JAIN GAYATRI MANTRA

AUM
BHOOR BHUWAH SWAHA,
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI
DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODAYAT
APO JYOT RASOMRUTAM BRAHMA ||

Jai Jinendra! We all know, It is the sacred mantra of Hindus but few would know,
it was also that of Jains in South India not very long ago. We have palm leaf
Sanskrit text giving its meaning. According to the tradition, it was worshipped by
Bharata Chakravarti, Rishis and Ganadharas. As you guessed it right, it is the
mantra devoted to Adi Bhagavan – Rishabh and by inference to other Tirthankar
as well. As you might have noticed, there are some extra terms (shown in bold
fonts) not being used by Hindus. The original mantra is as shown above.

The Hindu Gayatri mantra and its meaning:

AUM BHOOR BHUWAH SWAHA, TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODAYAT

Aum = Brahma;
bhoor = embodiment of vital spiritual energy(pran)
bhuwah = destroyer of sufferings
swaha = embodiment of happiness
tat = that
savitur = bright like sun
varenyam = best choicest
bhargo = destroyer of sins
devasya = divine
dheemahi = may imbibe
dhiyo = intellect
yo = who
naha = our
prachodayat = may inspire

“May the Almighty God illuminate our intellect to lead us along the righteous
path”

The Jain meaning of Gayatri mantra can be expanded in two ways:

1. Dravya arth : this gives the historical significance
2. Bhava arth: This gives universal significance beyond a single Tirthankar, single
kshetra, single kal (time) etc.

Before we elaborate further let us recapitulate the events in the life of first
Tirthankar, Adi Bhagavan Rishabh. In His time, the era changed from Bhog Bhumi
(land of enjoyment without labour) to karma Bhumi. The transition day is
celebrated as Ugadi, Gudi Padwaa and Iranian New year etc even today. He as a
householder (more appropriately as a King) had to find ways and means of
sustenance to people. He created six branches of profession, as we all know,
defence, agriculture, science and engineering, arts, education and commerce. He
identified edible plants, animals that can be domesticated and used as bio-
vehicles and as sources of animal wealth etc. He developed the methods of
rainwater harvesting, methods of cultivation and preservation of important edible
plants etc. He also identified plants that can yield fuels, shade, wood, timber,
fibre etc. He showed the power of fire.....

Meaning of Gayatri mantra: “Gayantam trayata iti Gayatri” Gayatri is that mantra
which protects one who sings.

Now the historical meaning:

YAHA Who
PRACHODAYAT taught
APO (the art and science of harvesting and storage of)
water
JYOTI know-how of lighting a fire
RASO the details of food items containing six categories of
culinary tastes
AMRUTAM the utility of dairy products and dairy science and
technology including animal husbandry
BRAHMA the identification of food items such as cereals,
fruits, nuts etc and methodical way of cultivation,
preservation etc
DHIYAHA by His genius
TAT SAVITUHU such a creator
BHARGAHA who has driven away hunger, disease etc.,
BHOOR BHUWAH SWAHA provided happiness, harmony and peace
DEVASYA Adi Bhagavan’s
VARENYAM supreme
AUM collective wisdom and vision
NAHA DHEEMAHI We gratefully acknowledge (before we begin our
day or a new assignment).

Now the universal meaning:

YAHA Who
PRACHODAYAT taught (the codes of conducts of saint and laity)
APO with the scriptures
JYOTI knowledge
RASO Samarasi bhava atmika rasa
AMRUTAM the secret of ending death
BRAHMA the art of atma vidya (renouncement, meditation
and samadhi)
 DHIYAHA by omniscience, kevala gyan
TAT SAVITUHU such a creator of salvation path
BHARGAHA who has extinguished khati karmas
BHOOR BHUWAH SWAHA (the God of ) nether land, madyama loka and
heaven
DEVASYA Adi Bhagavan – who attained 46 wonders and
felicitated with 5 Maha Kalyans i.e Fests whose
VARENYAM supreme
AUM one-lettered key which embodies paramatma
parabrahma or symbolizes five Parama pada,
Parameshthi, or five special names given to Adi
Bhagavan (and other Tithankars) at the time of
Pancha Kalyans
NAHA DHEEMAHI We meditate (to end the cycle of transmigration
and derive comforts during this arduous journey)

Brahma, embodiment of vital spiritual energy (pran), destroyer of sufferings,

embodiment of happiness,

That, bright like sun, best of choice,

Destroyer of sins, divine may imbibe,

Intellect who, our, may inspire.