Gayatri: The Highest Meditation

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In yoga, the mantra is a mystical formula, an incantation, which aids the individual to liberate the self and attain bliss and ultimate fulfillment. Gayatri the highest meditation describes the Gayatri, the mantra which helps the higher man to be born in us all. This book joyfully performs several functions. It beautifully explains the central meaning and significance of the mantra in all its fullness. But, it also describes such practical things as the use of purificatory water rites and the techniques of this japa: posture of sitting, time, atmosphere, proper breath control, the use of the fingers of the hand for the various kriya's, the use of rosary, the proper pronunciation of the sacred sounds, etc. This will immensely help the new practitioner and will educate and put him on the path of practice. The volume also discusses the hidden meanings of the Pranava and the Vyahrti portions of the mantra. There is a highly useful chart at the end which indicates the seven-fold symbolism of the Vyahrti and relates and integrates it with the seven-fold aspects of the macrocosm and the microcosm and the aspects of life. If the Gayatri-mantra is understood, repeated, and meditated upon, in the manner so completely described and explained in this rare and unusual volume, it will be productive of the highest bliss, unparalleled intellect and creativity, and manifold mastery and success in the world. The present excellent volume on the Gayatri and its significance and practice truly and fully reflects this universal appeal and approach.

In Yoga, the mantra is a mystical formula, an incantation, which aids the individual to liberate the self and attain bliss and ultimate fulfillment.

Gayatri-The Highest Meditation describes the Gayatri, the mantra which helps the higher man to be born in us all. Sant Keshavadas profoundly tells the meaning and many facets (water rites, sitting posture, time, atmosphere, breath control, pronunciation of sacred sounds) of this ancient meditation.

There are few books available on the Gayatri meditation in English. Professor T.K. Venkateswaran of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Detroit, praises Sant Keshavadas' work and states that if the Gayatri Mantra is understood, repeated, and meditated upon, in the manner in which it is presented in this book, it will illumine the intellect and produce the highest bliss, creativity, and success in the world.

Sadguru Sant Keshavadas a prophet of divine love and universal peace. His name means, "saint who is the servant of the Lord".

Sri Sadguru was born in 1934 in Bhadragiri, a small South Indian village near Bangalore in Karnataka State. He earned a B.A. degree from Mahatma Gandhi College and an L.L.B. degree from Udipi Law College, and is a gifted composer, musician, lecturer, author and teacher of yoga.

Sant Keshavadas has made eleven global tours in his mission to show the essential unity of all world religions. He is assisted in this mission by her wife, Srimati Rama Mata, and their three children, assist in this mission.

The book has a pragmatic approach, and that make it a useful guide to one and all. We invite our readers to make use of the book.
The Vedanta Kesari, August 1991.

SADGURU SANT KESHAVADAS is a spiritual leader of many dimen- sions. He is also the author of several works. His teachings and writings are like a Maha-yana, a great ship or vehicle, which is not exclusive, but has a place for everyone, scholars and laymen, Indians and Americans, Hindus and Christians, men and women of all religious persuasions. The present excellent volume on the Gayatri and its significance and practice truly and fully reflects this universal appeal and approach.

The theme of the work is a most profound one. Lord Krsna declares in the Gita: ‘‘Among the various forms of worship and sacrifice, I am japa-meditation.” Thus, God dwells in thejapa. "By japa alone", the great law-giver and prophet Manu says: "A spiritual person will undoubtedly attain bliss and ultimate fulfil- ment. It is immaterial if he performs or omits to perform other sacred rituals. Such a spiritual person is the true friend of the world" (Manu-smrti II.87).

Japa is the constant repetition of a mantra, accompanied by an intense meditation on the deity invoked by the mantra. Gayatri is declared to be the highest mantra in Hindu religious writings. It is the very essence of the three holy Veda-s, Rk, Yajus and Saman. "Brahma, the Supreme Creator, drew out each one of the three padasof this mantra from each one of the three Veda-s" (Manu-smrti II.77).

The Supreme Deity invoked by the Gayatri-mantra is the Light symbolized by the physical luminary, the sun. There is an ancient symbol of Christ as the Solar Christ, Christ symbolized by the sun. Not only is physical solar energy highly beneficial to man- kind in providing heat, as we are now more aware, but it also stimulates and nourishes all life and heals various diseases. The ineffable, resplendent Supreme Reality, the Light behind the sun, is a source of unsurpassed spiritual energy, upon which, by the repetition of Gayatri and its meditation, mankind can draw forth stimulation and nourishment of the higher intellect and ultimate spiritual fulfilment.

