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Are you looking to start mantra meditation but are still looking for the perfect mantra that aligns with your intention? Or do you have an established chanting practice and are looking for a new mantra full of spiritual power and potential?
If so, the Gayatri mantra may be for you. This sacred mantra is one of the oldest known invocations from the Vedic period. It has been chanted for thousands of years and still, today is a popular choice among bhakti yogis, Kirtan enthusiasts, and avid meditators.
So what makes this mantra so special, and what spiritual qualities could you unlock by chanting it? Read on to discover the Gayatri mantra meaning, pronunciation, benefits, and more.
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What Is The Gayatri Mantra Meaning?
The Gayatri mantra was recorded in the Rig Veda, the first of the four Vedas and one of the oldest scriptures written thousands of years ago. As a potent and sacred mantra, it is said that the entire knowledge of the universe is contained in its twenty-four syllables.
Gayatri is sometimes also referred to as the Savitri Mantra. Its meaning and translation vary but are along the lines of:
O Divine mother, may your pure divine light illuminate all realms (physical, mental and spiritual) of our being. Expel all darkness from our hearts and bestow upon us true knowledge.
Essentially, the mantra calls the Goddess Gayatri to remove all darkness from your being and replace it with positive light and wisdom. Regular chanting of the Gayatri mantra helps you connect with your own true nature, allowing you to experience pure consciousness.
The original Sanskrit mantra chanted is:
- Om bhuh, bhuvah, swaha
- Tat savitur varenyam
- Bhargo devasya dhimahi
- Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat
To understand the meaning further, we can break down the mantra to see what all the words constitute separately.
- Om: The primordial fundamental sound of the universe
- Bhur: The physical body, earth, physical realm
- Bhuvah: The vital energies, heaven, consciousness
- Suvah: The soul, inner space, spiritual realm, bliss
- Tat: That
- Savitur: Divine sun, solar powers, ultimate light of wisdom
- Varenyam: The best, adore
- Bhargo: Self-luminous, divine light
- Devasya: Divine grace
- Dhimahi Dhiyo: Intellect
- Yo: Which
- Nah: Our, of us
- Prachodayat: Illuminate, inspire
Goddess Gayatri: The Divine Mother
Goddess Gayatri Devi is known as the bestower of knowledge and is often called “the mother of the Vedas.” She is known to have the power to eliminate darkness and impart the light and wisdom of the entire cosmos in our minds.
Goddess Gayatri is also known as Savitri, a solar deity in the Vedas. She is believed to be the power behind the sun, which is a symbol of spiritual light in Vedic teachings.
Many ancient artworks show Goddess Gayatri having 5 heads and 10 arms, riding upon a swan. The five faces symbolize the five pranas and the five elements of the universe.
How To Chant Gayatri Mantra
Traditionally, this mantra is recited mentally rather than out loud. However, you can chant it aloud in a soft tone if you prefer.
The Gayatri mantra contains 24 seed syllables but is typically broken into three sets of eight syllables. Here is the original mantra with the phonetic pronunciation of each syllable.
- Om bhuh, bhuvah, swaha (Aumm Bhoor Bhoo-va Su-va-ha)
- Tat savitur varenyam (Tat Sa-vee-toor Var-ayn-yam)
- Bhargo devasya dhimahi (Bar-go Day-vas-ya Dhee-ma-hee)
- Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat (Dhee-yo Yo Nah Pra-cho-da-yaat)
Once you get comfortable with the mantra, you can add visualization to connect deeper to the divine entity of Goddess Gayatri.
While chanting, visualize the sun’s rays streaming down from the universe and entering your heart. Next, envision this solar energy cleansing your heart and soul, drawing out any negativity or toxins before leaving your body from your heart’s center and returning to the universe.
When Should You Chant The Gayatri Mantra?
According to Vedic teachings, the best time for chanting Gayatri mantra is between 4am and 8am or 4pm to 8pm, known as Satva time. Satva is one of the three Gunas taught in Yogic tradition, each of which represents a different state of being.
Satva is a state of calm, balance, and harmony where you are neither overactive nor underactive. Thus, Satva times are the best times to meditate, chant, or do other spiritual practices.
To help you prepare your body and mind for chanting Gayatri mantra, it is best to do a simple pranayama like Nadi Shodana (alternate nostril breathing).
How Many Times Should You Chant Gayatri Mantra?
Some ancient yogic texts state that you should repeat the Gayatri mantra 10 times daily. It is believed doing so will remove your sins of this lifetime. If you go further and chant it 100 times a day, it is said to remove the sins of your previous lives too.
Furthermore, chanting it 1000 times can remove the sins of three yugas. A yuga is an age cycle from Hindu philosophy, and each yuga cycle lasts for 4,320,000 years.
I recommend using mala beads for mantra chanting of 100 repetitions or more. These ancient meditation tools help you keep track of your repetitions and remain focused.
Most mala beads have 108 counting beads, as 108 has great spiritual significance. You can find mala beads in various materials, such as crystals, sandalwood, lava rock, or Bodhi seeds.
Each material has specific qualities and benefits, so I recommend choosing one that represents your intention for mantra chanting. For example, Sandalwood malas, like this one from Anzhongli, have a spiritual significance, which can calm, purify and uplift your mind and spirit.
Alternatively, tiger eye is a very earthy gemstone that helps keep you grounded, removes anxiety, and promotes mental calmness and focus. Tiger eye malas like this one by BaliBali are beneficial for connecting to the elements, particularly earth and fire (associated with the sun).
Benefits Of Chanting Gayatri Mantra
Every Sanskrit mantra has a specific meaning and power. Chanting the Gayatri mantra helps to bring us closer to our true intelligence, understanding ourselves and the world around us on a deeper level.
The Gayatri mantra also helps to remove negative energy in our body, mind, and spirit, raising our vibrations and helping us progress along our spiritual path.
In addition, chanting powerful mantras like Gayatri can bring the following benefits:
- More mental clarity and stillness (reduction of mental fluctuations)
- Improved focus and concentration, which leads to better memory and capacity to learn
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Regulation of the nervous system
- Improved functioning of the respiratory system
Where To Learn More About The Gayatri Mantra Meaning
If you’re interested in learning more about the Gayatri mantra and developing a regular chanting practice, I highly recommend reading ‘The Hidden Power of Gayatri Mantra‘ by Om Swami.
This insightful book dives deep into the Gayatri mantra meaning and its origins, exploring the sublime energy it contains that makes it one of the most potent Vedic mantras. Om Swami then gives a simplified method to invoke the power of the goddess Gayatri and gain more profound intuition and wisdom.
Final Thoughts On The Gayatri Mantra
Reciting the sacred Sanskrit words of the Gayatri mantra will not only clear your mind and promote calm and serenity. The mantra also installs deeper spiritual wisdom and connection to the divine. If that’s not enough, chanting the Gayatri mantra can draw out negativity and infuse your heart and soul with light and love.
Have you tried chanting this mantra before? How did it make you feel?