07/07/2023
IMPORTANCE OF THE GAYATRI MANTRA
It is impossible to overstate the importance of the Gayatri Mantra. Gayatri is considered the Mother of the Vedas. The Vedas are considered the substratum of Hinduism. Therefore, the Gayatri Mantra is considered the Mula Mantra (Root Mantra) in the Sanatana Dharma. Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that “Among all the mantras, I am the Gayatri”.
This Mantra is found in the Rig Veda:
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥3.62.10॥
As you can see, the above mantra does not contain the words भूर्भुवः स्वः The version of the Gayatri Mantra chanted today is found in the Yajur Veda and the full mantra therefore is:
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः। तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ।।
“We meditate on the glory of that Being who has produced this universe; may She enlighten our minds..” (Translation (by Swami Vivekananda))
The initial भूर्भुवः स्वः following the Om which means Earth, Mid-Region, Heaven (other meanings could include the Trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva; the three composites of the human being viz. Materialization, Vibration and Radiation, etc.) are prefixed to the Mantra as an expansion of ॐ Om. Om represents the Supreme Brahman which is All-Pervasive – hence Existent In all three worlds.
WHO CAN RECITE THE GAYATRI MANTRA?
Those who have undergone the Upanayana ceremony and been invested with the sacred thread and have received diksha (initiation) into the Gayatri mantra can recite the Gayatri Mantra. Diksha is considered essential because in the process the Guru/Teacher (usually the Father or someone standing in locus parentis) is believed to transmit spiritual power through the initiation. What happens for those in communities such as the Dalits where Upanayanam usually does not take place? Members of such communities can seek investiture of the sacred thread and diksha of the mantra from any head of a religious mutt or a holy man with good credentials. Every Hindu male should undergo the Upanayana ceremony because that is his birthright. This is the best way to remove the distinction between upper and lower castes.
CAN WOMEN RECITE THE GAYATRI?
There are different opinions on this. Women do not undergo the Upanayana ceremony. They do not wear the sacred thread (yagnopaveetam). So, the traditional view is that only those who have undergone the ceremony and have been invested with the sacred thread can recite the Gayatri. However, some other Hindu Gurus have opined that women are also entitled to recite the Gayatri. In Vedic times it is believed that both men and women wore the sacred thread and therefore, presumably, women also may have done the Gayatri japa. We need authoritative pronouncements from heads of different sampradayas (schools of religious doctrines) on this matter.
There is another mantra which is known as Sarva Gayatri Mantra which – it is said – can be chanted by all:
ॐ सर्व चैतन्य रुपां तामद्यां विद्यां च धीमहि। बुद्धियों नः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Sarva Chaitanya Roopam Taam Aadyam Vidyaam cha Dheemahi Buddhim Yaa Nah Prachodayaat
Meaning: We meditate on the One who is Beginningless, Omniscient, Of the Form of Knowledge of Brahman (Brahmavidyaswarupini) Adishakti (Primordial Supreme Power). May She inspire our intellect on the right path.
You are advised to consult your family Guru or the Head of your sampradaya as to the mantra which you can take up for regular recitation.
BENEFITS OF RECITING THE GAYATRI JAPA
Benefits of doing Gayatri Japam include:
1 Spiritual upliftment
2 Intellectual and mental development
3 Inner peace and calmness
4 Purification and healing
5 Awakening of higher consciousness
6 Positive vibrations and blessings
Usually, the Gayatri Japa is done as part of the Sandhyavandana daily routine but Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa has stated that in the Kali Yuga for those who are unable to do the Sandhyavandana rituals due to lack of time it is sufficient to recite the Gayatri alone.
It is essential for every follower of the Sanatana Dharma to recite the Gayatri Mantra every day.
