Gayatri (HinduDharma: Brahmacaryasrama)   Receive pages from Hindu Dharma in your email

"Whoever sings is protected, " that is "Gayatri". "Gayantam trayate yasmat Gayatri' tyabhidhiyate."

"Sings" is not used here in the sense of singing a song. It means intoning or chanting (the mantra) with affection and devotion. People who chant the Gayatri in this manner are protected. While speaking about this mantra the Vedas use these words : "Gayatrim Chandasam mata". "Chandas" means the Vedas. So Gayatri is the mother of all Vedic mantras (that is the Vedas proclaim them so). It has twenty-four aksaras (letters or syllables) and three feet, each foot of eight syllables. That is why the mantra is called "Tripada Gayatri". Each foot is the essence of a Veda. Thus Gayatri is the essence of Rgveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda. The Atharvaveda has its own Gayatri. To receive instruction in it you must have a second upanayana.

Says the Manusmriti: "Tribhya eva tu Vedebyhah padam padamaduduham". It means that each pada of Gayatri is taken from one of the (three) Vedas. We have forsaken all else that is Vedic. What will be our fate if we give up the Gayatri mantra also?

Gayatri-japa is essential to all rites performed according to the sastras.

(see also chapter 12)

About "Hindu Dharma" "Hindu Dharma" is a book which contains English translation of certain invaluable and engrossing speeches of Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi MahaSwamiji (at various times during the years 1907 to 1994). For a general background, please see here

Previous

Quick jump Hindu Dharma, part 17 : Upanayana The Sastras and Popular Custom Basic to the Vedic Tradition Qualities of a Brahmacarin Naisthika Brahmacarya and Family Life Upanayana : When to Perform It ? Models to Follow Why Early Upanayana Domestic Life and the Carnal Desire Gayatri The Brahmin must keep his Body Pure Gayatri and Sandhyavandana Other Aspects of Sandhyavandana What about Women ? The High Status of Our Women

Next