I’m a big fan of the new Battlestar: Galactica television show. It’s arguably among the edgiest and most brilliant things that’s ever been attempted in a mainstream TV show. It’s also unremittingly grim and depressing; fitting, I think, for a program whose premise is the genocide of the entire human race.
One of the things I particularly like about the show is the music in it. It’s unlike any science fiction program’s music I’ve ever heard before; stark, simple, and absolutely lovely. I’m especially fond of the opening title music, which I use as figmentj‘s ringtone on my phone:
What I didn’t know, though, is that the lyrics are in Sanskrit. Specifically, they are the Gayatri mantra (Sanskrit: गायत्री), an ancient Hindu hymn:
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः ।
तत् सवितुर्वरेण्यं ।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Transliterated, it reads:
oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tát savitúr váreniyaṃ
bhárgo devásya dhīmahi
dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt
It’s a mantra that appears in the Ŗg Veda, and it’s the second most important mantra in Hindusim.
And I think that’s pretty cool.
I think perhaps we need to have a discussion about the word translation…
😉
Ah, that would be why I used the word “transliteration” rather than the word “translation.” 🙂
The English translation, according to Wikipedia1, is something like:
O earth, atmosphere, heaven:
May we attain that excellent glory of Savitr the God:
So may he stimulate our prayers.
1 It’s Wikipedia, so all the usual caveats apply.
Doh. Brain was moving faster than comprehension on that one – I did actually read it as translated 😉
Thanks for pulling that up, caveats and all!
I think perhaps we need to have a discussion about the word translation…
😉
Ah, that would be why I used the word “transliteration” rather than the word “translation.” 🙂
The English translation, according to Wikipedia1, is something like:
O earth, atmosphere, heaven:
May we attain that excellent glory of Savitr the God:
So may he stimulate our prayers.
1 It’s Wikipedia, so all the usual caveats apply.
Doh. Brain was moving faster than comprehension on that one – I did actually read it as translated 😉
Thanks for pulling that up, caveats and all!
Cool!
I had thought my appreciation of the show was max’ed out, but you’ve given me one more thing to like. Thanks!
Cool!
I had thought my appreciation of the show was max’ed out, but you’ve given me one more thing to like. Thanks!
I think Battlestar has to be one of the best TV shows ever – I love it’s grimmness. I think my favourite part of it is the depiction of religion, and, especially in season three, the depiction of the human race with a main stream religion that isn’t christianity but is a multi – god (is that the right term?) religion. I like how christianity is this secret religion that most people think is rubbish – it’s turning the tables in some respects. I also think the whole Cylons bringing the idea of one true god is absolute genius. God, I could go on for hours about how good I think this program is! The fourth series hasn’t aired in Wales yet – is it as good as the others?
“Polytheistic” is the word you’re looking for.
*goes back to lurking*
I think Battlestar has to be one of the best TV shows ever – I love it’s grimmness. I think my favourite part of it is the depiction of religion, and, especially in season three, the depiction of the human race with a main stream religion that isn’t christianity but is a multi – god (is that the right term?) religion. I like how christianity is this secret religion that most people think is rubbish – it’s turning the tables in some respects. I also think the whole Cylons bringing the idea of one true god is absolute genius. God, I could go on for hours about how good I think this program is! The fourth series hasn’t aired in Wales yet – is it as good as the others?
Battlestar Galactica is such a guilty pleasure of mine…. They did some great reworking of the storyline. I love it.
Battlestar Galactica is such a guilty pleasure of mine…. They did some great reworking of the storyline. I love it.
I appreciate all the mind of matter stuff.
I appreciate all the mind of matter stuff.
Just before I read this post I was sitting here wishing that I hadn’t loaned our BSG first season DVDs to my boss, because I’m bored and want to rewatch them.
I need to rewatch them, really, because I think there is a lot that I missed on the first go-round.
Definitely one of the best…if not THE best…shows on TV.
Just before I read this post I was sitting here wishing that I hadn’t loaned our BSG first season DVDs to my boss, because I’m bored and want to rewatch them.
I need to rewatch them, really, because I think there is a lot that I missed on the first go-round.
Definitely one of the best…if not THE best…shows on TV.
Um, er. meh. Almost forgot what I was going to say. The http://www.stockroom.com ad that is currently displaying on the left side of your journal is, however, distracting. I haven’t been on LJ in ages, and must admit to being appalled by all the ads everywhere, but damn, that there photo I’m looking at (which almost certainly won’t be there for anyone else) sure is sexy. It isn’t going to get me to click on it, but still.
Anyways. Totally agree – BSG rox. And thanks for the geeky trivia – it is pretty cool!
Um, er. meh. Almost forgot what I was going to say. The http://www.stockroom.com ad that is currently displaying on the left side of your journal is, however, distracting. I haven’t been on LJ in ages, and must admit to being appalled by all the ads everywhere, but damn, that there photo I’m looking at (which almost certainly won’t be there for anyone else) sure is sexy. It isn’t going to get me to click on it, but still.
Anyways. Totally agree – BSG rox. And thanks for the geeky trivia – it is pretty cool!
hmmm.. methinks it’s time for a newer computer- they look like question marks on my screen..
*pout*
I’m lucky enough to live in the city that the dalai lama’s sect of monks is housed & I’ve gotten the chance to meditate with them….
god I need a new computer 🙁
Which browser are you using?
mac osx Mozilla- I saw them on Bu’s screen but they were kind of tiny….
Firefox should be able to display them correctly.
hmmm- looking again it is firefox *lol*
oh well…
hmmm.. methinks it’s time for a newer computer- they look like question marks on my screen..
*pout*
I’m lucky enough to live in the city that the dalai lama’s sect of monks is housed & I’ve gotten the chance to meditate with them….
god I need a new computer 🙁
Which browser are you using?
mac osx Mozilla- I saw them on Bu’s screen but they were kind of tiny….
Firefox should be able to display them correctly.
hmmm- looking again it is firefox *lol*
oh well…
“Polytheistic” is the word you’re looking for.
*goes back to lurking*