The Gayatri Mantra in repeating Devangari script

Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah

Tat savitur varenyam

Bhargo devasya dhimahi

Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat

Translation:  With loving reverence we bow to the inner Light, the supreme wisdom in all the world.  May this Divine Light guide and illuminate our intelligence.

The Gayatri mantra, the most ancient of the mantras found in the Rig Veda, is considered to be the mother of the Vedas.  The sound “gai” in Sanskrit means sing and “trai” means protect.  Gayatri therefore translates to “she who protects the singer.” The practice of the Gayatri mantra allowed the Rishis, or seers, to receive the revelation of all other mantras.  The first line is comprised of what is known as the Great Utterances.  Bhur indicates earth or matter, Bhuvah indicates sky or energy, and Svah indicates heaven or mind.

The practice of the Gayatri mantra helps us become strong by overcoming our own inner weaknesses. It stills mental chatter and clears away karmic impurities.  It purifies the ego and sharpens the intellect.  Connecting us to the teacher within, we receive inner guidance and inspiration.  As the inner being which flows directly from Source is illuminated, the deep unconscious is purified.  Gradually and with sustained effort and patience, the effect pervades all aspects of our personality.

Gayatri is the mantra for the common man.  Exact pronunciation is less important than intention.  The sages tell us that the practice of the Gayatri mantra allows for immense and everlasting transformation.   No one among us will not benefit.

Maha Mritynjaya in repeating Devangari script

Om Triyambakam yajamahe

Sugandhim pushti vardhanam

Urvarukamiva bandhanan

Mrityor mukshiya mamritat

Translation:   I meditate on, and surrender myself to, the Divine Being who embodies the power of will, the power of knowledge and the power of action.  I pray to the Divine Being who manifests in the form of fragrance in the flower of life and is the eternal nourisher of the plant of life.  Like a skillful gardener, may the Lord of Life disentangle me from the binding forces of my physical, psychological, and spiritual hurdles.  May the Lord of Immortality residing within free me from death, decay and sickness and unite me with immortality.

The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is the nourishing, healing, and life restoring mantra deriving from the Rig Veda and is considered the heart of the Vedas.  In Sanskrit, “Maha” means great, “Mrityun” means death, and “Jaya” means victory.  Of course, every living thing eventually dies.  Through the practice of reciting this mantra we obtain victory over the fear of death.  We realize that the deathless Divine Being is who we really are.

The practice of the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra sends forth vibrations from body to mind to soul.  It awakens the internal healing forces and Nature’s healing forces together so that we may receive the full nourishment of any discipline undertaken for well-being.  Strengthening the powers of will, knowledge and action, it unblocks the flow of courage and determination.  The scriptures guarantee that, through sincere practice, we clear away obstacles and attain freedom from weaknesses (the fear of death being the greatest) by making the strong part of ourselves even stronger.

This is the mantra of choice or those who struggle with grief, hopelessness, burn-out or illness.  It is most suited for those who need to access their own healing force for spiritual unfoldment.  Japa, the silent repetition of a mantra, is most effective with the use of a mala.  The Rudrasksha mala, made from 108 seeds of an Indian tree, is most traditional.  The practice of the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra can be done for ourselves or for someone else, but the time to learn this mantra is before it is needed.  Then we must execute the practice.

Our Sun, Surya in Sanskrit, is the 4.5 billion year old yellow dwarf star at the center of our solar system. It is an almost perfect sphere of gas (mostly Hydrogen and Helium) 860,000 miles in diameter and 92,000,000 miles away from Earth. Its size /distance ratio is the sacred 108. Surya burns at an average 11,000 degrees Fahrenheit and its mass is 330,000 times that of Earth. Light emitted from the surface takes 8 minutes to travel to Earth and this energy allows for all life forms to exist on our planet. The other planets in our solar system can be seen only because they reflect the light of the Sun.

According to Vedic Astrology texts, the planets are the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the sustainer. Surya is the Para Atman or the Supreme Self; it is the singular Inner Light or Spirit. He is the sattvic king of the planets and he rules Sundays and the zodiac sign of Leo. His associated color is red and gem is ruby. In so far as the inner and outer zodiac are inseparable, the Sun corresponds to the third eye chakra. Surya fortifies and vitalizes us, conferring self-confidence, consistent vision and dignity. His job is to purify anything that does not serve our highest Self. He is benevolent but firm.

