true.
1. All ancient Sanskrit works on Science even Mathematics are couched in poetry.
2. The presentation itself is poetic
So Gayatri enshrines a lot of Scientific concepts - much more than what has been tried to be brought out.
The Question being asked is : If solar energy can be absorbed and stored in inanimate objects like Solar Cells and used at will, can't it be stored in human body and used at will? It is now being recognized that the Rishis and our ancients had the know how to do it. 'BALA' and 'ATHIBALA' (the 2 mantras that Sage Vishwamitra gave to Rama & Lakshmana while taking them to his Yaaga on the way to Mithila) are related to Gayatri. If they are practised one can absorb energy from nature and live without food for several days. BRAHMAASTRA is also based on Gayatri. All these require great amount of TAPAS.
In an oversimplified manner u can say GAYATRI JAPA results in absorption of energy from nature and nourishing intellectual energy. The time chosen for the performance of SANDHYAVANDANAM i.e. Sunrise, Sunset and Mid-noon has significance.
The concept of the mantras as I gathered from one source is as follows:
The whole mantra is a meditation on the SUPERMOST Lord whom we call "PARABRAHMAM".
Every part of the Mantra denotes PARABRAHMAM.
OAM or AU M: is the sound representing Parabrahmam.
A + U + M (Akara + Ukara + Makara )
Brahma + Vishnu + Maheshwara
OM BHOOM = SATHAA SWABHAVAH : The essence of the Universes
OM BHUVAH = SARVA STHITHI KARANAM : That which sustains the Universes
OM SUVAH = SUSHTU SARVAM VRUNOTHI - VYAAPNOATHI : That which pervades the Universe
OM MAHAH = POOJAA KARMANOAROOPMA : That which is worthy of worship in all Universes
OM JANAH =: SARVASYA JAGATHO JANAKAM : The creator of all the Universes
OM TAPAH = SOORYAATMAWASTHITHWA JAGATH THAAPAYATHI PRAKAASAYATHI = That which illumines all the Universes. That which provides energy for all the Univrses.
OM SATHYAM = KWACHIDAPI DESA KAALA VASTHUNI KENAAPI PRAMAANEIVA ABAADHITAM = That which is not affected by any limitations like place and time. That which is not bound by limitations.
All the above are attributes of the SUPERMOST Lord - PARABRAHMA.
DEVASYA = DYOTHAMANASYA : That which shines -emanates energy
SAVITHUH = JAGATH PRASAVTHUH : That which creates this Universes.
VARENYAM = VARA NEEYAM - SARVAIH PRAARTHANEEYAM : That which is to be
prayed for by all
SUKHAIKATHAM = The embodiment of Bliss
BHARGAH - Effulgence - BHRASJA DAAHAKATHWE - That which burns
PRAKRUTHI LAKSHANASYA SAMSAARASYA DAHAKAM : That which restores one
from the cycle of birth and death.
DHEEMAHI : We meditate on that supermost Lord - Para Brahma
PRACHODAYATH : impel- inspire
SAH ; May the Para Brahma
NAH DEE : Our spiritual powers
We meditate on the Effulgence of the Supermost Lord which is the source of all energy and which is the Creator of all the Universes. May the Supreme Lord impel - inspire our DHEEH or Spiritual Powers.
My English translation may not be accurate. Any way it conveys to you the concept .
I have a sense of fulfillment.
There are innumerable commentaries for Gayathri, each one by a great master. They are all authoritative.
T. P. Sreeraman
15 Sep 1999
Gayatri Mantra:
On the day I left TCR (04/09/99) for Bangalore, a very reputed artist and intellectual came to my friend Dr. T.I. RadhaKrishnan. Dr. T.I. RadhaKrishnan has done a lot of research on the relation between VEDA and modern Science. He has authored a book in Malayalam christened 'VEDAM ENNA SASTRAM' . He called me also for the discussion. He put forth a lot of material before that lady. It was a nice discussion.
The lady remarked "Modern science lacks poetry. Our ancients have presented Science poetically. I felt it is true.
1. All ancient Sanskrit works on Science even Mathematics are couched in poetry.
2. The presentation itself is poetic
So Gayatri enshrines a lot of Scientific concepts - much more than what has been tried to be brought out.
The Question being asked is : If solar energy can be absorbed and stored in inanimate objects like Solar Cells and used at will, can't it be stored in human body and used at will? It is now being recognized that the Rishis and our ancients had the know how to do it. 'BALA' and 'ATHIBALA' (the 2 mantras that Sage Vishwamitra gave to Rama & Lakshmana while taking them to his Yaaga on the way to Mithila) are related to Gayatri. If they are practised one can absorb energy from nature and live without food for several days. BRAHMAASTRA is also based on Gayatri. All these require great amount of TAPAS.
In an oversimplified manner u can say GAYATRI JAPA results in absorption of energy from nature and nourishing intellectual energy. The time chosen for the performance of SANDHYAVANDANAM i.e. Sunrise, Sunset and Mid-noon has significance.
The concept of the mantras as I gathered from one source is as follows:
The whole mantra is a meditation on the SUPERMOST Lord whom we call "PARABRAHMAM".
Every part of the Mantra denotes PARABRAHMAM.
OAM or AU M: is the sound representing Parabrahmam.
A + U + M (Akara + Ukara + Makara )
Brahma + Vishnu + Maheshwara
OM BHOOM = SATHAA SWABHAVAH : The essence of the Universes
OM BHUVAH = SARVA STHITHI KARANAM : That which sustains the Universes
OM SUVAH = SUSHTU SARVAM VRUNOTHI - VYAAPNOATHI : That which pervades the Universe
OM MAHAH = POOJAA KARMANOAROOPMA : That which is worthy of worship in all Universes
OM JANAH =: SARVASYA JAGATHO JANAKAM : The creator of all the Universes
OM TAPAH = SOORYAATMAWASTHITHWA JAGATH THAAPAYATHI PRAKAASAYATHI = That which illumines all the Universes. That which provides energy for all the Univrses.
OM SATHYAM = KWACHIDAPI DESA KAALA VASTHUNI KENAAPI PRAMAANEIVA ABAADHITAM = That which is not affected by any limitations like place and time. That which is not bound by limitations.
All the above are attributes of the SUPERMOST Lord - PARABRAHMA.
DEVASYA = DYOTHAMANASYA : That which shines -emanates energy
SAVITHUH = JAGATH PRASAVTHUH : That which creates this Universes.
VARENYAM = VARA NEEYAM - SARVAIH PRAARTHANEEYAM : That which is to be
prayed for by all
SUKHAIKATHAM = The embodiment of Bliss
BHARGAH - Effulgence - BHRASJA DAAHAKATHWE - That which burns
PRAKRUTHI LAKSHANASYA SAMSAARASYA DAHAKAM : That which restores one
from the cycle of birth and death.
DHEEMAHI : We meditate on that supermost Lord - Para Brahma
PRACHODAYATH : impel- inspire
SAH ; May the Para Brahma
NAH DEE : Our spiritual powers
We meditate on the Effulgence of the Supermost Lord which is the source of all energy and which is the Creator of all the Universes. May the Supreme Lord impel - inspire our DHEEH or Spiritual Powers.
My English translation may not be accurate. Any way it conveys to you the concept .
I have a sense of fulfillment.
There are innumerable commentaries for Gayathri, each one by a great master. They are all authoritative.
T. P. Sreeraman
15 Sep 1999