Gayathri Japam

At the beginning of creation, Lord Brahma explained the Gayatri Mantra through his four mouths in the four Vedas and invoked Goddess Gayatri. As a result, Goddess Gayatri, pleased with the invocation, appeared. The time when Goddess Gayatri descended was on the full moon day of the Shravan month. This day of her descent is celebrated as Gayatri Jayanti. The day after the full moon of Shravan, on the first day of Bhadrapada, the festival of Gayatri Japam is observed. Although this festival is celebrated throughout India, it is especially celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm in some southern states, along with certain Upakarma rituals.

Gayatri is knowledge itself, and she is the Vedas, which is why she is called the mother of the Vedas. Gayatri always existed but was not visible. To have a vision of Goddess Gayatri, to invoke her, and to please her, Vishwamitra created the Gayatri Mantra.

Gayatri Mantra: Om Bhur Bhuvah Swah

Tatsaviturvarenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi

Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.

Meaning: We meditate on the illustrious, radiant Supreme Being, who is the embodiment of Sat (truth), Chit (consciousness), and Ananda (bliss), the creator of the universe. May that divine light inspire and guide our intellect towards the path of truth.

The Gayatri Mantra is a prayer of complete surrender to the Supreme Being.

Who can chant the Gayatri Mantra?

In earlier times, only those who studied the Vedas would chant the Gayatri Mantra. However, with changing times, now everyone can chant the Gayatri Mantra. While chanting, you can use a Rudraksha mala, but even if you don't have one, you can still recite the mantra. Around the age of 5 or 7, during the Sanskar ceremony, boys receive the Yagyopaveet (sacred thread), and the Guru Mantra given to them is the Gayatri Mantra. Regular chanting of this mantra, as prescribed, helps in the development of the students' intellect.

Benefits of chanting the Gayatri Mantra:

Chanting the Gayatri Mantra helps in overcoming all kinds of troubles and brings mental peace. A person who recites the Gayatri Mantra with proper devotion attains the blessings of Kamadhenu, the wish-fulfilling cow. Kamadhenu fulfills all desires. By observing this vow, the individual does not stray from the right path, and their intellect is gradually guided towards truth. However, one must fully understand the meaning of the Gayatri Mantra and internalize it deeply within their heart.

Method of chanting the Gayatri Mantra

Every day, after completing your daily rituals and worshiping your Ishta Dev (chosen deity), you can chant this mantra. First, you should invoke Maheshwari Ved Mata Gayatri with the mantra 'Aayatu Varada Devi'. Then, after performing Pranayama (breathing exercises) three times, you should chant the Gayatri Mantra either seated or standing, repeating it one thousand, five hundred, or one hundred and eight times, along with Pranava (Om) in a disciplined manner. The chanting should be done using one of these three methods.

After offering Arghya (water offering) to the sun, worshiping, and saluting it, you should bid farewell to the Goddess by saying 'Uttame Shikhare Devi'. Then, while looking towards the east, bow to Vedmata Maheshwari Gayatri with folded hands and pray to the sun. Reciting the Gayatri Mantra helps a person in their spiritual progress.

Precautions

While chanting the Gayatri Mantra, your lips should move, but the sound should be so soft that even the person next to you cannot hear it. During the chant, your mind should be pure, and apart from the mantra, you should not recall any other events or thoughts. Only focus on Gayatri. The worship of the Goddess can be done by placing a picture of Lord Surya (the Sun God) and lighting a lamp.

While reciting the Gayatri Mantra, your lips should move, but the pronunciation should be so gentle that the person next to you cannot hear it. Keep your mind pure, refrain from recalling any events other than the mantra, and solely focus on Gayatri. Worship can be performed by placing an image of the Sun God and lighting a lamp.

Related topics-

• Gayatri Jayanti