ESSENCE OF GAYATRI COMPILED BY V.D.N. RAO Compiled, composed and interpreted by V.D.N.Rao, former General Manager, India Trade Promotion Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India, now at Chennai. Other Scripts by the same Author: Essence of Puranas:-Maha Bhagavata, Vishnu Purana, Matsya Purana, Varaha Purana, Kurma Purana, Vamana Purana, Narada Purana, Padma Purana; Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Devi Bhagavata;Brahma Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Agni Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Nilamata Purana; Shri Kamakshi Vilasa Dwadasha Divya Sahasranaama: a) Devi Chaturvidha Sahasra naama: Lakshmi, Lalitha, Saraswati, Gayatri; b) Chaturvidha Shiva Sahasra naama-Linga-Shiva-Brahma Puranas and Maha Bhagavata; c) Trividha Vishnu and Yugala Radha-Krishna Sahasra naama-Padma-Skanda-Maha Bharata and Narada Purana. Stotra Kavacha- A Shield of Prayers -Purana Saaraamsha; Select Stories from Puranas Essence of Dharma Sindhu - Dharma Bindu - Shiva Sahasra Lingarchana-Essence of Paraashara Smriti Essence of Pradhana Tirtha Mahima Essence of Upanishads : Brihadaranyaka , Katha, Tittiriya, Isha, Svetashwara of Yajur Veda-Chhandogya and Kena of Saama Veda-Atreya and Kausheetaki of Rig Veda-Mundaka, Mandukya and Prashna of Atharva Veda ; Also ‗Upanishad Saaraamsa‘ (Quintessence of Upanishads) Essence of Virat Parva of Maha Bharata- Essence of Bharat Yatra Smriti Essence of Brahma Sutras Essence of Sankhya Parijnaana- Also Essence of Knowledge of Numbers Essence of Narada Charitra; Essence Neeti Chandrika-Essence of Hindu Festivals and Austerities Essence of Manu Smriti- Quintessence of Manu Smriti- Essence of Paramartha Saara; Essence of Pratyaksha Bhaskra; Essence of Maha Narayanopashid; Essence of Maitri Upanishad Essence of Vidya-Vigjnaana-Vaak Devi; Essence of Bhagya -Bhogya-Yogyata Lakshmi Essence of Soundarya Lahari- Essence of Popular Stotras- Essence of Pancha Maha Bhutas Essence of Pratyaksha Chandra- Essence of Gayatri Note: All the above Scriptures already released on www. Kamakoti. Org/news as also on Google by the respective references.] 2 Preface Praano Brahmeti! Vital Energy is Paramatma and the former is the driving force of one‘s mind which in turn is the charioteer of panchendriyas. This being so, the reverberation of the sound waves by the friction of the ‗Pancha Bhutas‘ or Five Elements named as AUM is the inter-connect between an Individual Self and the Supreme. ‗Pancha Pranas‘ comprise Prana- Apana-Vyana- Udana- Samana. Interestingly enough when food is offered as an oblation to Agni and ‗Svaaha‘ is recited to ‗ Praana‘, then ‗Chakshu‘ or the EYES are satisfied and so do Surya and Heaven in the circular flow, besides the Karta‘s house hold and their Vedic Knowledge. Like wise oblation to ‗Vyana‘ between the Praana and Apaana or the inhaling and exhaling breaths would initiate the beneficent circle to energise the EARS and hearing capacity, and so do Chandra and Dashas or Directions being thus ending the circle with contentment, progeny, animals, edible food, body brightness and Vedic Knowledge.The third offering of food performed with ‗Svaahaa‘to ‗Apana‘ would impact ‗VAAK‘ or the ability of Speech, besides Agni, Bhumi and the Eaters or recipients of the food oblation blessing with similar benefits. With the fourth offering to ‗Samana‘, then ‗MIND‘ is satisfied, as also clouds- lightnings and Varuna the Lord of clouds bestowing with similar blessings to the Karta. The fifth oblation when offered with the mantra Swaaha to ‗Udaana‘ of the Vital Energy , that rises upward in the human body and consequently satisfy ‗TWAK‘ or the Skin besides RASA or Taste, Vayu- Sky blessing the Karta with progeny, animals, physical charm, and the brilliance of Vedic Knowledge! Now, Omityaaksharam Brahma and that is the Embodiment of Gayatri- the representation of ‗Tri Lokas‘ or Earth-Atmosphere- and Beyond; ‗Tri-Kaalaas‘ or the Past-Present-Future; ‗Tri Sandhyas‘ or Ushah kaala -Madhyaahna- Saayam kaala; ‗Tri Gunas‘ or Satva-Rajas-Tamo gunas; ‗Tri-Mano Tatvas‘ or States of Mind viz. Gross-Subtle- Causal or Fundamental; and ‗Tri- Avasthas‘ or States of Conciousness of Jaagrat-Svapna-Sushupti or Awakenness-Dream and Inward Vision.The kinetic energy generated by the ever revolving movement of the Universe comprising Bhur/Earth, Bhuvah / Planets and Swaha the Galaxy and the remainder is calculated at Mass x Velocity x 2. Thus the symbol of OM occupies a pre eminent status as the unmistakable medium to extol and realise the Supreme, to prefix all holy names, rites, Veda pathana, prayers, worships, Vratas, Sacrifices, and all possible deeds of virtue including ‗daana dharmas‘, ‗Tirtha Yatras‘ and so on. Whosoever is able to control the limbs and senses, stabilise