Sai Gayathri


Om Bhur Bhuva Suvah
Tat Savithur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayat

Oh Mother, who subsists in all the three Kaalas (Time: Past, Present and Future), in all the three lokas (Lokas: Heaven, Earth and Lower Regions) and in all the three gunas (Gunas - Attributes: Sathwa, Rajas and Thamas), I pray to Thee, to illumine my intellect and dispel my ignorance just as the splendorous sunlight dispels all darkness. I pray to Thee to make my intellect serene and bright and enlightened.

The Gaayathree manthra (Vedic prayer to illuminate the intelligence) is a sacred manthra, which 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 Aathma (Divine Self) is one, though the embodied forms in which it resides may be many. Whatever the color of the cow, the milk is white always.

There is no object in the world, which 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.

Gaayathree is described as having five faces. The first is "Om". The second is "Bhurbhuvassuvah". The third is: "Thathsavithur Varenyam". The fourth is "Bhargo Dhevasya Dheemahi". The fifth is: "Dhiyo-yo nah Prachodhayaath". Gaayathree represents in these five faces the five Praanas (life forces). Gaayathree is the protector of the five Praanas in man. Gaayantham thraayathe ithi Gaayathree - "Because it protects the one who recites it, it is called Gaayathree." When Gaayathree acts as protector of the life-forces, she is known as Saavithree. Saavithree is known in the puraanic story as the devoted wife who brought back to life her husband, Sathyavaan. Saavithree is the presiding deity of the five praanas. 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 manthra, the activating deity is Gaayathree. When the life-forces are protected, the guardian deity is called Saavithree. When one's speech is protected, the deity is called Saraswathee. Because of the protective roles of Saavithree, Saraswathee and Gaayathree, in relation to life, speech and the intellect, Gaayathree is described as "Sarvadhevathaa-swaruupini", the embodiment of all goddesses.

It is essential to recite the Gaayathree manthra 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 (action) is atoned for that day itself by reciting the Gaayathree Manthra.

- Baba
Discourse: March 17, 1983

| Gaayathree |Sai Gaayathree | Sai Suurya Gaayathree |
Discourses: | May 16, 1964 | Feb. 25, 1965 | Apr. 26, 1965Jun 20, 1977 | Jun 26, 1981
| Aug 23, 1995 | Dharma Vahini |