Gayatri Mantra is a prayer in honour of the sun. It is said to be one of the oldest of the divine hymns. The Gayatri is regarded as the mother of the Vedas. It Contains the essence of all the Vedas and of the Brahmanas. Sage Vishvamitra was the composer of this mantra. Gayatri mantra has the compelling charm of its own to millions of Hindu hearts. The repetitation of this mantra with the right under understanding of its sacred meaning is believed widely to have power to dispel all the negative tendencies in the human mind and thereby unfold the supreme self within.

The Gayatri Mantra:

Om bhur bhuvah, svaha

Tat Savitur varenyam

Bhargo devasya dhimahi

Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat

Let us take each word of the gayatri mantra and try to understand its inherent meaning.

The first word Om is also called Pranav because its sound emantes from the Prana (vital Vibration), which feels the universe. The scripture says Om its Ek Akshare Brahman (Om that on syllabus is Brahman). It is the sum and substance of all the words that can emanates from the human throat. It is the primordial fundamental sound symbolic of the universal absolute.

Bhu, Bhuvah & Svah are called Vyaharities. Vyahriti is that which gives knowledge of entire cosmos or Ahiriti. The scripture says: Visheshana Aahrith sarva viraat praahlaanam prakashokaranh vyarith. They mean three words, universe earth atmosphere. They also mean past, present, and future and tamas, rajas and satwa gunas.

Thus, by uttering these three words, the chanter contemplates the glory of god that illumines the three worlds or the region of experience.

Tat simply mean that because it defies description through speech or language, the ‘Ultimate Reality’. Savitur means ‘Divine Sun’ (the ultimate light of wisdom) not to be confused with the ordinary sun. Varenyam means most excellent. Bhargo means illumination’, radiance splendor. Devasya means ‘Divine Grace’ Dheemahi means we contemplate or meditate upon. Dhi means intellect. Yo means who Nah means ours Prachodayat means requesting praying orunfold.

The last five words constitute the prayer for final liberation through the awakening of our intelligence.

The invocation of the sun signifies the invocation of the self, the Atman within. The Atman is the illuminator of all perceptions, emotions and thoughts just as the sun is the illuminator of all the planets of the solar system. The Gayatri mantra is an appeal by the seeker to the divine sun within to emerge out of the world of desires and shine forth its resplendent light.

According to the Aitareya Brahmana those who desire to go the heaven should recite this mantra a thousand times. The Gayatri Mantra is an appeal by the seeker to the divine sun within to emerge out of the world of desires and shine forth its resplendent light.

According to the Aitareya Brahmana thosue who desire to go the heaven should recite this mantra a thousand times. The Gayatri Mantra is recited every morning and evening. The Gayatri mantra Mantra is recited every morning and evening. The Gayatri mantra is also recited at various rituals pertaining to divine worship. It is said that the recitation of the Gayatri fives times a day is as effective as performing the panchamahayagnya.

This mantra is taught for the first time during the Upanayanam ceremony when the guru whispers it into the ears of the newly Recitation of the pupil (Brahmopadesham). Thereafter the pupil is expected to recite it every morning and evening throughtout his life. It should ideally be recited 16 times a day.

Gayatri japa is to be chanted after taking a bath. One should wear white dress and recite the mantra facing the East direction. Pronunciation should be correct and clear.

One should concentrate and recite the mantra with a fresh and joyous mind. The best times for japa is two hours before the sunrise and one hour after the sunset. If there is some error one should seek pardon from the sun god.

There are different Gayatri mantras for various gods and goddesses.

GANESH

Om ekadantaya vidmahel

Vaakratundaya dheemahil

Tanno danti prachodayatil

SHANKAR

Om tatpurushaya vidmahel

Mahadevaya dheemahil

Tanno Rudrah prachodayatil

VISHNU

Om Narayanaya vidmahel

Vasudevaya dhimahi

Tannovishnuh Prachodayatil

SHREEGURU

Om Parabrahamane vidmahel

Gurudevaya dheemahil

Tanno guruh prachodayatil

Shreedevi Gayatri

Om devyai brahmavyal vidmahel

Mahashaktyil cha dheemahil

Tanno devihi prachodyatil

SHREELAXMI

Om Mahalaxmyai chai vidmahel

Vishnupatnyai cha dheemahi

Tanno Laxmi prachodayatil

SARASWATI

Om Saraswatyai vidmahel

Brahmapushpyai dheemahi

Tanno Vanih prachodayatil

SURYA

Om Baskaraya Vidmahel

Mahadyutilkaraya

dheemai Tanno

Adityah prachodayatil

AGNI

Om mahajwalaya Vidmahel

Agnimantraya Dheemahil

Tanno agnihi prachodayati

Jala

Om Jalabimbaya Vidmahel

Neelapurushaya dheemahil

Tanno ambuh prachodayatil

Gayatri mantra is shighraphalayadayi-gives fast results. It gives protection for the lifetime. Man should definitely experience it.