The Gayatri Path to God

In this discourse, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, asks us to recite the Gayatri Mantra at least three times a day to get the full benefit. He also explains the meaning of the whole mantra and its efficacy.

Out of action arises the bondage of delusion;
From delusion grows a perverted mind;
Mental perversion leads to perverse deeds;
Such deeds again result in rebirth.

Young embodiments of the Divine! The grand mansion of Hindu thought has been raised on the four walls of karma, janma, dharma, and Brahman (action, birth, righteous action, and Supreme Self or God). These four are interdependent. No one can escape the consequences of one’s action, whether good or bad. No action goes in vain. Karma (action) is the primary cause of one’s birth.

     The jivi [living being] is born in karma,
     He grows through karma,
     He ceases in karma.
     Karma is the cause
     Of happiness and misery.

It has been well said that, “The body, indeed, is the basis for the pursuit of dharma.” It is by the pursuit of dharma that Brahman is realized. The Gita has declared that whenever dharma declines, the advent of the Avatar occurs. This implies that the object of human existence is to uphold dharma.

As creation is a projection of the Divine will, the aim of every human being should be to live in harmony with that will. One’s life should not be dedicated to promote one’s selfish interests or to serve the interests of other fellow-beings, but it should be dedicated to the service of the Divine. Whatever is done to anyone, if it is done as an offering to the Divine, it will reach the Divine. Man should consecrate every action by regarding it as an offering to the Divine.

Gayatri initiation is second birth

From the moment of issuing from the mother’s womb, one is involved in action. This natural state is common to all, and may be described as shudratwam (the state of the shudra, that is one who is not subject to any regimen). After one receives the Gayatri (Vedic prayer to illuminate the intelligence) initiation, he is born again and becomes a dwija (the twice-born). The Gayatri is described as the mother of all the Vedas (ancient sacred scriptures). One meaning of Gayatri is that it is a mantra (sacred formula) that protects or fosters the gayas or jivis (individual beings). You must note that today you have all got a second birth by receiving the Gayatri Mantra.

By observing the disciplines of the brahmachari (celibate) stage, you will qualify yourselves for the study of the Vedas. When one begins to study the Vedas, he is known as vipra (brahman). This is a third birth, as it were. At this stage, by the study and understanding of the Vedas and living up to their precepts, one gets the opportunity to understand Brahman (the Supreme Being). Once the Brahman principle is understood, one merges in Brahman. It is only when there is awareness of Brahman, can one claim to be a real Brahman. It is not just birth, but the realization of Brahman that confers real Brahmanatwa (Brahmana-hood) on a person.

Gayatri embodies all deities

The Gayatri Mantra has to be recited three times a day—in the morning at sunrise, at noon, and at sunset. These are called sandhya kalam—the time of coming together of night and day, of morning and evening, and of day and night. Time, like man, has three qualities: satwa, rajas, and tamas (poised, passion, and inertia). The day is divided into three parts. The four hours between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. in the morning, and between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the evening have the satwa (equanimous) quality. The eight hours between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. are rajasik (passionate). The eight hours between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. that are mainly used for sleep are tamasic (inaction). The eight hours of the day (from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) are employed by all beings, including animals and birds, in the discharge of their day-to-day duties and are regarded as rajasik (active pursuit).

When the four satwic hours of the morning (4 a.m. to 8 a.m.) are used for engaging oneself in good actions like worship, virtuous deeds, keeping good company, one is sure to raise himself from the human to the divine level. It is during the satwic period (from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) that the Gayatri Mantra should be recited. This Mantra is the embodiment of all deities. It is not related to any particular sect, caste, idol or institution. It is said to embody nine colors: (1) Om [primordial sound] (2) bhuh [physical plane] (3) bhuvah [astral plane] (4) suvah [celestial plane] (5) tat [that] (6) savitur or powers (7) varenyam [the adorable] (8) bhargah [splendor] (9) devasya [Divine]. Dhimahi is related to the meditative aspect. Dhiyo-yo-nah prachodayat relates to the aspect of prayer. The Mantra as a whole thus contains three aspects—descriptive, meditational, and prayer.

Discover the unity in diversity

On the basis of differences in behavior, the antahkarana (inner-psyche) has been accorded four names. When it is concerned with thoughts, it is called manas (mind). When it is restless and wavering, it is called chitta (consciousness). When it is concerned with enquiry and understanding, it is called buddhi (intellect). When it is associated with the sense of mine (possessiveness), it is called ahamkara (egoism). Why are four different names and attributes given to one and the same entity (the antahkarana)? The mind is pre-occupied with distinctions and differences. The buddhi is concerned with oneness, and reveals the unity that underlies the diversity. All our efforts must be directed toward discovering the unity that underlies the diversity rather than seeking to divide the One into the many.

