Mantra: Yajur Veda 36.3
om bhuur bhuva svaH
tat savitr varENyam
bhargO dEvasya dhImahi
dhiyO yOna prachOyataat
Synopsis:
savitri mantra – also known as Gayathri mantra because it is in the Gayathri chandas (Gayathri meter).
There are certain misconceptions
1. This is a mysterious Mantra to be taught secretly
This is wrong. There is no Mantra in the Vedas that is a secret. Secrecy comes only when there is something unlawful or illegal. People maintain secrecy to avoid punishment.
There is nothing illegal about this Mantra. It is open and transparent.
2. This Mantra should not be chanted by women
Vedas do not discriminate. It is for all. Same for male and female alike. Why? Male and female is purely for the physical body. The Veda mantras are for the strength and purity of the soul. The soul does not have gender differentiation.
Male/Female is present only for the shariira indriya
Vedas are for all. Irrespective of caste, creed, race and gender.
3. This Mantra should be chanted by a single person for his sAdhanA (alone)
This too is a myth.
In the Mantra itself there are 2 words
dhiimahi and naH – Both words are in plural. i.e. This is a clue that it is not restricted for single person chanting alone.
This goes to show that this mantra is for all to be chanted by all whether alone or in a group
4. This Mantra should be chanted X number of times. 108, 1008, etc. To get some fruits.
Mere chanting of any Mantra is useless. A Mantra is to be chanted along with the meaning. To get the meaning into our hearts. So that it can transform us. Unless we get the meaning, we cannot undergo transformation.
5. It is not to be chanted by those who are born in a low caste
This is a myth. In a society where there is a caste system, this practice exists. It is wrong. Example: shUdrAs cannot chant (some say). But in the Vedas, there is no caste system.
The Vedas speak about humanity and a natural classification based on attitude, aptitude,
By birth, we are all sujaataaH - we are all born best by birth, no body is inferior by birth. All human beings are wonderful. The change will come in later days only based on their guNa, karma, saamarthya, svabhaava. There is no superior or inferior as far as the brahmana, kShatriya, vyshya and shudra is concerned. Brahmana = Kshatirya = Vaishya = Shudra.
This system is called the varNa system. This is 100% different from the caste system.
We are free to choose the varNa. It is not by birth. It is by choice.
Example: A person who likes to learn and spread that knowledge chooses the path of brahmaNa. Not by birth but by guNa, karma, saamarthya, svabhaava
Note: Refer to veda class on 2017-07-20 to get a detailed explanation of the varNa system
When the caste system is not Vedic, there is no question of people born in low caste vs high caste. Therefore, there is no question of who can chant the Vedas. All can chant.
Split into words
om bhuuhu bhuvaH svaH
tat savituH varENyam
bhargaH dEvasya dhImahi
dhiyaH yaH naH prachOyataat
1. om bhuuhu bhuvaH svaH
O sacchidaananda who is the protector of all, the omnipresent, the supporter of all and the source of bliss!
om = sacchidaananda
Root: ava (gati kaanti etc…) = That which protects, The protector of all souls
bhuuH = omnipresent
bhuvaH = supporter of all that exists
Root: bhuu (sattaayaam) = that which exists everywhere
svaH = blissful and peaceful
2. tat savitr varENyam
That inspiring which is capable of which is omniscient
tat = that
savituH = the inspiring force
Root: shuu (prEraNE) = prompt, motivate, inspires
Note: We have to open up to seek the inspiration and motivation. If we seek, we will get the inspiration anytime anywhere.
varENyam = that which is worthy to be chosen, that which is omniscient
Because of our limitation, we need someone more knowledgeable and omniscient (all knowing) to guide us. Because of its omniscient, it is worthy to be chosen. We are free to choose anyone to guide us, but the best choice is sacchidaananda.
3. bhargaH dEvasya dhImahi
I shall meditate on that fire of the sacchidaananda that can burn down all sins
dEvasya = Deva’s
Root: divu (krIda, vijigiisha…)
Nirukta definition = dEvO daanaat = That which gives liberally is a dEva
Sacchidaananda has given everything that is needed for the enrichment and purity of the soul free and in abundance
dhiimahi = I shall hold on to it (the bhargaH)
bhargaH = that fire which can burn down our sins
Root: Bhrasja (paakE) = to cook, to culture, to alter
Such a fire that can burn down our sins is that bhargaH. We shall seek it.
dhiimahi = to meditate upon it,
Root: dhii (dhAraNE) = to have, shelter
Note: It will not burn down the sins already committed. Once a sin is committed, that cannot be burnt down by the bhargaH. It is the power that can burn down sins at its inception, at its root.
