Gayatri Mantra

This is a classical mantra, usually said first thing in the morning at the beginning of the yoga practice while facing East as the sun comes up. It is from the Rigveda, arguably the oldest spiritual text, and prior to being in written form, was an oral tradition. Original date, truly unknown. Saying a mantra is said to bring the energy and intention from all those that said it before us within the words and the vibration that resides within the mantra, into the present moment. The strength of the mantra grows and builds each time it is used.

OM bhur bhuvah svaha, Tat savitur varenyam, Bhargo devasya dhimahi, Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat

Transliteration

OM - ultimate reality
bhur - plane of the five elements; matter
bhuvah - plane of the life-force, of prana
svah - plane of the mind
tat - that, tangible divine
savitur - of the Solar Being, the solar orb, the sun; the light and energy of the sun that impels us to grow and to know God
varenyam - splendid, beautiful, choice-worthy, wonderous
bhargo - the Spirit dwelling within the sun; the light of knowledge that dissolves fear and ignorance
devasya - of the divine, brilliant, shining
dhimahi - we meditate upon, contemplate, recollect, call to mind
dhiyo - thoughts, intellect, inner vision
yo - who
nah - our
prachodaya - may he guide, lead, direct