Gayatri Jayanti: Mother of the Vedas

History and Origins

Gayatri Jayanti celebrates the birth of Goddess Gayatri, who is revered as the embodiment of the Gayatri Mantra. Once Lord Brahma Ji was going to perform a yajna in Pushkar. It is believed that if the wife is present in religious works, then he definitely gets the result, but at that time, because of some reason, Brahmas wife Savitri was not present with him. Then Brahma Ji married Gayatri and performed the yagna. This mantra is considered the mother of all Vedic mantras and is deeply embedded in Hindu spiritual practices. The origins of this celebration trace back to the ancient scriptures where Sage Vishwamitra is credited with bringing the Gayatri Mantra to humanity. The day marks the divine descent of Goddess Gayatri, believed to be the personification of universal knowledge and enlightenment.

Maa Gayatri is typically portrayed as seated on a red lotus, signifying wealth. She appears in either of these forms:

1. Having five heads with the ten eyes looking in the eight directions plus the earth and sky, and ten arms holding all the weapons of Vishnu, symbolizing all her reincarnations.
2. Accompanied by a white swan, holding a book to portray knowledge in one hand and a cure in the other, as the goddess of Education.

Significance of Gayatri Jayanti

Gayatri Jayanti holds profound significance in Hinduism. It is considered an auspicious day for spiritual renewal and advancement. Devotees observe this day by chanting the Gayatri Mantra, engaging in meditative practices, and participating in various religious rituals. The mantra, known for its purifying and protective qualities, is believed to bestow wisdom, clarity of thought, and spiritual elevation. The celebration of Gayatri Jayanti is also seen as a way to honor the teachings and sacrifices of the sages who preserved and propagated the Vedic wisdom.

Temples Dedicated to Goddess Gayatri

Major Temples in India

1. Gayatri Temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan: Located near the sacred Pushkar Lake, this temple is one of the most significant shrines dedicated to Goddess Gayatri. Pilgrims flock here to seek blessings and spiritual solace. The temple is known for its serene environment and historical importance.

2. Gayatri Shakti Peeth, Haridwar, Uttarakhand: Situated in Shantikunj, this temple is a spiritual powerhouse and the headquarters of the All World Gayatri Pariwar. It serves as a major center for Gayatri worship and spiritual learning, offering various programs and courses on Vedic traditions and practices.

3. Gayatri Tapobhoomi, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh: This temple and ashram focus on the worship of Goddess Gayatri and the dissemination of Vedic knowledge. It is a place of deep spiritual practice, where devotees engage in mantra chanting, meditation, and other religious activities.

4. Gayatri Temple, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh: This temple attracts numerous devotees who come to worship Goddess Gayatri and participate in the spiritual programs organized by the temple authorities.

International Temples

1. Gayatri Chetna Center, New Jersey, USA: This center caters to the Indian diaspora in the USA, promoting the teachings of the Gayatri Mantra and organizing cultural and religious events. It serves as a hub for spiritual activities and community gatherings.

2. Gayatri Pariwar Centers Worldwide: There are numerous centers affiliated with the All World Gayatri Pariwar across the globe, including in the UK, Canada, and Australia. These centers are dedicated to spreading the message of the Gayatri Mantra and fostering a sense of global spiritual community.

Shantikunj, Haridwar

Shantikunj, established by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya in 1971, is a central spiritual and educational hub located in Haridwar. As the headquarters of the All World Gayatri Pariwar, it plays a pivotal role in the global dissemination of Vedic knowledge and the practice of the Gayatri Mantra. Shantikunj offers a variety of programs, including yoga, meditation, and Vedic rituals, aiming to foster moral and spiritual development. The institution also organizes large-scale celebrations of Gayatri Jayanti, attracting thousands of devotees from around the world.

