10/15/09
"Na Gaayathryaad parO manthra:" or there is no manthram whose greatness is greater than Gayagthri gives this manthram another status: Veda Maatha or mother of Vedaas.
Gayathri manthra has 24 letters, eight in each paada or step. PraNavam and Vyaahruthi is chanted before the Gayathri.
Aum (PraNavam)
Bhoorbhuvaswa: (when split, Bhoo: Bhuva: Swa: this is called Vyaahruthi).
As per Rigveda, the above three sounds are three vital energies, connected to the chariot of body, pulling us effortlessly to work or worship where Lord presents us with thousands of rewards.
Bhoo: stands for Bhoomi or earth, Bhuva: stands for 7 worlds below Earth and swa: stands for 6 heavenly worlds above us.
TathsavithurvareNyam (whole essence of Rigvedam)
BhargOdevasya dheemahi (whole essence of Yajur vedam)
DhiyO yO na: prachOdayaath (whole essence of Saama vedam)
Meaning of the word Gayathri: "Gaayantham ThrAyathee ithi Gaayathree"-That which protects or saves the person who sings it or chants it (from the ocean of life).
Meaning of the Manthram itself: May the Almighty God who is the giver of Light and life illuminate our intellect (to lead us along the righteous path)
It should be chanted standing, before sunrise and should be chanted sitting, at sunset until stars appear in the sky. Chanting 1008 times removes all our sins and blesses us with health and prosperity. If one cannot chant 1008 times, 108 or at least 10 times is highly recommended by scriptures.
The most surprising fact is that in former ages, Gayathri manthra were chanted by women who studied vedas and underwent Upanayanam, one of the 16 samskaaraas.
puraakalpeshu naareeNaam maunjeebandhanamishyate
adhyaapanam cha vedaanaam saavitree vachanaM tathaa
(based on an article by Narayana Pisharody in "Bhakthapriya" and some other references.)
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