Prayers of the Brahmins
Brahmins are enjoined to offer prayers thrice daily, as prescribed in the Vedas. Young men are, initiated by their Gurus, to chant the mantras , at
their first
“Thread ceremonies”, These are
the ‘Sandhya Vandana’ offered at dusk
and dawn, and Madhyanhika offered at noon.
The sacred mantra of Gayatri is recited at these times. Devata
pooja is
performed in the morning and evening.
Omkara mantra
OM
AUM
Harappa-Seal Turned 90 degrees
The most sacred and solemn mantra, chanted at the beginning of prayers and religious ceremonies and at the beginning of invocations. Although it is commonly used as monosyllable, it is composed of three syllables A U and M. These syllables represent the three Vedas. They also represent the Hindu triad (Trimurthis), Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma, respectively. Proper chanting of this mantra and the following Gayatri mantra as initiated by a Guru, would bestow great benefits.
Gayatri mantra
Gayatri mantra is the most sacred manta from the Rig veda. In the Bhagavadgita, lord Krishna says, "Among the mantras I am Gayatri".
"Om bhur bhuvah swah: tat Savitar varenyam"
bhargo devasya dhee mahi, dhio yonah prachodayat".
Young men are initiated to chant the mantra by the family priests, during their "thread ceremony". It is considered the sacred duty of Brahmins, to recite this mantra silently, at least 108 times, during daily prayers offered at Dawn, Mid-day and at Dusk.
The Gayatri mantra is a part of the Pranayama mantra which is recited before meditating on the Gayatri. The full verse is as follows.
Tat purushaaya vidmahe, Mahadevaya dhee mahi, tannoh Rudra prachodayat.
Shakti
Om Sri Durgayai namah
Katyayanaya vidmahe, Kanyakumari dhee mahi, tannoh Durgi prachoyadaat.
Surya
Om namah Suryaya
Bhaskaraya vidmahe, Maha Dyutikaraya dhee mahi
tannoh Aditya prachodayat.
Subrahmanya
Tat purushaaya vidmahe, Mahasenaya dhee mahi
tannah Shanmukha prachodayat.
Agni
Vyshvanaraya vidmahe, Laaleelaya dhee mahi, tannoh Agni prachoyadat
Shanthi Mantras
The following Mantras are chanted, seeking divine grace on humanity.
"Om
swasthi prajabhyaha paripalayantam
nyayena margena mahim maheeshaha
Goe Brahmanebhyaha shubamastu nityam
lokaaha samasthaa sukhino bhavantu".
"Let the citizens be healthy
and the Rulers be just.
Let cows and the learned be blessed
and the world be happiness filled". (R.G).
"Kaley varshatu Parjanyah
Prithvi sasya shalini
Deshoyam Kshoba rahitah
"Let it rain in season
let the earth be green
Let the land be free from famine
And let the learned minds be free". (R.G).
"Sarveshaam swasthir bhavatu
Sarveshaam shanthir bhavatu
Sarveshaam poornam bhavatu
Sarveshaam Mangalam bhavatu".
Let all of mankind be blessed with healthy, happy, full and peaceful lives
Brahmanah santu nirbhayah".
In : BRAHMAN, MAHASABHA,BIKANER BHAGWAN PARSHURAM
