As the Hindu world observes the occasion of Gayatri Jayanti on August 07, 2017, it is a most auspicious time to delve deeper into the Gayatri mantra and intensify efforts to strengthen the spiritual discipline of chanting it daily. The Gayatri Mantra, also known as the Savitri Mantra, is a verse taken from the Rig Veda (3.62.10) and is addressed to the Sun. The metre in which this mantra was composed is the Gayatri metre and hence its name. The Gayatri metre is said to be the base or mother of all metres.
This mantra is one of the oldest mantras, and generally thought of as being amongst the highest and most powerful mantras of all. This mantra is therefore often referred to as the Mother of the Vedas. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna had proclaimed to Arjuna: “Among all the mantras, I am the Gayatri”. In the Gayatri mantra, the blessings of Soorya Bhagavan are invoked for inner illumination. Gayatri signifies the energy present in the orb of the Sun and it is with this dynamic energy that one ascends spiritually to higher levels of consciousness. The mantra itself is comprised of twenty-four syllables. The first two lines glorify the manifestation of light on the earth, astral region and the heavens. It is an adoration of the effulgence of the Solar Being. The third line is a request for inner illumination.
When to Chant the Gayatri Mantra
The mantra can be chanted at any time of the day but the most ideal times are at the sandhya periods which are dawn, mid-day, and at dusk. Chanting this mantra at dawn is an excellent way to begin the day since it glorifies the Sun without whom, no living being can exist. The practice of chanting this mantra should be done by everyone at least five times daily.
Power of Chanting Gayatri
The Gayatri mantra possesses both the power of purification and the power of prayer. The words have been carefully selected and arranged so that they not only convey meaning but also create enlightenment. By mere chanting of the lines, the intrinsic power of Mantra Shakti can be
attained as well as understanding the meaning of it. Hence, the repeated and correct chanting of the Gayatri mantra, with belief and proper understanding of its meaning, is believed to be of the greatest benefit to the individual. One becomes imbued with inner illumination as levels of intelligence, intuition and awareness are heightened.
Gaayatri Mantra
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayaat
Translation: We meditate upon the Effulgence of that adorable Supreme Divinity, the source of Truth, Consciousness and Bliss. May that Supreme Radiance be embodied within us, enlightening our intellect and inspiring us to realize the Supreme Truth.