Gayatri helps the higher man to be born in all of us. She is the "Savior of the singer of the mantra." Gayatri is the only mantra whose name ends in tra (meaning protection, saving force, and grace).

This book on Gayatri by Sant Keshavadas, joyfully performs several functions. It, of course, beautifully explains the central meaning and significance of the mantra in all its fullness. But, it also describes such practical things as the use of purificatory water rites and the techniques of this japa: posture of sitting, time, atmosphere, proper breath control, the use of the fingers of the hand for the various kriya-s, the use of rosary, the proper pronunciation of the sacred sounds, etc. This will immensely help the new practitioner and will educate and put him on the path of practice.

The volume also discusses the hidden meanings of the Pranava and the Vyiihrti portions of the mantra. There is a highly useful chart at the end which indicates the seven-fold symbolism of the Vyahrti and relates and integrates it with the seven-fold aspects of the macrocosm and the microcosm and the aspects of life. If the Gayatri-mantra is understood, repeated, and meditated upon, in the manner so completely described and explained in this rare and unusual volume, it will be productive of the highest bliss, unparalleled intellect and creativity, and manifold mastery and success in the world.

We owe deep gratitude to Sant Keshavadas for this outstanding book on Gayatrt, which fulfils a need in this important field and subject area for the readers. Also, we are deeply grateful to Dr. Shyam Argade and Mrs. Veena Argade, for their unique bene- faction and loving munificence, without which the printing and publication of this book would not have been possible. Dr. Argade's father has performed Gayatri meditation several million times in his life. Veena and Shyam have shown great devotion, dedication, and leadership in the promotion of various causes and in the religious and cultural life of the Indian community of Greater Detroit. They are also devoted and loving disciples of Sadguru Sant Keshavadas, May the Supreme Mother Gayatri, the holy tattvartha-varnatmika, confer Her manifold blessings upon them and their children and family.

THERE IS NO greater meditation than Giiyatri meditation. There are very few books available on this profound subject in English. With the material available in Sanskrit and other languages an humble attempt is made to describe the many facets of this most ancient meditation.

The sages of the Himalayas have demonstrated to the world at large that one can live a long life with perfect health by medi- tating on Gayatrl-mantra. All the masters of yore and the living masters constantly meditate on this mantra and have made it a rule for all those who follow the path of Veda-s or revelations to practise Sandhyii-vandana or meditation on Father-Mother God through the light of the sun. As the whole humanity in its evolu- tionary process must reach the Light of Truth and attain immor- tality, the best and the highest meditation is presented here by giving reverence to the tradition but still explaining it to the modern man.

One may have to read this book very carefully, reverentially, and many times before one can really understand fully the con- tents. It is just impossible to simplify them more than what has been done here.

I have had assistance from several people so that this book could see the light of the day. First of all, I want to thank my spiritual disciples of the Temple of Cosmic Religion, Southfield, Michigan, for their continuous cooperation. May God bless Sri Ravidas, Sri Chandrashekhar, and Sister Karuna. My special blessings go to Sister Karuna for her dedicated service in typing, editing, and doing everything needed to bring this book to- gether. May God bless her with greater energy and health for helping me to write more books. May the Universal Mother bless Narayanadas of Michigan for the wonderful artwork of Gayatridevi included in this book. I am grateful to Dr. Shyam Argade and his devoted wife, Smt. Veena Argade, for their kind donation that made the printing of this book possible. May Gayatridevi bless them and their children with prosperity and peace.

I must also thank my dear Rand Martin Holiday for his timely help in making the publication of this book possible. It is my joyful duty to thank my beloved friend, Professor Sri T.K. Venkateswaran, Chairman, Department of Religious Studies, University of Detroit, for his most profound Introduction to this holy book. May Goddess Gayatri bless him, his family, and children.

Finally, I pray to the Divine Mother Gayatri to bless all who read this book with health, prosperity, and peace. May the entire world be filled with peace! Contents:

            Introduction  Preface  Gayatri-sadhana  Prayer to Gayatri    

            Part I  Mantra-yoga

Yoga Mantra-yoga Japa-yoga Who Is a Guru? Dhyana-yoga or Yoga of Meditation

Meditation on Gayatri Gayatri, the Personal Mother Upanayana-samskara Gayatri, the Highest Meditation for Illumination Gayatri-sadhana Gayatri Meditation Gayatri and Purusa-sukta Visvamitra Practice of Sandhya-vandana Chart of the Gayatri Meditation on Kundalini through the Gayatri-mantra Different Gayatri-s