What is the Gayatri Mantra? Understanding its Power and Significance

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What is the Gayatri Mantra?

The Gayatri Mantra is a Sanskrit mantra that has been chanted for thousands of years. It’s found in the oldest Vedic scripture, the Rig Veda. It is, also, known as the Savitri mantra, as it is in honour of the Sun God, Savitr.

Gayatri is the name of the Goddess of the Vedic meter in which the verse is composed. The Gayatri metre is a stanza of three 8-syllable lines.

The Gayatri mantra, acknowledging the radiant light of the Divine and the transformative power that it has, is said to contain all the knowledge of the universe.

Recitation of the mantra purifies us. It raises our vibration, allowing us to access deep wisdom and radiate our light out into the world.

The Gayatri Mantra

Om bhuh, bhuvah, swaha

Tat savitur varenyam

Bhargo devasya dhimahi

Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat

Why are there 4 lines, not 3?

Now, as per the rules stated above, the Gayatri mantra should only have 3 lines. But it clearly has 4. The last 3 lines were taken from the Rig Veda but ‘OM Bhuh Bhuvah Swaha’ was added at the beginning of the mantra. This line has been added as an invocation. It invokes the universe, in its entirety, before beginning to chant.

Bhuh is for Bhuloka, the earth plane. Swaha is for Swarglokam loka, the celestial plane. And Bhuvah is Bhuva loka, the space in between.

The meaning of the Gayatri Mantra

Calling on the Sun Goddess! May my heart be illuminated. Cleanse me of all delusions, so that I can shine forth like thou art shining.

Why do we chant it?

The Sun symbolizes the essence of the Divine. As we chant this mantra, we tune into that Divine light, harnessing its power, increasing the value of light within us.

That’s what enlightenment is, an ever-increasing value of light in consciousness.

Who is Gayatri Devi?

The mantra is personified by the Goddess Gayatri Devi, the bestower of knowledge, the mother of the Vedas. She is often depicted as having five heads, with the ten eyes looking in the eight directions plus the earth and sky. Her ten arms hold all the weapons of Vishnu, symbolizing all her reincarnations.

What are the benefits of chanting the Gayatri?

Chanting the Gayatri mantra helps to release negativity and lower emotional states. It raises our vibration, strengthens the energetic field and impacts positively the field around us.

It brings us back to truth, to our own true nature, Chitta, that pure consciousness, reminding us that we are part of an interconnected whole.

When to chant the Gayatri Mantra?

The Gayatri mantra can be chanted at any time of the day but it is really great in the morning or before sleeping. It can, also, be used to help with healing as it revitalises the system.

The mantra can be chanted out loud, or silently. Continue to repeat the mantra daily until you feel its radiant light filling you up and overflowing out of you.

Visit the Mantra Lab on Sattva Connect to learn how to chant the mantra for japa practices or bhakti purposes. You may also join Saraswati's 54-day Gayatri Sadhana to build a positive mind.