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In India, it is often said that we are born twice, once when we come into the body, and once when we are initiated into the sacred Sanskrit chant, the Gayatri mantra. For thousands of years, yogis have used this very special mantra to deepen their practice and bring them closer to their divine nature. Here is the power and uniqueness of Gayatri, Queen of all vedic mantras.

Gayatri (pronounced "Guy-uh-tree") has rarely been shared outside of India. Sanskrit mantras were originally taught only among priests, in an unbroken lineage that existed for many years. Women and non-priests were rarely taught mantras, meaning that most of society was prevented from learning these sacred sounds that have the ability to produce powerful change. Gayatri--considered to be Sanskrit's highest mantra--was especially guarded and protected. Today Gayatri and other mantras are being shared discreetly by priests and other spiritual teachers with those on a sincere path.

Gayatri mantra is a four-line, 24 syllable Sanskrit invocation that addresses the feminine aspect of God. Gayatri mantra is considered to be a "deity mantra" since the original sages who heard Gayatri while in meditation also saw an apparition of a female energy form. Whereas female energy concerns receiving and male energy concerns doing, chanting Gayatri helps us gently let in the good that is around us. A simple translation of the mantra reads: "Dear God, who exists everywhere and on all planes, we meditate on thy profound wisdom and light--may you illuminate our beings." When chanting, the meaning of a mantra is certainly important, but it is the Sanskrit sounds that actually cause movement. Repetition of a mantra creates a vibrational forcefield that stills the mind, cleanses the emotions, and balances the soul, ultimately leading us to silence. Chanting Gayatri, in particular, puts us in tune with a universal flow of energies so that we become open vessels to develop on whatever level is needed and to attract all blessings.

The word "Gayatri" comes from two Sanskrit words which together mean "that which protects the life-force energy." Therefore, Gayatri mantra safeguards our very essence. In fact Gayatri is comprised of three powerful energies which convey to the practitioner mastery over and purity of thoughts, words and deeds. For these reasons, Gayatri is used to enhance consciousness, to protect us in times of trouble, to manifest positive conditions and to provide expansion of who we are. If we are all viewed as lights in this world, it may be said that learning Gayatri increases our voltage so that we may shine more brightly.

Gayatri mantra is considered to be the supreme Sanskrit mantra for several reasons (only a few of which we will mention here). First, Gayatri represents a perfectly complete mantra because it is composed of three parts: praise, meditation and prayer. Whereas other mantras may include only one of these aspects, Gayatri includes all three. In chanting Gayatri, we begin by acknowledging and praising the divine energy, then by meditating on it, and finally by invoking this energy into our lives. Gayatri is also important because it symbolizes the extended version of the sacred Om vibration and represents the entire essence of the vedas, India's spiritual texts. Swami Vishnudevananda spoke of the power of Gayatri by saying: "Gayatri mantra is the key to opening the door of cosmic consciousness."

As with all mantras, it is important that a student receives instruction in the proper tune, rhythm, pronunciation, history and meter for Gayatri. Chanting incorrectly will not yield the proper effects. In addition, to fully receive the mantra, a student undergoes a vedic initiation ritual in which he/she connects with the essence of Gayatri, the lineage of teachers and ultimately the source where Gayatri originated. When these conditions are fulfilled, the immense benefits of Gayatri become available to all who approach this special mantra with respect and diligence.

Gayatri mantra is no longer shrouded in mystery or unavailable to those who seek her out. In fact, if a practitioner is ready, then Gayatri will actually find that seeker. Sri Sathya Sai Baba has proclaimed: "Gayatri is a treasure you must guard throughout your life…It will protect you from harm, and the effulgence of God will descend on you and light your path." To chant Gayatri with dedication is to embrace the divine light that is around us and within us, to remember that we are not separate from God but rather a spark of this energy, here to illuminate all corners of the world.

