Last Monday morning, before going to work, I picked an angel card for the week. I smiled when I saw the card – Light – and then I went about my day. Well, as often happens with the angel cards, as the week progressed I discovered why I had picked that particular card. Last Wednesday began Diwali (also written as Deepavali), the Hindu Festival of Lights! And, on Tuesday evening, I suddenly felt inspired to chant the Gayatri Mantra. That evening there were some negativities swirling in my brain, and as I cultivated the witness, I was intrigued to watch the effect that the Gayatri Mantra was having on those negative thought sensations. It was literally like watching the hot sun burn through some grey clouds.

The Gayatri Mantra is a mantra of brilliant Light. It is said to be the most ancient mantra, originating from a Vedic Sanskrit verse of the Rigveda. This sacred mantra is attributed to the rishi Visvamitra. The words are as follows:

Om bhur bhuvah svah
tat savitur varenyam
bhargo devasya dhimahi
dhiyo yo nah prachodayaat

There are many translations for this mantra that worships the Sun God. I like this translation: “I meditate on the Great Radiant Light which enlightens all 3 worlds. May it enlighten me, too.”

It is said that chanting the Gayatri Mantra every day keeps the Field pure for family life. To hear the Gayatri Mantra chanted live by Deva Premal & Miten, please click on “Gayatri Mantra” anywhere it is typed in this blog article.

May all beings everywhere rest in Radiant Light.

Om Shanti (Peace),

Yogini Tejaswini

Photo of Light on Teja’s kitchen table taken by Teja Shankara.