Sloka 7
7.1. IAST Text
yati rahasya mayyeṣā gāyatrīdaśa bhujeti
7.2. Word-by-Word Analysis & Explanation
- ati:
- Meaning: “extremely” or “exceedingly.”
- Explanation: This intensifier stresses that the quality or attribute being described is present to an exceptional degree.
- rahasya:
- Meaning: “mystery” or “secret.”
- Explanation: Indicates that the subject is not ordinary; it is shrouded in mystery and is typically concealed from common perception.
- mayyeṣā:
- Meaning: “possessed by” or “imbued with.”
- Explanation: Suggests that the quality of mystery is inherent or filled within the subject that follows.
- gāyatrīdaśa:
- Breakdown:
- gāyatrī: Refers to the sacred mantra and its personified goddess, the primordial sound.
- daśa: “ten.”
- Combined Meaning: “Of Gaayatrī, with ten.”
- Explanation: In Tantric symbolism, the numeral ten is significant; when paired with “arms,” it represents the manifold and multifaceted powers of the goddess.
- Breakdown:
- bhujeti:
- Meaning: “arms” or “limbs.”
- Explanation: In Tantric iconography, multiple arms denote the goddess’s capacity to perform many functions simultaneously and to channel divine energy in various directions. They symbolize the vast, mysterious potential inherent in her nature.
7.3. Overall Meaning of the Sloka
Gaayatrī manifests in an exceedingly mysterious form, endowed with ten arms.
7.4. Detailed Commentary
This concise verse employs vivid symbolic imagery to describe the transcendent nature of Gaayatrī:
- Exceeding Mystery:
The use of ati rahasya emphasizes that Gaayatrī is not a mundane deity but one whose nature is shrouded in profound mystery. The mystery (rahasya) here alludes to the deep, esoteric principles that govern creation—principles that are typically hidden from the ordinary seeker and accessible only to those initiated into sacred wisdom. - Embodiment of Manifold Powers:
By describing her as gāyatrīdaśa bhujeti (“of Gaayatrī, with ten arms”), the verse taps into a well-known Tantric symbol. In Tantric iconography, multiple arms are emblematic of a goddess’s ability to manifest various divine functions simultaneously. The ten arms represent not only physical extensions but also metaphorical channels through which the transformative power of the sacred sound is expressed. This vivid image conveys the idea that Gaayatrī is the source of limitless and multifaceted spiritual energy. - Revelation for the Initiated:
The inherent mystery (rahasya) of Gaayatrī’s true form signifies that her profound nature is hidden from ordinary perception. Such esoteric aspects of her form are reserved for those who have been properly initiated into the Tantric teachings. Thus, the verse underscores that the full realization of her powers—and the transformative energy they represent—is accessible only to the advanced seeker.
Core Message:
Sloka 7 encapsulates the notion that Gaayatrī, the sacred embodiment of the primordial sound, is not simply a static figure but a dynamic and multifaceted force. Her ten arms symbolize her vast potential and ability to bestow manifold blessings, while her mysterious nature points to the deep esoteric truths that lie beneath the surface of ordinary experience. For the dedicated practitioner, recognizing and meditating upon this symbol is a gateway to accessing the hidden, transformative power that Gaayatrī offers.