Gayatri Mantra is an important prayer in Hinduism and it is chanted daily by millions of Hindus around the world. Majority of Hindus chant it in the morning but the mantra can be chanted during different periods of day. The form of Goddess Gayatri imagined in the mind changes depending on the time the mantra is chanted.
Morning
Meditation of morning Gayatri Goddess is as follows. Refulgent red as the rising sun, book and rosary in hand, the Supreme Source of all energy, clad in deer-hide, such a form we meditate, while the stars still shine.
Midday
Meditation of Gayatri Goddess during midday is as follows. Azure colored and four-armed, conch and discus in each hand and holding the club and lotus and seated in the solar orb.
Evening
Meditation of Gayatri Goddess during evening is as follows. White-hued, clad in snow-white garment, seated on the bull of night, three-eyed, carrying a rope, a spear, human skull and the offer of a boon in the four hands.
Universal Meditation Form of Goddess Gayatri
White complexioned, dressed in white silk garment, with white paste, perfumes and flowers, decorated with ornaments, residing in the solar orb, and also dwelling in the world of Brahma, the deity carrying a rosary and sitting on a lotus flower.
Did You Know?
- The Gayatri meter contains twenty-four syllables. It is a universal prayer and it is devoid of any rituals or religious identification.
- Gayatri is not an individual prayer for individual benefit. The prayer is on behalf of all human beings. The spiritual benefit result of the chanting must be shared by all human beings collectively.
- The person chanting the mantra identifies himself with all human beings. The mantra is intended for universal application.
- There are Gayatri Mantra for most Hindu Gods and Goddesses and it is based on the original Gayatri. These mantras are listed in the Agamas.
- Apastamba Dharmasutra declares that recitation of Gayatri Mantra is equivalent to the recitation of all four Vedas.
- Atharva Veda (19.71.1) calls Gayatri Mantra Vedamata (Mother of Vedas).
- Gayatri mantra is almost impossible to be translated. It should be mediated upon.
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं ।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Om Bhuur Bhuvah Svah
Tat Savitur Varennyam |
Bhargo Devasya Dhiimahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Pracodayaat ||
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं ।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Om Bhuur Bhuvah Svah
Tat Savitur Varennyam |
Bhargo Devasya Dhiimahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Pracodayaat ||
We meditate on the great glory of the God Savita that He many inspire our thoughts or works. The power of Savita is symbolized as golden effulgence, for light is the best objective representation of the consciousness which enlightens the mental and bodily changes and is the driving power of all life.