The meaning of the Gayatri mantra
A beautiful prayer dedicated to the goddess Gayatri, the Gayatri mantra is a formula with multiple benefits.
Invoking the solar and nurturing presence of the Divine, it helps to bring light where shadows reign, to cultivate peace and achieve success. It even has beneficial effects on physical health!
Discover the Gayatri mantra, its virtues and its meaning...
The mantra of Gayatri, goddess of the Vedas
The Gayatri mantra is the verse of a sukha (a Sanskrit hymn) from the "Rig Veda", which is a collection of Vedic prayers. It is one of the oldest, but also one of the most popular mantras in Eastern spiritual traditions.
The 24-syllable mantra is dedicated to Gayatri, the mother goddess of the Vedas (Hindu sacred texts), and the five pranas, or five senses. She is also sometimes seen as the feminine aspect or companion of major Hindu gods, Brahma or Shiva, depending on the version. Some specialists also associate Gayatri with Savitr, the solar deity in the Vedas.
Gayatri is usually represented with five heads, which would indicate the five senses, ten eyes. She also has ten arms, holding the arms of the gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Often a white swan and a book also accompany her.
His mantra is as follows:
Om bhur bhuvah svah
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dheemahi
Dhiyo yonah prachodayat
Traditionally, this mantra is sung to bring clarity to the dark corners of the mind, and to achieve success in all areas. It is said to promote physical health, material abundance, inner peace and soul development.
The meaning of the Gayatri mantra
The Gayatri mantra is a beautiful hymn to the eponymous goddess, a homage to a protective and solar deity, flooding human beings with its beneficial rays.
It can be translated by breaking it down as follows:
We meditate on the glory of the Creator,
Who created the Universe,
Who deserves to be worshipped,
Who is the embodiment of Knowledge and Light,
Which eliminates sin and ignorance.
Through this mantra, the light of Gayatri is generally called upon to find clarity of mind, peace of soul and abundance in all spheres of existence.
It is in fact an open prayer, which can be used for a variety of reasons and purposes.
Use and Benefits
Integrate the beautiful Gayatri mantra into your daily life to shed light on the shadows and guide you in your path.
According to the Vedas, certain times of the day are ideal for chanting mantras, especially the Gayatri mantra. So, if you can, recite, chant or meditate on this prayer between 4:00 and 8:00 a.m., or between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m., if you can.
To do so, prefer a space in your home that you particularly like or feel comfortable in. This can be for example in front of a window or in a warm room. The important thing is to be quiet and to find a comfortable position.
Light a candle, or better yet, stand in the light of the rising or setting sun, if possible. A nice way to welcome or end the day!
Then, take a few deep breaths, and sing or say the prayer softly. If you wish, use the short video associated with this article for pronunciation and rhythm.
Regular recitation of this mantra would help concentration and learning, and help calm the mind. It would also be a great support to relieve stress and anxiety. It would even have virtues on the physical level, helping to eliminate toxins in the body, strengthening the heart and rebalancing the nervous system.
