Sloka 5
5.1. IAST Text
gāyatrī védamātastē sādhyāśaktirmata
bhuvi inānāṁ jananī daiva tāmuposnēha mēvāhe!
5.2. Word-by-Word Analysis & Explanation
- gāyatrī
- Meaning: The sacred mantra and personified goddess; the primordial sound.
- Explanation: Gaayatrī represents both the vibratory power of the sacred mantra and its embodiment as a goddess, symbolizing the source of all spiritual energy.
- védamātā
- Breakdown:
- veda: “sacred knowledge”
- mātā: “mother”
- Combined Meaning: “Veda-mother.”
- Explanation: This term designates Gaayatrī as the nurturing source of the Vedas, implying that she is the origin from which all sacred knowledge flows.
- Breakdown:
- stē sādhyāśaktir
- Breakdown:
- stē: “possessing” (a compound form indicating inherent power)
- sādhyā: “that which is to be achieved” (referring to spiritual accomplishment)
- śakti: “power” or “energy”
- Combined Meaning: “Possessing the power to bestow sādhyā (spiritual accomplishment).”
- Explanation: This phrase attributes to Gaayatrī the ability to confer upon her devotees the spiritual power and capability required for attaining higher states of realization.
- Breakdown:
- mata bhuvi
- Breakdown:
- mata: “on earth”
- bhuvi: “of the earth” (indicating a pervasive presence)
- Combined Meaning: “On earth.”
- Explanation: Emphasizes that her nurturing influence and divine power extend throughout the terrestrial realm.
- Breakdown:
- inānāṁ jananī
- Breakdown:
- inānāṁ: “of all beings”
- jananī: “mother” (creator or nourisher)
- Combined Meaning: “The mother of all beings.”
- Explanation: This reinforces her universal maternal role as the one who creates, sustains, and nourishes every living entity.
- Breakdown:
- daiva
- Meaning: “divine.”
- Explanation: Indicates her inherent divinity, setting her apart as not merely a mortal or natural force but as a transcendent, divine presence.
- tāmuposnēha
- Breakdown:
- upaśneha: “devotional worship” or “adoration”
- Meaning: “Whom I worship.”
- Explanation: Expresses the personal, devotional relationship between the devotee and Gaayatrī, highlighting the act of reverential worship.
- Breakdown:
- mēvāhe
- Meaning: “I offer my obeisance to.”
- Explanation: Conveys the devotee’s humble and sincere act of offering worship and respect to Gaayatrī.
5.3. Overall Meaning of the Sloka
Gaayatrī, the mother of the Vedas and the divine nurturer on earth, is the source of spiritual power—and I, with devotion, worship her.
5.4. Detailed Commentary
This sloka extols Gaayatrī in her multifaceted role as both the sacred sound (mantra) and the personified goddess, emphasizing her significance in the spiritual and cosmic order:
- Divine Motherhood and Nurturing Energy:
By calling her védamātā (“Veda-mother”) and inānāṁ jananī (“mother of all beings”), the text underlines Gaayatrī’s role as the primordial nurturer. In the Vedic and Tantric worldviews, the goddess is not only the source of spiritual knowledge but also the sustaining force behind all creation. This dual aspect assures the devotee that the path to higher realization is grounded in maternal care and universal nourishment. - Source of Spiritual Power:
The phrase stē sādhyāśaktir indicates that Gaayatrī possesses the inherent power to bestow spiritual accomplishment (sādhyā). Her power is not limited to abstract knowledge; it actively enables the practitioner to progress along the path of realization. This concept is central to Tantric practice, where the cultivation and proper channeling of divine energy are seen as essential for transformation. - Immanence on Earth:
The words mata bhuvi assert that her presence permeates the earthly realm. This immanence reassures the seeker that the divine is accessible here and now, not just in remote or transcendent states. The goddess’s pervasive presence serves as a constant reminder of the sacred within the mundane world. - Devotional Attitude and Obeisance:
The closing part of the sloka, tāmuposnēha mēvāhe, expresses the devotee’s personal and humble approach to worship. This is a critical element in Tantric practice—the transmission of esoteric wisdom is predicated on the deep, heartfelt bond between the devotee and the divine. The act of offering obeisance is both a recognition of the goddess’s supreme role and an invitation to receive her transformative energy.
Core Message:
The central teaching of this sloka is that true spiritual power arises from the nurturing, maternal energy of Gaayatrī. By recognizing her as the source of the sacred Vedic knowledge and as the universal nourisher, the devotee aligns with the primordial forces that sustain all life. This alignment—achieved through sincere devotion and worship—opens the pathway to internal transformation and the attainment of higher spiritual realization. In the Tantric tradition, such an intimate connection with the divine is essential for accessing the deeper mysteries of existence.