PRAYERS
A
number of selected prayers in English and Sanskrit are generally recited in
unison following the conclusion of devotional singing. The selection and
sequence of these prayers may vary from Centre to Centre; please follow the
Centre protocol.
Om
(Aum) Chant: "Om"
is the primordial sound out of which all other sounds originate. It is the
all-pervading Divinity in the form of sound. Om is chanted, often three times,
at the beginning of devotional singing and any other spiritual activity.
The
Gayatri Mantra: The
Gayatri Mantra is a universal prayer enshrined in the Vedas for the
illumination of the mind and dispelling of ignorance.
There
are first a few moments of silence, which are followed by reciting the Gayatri
at least three times in unison. The Gayatri may be considered as having three
parts: praise, meditation, and prayer. First, the Divine is praised; then,
meditating upon the Divine radiance in reverence, an appeal is made to the
Divine to awaken and strengthen the intellect, which is the discriminating
faculty of man. Sai Baba has said that the Gayatri reflects the essence of the
Vedas, the most ancient scriptures on earth. The Gayatri is followed by chanting
"Om, Shanti (Peace), Shanti, Shanti". This invocation of
peace three times is for the body, mind, and soul. The Sanskrit mantra and
English meaning are given below.
Om Bhur Bhuva Svaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Pracho dayat
Oh
Mother! Who subsists in all the three kallas (time - past, present, and future),
in all three lokas (worlds - Heaven, Earth and lower or nether regions) and in
all the three gunas (attributes Satva, Rajas, and Tamas:
universal qualities of harmony, agitation, and inertia), I pray to you to
illumine my intellect and dispel my ignorance just as the splendorous sunlight
dispels all darkness. I pray to you to make my intellect serene, bright and
enlightened.
Asatoma
Prayer: This is
recited in unison at the end of meditation or prayers. This is an ancient Vedic
prayer seeking to be led to Truth, Light, and Immortality. Most Sai Centres
recite both the Sanskrit and the English versions.
Asatoma Sad Gamaya
Tamaso Maa Jyothir Gamaya
Mrityur Maa Amritam Gamaya
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi
From untruth lead us to Truth,
From darkness lead us to Light,
From death lead us to Immortality
Om, Peace, Peace, and Peace.
Aarti
Prayer (Singing His
Glory): At the
conclusion of the devotional songs, a song praising Sathya Sai Baba is sung in
Sanskrit, during which a flame is lit in a small vessel and is waved around
Sathya Sai Baba's picture in circular movements. The spiritual significance of
the waving of the light is that, light dispels darkness, and fire always surges
upward, signifying auspiciousness. Light is the illumination of divine
Consciousness within. When Aarti is performed with camphor, there is no
remainder. When the individual is united with the Almighty, all impurities are
burnt away and there is no more individual identity (or remainder) left.
Sacred
Ash Song (Vibhuti Song):
Sacred ash (Vibhuti) is distributed at the end of the Aarti as devotees
sing the Vibhuti prayer. Hold out your right hand and receive the Vibhuti in it.
You may place it on your forehead between the eyebrows and a small portion on
the tongue.
Paramam
Pavitram Baba Vibhutim
Paramam Vichitram Leela Vibhutim
Paramartha Ishtartha Moksha Pradanam
Baba Vibhutim Idamashrayami
Sacred, Holy and Supreme is Baba's Vibhuti;
Pouring forth in endless stream this play of Vibhuti;
So auspicious is its might it grants liberation;
Baba's Vibhuti its power protects me.
Vibhuti
is a reminder that ash is the end product of all matter. Vibhuti has also an
aspect of immortality, which makes it a fit offering for worshipping God. Only
the Vibhuti remains unchanged, since it is the final result of the annihilation
of the five elements of creation. It is symbolic of the ultimate reality that
remains when our ego is burnt away by the fire of illumination.
"The
Vibhuti that you smear on your forehead is intended to convey the basic
spiritual lesson that everything will be reduced to ashes, including the brow
that wears it".
World
Peace Prayer (Loka Samastha): This
prayer is usually sung after the Aarti and is sung in unison three times.
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
May all the Beings in all the Worlds be Happy.
This peace
prayer, which is closed with "Om,
Shanti, Shanti, Shanti", generally marks the closing of the
devotional service.
To listen to these prayers, please visit: www.kingdomofsai.org
Japa
is the vocal and mental repetition of the divine name or sound (mantra). The
purpose of chanting is to lead us to the ultimate silence of the Self, from
where all sounds and forms arise. Further, in the present age of materialism,
chanting the mantra (japa), is the
easiest way for us to obtain inner purification and concentration. Japa can be
done at any time, anywhere without observing any rule regarding the purity of
mind and body. Japa can be done while engaged in any task.
Chanting
in the mind may not always be possible at first, so in the beginning, practice
japa by moving the lips incessantly, like a fish drinking water. If japa is
maintained, no useless talk during work will be possible. The mind will always
remain peaceful. Modern day diseases are mostly psychosomatic. Japa will bestow
good health to both mind and body. Continue repeating the mantra while engaged
in any task.