The Gayatri: The Supreme Mantra

Spirit Meaning
5 min readApr 4, 2024

Who is Goddess Gayatri

There are many interpretations of Goddess Gayathri. According to some she is a form of Goddess Saraswati the consort of Lord Brahma while some consider her to be an incarnation of Annapurna Devi, the Goddess of grains. Goddess Gayatri is Veda Mata. As the mother of the vedas she is also believed to represent brahman or the ultimate goal of human birth. This Knowledge is attained through Mantra Sadhana under a Guru who has attained Siddhi in the Mantra. There is a mantra in the Hitopadesa which is summarized below.

What can Knowledge Give Us

Knowledge gives us humility. With humility you become capable. With capability we acquire wealth and with wealth we perform pious actions. Pious actions open the door towards happiness. Hence the Gayatri Mantra is the direct road to happiness, since it opens the doors of knowledge. Gayathri mantra is present in the third subdivision of the Rigveda. It is the tenth sloka on the 62nd page.

The entire crux of the vedas lies encapsulated in this small mantra. It is one of the most potent mantras of Sanatana Dharma the mantra consists of 24 syllables. Though I give the mantra here, it has to be practised under the strict guidance of one’s Spiritual Master, who has initiated one with the Mantra. The Mantra is:

Om Bhur Bhuvah Swaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Pracho Dayateh

The Meaning of the Gayatri Mantra

I contemplate on the supreme effulgence who rests in the hearts of all, that effulgence directs my intelligence on the path of righteousness. I meditate on the Supreme Creator. It is interesting to note that Sage Viswamitra saw the mantra long ago in Treta Yuga through the power of his penance. Through this mantra he graduated into a Brahma Rishi from the Kshatriya Race. Hence this mantra has the potency to change even the sadhaka’s Varna.

Vishwamitra the seer of Gayatri

The Gayathri Mantra worships Goddess Gayathri, the Mother of the Vedas. Hence by reciting the mantra you invoke the blessings of the Goddess Gayathri, who is the very personification of Brahman. Let us consider some benefits of chanting the Gayathri Mantra.

Benefits of Gayatri Mantra

It fills the individual with enthusiasm and positivity. Concentration levels improve. The intellect sharpens and one stops getting bothered by petty things. You develop goodness and stop the habit of fault finding. The attitude of service begins to develop. You start getting premonitions of future events. As a result intuition develops. Furthermore the mantra gives you the ability to bless people.

Gayatri devi is the goddess of poetry art music and all creative fields . Hence reciting the Gayathri Mantra is beneficial for those who take arts as a subject. Apart from the creative aspect, Goddess Gayathri holds the Vedas which are highly scientific.

Ability to Think Rationally

Hence even the ability to think rationally sharpens since the mantra directly represents knowledge. It fills the heart with humility and ends all duplicity. Gayathri mantra has an energizing effect on the chakras. Hence it burns the roadblock in the spiritual path. It is a great aid in spiritual pursuit and grants enlightenment.

The mantra removes all doubt and suspicion from the mind. It is like a laser that burns all toxic thoughts. The Gayathri Mantra is a powerful means to end sorrow and guide the chanter into the domain of permanent happiness.

Gayatri Mantra improves Creativity

The Gayatri Mantra pertains to the creative aspect. It glorifies the Supreme entity as the creator. Hence Chanting this mantra improves creativity and clears the blocks that stop you from flowing with the rhythm.

Creativity

Here are some physical benefits of chanting Gayatri Mantra. Chanting this mantra removes toxins from the body as a result your skin starts glowing you start looking younger and youthful. The Gayathri Mantra kills anxiety and depression. It releases the hormone serotonin that keeps the mind in a positive state hence it is an antidepressant. People suffering from depression or past regrets can greatly benefit and feel the difference. People suffering from migraines and headaches get relieved by the regular chanting of this mantra. Furthermore you shall gain clarity of thought and make decisions effectively.

Gayatri Devi is Annapoorna and a Protector of Children

Goddess Gayathri is a form of Annapurna or the Goddess of Grains. Hence the reciter’s house shall never face scarcity of food which shall also be lit by the light of knowledge. It blesses you with a successful career and gives you the strength to pursue your dreams, hence students should compulsorily recite this mantra, after due initiation from the Guru. Children suffering from dyslexia or learning disabilities greatly benefit from this mantra the mantra gives the right mindset for learning.

Regulation of Breath

If chanted sincerely the mantra regulates the proper breathing pattern suitable for progressive actions. It gives relief from respiratory diseases like asthma as it strengthens the lungs. The powerful mantra blesses you with a confident personality radiant like the sun. Those who recite Gayatri Mantra shall be brighter than the average crowd by reciting this mantra. 110 000 diverse types of waves are produced in the body. This helps the mind keep away from stressful thoughts. In addition these waves help keep a pleasant mind they also kill various kinds of diseases in the body. Gayathri Mantra is a great immunity booster.

How to Chant the Gayatri Mantra

Now let us understand when to chant the Gayatri Mantra.

Since this mantra instills positivity and confidence it is best to chant the mantra. During Brahma Muhurta the auspicious hours of the dawn chant the mantra between 5 am and 7 am. This timing maintains a satwik state of mind and you feel peaceful and happy for the entire day.

Sun Rise

Remember the positive change you wish to bring in your life. Then chant the mantra with great desire. You shall practically see that quality manifest in your life and you shall feel extremely positive. The Gayatri Mantra however must be uttered correctly following are the steps to chant the mantra.

Wake up before sunrise and take a bath wear white clothes made of cotton then sit on a mat facing the eastern direction you can use a tulsi or chandan mala and start chanting the holy mantra. You may also use a static or crystal mala to chant the mantra if you are reciting the mantra. In the afternoon then sit facing the western direction keep your contact clean in addition to bodily cleanliness. Eat a purely vegetarian diet during Gayatri mantra sadhana.

Avoid sex and lusty thoughts by engaging in matters related to spirit. The Gayatri mantra weeds out all negativity from our system and makes us special. This is the mantra which can rectify all our defects on our path to liberation

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Spirit Meaning

The author, Damodar Das, has spent most of his years in the quest of Truth. He has been practising Vedantic and Buddhist forms of meditation along with prayer.