Gayatri Mantra: Meaning, Significance and Benefits
What is Gayatri Mantra?
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
‘Let my mind and the whole existence be illumined and purified by your radiance’
Gayatri is the one who glides through the three states of consciousness joyfully, playfully, effortlessly and lightly, as though it were a song. When we ‘sing through’ something, it means it is not a burden for us. ‘Gayanti traayate iti gayatri’. The Gayatri mantra affects all the three states of consciousness, jagrut (waking), sushupt (deep sleep), swapna (dream) and the three layers of existence adhyatmik, adidhaivik and adibhautik. Traya also refers to the taapatraya or the ailments (taapa) that adversely affect the body, mind and soul: the body by physical ailments, the mind by negativity and restlessness in the soul. The Gayatri Shakti (energy or field of vibration) enables one to transcend and be unaffected by the tapatraya’s.
Letters in Gayatri Mantra
The Gayatri mantra has 24 letters corresponding to the 24 vertebrae of the spine. The backbone is what provides support and stability to our body. Similarly, the Gayatri mantra brings stability in our intellect.
Can we chant the Gayatri mantra 11 times?
Reciting the Gayatri Mantra is one of the most common practices to achieve spiritual benefits. This powerful mantra can help you achieve enlightenment, peace, and prosperity in your life.
It is considered to be one of the most powerful mantras that can be recited for attaining wisdom and supreme knowledge.
You can recite this mantra in many ways, but the most common method includes reciting it 11 times a day. The mantra must be recited during sunrise, noon, or sunset, and a specific time frame should be followed so as to get maximum results from each chant.
Gayatri Mantra: How do they help?
‘Aum’ is the one syllable that means Brahman or the Universe in just one syllable. ‘Bhur’, ‘Bhav’ and ‘Svah’ are called Vyahrites. Vyahriti is that which gives knowledge of the entire cosmos, they mean the ‘past’, ‘present’ and ‘future’ respectively.
In brief, the mantra means: ‘O thou existence Absolute, Creator of the three dimensions, we contemplate upon thy divine light. May He stimulate our intellect and bestow upon us true knowledge.’
In less complex terms it simply means ‘O Divine mother, our hearts are filled with darkness. Please make this darkness distant from us and promote illumination within us.’ ‘Tat’ literally means ‘that’. It refers to the Supreme One and The Ultimate Reality.
Gayatri Mantra helps in learning, gaining and gives us success in life. The texts suggest that the heart becomes pure when a person chants Gayatri Mantra with focus. If the mantra is firmly established in our minds, we will be at peace no matter what we experience in our daily lives. The divine will guide us and give us knowledge, peace and wisdom.
Also read: Different types of Meditation
How to Chant the Gayatri Mantra
The Gayatri is a life-enhancing prayer. The ancient texts say that repeating the mantra 10 times daily removes the sins of this life, 100 times daily removes the sins of your previous life, and 1000 times daily removes the sins of three yugas (innumerable lives).
While Gayatri Mantra can be chanted during any time of the day, there are certain recommendations following it. Traditionally, it was passed down from a father to the son during the thread ceremony. It was not supposed to be repeated when it was heard from someone else.
- It is recommended that instead of being chanted out loud, it should be silently meditated upon, in order for it to have its full effect.
- If you can comfortably wake up and meditate during brahma muhurta which is between 3:30 – 4:30 a.m That is the best time for practising the Gayatri Mantra. If you think that is not possible for you, sunrise, noon, and sunset are also auspicious times. If you can only practise one day each week Friday is the most auspicious.
- It is also recommended for the chanter to perform a simple pranayama, the expansion of vital breath, such as alternate nostril breathing, five times before beginning the recitation of the Gayatri Mantra.
- If possible, face east toward the rising sun in the morning and west toward the setting sun in the evening.
- While chanting the Gayatri Mantra, try to pause slightly at the end of each line and at the end of each repetition, rather than rushing through it.
- When practising the Gayatri Mantra, it is recommended to always repeat it at least three times, although you can repeat the Mantra as many times as is comfortable.
- Traditionally, the mantra is repeated silently. However, if you prefer, it may be chanted softly aloud.
- If it’s comfortable, when reciting the Gayatri Mantra effortlessly visualise the Sun’s rays streaming forth into the world, entering your heart and then streaming out from your heart’s centre, sending blessings to the world.
Significance of Gayatri Mantra
In the Vedic tradition, a child is first initiated to the highest knowledge – the Gayatri mantra. After that, all other forms of education are given. It is said in the scriptures that women are also eligible to learn the Vedas and chanting the Gayatri mantra. The ideal time to chant is the transitory hours of dawn and dusk. The times when the sun has set but it is neither dark nor light and when the night has passed and the day is yet to begin. In these moments, the mind also enters an altered state of consciousness. The moments belong neither to the previous state nor the next. It is the right time to be focused on the Self instead of being caught up in changes or movement. In these hours, the mind can easily be confused and slip into inertia, lethargy, negativity and so on or be elevated and move into a meditative state radiating positivity. Chanting the Gayatri mantra rejuvenates the mind and maintains it in an elevated and energized state.
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Benefits of Gayatri Mantra Chanting
1. Improves Concentration and Learning:
The vibrations created when chanting this mantra directly activates the last three chakras – the throat chakra, the 3rd eye chakra and the crown chakra. These chakras deal with providing focus and removing distractions. Hence, the concentration is increased.
2. Removes Toxins from Body:
The vibrations created activate certain points on the face to further oxygenate the skin. The breathing involved provides more oxygen to the blood vessels which travel throughout your skin. This flushes out the toxins and gives a glow to your skin.
3. Improves Breathing:
It is advised to practice Pranayam before chanting to open up the breathing airways. And while chanting, further controlled deep breathing expands your lungs fully to improve breathing and also oxygenate the body.
4. Keeps Your Heart Healthy:
The synchronized breathing while chanting also syncs the pumping of blood to the heart. Thus the blood pressure is kept in check and the heart stays healthy. It is definitely one of the better reasons why you should meditate more.
5. Removes Negativity:
By continuously chanting and focusing on the mantra, you stimulate your brain to be focused. This level of concentration helps with keeping the mind calm and positive.
6. Improves Functioning of Nervous System:
When you start chanting, you put pressure on your tongue, throat, mouth, and lips. The combined pressure creates different vibrations. This, in turn, induces your brain to release neurotransmitters for proper stimulus of these vibrations. The nerves perform better and functions healthily.
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