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जय गुरुदेव ॐ Jai Guru Deva Om जय गुरुदेव ॐ
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I might explain to my grandmother that “Jai Guru Deva Om” is a kind of Hindu prayer, a psalm that means something like “Glory to God!” The original phrase जय गुरुदेव ॐ transliterates to “Jaya Gurudev Om,” a mantra, an instrument of meditation; with devotion, this melodic invocation is recited in ritual to achieve perfect bliss. Literally, the phrase translates, in salutation: “Congratulations to the Darkness-Destroyer of God (So Resonates Creation)!” A more fluid interpretation might better have suited Lennon: “Victory to the Divine Creative Spirit (Hums the Universe)!” Regarding the mantra and Lennon's creative process in general, George Harrison explains:
“The refrain 'Jai Guru Deva Om' is a mantra intended to lull the mind into a higher consciousness. The words are in Sanskrit, and they mean 'I give thanks to Guru Dev,' who was the teacher of The Maharishi. The 'Om' at the end is the drawn out 'oooohm' used in meditation to relate to the natural vibration of the universe. While visiting the Maharishi in Rishikesh, John purchased a set of brass bracelets with the words 'Jai Guru Dev' imprinted on them.”
(INDIA, 1968): John Lennon adopts the mantra “Jai Guru Deva Om” during a stay with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1918-2008), founder of the Transcendental Meditation movement. The Maharishi's guru, Swāmī Brahmānanda Saraswatī (1868-1953), known affectionately as “Guru Dev” or “Divine Teacher” was the head of the Jyotir Math in Northern India, a Smartist monastic institution. The Smārtha denomination evolved from the teachings of Ādi Shankara (c. 788–820), a Hindu saint who founded the philosophical tradition of Advaita Vedānta, a body of teachings concerned with the identities of the individual Soul versus the Supreme Being. For Smartists, the contemplative practice of mantra meditation aims to blissfully yoke the individual Self with the Supreme Self. While singing “Jaya Gurudev(a) Om,” Lennon observes the tranquil illumination taught by his guru as he invokes mystical recognition of the infinite.
Let's break जय गुरुदेव ॐ or JAYA GURUDEV OM into etymological scraps:
जय or JAYA is a salutation (a greeting or expression of goodwill) that refers to a CONQUERING, a GAINING, a TRIUMPH, GLORY or VICTORY. In the context of contemplative practice, JAYA is the spiritual overcoming of the chaotic senses, the success of composure and equanimity over ignorance and impulse. By chanting JAYA, one invokes a conscious intention for compassion and tranquility.
गुरुदेव or GURUDEV or as GU, RU, and -DEV(A).
Most accessibly, गुरु, GURU refers to a teacher, a mentor, or an instructor, specifically, a spiritual educator.
- गु or GU suggests DARKNESS, often symbolizing IGNORANCE, FEAR, CONFUSION, or ANXIETY.
- रु or RU suggests DESTROYER, for example, the DESTROYER of DARKNESS.
According to an ancient source, "The syllable gu [signifies] darkness. The syllable ru [signifies] the destroyer of that darkness. By reason of the ability to destroy darkness, he is called a guru" (Advaya Taraka Upanishad, 16). In addition to the connotation of 'a teacher,' a personal, spiritual guide, गुरु, GURU can also be understood to mean GREAT, GRAND, VAST, conveying an illumination that is REVERED and RESPECTED. The GURU is a REVERED ILLUMINATOR.
- देव or DEV means CELESTIAL, HEAVENLY, DIVINE, COSMIC, or MAJESTIC. Literally, a DEVA is a super-human entity, a god or deity, strewn from Vedic mythology. The words DEV or DEVA refer to beings that display perfection. A DEVA is a being who has complete control of sensation, and thus, controls the illusory realm of nature. They are unaffected by suffering.
The गुरुदेव, GURUDEV is the majestic archetype of the गुरु, GURU, the perfection of the GURU. A literal translation of GURUDEV can invoke the cosmic person as GREAT LORD, GRAND GOD(DESS), or SUPREME PERSON. As an honorific title, GURUDEV can be read as HEAVENLY TEACHER, HOLY INSTRUCTOR, or COSMIC SAGE. Using GURU DEV to refer to a person graciously demonstrates one's respect for that tremendous individual. Then again, GURUDEV can invoke notions of the DIVINE MAJESTY, CELESTIAL CREATIVITY, the SACRED VASTNESS. John Lennon's euphonious extension of DEV into DEVA invokes the primordial feminine spirit, the Shakti. Thus, GURU DEVA might express DIVINE CREATIVE ENERGY. In any case, the GURUDEV can describe something that (or someone who) is GREAT, IMMENSE, DIVINE, CREATIVE, PLAYFUL, and LUMINOUS.
ॐ or OM is a sacred syllable representing the PRIMORDIAL RESONANCE OF THE CREATIVE UNIVERSE. The mystical symbol OM refers to the concept of an all-inclusive, metaphysical entity, commonly conjured at the end of invocations. It is the sensational signature of the transcendental realm. To utter OM is to invoke creativity and inspiration. It is to meditate on the common unity of all being.