Gayatri: The Highest Meditation

Of all mantras, the supreme and the most potent power of powers is the great, glorious Gayatri mantra. It is the support of every seeker after Truth who believes in its efficacy, power and glory, be he of any caste, creed, claim, or sect. It is only one's faith and purity of heart that really count. Indeed, Gayatri is an impregnable spiritual armour, a veritable fortress, that guard and protects its votary, that transforms him into the divine, and blesses him with the brilliant light of the highest spiritual illumination. Whatever your Ista-devata may be, the regular repetition of a few-mala-s of Gayatri every day will bestow upon you all that is auspicious and benevolent, herein and hereafter. The sages of the Himalayas have demonstrated to the world at large that one can live a long life with perfect healthy by meditating on Gayatri's 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 Vedas or revelations to practise Sandhya-Vandana or meditation on Father-Mother God through the light of the sun. As the whole of humanity in its evolutionary process must reach the Light of Truth and attain immortality, the best and the highest meditation is presented here by giving reverence to the tradition but still explaining it to modern man.

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

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 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.

About The Author

Sant Keshavadas was born on July 22, 1934, on the Hindu holy day of Ekadashi, in Bhadragiri, a small village near Mysore in southern India. He was named Radha-Krishna by his parents, Venkataramana Pai and Rukmini Bai. In 1956, Radha-Krishna earned a B.A. from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College, and two years later he received an L.L.B. at the Udipi Law College. After graduation, he married Srimathi Rama Mataji, who joined him in his mission and helped him establish an ashram in Bangalore, Sant Keshavadas (1934–1997), a prominent teacher of Vedanta philosophy and yoga, known for his entrancing music and storytelling (Courtesy Temple of Cosmic Religion, Oakland) Karnataka, in the 1960s. He established several ashrams in India, including his headquarters at the Vishwa Shanti Ashram in Bangalore, an ashram in Trinidad, and one in Oakland, California.

SADGURU SANT KESHAVADAS is a spiritual leader of many dimensions. 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 reflect 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 the japa. "By japa alone", the great law-giver and prophet Manu says: "A spiritual person will undoubtedly attain bliss and ultimate fulfilment. 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 padas of 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 mankind 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: the posture of sitting, time, atmosphere, proper breath control, the use of the fingers of the hand for the various kriya-s, the use of the 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 meditating 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 of humanity in its evolutionary process must reach the Light of Truth and attain immortality, the best and the highest meditation is presented here by giving reverence to the tradition but still explaining it to modern man.

One may have to read this book very carefully, reverentially, and many times before one can really understand fully the contents. 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 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- together. 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 Gayatri devi 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 Gayatri devi 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 his 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