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Thread: mantras

  1. #1

    mantras

    For 11 years I have liked various mantras but want to learn more about them and how to do them the right way.

    I guess I am most interested in the main Gayatri Mantra (said to be the main one that is sung

    Oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
    tat Savitur vareṇyaṃ
    bhargo devasya dhīmahi
    dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt.

    Once I heard it on a CD someone had and maybe I have heard more than one version on Youtube. However if there is more than one way to sing it, could someone maybe explain whyr?

    At first I thought it was a mantra to the mother goddess as Gayatri, but then I found out it is about Savitur, a sun deity, IIRC. I do not mind its gender, though now I am more interested in the idea of the first goddess being associated with the illuminative rather than material. Eleven years ago I saw a very small pamphlet-type book about this mantra at school, but I checked their catalog and they do not list it now. I wonder if anyone knows what it might be or if you could recommend a small introductory book or complete list of versions on the net or CD.

    I am also interested in what people like for mantras in Shaktite, Smarta, Shaivite, Vaishnavite, and ancient (pre-)Vedic traditions. I like the shortest Shakti, Shiva, Rukmini, Krishna, Shanti, Patanjali mantras and know them, but I was wondering if some are more significant or might be more interesting to sing. I do not really know how to sing many of the short ones.

  2. #2
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    Re: mantras

    hariḥ oṁ
    ~~~~~~

    Namasté

    Some additional thoughts on this:
    Gayatri components:
    gâyanath = what is sung, giving of praise ;
    trâyate = preserves, protects, gives deliverance, grants liberation

    Another viewpoint suggests that the roots are:
    gaya = vital energies +
    trâyate = preserves, protects, gives deliverance, grants liberation

    If this interests you , please consider this post:
    http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/sho...=7690#post7690


    praām
    Last edited by yajvan; 04 October 2009 at 11:28 AM.
    यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
    yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
    because you are identical with śiva

    _

  3. #3
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    Re: mantras

    Here is a compilation of the power and potency of the gAyatrI mantra:
    http://www.scribd.com/doc/7129831/Sw...yathri-Manthra
    रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
    ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे भारतमातरम् ॥

    To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.

    --viShNu purANam

  4. #4

    Re: mantras

    Thanks for the explanations, guys.

    I had not realized there was an older version of the main Gayatri Mantra without the 'first' line. In the other post here it says that line changes the metre. I thought you could say Om longer and it would be the same--since it sounds like a shorter line. Of course some people may just prefer the more traditional way. OTOH if 'Om' is used to open & close prayers maybe one could just wait a line after saying the newer line. Some prayers that have been added to I guess I say the old and new ways at different times.

    In Sai Baba's teaching I see this mantra is addressed to Surya. Maybe I had known that or maybe I confused Savitar with Surya... but it is good to know it is still to a sun/light deity and says something like 'enlighten our intellect so we may recieve the supreme truth.'

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    Re: mantras

    hariḥ oṁ
    ~~~~~~

    Namasté


    Quote Originally Posted by DavidC View Post
    Thanks for the explanations, guys.

    I had not realized there was an older version of the main Gayatri Mantra without the 'first' line. In the other post here it says that line changes the metre.
    gāyatrī as it occurs in the ṛg veda (3.62.10) does not appear with the mahāvyāhṛti of bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ; nor does it begin with oṃ.
    So, classically and specifically gāyatrī mantra ( also a meter called gāyatrī) is as sarabhanga points out in his post: http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=7693&postcount=2

    तत् सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
    धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
    tat saviturvarenyam bhargo devasya dhīmahi |
    dhiyo yo nah pracodayāt ||

    The additions i.e. bhūr, bhuvaḥ, svaḥ, oṃ, etc. are added via specific injunctions and instructions one may find in various āraṇyaka-s and upaniṣad-s .
    I have been taught that any additions used in ones meditation (svādhyāya¹, or ajapa) to this mantra comes from the instuction of the guru.

    Much more can be said, yet I think the reference post given is a good overview on this matter.


    praām

    words
    • svādhyāya स्वाध्याय- reciting or repeating or rehearsing to one's self; repetition or recitation of the vedain a low voice to one's self
    • ajapa अजप- not muttering ; japa internally; one who does not repeat prayers - what is implied here is 'voicing' them externally.
    Last edited by yajvan; 05 October 2009 at 01:55 PM.
    यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
    yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
    because you are identical with śiva

    _

  6. #6
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    Re: mantras

    hariḥ oṁ
    ~~~~~~

    Namasté
    Quote Originally Posted by DavidC View Post
    Thanks for the explanations, guys.

    OTOH if 'Om' is used to open & close prayers maybe one could just wait a line after saying the newer line. Some prayers that have been added to I guess I say the old and new ways at different times.
    From the Taittirīya Upaniṣad , śikṣā vallī, it informs us of the following:
    omiti brahama |
    omitīdaṁ sarvam |
    omityetad anukṛtir ha sma vā apyo śrāvayety āśrāvayanti |

    Oṁ ॐ is brahman.
    Ois this all.
    Ois well-known as a word of compliance.
    This śloka continues and informs us with oṁ they start singing the sāman chants. With oṁ śoṁ they start reciting the śastra chants. with oṁ the advaryu-priest utters encourging chants. With oṁ the brahman-priset gives approval. With oṁ the fire sacrifice (agnihotram) is permitted to begin. A brāhmiṇ wishing to say ' may I obtain brahman' utters oṁ. He verily obtains brahman.


    Thus the use of o. One has to consider, do you continually break up infinity by repeating this again and again? Or like the ritviks ( priests) use this vibration as the sound of compliance, beginning an event giving the approval ~yes~ to continue or begin?

    This (IMHO) is what needs to be considered.


    praām
    Last edited by yajvan; 07 October 2009 at 06:57 PM.
    यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
    yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
    because you are identical with śiva

    _

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