The Gayatri Mantra

The Gayatri Mantra is a cornerstone of Hindu spiritual practice and is revered for its profound spiritual benefits:

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः तत्स॑वि॒तुर्वरे॑ण्यं॒ भर्गो॑ दे॒वस्य॑ धीमहि। धियो॒ यो नः॑ प्रचो॒दया॑त्॥

Om Bhur Bhuvah SvahTat Savitur VarenyamBhargo Devasya DheemahiDhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat

Gayatri Mantra (the mother of the vedas), the foremost mantra in hinduism and hindu beliefs, inspires wisdom. Its meaning is that "May the Almighty God illuminate our intellect to lead us along the righteous path". The mantra is also a prayer to the "giver of light and life" - the sun (savitur).

This mantra is a prayer to the divine light of the Sun (Savitar) to illuminate the intellect and dispel ignorance. It is chanted for mental clarity, spiritual growth, and protection against negative influences.

24 Gayatri Mantras

Here is a list of 24 Gayatri Mantras in Hindi, each dedicated to a different deity or aspect of the divine:

1. गणेश गायत्री मंत्र:

   ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महेवक्रतुण्डाय धीमहितन्नो दंती प्रचोदयात्

2. सरस्वती गायत्री मंत्र:

   ॐ वाग्देवियै च विद्महेवाग्विशुद्ध्यै धीमहितन्नो वाणी प्रचोदयात्

3. लक्ष्मी गायत्री मंत्र:

   ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै च विद्महेविष्णुपत्न्यै च धीमहितन्नो लक्ष्मी प्रचोदयात्

4. शिव गायत्री मंत्र:

   ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महेमहादेवाय धीमहितन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात्

5. विष्णु गायत्री मंत्र:

   ॐ नारायणाय विद्महेवासुदेवाय धीमहितन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात्

6. दुर्गा गायत्री मंत्र:

   ॐ कात्यायनाय विद्महेकन्याकुमारि धीमहितन्नो दुर्गि प्रचोदयात्

7. हनुमान गायत्री मंत्र:

   ॐ आञ्जनेयाय विद्महेमहाबलाय धीमहितन्नो हनुमत् प्रचोदयात्

8. सूर्य गायत्री मंत्र:

   ॐ भास्कराय विद्महेमहाद्युतिकराय धीमहितन्नो आदित्यः प्रचोदयात्

9. कृष्ण गायत्री मंत्र:

   ॐ देवकीनन्दनाय विद्महेवासुदेवाय धीमहितन्नः कृष्णः प्रचोदयात्

10. राम गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ दशरथाय विद्महेसीतावल्लभाय धीमहितन्नो रामः प्रचोदयात्

11. काली गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ महाकाल्यै विद्महेश्मशानवासिन्यै धीमहितन्नः काली प्रचोदयात्

12. शांति गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ शांति गायत्र्यै विद्महेशांति देवी धीमहितन्नः शांति प्रचोदयात्

13. शिव शक्ति गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महेमहादेवाय धीमहितन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात्

14. चंद्र गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ क्षीरपुत्राय विद्महेअमृततत्वाय धीमहितन्नो चंद्रः प्रचोदयात्

15. कुबेर गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ यक्षाय विद्महेवैश्रवणाय धीमहितन्नः कुबेरः प्रचोदयात्

16. अग्नि गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ महाज्वालाय विद्महेअग्निदेवाय धीमहितन्नो अग्निः प्रचोदयात्

17. इन्द्र गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ सहस्रनेत्राय विद्महेवज्रहस्ताय धीमहितन्नो इन्द्रः प्रचोदयात्

18. वरुण गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ जलबिम्बाय विद्महेनीलपुरुषाय धीमहितन्नो वरुणः प्रचोदयात्

19. वायु गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ तत्वाय विद्महेमहाज्वालाय धीमहितन्नो वायुः प्रचोदयात्

20. भैरव गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ कालकालाय विद्महेकालरूपाय धीमहितन्नः भैरवः प्रचोदयात्

21. अयप्पा गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ धर्मशास्त्राय विद्महेधर्मसंस्थापनाय धीमहितन्नः शास्त्रः प्रचोदयात्

