Greatest Poetry of All Time

Poetry is a unique way to express thoughts, feelings and emotions implicitly, but is still an underrated genre among readers. Poetry has various modes and holds its own exclusive virtue. Have you ever cogitated or looked for the greatest poetry of all time?

If you are one such person who deliberates on the subject, the under-mentioned assertion will make you elated that is a truth, not a fallacy.

Mostly everyone is conscious of this poetry, but it may be the case, they are unwitting of its greatness. We recite it since childhood, but most of us are delirious about the fact and unaware of that we are reciting the greatest poetry of all time.

ॐ भूर्भुव: स्व:
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो न: प्रचोदयात्।

We recite this mantra since our school days in daily prayers. Perchance, the meaning is not known, but we are well aware of the verse.

Source of Origin

It is said that Lord Brahma originated the Gayatri Mantra and the same is mentioned in Vedic Scripts; Vedas, Ramayana, Upanishads, Shri Mad Bhagwat Gita and Bhagwat Puran etc.

Famous sage Vishwamitra composed this sacred mantra. The pious mantra is devoted to the Deity Savitri, God of Brilliance and Devi Gayatri, the prime faminine energy behind the creation of the entire universe. 

Meaning of Greatest Poetry of All Time

Gayatri Mantra is typically a chandas, written in three lines with 8 syllables each. Gayatri Chandas translated as Mother of Knowledge from Sanskrit to Hindi, where Gayatri refers to knowledge and Chandas means mother. Whereas, In American English, Gayatri Mantra is interpreted as Hope For Enlightenment.

The extended version of the translation of Gayatri Mantra is: I meditate upon the highest mode of brilliance of the divine entity who gave me life, so that it may drive my mind from the material world to the sutler plane of existence with prior recitation of Om.

Om the primodule sound, the combination of sounds corresponding to creation, maintenance and destructive aspects of the universe. This solemn rhythmic poetry aids us to uplift our knowledge from this material world to upper space and ultimately to the highest abode of existence.

Eminent philosopher Swami Vivekananda retranslated the hymn as, “We meditate on the glory of the one who created this universe, may he enlighten our minds”.

Followers of Arya Samaj glorify this mantra a lot. Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati, Founder of Arya Samaj, lauded Gayatri Mantra in his noble words as, “Oh Lord, you grant life, remove pain and sorrow, and render happiness. O Creator of The Universe! May we receive your supreme sin-destroying light and you guide our intellect in the right direction”.

Custom

Gayatri Mantra mainly recites while doing yajnas, prayers and meditation; prominently. Bhagwat Puran says Lord Surya is worshipped in the early morning after the recitation of Gayatri Mantra. 

Identification

Gayatri Mantra is one among the most dignified mantras. The Vedic Scriptures consider Gayatri Mantra a poetry, especially Shri Mad Bhagwat GIta wherein Lord Krishna himself affirmed the fact;

बृहत्साम तथा साम्न‍ां गायत्री छन्दसामहम् ।
मासानां मार्गशीर्षोऽहमृतूनां कुसुमाकर: ॥

Of the hymns in the Sāma Veda I am the Bṛhat-sāma, and of poetry I am the Gāyatrī. Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am flower-bearing spring. — Bg 10.35

Since Krishna himself termed Gayatri Mantra as his own identity, it becomes greatest by itself. Hereby, without any doubt and question, I proudly herald; Gayatri Mantra, the greatest poetry of all time.