The significance of Gayatri Mantra

The Gayatri Mantra is one of the oldest and most powerful Vedic mantras in Hinduism. This sacred mantra is mentioned in the Upanishads as a ritual and in the Bhagwat Gita as a divine poem.

The mantra is a declaration of appreciation, to both the nurturing sun and the Divine. In other words, it is an expression of gratitude to the radiant light of the divine.

The Gayatri Mantra was first recorded in the Rig Veda and was written in Sanskrit around 2500 to 3500 years back. The mantra is also considered a seed of all Vedic mantras - No mantra can be invoked until the invocation of Vedmata Gayatri.

But who is Goddess Gayatri?

The word "Gayatri" came from the Sanskrit phrase "Gayantam Triyate Iti" which means "that which protects the one who sings it or chants it"

The mantra is personified by Goddess Gayatri Devi, who is associated with the sun. Gayatri Devi is regarded as the mother of sacred Vedas and the divine energy that animated all living beings.

A mantra of power, knowledge and light

Across cultures and throughout times, the sun has always symbolized spiritual light and divinity. The word "Savitur" refers to Savitri, the Vedic sun deity. As we chant the mantra, we tune into the frequencies of universal light and bring it down to the earth plane (bhuh) and ourselves.

Creating an energy field

The mantra is also about creating an energy field named "Gayatri Shakti". This energy field is created by constant repetition of the sound and vibration. Just like a new mirror reflects clearly but over time, gathers dust and needs cleaning. Similarly, our mind becomes tainted with time. When we chant the Gayatri Mantra, it is like deep cleansing, so that the mirror (the mind) reflects in a better way.

But how do you create this energy?

It is all in the words

• Om (universal sound)
• Bhur Bhuva Swaha (The three planes of existence - earth, sky, heaven)
• Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi (We recall within ourselves and meditate upon that wondrous spirit of the Divine solar being)
• Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat (Divine Solar Being: May He guide our inner vision)

Gayatri is a prayer as well as a mantra

As a mantra, it is a set of sound to realize a higher state of consciousness. As a prayer, it is a petition to tat (that) which is the infinite light of pure consciousness