the mind by ‗Yoga dhaarana‘, concentrate one‘s thoughts , aim at Paramatma by reciting AUM and unite praana the life energy into ‗brahma randhra‘ shall indeed accomplish HIM! Thus Omkaara is like an unfathomable ocean into which all kinds of meditations and worships of various forms of Paramatma merge into! Practice of Gayatri worship thus leads to inward happiness, better sensory perception, stress management, emotional balancing, and pointed mental focus. May this Script be dedicated at the lotus feet of Paramacharya of Kanchi, the ‗Walking God‘ who commands awe-respect -gratitude to countless Believers and Followers of Kanchi Mutt, the Icon of ‗Vedika Dharmaacharana‘. VDN Rao, Chennai 3 CONTENTS Introduction- Excellence of Pancha Mukha Gayatri-Scientific Explanation of Gayatri Mantra -P. 6 Anupanayana Dharmas- P.8 Upanayana, the doorway to Gayatri- Definition of Upanayana- Naimittikaanadhyaaya- Shubha Vaara - Shubha Nakshatra Nirnaya- P9 Upanayana Lagna Graha Phalaas- Padaartha Sankalana- Yagnopaveetam and Yagnopaveeta dharanana vidhi- Upaveeta dhaarana- Yagnopaveetaabhava Prayaschitta- Mekhala-Danda-Achamama Vidhi- Bhiksha Vandana- Vinaayaka and Graha Shantis-Brihaspati Shanti- Samskaara lopa Prayaschittas- Upanayana Dina Karyakrama- Upanayanagni Sthirata Nirnaya- Vatu Vratas- Mandapa Devopodvaasana- Punarupnayana. ‗Sandhyopaasana-Procedure, Meaning & Interpretation- Taittiriya Version of Sandhya Vandana-P16 Katyaayana Version of Sandhya Vandana- Sandhya Phala- Brahmachaari Dharmas- P 24 Upakarma. Highlight Mantras of Sandhya Vandana from Narayopanishad -Celestial Images of Gayatri. P 26 Gayatri Punascharana Homa Prakriya- Agni Mukham- P31 Brahmachaari homa vidhana- Grihasti homa vidhaana- Aouposana homa- Pradhaana Homa- Kshamaapana Sankalpa- Final oblations Gayatri Sahasra Naamas P38 Upanishad References: P42 Brihadaranyaka- Human body comprises of mind-speech-praana; Gross body perishes and opens fresh account of Karma phala while Subtle body lasts forever as evidenced by ‗Praana‘ / Vayu the ever present; Vaayu Brahma or Prana demonstrates its prowess by its presence/absence and segregate Truth/ Untruth; Gayatri worship unifies praana with Agni to burn off body pollution and heaps of sins to usher new pastures; Kathopanishad: Self and self consciousness the driving force by Prana; P49 Taittiriopanishad: The purport of the Celestial Symbols of ‗Bhurbhuvatsvah mahah‘; P50 Brahmopaasana the path to Brahman- Meditation to Paramatma and Antaratma as both appear to have a Five fold nature in common; OM is truly symbolic of Paramatma; From Food to Praana to Material Wealth to Knowedge to Mind to Truth to Spiritual Awakening to Bliss! 4 Taittireeya Aranyaka: Gayatri by Vishmamitra and Atri; Prajapati‘s boon to Rakshasas but P52 Indra saved by Gayatri Mantra; Gayatri worship is like Triveda Pathana; Ishopanishad: Truth of Brahman is revealed in the Solar Orbit as Bhur-Bhuvah-Swaha could terminate time cycle of births and deaths. Eternal Truth as disclosed to the Worshippers in the Golden Disc identified as the Omnipresent Vayu deva! Shvetaashvatara Upanishad: Pancha praanas haunted by pancha duhkhas; Yoga Practice- P57 Vision of the Self and the Supreme; Chhandogya Upanishad: Singular Syllable of OM topped with Veda Knowledge and P59 Practice of Virtue is a sure gateway to ‗Devatwa‘- Synthesis of mind, praana and Gayatra Saama leads to longevity and progeny- Pranava and the hidden meaning of Scriptures anaysing Brahman bestows nectar- The multi splendoured eminence of Gayatri is the heart and Soul of Earth vis-a vis the Unknown! - Brahman as Praana,Vyaana, Apaana, Samana and Udaana governed by Surya, Chandra, Agni, Parjanya and Akasha; Paramatma is nowhere else but within One Self! Treasure hunt in the Universe as Dishas provide protection from ‗Bhurbhuvassuvah‘- Supremacy of Praana vis-à-vis organs and senses- Agnihotra Sacrifice by the Self to Pancha Praanas - Kenopanishad: Who indeeed is the Instructor to direct the Individual and his Mind! P66 Aitereya Upanishad: Various Devas entered respective stations like Agni in mouth‘s P67 Speech; Vyayu as nose‘s Praana; Surya in Vision and Eyes; Dishas as ears and hearing; Vanaspati in skins and touch; Chandra in heart; Mrityu in Out Breath and Jala Deva as excretions and progeny!) Finally, it was the Vital Energy that reasponded to the need of food as that was the devourer of food!-- How does Bhagavan then enter the Body of a Being!- Bhagavan then decides to enter as Consciousness through the cleavage entrance of ‗Kapaala‘ or the mid-portion of human head and enjoys three abodes of each Human Being viz. awakenness-dream stage and deep sleep of ‗Sushupti‘!- Bhagavan thus enters the human body as the ‗Antaratma‘or the Individual Soul! -What Brahma is that Praana the Life Energy of