Gayatri Mantra Chanting Benefits: History, Meaning

The Gayatri Mantra is one of the most revered and powerful mantras in Hinduism. It consists of a sacred verse from the Rigveda and is dedicated to the goddess Gayatri, who is considered the personification of knowledge and enlightenment.

Gayatri Mahamantra is an important mantra in all Vedas, Puranas, and religious scriptures whose importance is considered to be almost equal to Om meditation. It is composed of the hymns of Yajurveda ‘Om Bhurbhuvah Swah’ and the verses of Rigveda. Savitri Dev is worshiped in this mantra, hence it is also known as Savitri Mantra. I

It is believed that the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra during meditation and yoga sessions is so powerful that the person doing it gets spiritual benefits as well as health benefits.

Let’s know the history and meaning of the Gayatri mantra, the benefits of chanting it, and an ancient chant for gratitude. 

The Gayatri Mantra

Om Bhur Bhuvah Svaha

Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Diimahi

Diyoyonah Prachodayatt.

History of the Gayatri Mantra

Reference to the Gayatri mantra first appeared in Hinduism in Rigveda, the oldest sacred text, written between 1800 and 1500 BCE.

It is said that its sage is Vishwamitra and the deity is Savita. Although this mantra is only one of the 18 mantras of this hymn of Vishwamitra, in terms of meaning, its glory was experienced by the sages in the beginning, and the most serious euphemism of the meaning of this mantra among the 10 thousand mantras of the entire Rigveda.

About seven thousand years ago today, around the beginning of Tretayuga, Vishwamitra composed a mantra for the first time, which was in poetry, in hymns, in verses, in which there were twenty-four syllables, in which there was poetry and which was not for sacrifice, but intellect from the sun. The intensity of prayer was composed for. The Gayatri Mantra is compiled in the 62nd Sukta (3.62) of the third mandala of the Rigveda.

The compilation of about ten thousand mantras of Rigveda is in about one thousand hymns. The sages by whom these hymns have been composed, researchers have done deep research and fixed their chronology and in that series, the name of our great hero Vishwamitra is the most ancient whose first mantra is Gayatri.

Meaning of Gayatri Mantra

Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Swaḥ
Tat-savitur Vareñyaṃ
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt

Om = god

Bhur = the giver of life.

Bhuvah = Destroyer of sorrows.

Svah = the giver of happiness.

Tat = that.

Savitur = bright as the sun.

Varenyam = the best.

Bhargo = the savior of karma.

Devasya = Lord.

Dhimahi = meditation.

Dhio = intelligence.

Yo = who

Nah = ours.

Prachodayat = Give us strength.

Meaning: O God who gives us life, destroyer of all sorrows, who gives happiness, may the Lord who is bright like the sun give us the wisdom to walk on the right path.

The word Om has been given the name of the most important word which is above all mantras and words (AUM). Om is a complete mantra in itself, which is chanted before every religious work and Yagya. The Beej Mantra of the universe is Om.

The Gayatri Mantra suggests Bhura, which means existence, and prana, the life or living being symbolizes the breath. The mantra suggests Tat, which means “he”, is to offer praise to him with the expectation that no such praise or personal benefit is given in return or in the expectation of profit. The words Tat and prayer indicate a selfless belief and practice, along with the chanting of the sacred word “Om”, given to God with pure direction. Savitur indicates the existence of God as a fountain, which spews all life and all things, from which we go and return. Bhargo is the purification of the intellect, as ore is refined into flame, we are also purified by words, destroying all sins and sufferings, we are purified by His grace and are in oneness and unity with Him. Oneness with Him is free from impurities in thought.

Powerful Benefits of Gayatri Mantra Chanting

The glory of the Gayatri Mantra has been said in one voice in all religious texts. Gayatri is said to be the bestower of age, learning, children, fame, and wealth in the Athavarveda. Rishi Vishwamitra says, “There is no mantra in the four Vedas like Gayatri. The entire Vedas, sacrifice, charity, and austerity are not even equal to one art of Gayatri.