22. दत्तात्रेय गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ दिगम्बरा विद्महेअत्रिपुत्राय धीमहितन्नो दत्तः प्रचोदयात्

23. गंगा गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ तत्सवितुरवरेण्यंभर्गो देवस्य धीमहितन्नो गंगा प्रचोदयात्

24. तुलसी गायत्री मंत्र:

    ॐ तुलस्यै विद्महेविष्णुप्रियेयै धीमहितन्नः तुलसी प्रचोदयात्

These mantras, when chanted with devotion and correct pronunciation, can bring spiritual upliftment and various benefits associated with the respective deities.

Dos and Don'ts of Chanting the Gayatri Mantra

Dos:

1. Purity of Mind and Body: Ensure you are clean and in a calm state of mind. Perform the mantra in a serene environment.

2. Morning Recitation: Ideally, the Gayatri Mantra should be chanted during the Brahma Muhurta (4 AM to 6 AM) or during sunrise. However, chanting at sunset is also auspicious.

3. Correct Pronunciation: Pronounce the mantra correctly to harness its full benefits. Seek guidance from knowledgeable sources if needed.

4. Consistency: Regular practice enhances the mantra's effects. Chant it daily to integrate its benefits into your life.

5. Focus and Devotion: Chant with full concentration and devotion. Visualize the divine light filling your being.

6. Use a Mala: Using a mala (rosary) with 108 beads can help maintain count and focus during chanting.

7. Proper Seating: Sit in a comfortable, upright position facing east or north.

8. Silence and Stillness: Begin and end your chanting session with a few moments of silence and stillness to settle the mind.

Don'ts:

1. Avoid Distractions: Do not chant in a noisy or distracting environment.

2. Impurity: Avoid chanting when you are physically dirty or in a negative state of mind.

3. Inconsistency: Irregular chanting may dilute the benefits. Stick to a regular schedule.

4. Disrespect: Do not chant casually or without respect. The mantra is sacred and should be treated as such.

5. Overuse: Avoid chanting excessively without proper guidance, as it may lead to mental fatigue.

Power of the Gayatri Mantra

The Gayatri Mantra is highly revered for its immense spiritual and mental benefits. It is a powerful prayer for enlightenment, mental clarity, and spiritual awakening. Here are some key powers and benefits:

1. Spiritual Enlightenment: The mantra is a prayer to the divine light for wisdom and enlightenment, aiding in spiritual growth.

2. Mental Clarity: Regular chanting helps in improving focus, concentration, and mental clarity.

3. Emotional Balance: It helps in calming the mind and balancing emotions, reducing stress and anxiety.

4. Physical Health: The vibrations of the mantra are believed to have healing effects on the body, promoting overall well-being.

5. Protective Shield: Chanting the mantra creates a protective aura around the individual, guarding against negative energies.

6. Purification: It purifies the mind and body, helping in the removal of karmic impurities.

7. Divine Connection: Facilitates a deeper connection with the divine, fostering a sense of unity and inner peace.

Symbolism of Gayatri Maa’s Five Faces

Goddess Gayatri is often depicted with five faces, each symbolizing different aspects of creation and human existence. These faces represent the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) and the five pranas (vital energies). They also correspond to the five senses and the five layers of human consciousness (physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual). This multifaceted depiction underscores her role as the universal mother and the source of all creation and wisdom.

Conclusion

Gayatri Jayanti is a significant celebration in Hinduism, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Gayatri and the recitation of the Gayatri Mantra. It is a day of spiritual reflection, devotion, and community celebration. Temples dedicated to Goddess Gayatri, both in India and abroad, serve as important centers for spiritual practice and learning. Shantikunj in Haridwar stands as a beacon of Vedic knowledge and spiritual growth, playing a crucial role in the global Gayatri movement. Through the reverence of Gayatri Jayanti, devotees seek to attain wisdom, purity, and spiritual enlightenment.