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Oppiliappan List Archive: Message 00069 Aug 2003

 
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SrI:

Dear BhakthAs:

Here are additional Information points:

1. Gayathri Manthram is a Veda Mantram. The word Mantram 
is made up of two words: MananA (Meditation) and "ThrANa
( protection). Manana refers to take in to mind, what has 
been learned for meditation. ThrANa is the consolidation
and firm establishment of what has been learned in the mind
for worship of the Devathai of that Mantram.

2. Gayathri Manthram is found in the ancient Rg Vedam 
( Rg Vedam: 3rd Mandalam , Soothra 60, Tenth mantram).
"Gaayantham treeyate ithi Gaayathri" ( The Manthram that
protects one , who recites it). Gaayathri is a Manthram
as well as a prayer.

3. PraNavam, Saptha VyAhruthis and actual Gayathri manthram and
Siras makes up SampoorNa/Dheerga Gaayathri Manthram. We will 
come back to ChathushpAdha Gaayathri later.

4. Gayathri MaathA is visualized with 5 Faces , 10 eyes ,10 hands 
with specific MudhrAs and weapons. The five faces have been
mapped on to the Upanishadic Pancha KosAs, Pancha BhUthAs, 
Pancha PrANAs and PanchEndriyams. The colors of the 5 faces are:
(1) Pearl white 92) Coral red (3) Golden Yellow (4)Blue like
BhagavAn's ThirumEni (5) Spatikam ( white like SrI HayagrIvan's
ThirumEni).

4.1:Pearl hued face is connected with the brilliance of
SwAthi Nakshathram , which is special to NrusimhAvathAram
Coral red is connected to the stillness of mind (Niscchalam)
when it is in a state of SamAdhi . Golden Hue is linked to 
VaseekaraNam . Blue hued face is connected with the boon-granting
MahA VishNu. The White hued face is connected with the Goddess
of Knoweledge , Sarasvathi, whose power is derived from Lord
HayagrIvan.

4.2:The Five faces , when meditated upon destroys Pancha MahA
Paathakams (Sins).The Ten eyes are watching in the ten 
directions including sky and earth and blessing the dhig
PaalakAs responsible for each of these directions. Among 
the ten hands, one set of five hands realte to the granting of 
Ihika Sukhams (lOka Sukhams) and the other five hands relate
to the other worldly bliss granted by Her indweller , 
SrIman NaarAyaNan.

4.3:The 10 hands hold Weapons and MudhrAs. There is a Varadha 
Hastham (Boon granting MudhrA). There is an abahya hastham,
which assures UpaasakAs not to fear . The third hand has 
elephant goad ( ankusam) to control involvement in vishya
sukhams. The horse whip is on another hand to whip out
internal and external elements that interfere with dhyAnam.
One hand carries a skull to show the impermannece of 
the world and SamhAra Tatthvam . The sixth hand carries 
a gadhai for punishment of offenders against the Lord's 
Saasthrams . The seventh hand has Sankham and the Eighth 
hand carries Sankham and chakram representing VishNu Tatthvam. 
The ninth and the Tenth hands carry lotuses , Which is MahA Lakshmi
Tatthvam.

5. One of the best painted images of Gayathri Devi can be
enjoyed at the Mysore MaharAja"s palace (DurbAr hall?).

6. Gaayathri DEvi in some traditions is viewed as Braham-
Rudra-VishNu savarUpiNi duirng the PrAtha: , MaadhyAhnika
and Saayam SandhyAs respectively. She is also viewed as 
Baala (Young like a child ), TaruNi ( fully developed Youth)
and VruddhA ( Older women) during the above three sandhyAs
respectively. 

7. Vangipuram Nambi , a direct sishyA of AchArya RaamAnuja
known for his Kaarikai (Commentary on ahnika granthams)
has pointed out that Sriman NaarAyanan dwellling at 
the center of Soorya Mandalam is the SarvAntharyAmi 
and is the one who binds all (sandhAnam) and should be 
worshipped as ParamAthmA during the three SandhyAs.

8. During SandhyAs, one has to perform viniyOgam for Rishi,
Chandas and Devathai for the various mantrAs and follow it
up with appropriate NyAsam. Otherwise, SandhyOpAsana
will not be fruitful. It will only generate sins.
For instance , the AapOhishtA manthram has SindhudhvIpa
Rishi, Devi Gaayathri and Aaapa: as Rishi, Chandas and 
DevathA. This is the PrOkshaNa manthram with nine paadhams.
We will take up the details of the PrOkshaNa Manthram next
and move on to the next stages of SandhyOpAsanam in
the next posting.

SrImath Azhagiya Singar ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam,
Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan 









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