Although the Earth revolves around the stationary Sun, from our vantage point Surya appears to move along the 360 degree path in the sky that is called the ecliptic and its strength, therefore, is always in relative flux. This also means that in an individual birth chart, the sacred mandala of karma, the possible combinations for positions of Surya and the sign of Leo are enormous. Knowledge of these locations assists in determining where and how much personal power lies within any of us. Even without this information, we can grasp the impact and miracle of the Sun. Deepening our sadhana by including Salute to the Sun into our daily hatha practice cannot fail us, nor can introducing the Sun mantra into our daily meditation. Om Sum Suryaya Namaha. We become aware of the simple truth: As above, so below.

Lakshmi, the Beloved of Lord Vishnu, is the Goddess of abundance and prosperity. Her dominion is wealth, material comfort, generosity and tenderness. Her energy, associated with the feminine Moon, allows for the expression of the Niyama of Santosha, defined as contentment. The mantra SHREEM is the beej mantra for Lakshmi and recitation of this sound calls forth her many blessings, primarily to assist those treading the householder path.

For those with a daily meditation practice already in place (hopefully many of you reading this) a round of japa, or 108 repetitions of the mantra, is suggested for 40 days. An image of Lakshmi or the symbol for Shreem at the meditation seat can be helpful. As a matter of intention, the meditator can offer the resulting blessing to anyone, or everyone, whatever seems best. The first to receive the gem of Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings without fail, however, is always the one doing the practice him/herself. Shreem, Shreem, Shreem.

If you have been to a yoga class, chances are you have been invited to chant ‘om.’ Whether at the beginning of class as a way to set the space or at the end of class to close the practice, chanting om is a wonderful way to tune back into the present moment and connect to something greater than ourselves.

The sound om is actually made up of four sounds: A-U-M . The ‘A’ is pronounced “ah,” the ‘U’ is pronounced “oo,” the ‘M’ is pronounced “mm,’ and the space afterward is held for silence. These sounds represent the waking (A), dreaming (U), and deep (M) sleep states, while the silence represents the witness state of consciousness—pure awareness. It is all three states encompassed in all that is and ever was. The sound of om is said to be sound of the creation of the universe. It is considered a sacred sound.

The four-part sounds of om are easily experienced while chanting. The ‘A’ sound begins at the very back of the throat, the ‘U’ sound resonates at the middle of the mouth, and the ‘M’ sound at the lips. Take a moment to chant these sounds and feel the progression from the back to the front of the mouth. It will help you better experience the om chant.

Chanting om at the beginning and end of practice, or at the beginning and end of meditation is a wonderful way to enter and leave a space/time that you set for yourself to deepen your understanding of your yoga practice. Try chanting om—or a round of oms—at times when you could benefit from reconnecting to your center. It can help transform your emotional and mental state.

If you have practiced yoga for any length of time, you are likely familiar with the sound of OM. Often chanted at the beginning and/or end of class, OM is a seed mantra, or a one-syllable chant. Possibly the quintessential Sanskrit mantra due to its vibrational nature (Sanskrit being a vibrational language), OM is just as much vibration as sound. It is said to be the sound of the creation of the universe. “This whole world,” says one ancient text “is nothing but OM.” OM is the symbol of the highest vibration, the purest energy—that which connects everything in existence.

The repeated chanting—also called mantra japa—of OM allows you to not only hear and think about the sound of OM, but upon repeating, you begin to merge with the vibration of the mantra, incorporating it into your being in a way that, simply put, makes you feel at one—with yourself, with the universe, with nature, with God—with whatever higher power you believe in. By chanting OM, the mind becomes present.

Although usually written as OM, the mantra is more accurately written as A-U-M, for the sound of “o” is formed by the combined sound of AU. The chant is actually more like: ah-oh-mmm. The letter A represents the waking state, where we begin. U symbolizes the dreaming state, through which we all pass. And M represents the inner mind, which is accessible in fleeting moments. Importantly, the silence between each OM is as important as the sound, and is described in the Maitri Upanishad as, “tranquil, soundless, fearless, sorrowless, blissful, satisfied, steadfast, immovable, immortal, unshaken, enduring.” Isn’t it true that moments of silence amidst beautiful sound can be the most powerful? These seem to be the moments when life’s beauty sinks in.

When chanting OM, the breath is the driving force behind the sound. Let your inhalation be deep and full so that your mantra carries strength and length. And remember to notice the pause between each OM. Feel every sound and feel the space between the sound. Feel the vibration within you and about you. Feel the connection created by the sound itself. OM.