The Gayatri Mantra is a sacred mantra that demonstrates the unity that underlies manifoldness in creation. It is through the recognition of this unity that we can understand the multiplicity. Clay is one and the same thing, though pots of different shapes and sizes can be made from it. Gold is one, though gold ornaments can be multifarious. The atma (divine self) is one, though the embodied forms in which it resides may be many. Whatever the color of the cow, the milk is always white.

There is no object in the world that does not have a form and a name. The cosmos is made up of things with forms and names. While the forms are subject to constant change, the names remain unchanged. The form may change, and even completely disappear but the name remains. Once we know the name, we can recognize what or whom it represents. In a large gathering, it will not be easy to trace a person merely from the description of his features. But when his name is called, he immediately responds and can be identified. Likewise, through the name of the Lord, the form of the Lord can be visualized.

Five faces—three deities

Gayatri is described as having five faces. The first is: Om; the second is: Bhurbhuvassuvah. The third is: Tatsavitur Varenyam. The fourth is: Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi. The fifth is: Dhiyo-yo nah Prachodhayath. Gayatri represents in these five faces the five pranas (life forces). Gayatri is the protector of the five pranas in man.

Because it protects the one who recites it, it is called Gayatri. When Gayatri acts as the protector of the life forces, she is known as Savitri. Savitri is known in the puranic (ancient mythical) story as the devoted wife who brought back to life her husband, Satyavan. Savitri is the presiding deity of the five pranas. She protects those who lead a life of truth. This is the inner meaning.

When one’s intelligence and intuition are developed by the recitation of the mantra, the activating deity is Gayatri. When the life forces are protected, the guardian deity is called Savitri. When one’s speech is protected, the deity is called Saraswati. Because of the protective roles of Savitri, Saraswati, and Gayatri, in relation to life, speech, and the intellect, Gayatri is described as the embodiment of all goddesses.

It is essential to recite the Gayatri Mantra at least three times during morning, noon, and evening. This will serve to reduce the effects of the wrong acts one does every day. It is like buying goods for cash instead of getting them on credit. There is no accumulation of karmic (result of action) debt as each day’s karma is atoned for that day itself by reciting the Gayatri Mantra.

Power of the Gayatri Mantra

The plea that one cannot find time for reciting the Gayatri thrice a day is specious and untenable. People waste so much of their time in worthless activities that they can easily find a few moments for reciting the Gayatri when they wake up from bed and before they go to sleep, if only they have the will. The Gayatri can be recited even when one is taking his bath. It will mean also offering ablutions to the goddess. At noon, if the Gayatri is recited before taking one’s meal, the food will get sanctified and become an offering to the deity.

The brahmacharis (celibates/religious students) should realize the redemptive power of the Gayatri mantra. Through the Brahmopadesam (initiation into sacred knowledge), the young boys have had a second birth. It is only when they have achieved the purposes of this second birth will they be qualified to enter on the sacred third stage of viprathwam (brahmana-hood), which leads to the realization of Brahman.

One who is aware of Brahman becomes one with Brahman, is the Vedic saying. To recognize the Brahman principle, one has to understand one’s own true nature. There is a story to illustrate how one can see whether he is qualified to realize Brahman. An unmarried girl acquires the right to a half-share in a man’s property after she is married to him, and he ties the mangalasutra (the auspicious marriage thread) around her neck. It is this sacred thread that confers the right on her.

Likewise, one remains remote from God as long as one has not acquired the thread of surrender to the Divine (saranagati-tatwa). The moment one wears the sutra (thread) of saranagati (total surrender), one acquires the right to a half share in the energy and authority of the Divine. We must strive earnestly to pursue the path of submission to the Divine will and of offering everything to the Divine. The attitude of surrender will grow in us as we recite regularly the Gayatri mantra. This is the reason why boys are initiated into the mantra at an early age.

There is also another reason for this early initiation. Boys who have been indolent or dull before getting the Brahmopadesham have been able to develop their intelligence and be more diligent in their studies after they have received the Gayatri Mantra. This is a matter of proven experience. Like sunrise after the night, the Gayatri Mantra dispels the darkness of ignorance: Dhiyoyo-nah prachodayaat. The rays of the Gayatri Mantra illumine the mind, and intelligence, and promote knowledge, wisdom, and discrimination.

I bless the young vatus (boys who have been initiated) so that from today they recite the Gayatri regularly, lead exemplary lives and grow into good, God-fearing, educated, and enlightened citizens of Bharat (India). 

Source: Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 16