Gayatri Mantra has special recognition in Hinduism. It has also been proved by many kinds of research that chanting of Gayatri Mantra also has many benefits such as improved concentration, mental peace, reduced stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression, improving your immunity, attainment of happiness, and intellect sharp. Chanting the Gayatri Mantra is believed to have several benefits

Improves Concentration And Focus

The vibrations generated by the chanting of this mantra directly touch the mind which improves concentration and focus.

Mental Peace

If a person gets very angry then chanting Gayatri Mantra is very beneficial. Chanting of this mantra gives mental peace and the anger of the person gradually starts to calm down.

Improves Functioning of the Nervous System

The intertwining of the 24 letters of Gayatri is so strange and mysterious that by their mere utterance, the nerve fibers located in the tongue, throat, and palate operate in wonderful order and function healthily. Thus, chanting Gayatri suddenly leads to important yoga practice and the awakening of those secret power centers gives amazing benefits.

Stimulated Chakras

The shock of reciting the words of Gayatri Mantra through the Nadis of the mouth reaches those chakras. Just as by twirling the fingers on the strings of the sitar, a vowel wave and sound wave is produced, similarly, the chanting of the 24 letters of Gayatri generates a chiming hum in those 24 chakras, from which they awaken themselves and makes them more powerful.

Improves Breathing

Chanting of Gayatri Mantra improves breathing. Chanting this mantra daily increases the flow of oxygen and improves lung function. Along with this, it also provides relief in respiratory diseases, such as asthma.

Supernatural Happiness

The waves emanating from the Gayatri Mantra go into the universe and attract and connect many divine and powerful molecules and elements, then again return to their origin, filling the human body with divinity and supernatural happiness.

Heart-healthy

Chanting of Gayatri Mantra also keeps the heart healthy. Its regular application makes a difference in the heart rate, due to which the blood flow in the body increases and prevents many health problems.

Intellectual growth and wisdom

The Gayatri Mantra is often associated with the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. It is believed that regular chanting of the mantra can enhance one’s intellectual abilities, expand the capacity for learning, and stimulate the intellect. It is considered a mantra for self-improvement and personal growth.

Spiritual protection

The Gayatri Mantra is regarded as a protective shield against negative energies and influences. It is believed to create a protective aura around the chanter, shielding them from harm and negativity. The mantra is seen as a divine light that dispels darkness and brings spiritual protection.

Universal consciousness and unity

The Gayatri Mantra is often seen as a prayer for the welfare of all beings and the attainment of universal consciousness. Chanting the mantra is believed to foster a sense of interconnectedness and unity with the universe. It promotes love, compassion, and understanding, helping individuals connect with the divine and recognize the inherent divinity in themselves and others.

Best time to chant Gayatri Mantra

In the scriptures, three times have been given for the chanting of Gayatri Mantra, the time of chanting the mantra is also called Sandhya Kaal. Following are the three times of chanting the Gayatri Mantra

The first time of chanting Gayatri Mantra is considered to be morning. The chanting of the mantra should be started a little before sunrise and should be done till after sunrise.

The second time for chanting the mantra is in the afternoon. Gayatri Mantra is chanted even in the afternoon.

The third time is considered to be evening, shortly before sunset. After starting the mantra chanting before sunset, it should be chanted till some time after sunset.

If a person wants to chant Gayatri Mantra at any time other than evening, then he should chant silently or mentally. The mantra should not be chanted in a loud voice.

Conclusion

Gayatri Mantra is first mentioned in Rigveda. Its sage is Vishwamitra and the deity is Savita. Although this mantra is only one of the 18 mantras of this hymn of Vishwamitra, in terms of meaning, its glory was experienced by the sages in the very beginning, and the most serious euphemism of the meaning of this mantra among the 10 thousand mantras of the entire Rigveda. done. There are 24 letters in this mantra. They have three steps of eight letters each. But in the Brahmanical texts and in all the literature of the later period, by adding three Vyhartis before these letters and Pranava or Omkar before them, the whole form of the mantra became stable in this way:

(1) Om
(2) Bhur Bhuvaḥ Swaḥ
(3) Tatsaviturvarenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo nah prachodayat.