Deva's parents are a mystic/artist father and a musically talented mother, she was taught violin, piano and received voice training. By the time she was five years old, she was already chanting the Gayatri Mantra daily, and since that time she continues to integrate meditation into her life.
She has studied Shiatsu, Reflexology, CranioSacral Therapy and Massage, but music remains her first love. The influence of Indian classical music is evident in her singing, although she has never attempted to copy or steal from the tradition. "It just comes naturally," she says, "as if I'd heard it all before, in another life."
Among the numerous letters of appreciation she has received since the release of her albums, many describe how her music has been used to accompany and enhance the sacred passages of birth and death. In fact, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, the world famous author of On Death And Dying, requested that Miten and Deva bring their music to accompany her passing. "We have played for many people," says Deva, "but to play personally for Elizabeth was something I will never forget.”
Guru Rinpoche Mantra
Deva Premal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Benza guru
Pema siddhi hung
I invoke you, Guru Rinpoche
Padmasambhava! By your blessing, may
you grant us mundane (health, wealth,
success) and supreme (enlightenment,
liberation) realisation.
The lyrics of Deva Premal's song Guru Rinpoche Mantra opens with the powerful chant of "Om ah hung," which is an invocation to the three fundamental aspects of the enlightened mind - body, speech, and mind. The next line "Benza guru" pays homage to Padmasambhava, who is known as the great master who brought Buddhism to Tibet and is considered a representative of all buddhas and a guide for those seeking enlightenment. The third line "Pema siddhi hung," is a request for blessed blessings from Padmasambhava to achieve a state of clarity and understanding.
Overall, the song expresses the desire to receive both mundane and supreme realizations through the guidance of Padmasambhava, the Guru Rinpoche. The mundane realizations refer to earthly blessings such as wealth, health, and success, while supreme realizations refer to awakening and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Line by Line Meaning
Om ah hung
I call upon the divine energy within me, the essence of pure consciousness and awareness.
Benza guru
I pay my respects to Guru Rinpoche, who embodies the perfect balance of wisdom and compassion.
Pema siddhi hung
I request that Guru Rinpoche bless me with his siddhi, or power and accomplishment, which is symbolized by the lotus flower.
I invoke you, Guru Rinpoche
I reach out to Guru Rinpoche, who is known as a powerful teacher and master in Tibetan Buddhism, for guidance and support in my spiritual journey.
Padmasambhava! By your blessing, may you grant us mundane (health, wealth, success) and supreme (enlightenment, liberation) realization.
I ask Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, to bestow his blessings upon me so that I may achieve both worldly success and spiritual enlightenment. May he help me overcome all obstacles and realize my full potential.
Contributed by Ruby L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.