Gayatri Mantra and Esha Deol

The Gayatri Mantra is a highly revered mantra in Hinduism. Written in Sanskrit, the mantra reads:

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं ।
भर्गोदेवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ।

It is pronounced as follows:

Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayaata

Meaning: (Although, many say that translation cannot possibly do justice to the original it implores)
Let us meditate upon the glory of Ishwar,
Who has created this Universe,
Who is fit to be worshipped,
Who is the remover of all sins and ignorance.
May He enlighten our intellect.

Indian actress is Esha Deol photographed herself with a big tattoo of Gayatri Mantra on her back (see photo on the right). Esha says that she knows the mantra by heart and has been reciting it for many years.

The mantra, if chanted properly, has positive effects on different body parts.

The Gayatri Mantra is the essence of the three Vedas. It is the Vedas simplified. The more one contemplates and meditates upon the Gayatri, the more complexities are revealed to one.

AUM-Supreme Lord

BHUR-Protector of the earth, the material sheath, The Life breath of the Universe. From the feet to the navel center.

BHUVAH-One of the meanings is the sky. The Lord who pervades and eliminates all miseries.From the navel to the throat center.

SVAHAH-One of the meanings is the heavens. He is all Bliss and blesses His devotees with happiness. From above the throat center to the thousand petaled lotus.

TAT That-(That Thou Art)

SAVITUR-The SUN, Creator, Preserver and Self Luminous, the central mantra of the Solar Science.

VARENYAM-Most fit to be worshipped. Most choice worthy.

BHARGO-The burning splendor of the Sun that dispels ignorance, and therefore sorrows and miseries.

DEVASYA-The ‘Deva’, The God, He who is All Bliss, The Joyful One, The Shining One, The Revealer of All Glory

DHEEMAHI– We meditate upon Him

DHEEYO YO NA-Who our intelligence and Wisdom

PRACHODAYAAT-Inspires

Origin and History of Gyatri Mantra

The Gayatri Mantra is attributed to the rishi Viswamitra, from verse of the Rigveda, with Gayatri referring to the Vedic poetic meter of 24 syllables. It is addressed to God as the divine life-giver, symbolized by Savitr (the sun) and is most often recited at sunrise and sunset. While typically associated with outward ritual offerings, it can be recited more inwardly and without rites. Several Hindu scriptures offer praise for the Gayatri Mantra. Manusmriti states that “there is nothing more exalted than the Gayatri”. The Atharvaveda calls it the “Mother of the Vedas”. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says, “Of all poetry, I am the Gayatri”.

The mantra plays an important part in the traditional upanayanam (sacred thread) ceremony for young Brahmin males. It marks the beginning of study of the Vedas, and it is used for directing one’s thoughts toward attaining wisdom. Part of the daily ritual in traditional Brahmin practice is to recite the Gayatri Mantra at sunrise every morning.

During the last two centuries, several Hindu reform movements have freed the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra from caste and gender limitations. In 1898, Swami Vivekananda began initiating non-Brahmins with the sacred thread ceremony and the Gayatri Mantra. He based this on the teaching of the Vedas and Bhagavad Gita that Brahmin status is earned and not hereditary. The Arya Samaj notably spread the teaching that recitation of the mantra was not limited to males, but that women could rightfully be taught both the Vedas and the Gayatri Mantra. The Gayatri Pariwar, founded by Shriram Sharma Acharya, teaches the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra as a foundational spiritual practice-one not limited to Brahmins.

In 1818 Brahmo Samaj founder Ram Mohan Roy wrote a dissertation on the meaning and importance of the Gayatri Mantra. By 1843, the First Covenant of the Brahmo Samaj required the use of the Gayatri Mantra for daily worship. From 1848-1850, with the rejection of Vedas, the Adi Dharm Brahmins also used the Gayatri Mantra in their private devotions.

Esha Deol Again

Apart from the Gayatri Mantra on her back, bollywood actress Esha Deol has another tattoo, a scorpion on her left bosom. Esha sure has a passion for tattoos on her beautiful body.