Om Bhoor Bhuva Suvaha: Thath Savithoor Varenyam,
Bargho Devasya Dheemahee; Dhiyoyo Na: Prachodayath
For the second successive year, the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Vedic Society of Singapore organised a Gayatri Yagna in conjunction with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Samaaradhan Maha Utsav on May 1, at Surya Homa.
The Gayatri Mantra says “May the divine light of the Supreme Being illuminate our intellect and lead us along a path of righteousness.”
The Interpretation
Om is the primordial sound as the basis of creation. Bhur Buvah Suvah denotes the body, life force and wisdom within. Tat Savihtur Varenyam is the Divine, the source of the above, exalted and worthy of praise. Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi means we meditate on the Divine Light, which is like a thousand Suns. Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayath means May the Divine illuminate and inspire our intellect.
Om Shanti Shanti means Peace to the body, mind and soul,
Brahma, the Creator, the rishis, saints and innumerable persons have realised and experienced the power of Gayatri. No other Mantra has been worshipped and practiced as much as the Gayatri Mantra.
It is powerful because it contains the Mantras of all Gods. Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, the Avatars of Lord Vishnu, Protector of the Universe and all Saints are believed to have chanted the Gayatri Mantra.
The significance of this Mantra has been substantiated by scientific theories.
Curative aspect
It is believed that the Mantra recited with a yagna (Vedic fire ceremony) can cure mental and physical illnesses, simultaneously benefiting the environment.
The Mantra is said to dispel darkness and ignorance in our lives and endow us with intelligence. It awakens the latent energies in us and liberates us by purifying our mind and leads us to realise the Supreme Self.
While reciting this Mantra, we are blessed by Gayatri Devi and Surya, the Sun God.
Worshipping Gayatri preserves and enhances ‘Praana’ (life force) in a person.
This Mantra does not belong to any specific caste or religion. It is a universal Mantra and can be chanted by anyone.
Great rituals
Yagnas have been performed in India by the Vedic sages for over 5000 years. Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita says, “This creation is a Yagna.”
Yagna also means sacrifice. Lord Krishna said that creation is an eternal flow of birth and death.
The goal of the Vedas is to guide human beings through the correct path, and Yagnas form the essence of all the Karmas prescribed in the Vedas.
Gayatri Yagna is considered the purest among all the Yagnas.
Soul satisfaction
More than 150 devotees attended the Yagna, performed by 18 of us, reciting the Mantra more than 100,000 times collectively under the leadership of a Hindu priest.
We began the Yagna with Omkaaram, Suprapaatham, Veda gosha and Sai Vijayeebha, followed Sankalpa (vow for success of the event), and the invocatory Pooja. Other prayers included the Gayatri japa, Go Pooja (cow worship) and Gayatri homa. Finally, we performed Vasothara Homa, Poorna Aahuthi, Sai Bhajans, and Mangala Aarthi. We went home with our hearts filled with happiness.
Dr V Subramaniam is our Correspondent based in Singapore. He is seen here with others performing the ‘Go Pooja.’
