Yoga Chant to Know: Gayatri Mantra

GAYATRI MANTRA

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Gayatri Mantra is a Hindu Vedic hymn regarded as the holiest verse of the Vedas, the oldest sacred Sanskrit text of Hinduism. The Mantra is addressed to Goddess Gayatri Devi, the Goddess of all Vedas. This Mantra can be recited by any human being, irrespective of religion, caste, or creed. Gayatri Mantra chanting is an earnest and heartfelt appeal to the Almighty God.

The Gayatri Mantra reads as:

Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasaya Dheemahi

Dhiyo Yo Naha Prachodayat

However, the Mantra is chanted during meditation, and an additional line is added at the beginning. Thus, the complete Mantra which is used in Gayatri Mantra meditation is:

Aum Bhoor Bhuwah Swaha

Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasaya Dheemahi

Dhiyo Yo Naha Prachodayat

Meaning of the Gayatri Mantra

This mantra means, “May the Almighty God illuminate our intellect to lead us along the righteous path.” The practitioners of the Gayatri Mantra understand Gayatri’s meaning well, as they feel purified and start living a life of purity and awakening. The power of the Gayatri Mantra helps people get closer to the Almighty and makes them aware of the rules of universal law.

It is a divine awakening of the individual mind and the individual soul. Many people feel that a complete understanding of the essence of the Gayatri Mantra can be one of the most potent ways to reach out to God. The unbounded wealth contained within the four directions of the Gayatri Mantra is:

• The first direction is said to be equal to the wealth contained in the three worlds put together.
• The second direction is said to equal the wealth in the three primary ancient scriptures.
• If one were to receive a gift extending as far as living beings are, that would equal the third direction.
• The fourth direction is based on the sun’s glory, whose power and wealth remain unequal.

You must approach the practice of chanting this mantra with humility, reverence, faith, and love towards the mantra, as only then will you experience the power and potency of the Gayatri Mantra.

The significance of the Gayatri Mantra

Vedas are considered the truth and a real source of knowledge. Ancient Rishis or Sages have arranged the mantra in such a way that reciting this mantra can positively affect all the energy chakras (centres) in the human body. Here are some of the benefits of the Gayatri Mantra:

• Reciting the Gayatri mantra with your eyes closed early in the morning will remove obstacles to progress and help you build good relationships.
• Unhappy professionals who put in much effort but do not get the desired results will see improvement in their results, and the deserving will get their due. Reciting this mantra will pave the way for good tidings and a good job or promotion, as per one’s desire.
• People chanting the Gayatri mantra will start glowing. They are always prepared for the mysteries of life and look forward to life with enthusiasm. The other benefit of this is the magnetism one gets.
• Reciting this mantra everyday makes a person believe in himself and helps him reach the abode of the Gods.
• Chanting the mantra helps illuminate our intellect and further helps our spiritual growth and development.

How many times should the Gayatri Mantra be chanted?

How can you attain positive Gayatri Mantra effects? Well, it is said that to attain the maximum positive benefits from the mantra, one needs to chant the Gayatri mantra 108 times. However, those with a busy schedule can chant the mantra for 3, 9 or 18 repetitions.

You can chant this mantra anytime and anywhere but try to make it a habit to chant it first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and as many times as possible during the day.

Proper pronunciation of the mantra is also essential to correctly invoke the energy chakras of our body. Hence, it is advised to listen to the traditional chanting of the mantras by learned gurus before one tries chanting any mantra.