The Divine Gayatri Mantra

Gayatri is the mother of the Vedas and the destroyer of sins. There is nothing more purifying on the earth as well as in the heaven than the Gayatri. The Japa of Gayatri brings the same fruit as the recitation of all the four Vedas together with the Angas. This single Mantra, if repeated three times a day, brings good (Kalyan or Moksha). It is the Mantra of the Vedas. It destroys sins. It bestows splendid health, beauty, strength, vigour, vitality and magnetic aura in the face (Brahmic effulgence).

Oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ, tát savitúr váreṇ(i)yaṃ, bhárgo devásya dhīmahi, dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt

Translation :- We meditate upon the spiritual effulgence of that adorable supreme divine reality Who is the source of the physical, the astral and the heavenly spheres of existence. May that supreme divine being enlighten our intellect, so that we may realise the supreme truth.

The mind is purified by constant worship. It is filled with good and pure thoughts. Repetition of worship strengthens the good Samskaras. "As a man thinks, that he becomes. " This is the psychological law. The mind of a man who trains himself in thinking good, holy thoughts, develops a tendency to think of good thoughts. His character is molded and transformed by continued good thoughts. When the mind thinks of the image of Gayatri during worship, the mental substance actually assumes the form of the image. The impression of the object is left in the mind. This is called Samskara. When the act is repeated very often, the Samskaras gain strength by repetition, and a tendency or habit is formed in the mind. He who entertains thoughts of Divinity becomes transformed actually into the Divinity himself by constant thinking and meditation. His Bhava or disposition is purified and divinized. The meditator and the meditated, the worshipper and the worshipped, the thinker and the thought become one and the same. This is Samadhi. This is the fruit of worship or Upasana. 

How to chant Gayatri Mantra:

• Gayatri Mantra should be chanted facing North or East.
• Start Japa and meditation of Gayatri sitting in Padmasana, Siddhasana or Virasana.
• Do Achamanam before starting the chanting and light a lamp or Incense sticks.
• Constantly feel that you are receiving light, purity and wisdom from Gayatri.
• Keep the image of the Gayatri at the Trikuti, the space between the eye-brows by closing the eyes and concentrate there, or keep the image in the lotus of the heart and concentrate there. You will have Darshan of Gayatri.
• Repeat 'Santhi' three times after finish chanting the Gayatri Mantra

 How many times to chant:

• It is better if you do Japa of Gayatri 3000 to 4000 times daily. Your heart will be purified rapidly. 
• If you are not able to do this number, you can do 1008 times daily. If you find it difficult to do this number also, do at least 108 times daily, 36 times at sunrise, 36 times at noon, 36 times at sunset. There is special, mysterious spiritual force or wonderful magnetic power at Sandhi or junction of the time, sunrise and sunset. The mind will be elevated quickly. It will be filled with Sattva. Concentration will come by itself without any effort at this time. If you find it difficult to get up at Brahmamuhurta, get up before sunrise.
• At least one Mala of Japa you must do daily without a break. It will guard you from all dangers, give you infinite strength to overcome all obstacles, and take you to the very pinnacle of splendor, power, peace and bliss.

When to chant Gayatri Mantra:

There are three specific times in a day when the Gayatri Mantra should be chanted. The three times of a day is also known as Sandhyakal.  

First Time: The first time is before sunrise. This is called as Brahma muhurta.  The mantra should then be chanted till the sun rises.

Second Time: The second time to chant this mantra in the day is afternoon time.

Third Time: The third time to chant Gayatri Mantra is before sun set till the sun sets.
Apart from these timings, if someone wishes to chant this mantra, he/she should do it silently calmly within oneself. This mantra should not be chanted aloud. 

Do’s and Don’ts:

• If the Gayatri Mantra is not recited correctly, it has the opposite effect of enveloping the person in darkness. But, if we recite it with Love, God will accept it. 
• Each word should be pronounced clearly and distinctly, without undue haste or hurry. 
• Gayatri Mantra is a universal prayer which asks for a clear intellect so that the truth may be reflected therein without distortion. 
• Gayatri mantra can be chanted by men and women of all climes and creeds. It calls upon the Glorious Power that pervades the Sun and the Three worlds to arouse, awake and strengthen the Intelligence, so that it may lead us through intense sadhana to success. 
• The heart needs to be cleansed thrice a day - dawn, noon and dusk. Besides these times, Gayatri Mantra can be repeated anywhere, anytime including  night time.
• Gayatri Mantra is synonymous with Divinity and has therefore to be approached with humility, reverence, faith and love towards the Mantra. 
• Love and reverence for the Mantra and faith in its promised results are for more important than mere mechanical repetition while the mind wanders. 
• Full faith in the power and potency of the Gayatri Mantra will be generated only when the seeker has developed the requisite degree of enthusiasm, love and reverence towards this Mantra. 
• The more one chants this Mantra, the greater the benefit to the one who chants it. 
• Start regular, daily Gayatri Japa and feel the wondrous power that you derive therefrom. 
• Fix a particular time for the Japa and stick to it permanently.

Benefits of Gayatri Mantra:

• Happiness
• Glowing skin
• Dislike for bad food
• Belief in god
• Sixth Sense improves
• The power of blessing increases
• Eyes get bright
• Attain peace
•  Never get angry
• Improvement in Intelligence

 

Specific Benefits of Gayatri Mantra:

Benefit for Kids:  Chanting this mantra 108 times every day, makes children intelligent and helps them achieve everything they want. 

For Progeny: If a couple is not being blessed with a child for a long time, they should chant this mantra every morning before sun rise and keep chanting it till the sunrise wearing white clothes.

For Enmity: If you are facing difficulties because of your enemies, chant this mantra every Tuesday, Sunday and on Amavasya wearing red clothes. You should think of Goddess Durga while chanting Gayatri Mantra. Doing with will get you rid of all the problems created by your enemies.

Delayed Marriage: If your marriage is getting delayed, chant this mantra 108 times every Monday, wearing yellow clothes. While chanting this mantra, think of goddess Parvati. You will soon find a suitable match.

For Prolonged illness: To get rid of a prolonged illness, chant this mantra on any auspicious day. Keep a pot of fresh water too near you and sit on a red cloth while you chant this mantra. After chanting, drink that pot of water.

For  eyes and stomach ailments: On any auspicious day,  mix milk, ghee, curds and honey and do a havan while chanting the Gayatri Mantra 1,000 times. This will cure eyes and stomach illness.   

Spiritual Benefits of chanting:

• Gayatri destroys the three kinds of Taapa or pain.
• Gayatri bestows the four kinds of Purushartha viz. , Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desired objects) and Moksha (liberation or freedom).
• It destroys the three knots of ignorance, Avidya, Kama and Karma.
• Gayatri purifies the mind.
• Gayatri bestows Ashta Siddhis
• Gayatri makes a man powerful and highly intelligent
• Gayatri eventually gives liberation or emancipation from the wheel of births and deaths. 

Youtube Links for Gayatri Mantra:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwRoHC83wx0