गायन्तं त्रायते यस्मात् गायत्री प्रोच्यते बुधै:
That which protects the person who recites it with full consciousness…
The Gāyatri mantra is one of the most well-known mantras. From yoga schools to evening bhajans, the Gāyatri has been heard in various forms and recitations.
People say that this is the most powerful mantra, and if one recites this mantra, you do not require any other form of spiritual worship.
But a lot of questions arise in one’s mind…
Is there a set way to recite this?
Should I recite it, or is it enough if the sounds reach my ears?
Do I need to meditate on it?
What is the meaning of the mantra?
Who is Savitur? And how come we have not heard of him before?
I had written about the Gāyatri mantra earlier as well, and about Mantra japa, but I feel the subject needs more exploring. We are a land of seekers after all, aren’t we?
And so I will start a mini-series on the Gāyatri mantra, to explore it’s origins, it’s inner meaning, and to understand how it came to be so omnipresent. I think it is also prudent to understand why some versions may sound good, but don’t do anything really other than serve as musical relief, while others carry the true potency as originally intended.
There are also some questions that may be unanswered, and that is a good thing. Somethings come with self-discovery, and self-realization, and so I will also attempt to make the japa a daily practice. I will summarize my experiences here so that you can also know more about it and try it for yourself.
A word of caution though. These subjects are deep, and should be approached this way. It you only but scratch the surface, all you will get is a superficial understanding of something very profound. Instead, try to ensure that you experience it – start small at first, and then build from there…
See you tomorrow!