Psychic Palmist of India Professor Sasi Velupillai & Reiki Master Alexandra Juliani offer sacred Sanskrit mantra classes with initiation ceremonies, including Gayatri. For more information, please contact: 310.397.2405

or mantraclasses@earthlink.net

M E D I T A T I O N N O W			YOGItimes magazine for the modern yogi

		Gayatri Mantra for Illumination & Spiritual Growth By reiki master Alexandra Juliani and Professor Sasi velupillai
	In India, it is often said that we are born twice, once when we come into the body, and once when we are initiated into the sacred Sanskrit chant, the Gayatri mantra. For thousands of years, yogis have used this very special mantra to deepen their practice and bring them closer to their divine nature. Here is the power and uniqueness of Gayatri, Queen of all vedic mantras. Gayatri (pronounced "Guy-uh-tree") has rarely been shared outside of India. Sanskrit mantras were originally taught only among priests, in an unbroken lineage that existed for many years. Women and non-priests were rarely taught mantras, meaning that most of society was prevented from learning these sacred sounds that have the ability to produce powerful change. Gayatri--considered to be Sanskrit's highest mantra--was especially guarded and protected. Today Gayatri and other mantras are being shared discreetly by priests and other spiritual teachers with those on a sincere path. Gayatri mantra is a four-line, 24 syllable Sanskrit invocation that addresses the feminine aspect of God. Gayatri mantra is considered to be a "deity mantra" since the original sages who heard Gayatri while in meditation also saw an apparition of a female energy form. Whereas female energy concerns receiving and male energy concerns doing, chanting Gayatri helps us gently let in the good that is around us. A simple translation of the mantra reads: "Dear God, who exists everywhere and on all planes, we meditate on thy profound wisdom and light--may you illuminate our beings." When chanting, the meaning of a mantra is certainly important, but it is the Sanskrit sounds that actually cause movement. Repetition of a mantra creates a vibrational forcefield that stills the mind, cleanses the emotions, and balances the soul, ultimately leading us to silence. Chanting Gayatri, in particular, puts us in tune with a universal flow of energies so that we become open vessels to develop on whatever level is needed and to attract all blessings. The word "Gayatri" comes from two Sanskrit words which together mean "that which protects the life-force energy." Therefore, Gayatri mantra safeguards our very essence. In fact Gayatri is comprised of three powerful energies which convey to the practitioner mastery over and purity of thoughts, words and deeds. For these reasons, Gayatri is used to enhance consciousness, to protect us in times of trouble, to manifest positive conditions and to provide expansion of who we are. If we are all viewed as lights in this world, it may be said that learning Gayatri increases our voltage so that we may shine more brightly. Gayatri mantra is considered to be the supreme Sanskrit mantra for several reasons (only a few of which we will mention here). First, Gayatri represents a perfectly complete mantra because it is composed of three parts: praise, meditation and prayer. Whereas other mantras may include only one of these aspects, Gayatri includes all three. In chanting Gayatri, we begin by acknowledging and praising the divine energy, then by meditating on it, and finally by invoking this energy into our lives. Gayatri is also important because it symbolizes the extended version of the sacred Om vibration and represents the entire essence of the vedas, India's spiritual texts. Swami Vishnudevananda spoke of the power of Gayatri by saying: "Gayatri mantra is the key to opening the door of cosmic consciousness." As with all mantras, it is important that a student receives instruction in the proper tune, rhythm, pronunciation, history and meter for Gayatri. Chanting incorrectly will not yield the proper effects. In addition, to fully receive the mantra, a student undergoes a vedic initiation ritual in which he/she connects with the essence of Gayatri, the lineage of teachers and ultimately the source where Gayatri originated. When these conditions are fulfilled, the immense benefits of Gayatri become available to all who approach this special mantra with respect and diligence. Gayatri mantra is no longer shrouded in mystery or unavailable to those who seek her out. In fact, if a practitioner is ready, then Gayatri will actually find that seeker. Sri Sathya Sai Baba has proclaimed: "Gayatri is a treasure you must guard throughout your life…It will protect you from harm, and the effulgence of God will descend on you and light your path." To chant Gayatri with dedication is to embrace the divine light that is around us and within us, to remember that we are not separate from God but rather a spark of this energy, here to illuminate all corners of the world. Psychic Palmist of India Professor Sasi Velupillai & Reiki Master Alexandra Juliani offer sacred Sanskrit mantra classes with initiation ceremonies, including Gayatri. For more information, please contact: 310.397.2405 or mantraclasses@earthlink.net