Vedas are clear in saying that once a sin has been committed, it can be burnt down only by undergoing the results.
Another Mantra: paktaaram pakvaH punarAvishyAdi = whatever we cook, we shall be made sure to eat it.
bhargaH dEvasya dhImahi
In this line, it refers to destroying sins at its inception before it has been committed.
How are sins burnt down at inception?
Before we commit a sin, we talk about it. The talk is an expression of a thought. The sin originates as a thought. Which become words, which becomes action. The root is in our thought.
Thought to words to action.
bhargaH is capable of burning down sins at its beginning – at the thought level. There itself, the bhargaH will help me burn it down. So that the very thought of sin is burnt down. It never reaches the words phase or the actions phase. Once it moves to the action phase, we have to face the results.
Example:
Say I think of a bad thing. Immediately the bhargaH inside me will alert me. Don’t do it. This is adharmic. Etc.
The minute I get that thought I have to realize that the bhargaH is warning me. Then I meditate on it. I tell myself that I should not be thinking like this. The bad thought is nipped in the bud. The bad thought vanishes.
bhargaH dEvasya dhImahi
I want that bhargaH. I will meditate upon it all the time. I will hold it in me so no thought will come in my mind. It will come because I am not the bhargaH. I am not the shuddhaH. I am not the apaapaviddhaH. But the minute I get the thought the bhargaH will caution me. I will become alert and burn down the bad thought and change my thought to something that is humane and peaceful (maitrii bhavana)
sacchidaananda is also called the shuddaH (purest) because he is the source of the bhargaH (raging fire that burns down all sins)
sacchidaananda is also called the apaapaviddhaH (no sin can come near it) because he is the source of the bhargaH (raging fire that burns down all sins)
Misconception
In the puraaNaas, it is explained that any sin will be washed away if you go on a pilgrimage or visit a holy place or surrender or chant and all sins that you have committed will be cleared.
This is unscientific, irrational, and not just. The rule is that you have to face the results of your sins. Once you have committed something, if you are running away from the result, that too is a sin. We should take responsibility for what you have done.
4. dhiyaH yaH naH prachOyataat
Guide/Motivate those thoughts and works of ours.
dhiyaH = prajnya karmaH (thought process and actions)
We are constantly thinking of some thought and some action. This is true at all times in our lives.
nah = our
yah dhiiyaH = Those thoughts and works of mine
prachOyataat = Please motivate and guide us (I open up myself to that guidance)
Root: shudha (prEraNE) = motivate
What is happening today?
We are guided my mortals who are not omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. We are guided by actors, politicians, religious leaders. They are all mortals. They are also like you and me. Maybe some of them are a little ahead of us in the spiritual path. But they are not omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. They are also subject to human weaknesses. They are not the shuddhaH and apaapaviddhaH (like sacchidaananda). They are subject to human emotions. They have their limitations.
But the pure God (sacchidaananda) is not subject to these limitations.
How is this guidance given?
Guidance is given to us in the form of the Vedas. There is no discrimination. It is open for all. The minute you are born as a human being, the Vedas are available to you. No need to follow any religion. No need to be a particular caste, or creed or live in a particular country or learn a new language.
How does the Vedas guide us?
The Vedas are only a medium. It helps us realize the lessons which is already within us. This is a beautiful thing. All the guidance is inside us. The Vedas help us realize it.
How do I open up to the motivation?
I chant the Mantra again and again. By knowing the meaning. I pray and ask for the guidance all the time. Again and again.
What is the final goal?
Strength and purity of the soul to achieve eternal bliss
SUMMARY
om bhuuhu bhuvaH svaH
O sacchidaananda who is the protector of all, the omnipresent, the supporter of all and the source of bliss!
tat savitr varENyam
That inspiring which is capable of which is omniscient
bhargaH dEvasya dhImahi
I shall meditate on that fire of the sacchidaananda that can burn down all sins
dhiyaH yaH naH prachOyataat
Guide/Motivate those thoughts and works of ours.
Know the meaning and chant it and take it to heart
If I know the meaning and chant it and take it to heart, it is useful if I chant it even once. But without the meaning, without taking it to heart, there is no use chanting it even a 10,000 times. It becomes mechanical. I am only a tape recorder.