Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

The Gayathri manthra has in it the validity of the Vedas. It contains the essence of Vedhic teachings. Each of the four Vedas has a core axiom (Maha Vakya) enclosed in it: Thath thwam asi (That thou art), Prajnanam Brahma (Consciousness is Brahma), Ayam Atma Brahma (This Self is Brahma) and Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahmam). When all these are synthesised, the Gayathri emerges. Gayathri is all Gods in One: The triple stranded Yagnopaveetham (Sacrificial Strand of Thread) is to be worn by every one who is initiated into Gayathri recital, for he has to perform the three sandhya rites when the Sun rises and sets, as well as when the Sun is at the zenith. The rites are in adoration of the Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The purpose of the rites is to invoke the Gods to bless the novitiate to lead a good life at all times (past, present and future), in all places (heaven, earth and nether region). The Gayathri divinises the five elements; it represents the presiding deities of all the five. Gayathri is worshipped as a Five-Faced Goddess - Om, being the first, Bhoor-bhuvahssuvah , the second, Thath Savithur Varenyam, the third, Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi, the fourth, and Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayath, the fifth face. Through meditation on the Gayathri, one can become aware of the inner motivating principle of the five elements, the five vital airs in the human body and the five sheaths which encase the Atma. Just as there are three basic energies that govern man - the physical, the metaphysical and the psychical, the A adhi-bhowthik, the Adhi-daivik and the Adhi-athmic, Gayathri has three facets Gayathri, Savithri and Saraswathi. Gayathri fosters the metaphysical, Savithri, the physical, and Saraswathi, the psychical. These three karanas or instruments have to be cleansed and sublimated so that man can realise the goal of life. Through the recital of Gayathri manthra and meditation thereon, this great task can be achieved.