Chant in Sanskrit | Chant in English transliteration | Chant Meaning | Benefits of the chant | History of the chant | Important information about the chant

The Gayatri Mantra is derived from Goddess Gayatri. It is an all-encompassing chant that is believed to bring hope and clear obstacles in one’s path.

Chant in Sanskrit

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥

Chant in English transliteration

Om Bhuur-Bhuvah Svah
Tat-Savitur-Varennyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhiimahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Pracodayaat

Chant Meaning

Om Pervading the Bhu Loka (Earth, Consciousness of the Physical Plane), Bhuvar Loka (Antariksha, The Intermediate Space, Consciousness of Prana) and Swar Loka (Sky, Heaven, Consciousness of the Divine Mind),

That Savitur (Savitri, Divine Essence of the Sun) which is the most Adorable,

I Meditate on that Divine Effulgence,

May that Awaken our Intelligence (Spiritual Consciousness)

-OR-

The eternal, earth, air, heaven

That glory, that resplendence of the sun

May we contemplate the brilliance of that light

May the sun inspire our minds.

Benefits of the chant

Chanting the Gayatri Mantra has many benefits for the mind and soul. The chant starts with ‘Om’ and it is believed that the vibrations of this chant through your lips can help calm the mind and relax you.  

As per a research study (1), it can also help improve concentration. Another study(2) suggests that it can delay fatigue. A third study (3) suggests that when you chant this mantra, the chakras present in your body start aligning, increasing your level of concentration; these chakras are directly connected to your brain. When you chant, you also exhale and inhale deeply and in a regular rhythm. When you chant the Gayatri Mantra, your mind becomes sharper and your immune system becomes stronger.

The regular chanting of the Gayatri Mantra is believed to keep depression and anxiety at bay as well as keep you calm and focused. All the negative energy inside you can be exhaled while breathing, freeing you of stress and making your body healthier overall. Finally, the vibrations from the mantra are also believed to activate important points on your face that increase blood flow and oxygenation to that area. This can leave your skin healthy and glowing. 

History of the chant

The Gayatri Mantra first made its appearance in the Rig Veda, which is an early vedic text written between 1800 and 1500 BCE. In the Upanishads, it is an important ritual, and in the Bhagavad Gita it is a divine poem. Douglas Brooks, a renowned scholar and professor of religion at the University of Rochester has said that the Gayatri Mantra is the most sacred chant that is written in the Vedas. It is one of the most ancient chants ever written. The chant is a hymn dedicated to Savitur, the Sun God, and it represents both the physical sun and the presence of the Divine in us all. The Vedic mind sees both of them as one and does not differentiate. 

The Gayatri Mantra is an all-encompassing chant that is believed to bring hope and clear obstacles in one’s path. Whoever chants this manta with a pure heart and complete devotion may be able to experience spiritual growth, development, and wisdom. 

Important information about the chant

The Gayatri Mantra is derived from Goddess Gayatri, also known as ‘Veda Mata’ or the mother of the four Vedas: Rig, Yajur, Saam, and Atharva. Goddess Gayatri is said to be the beacon of light and the one who can eliminate darkness from our lives by imparting knowledge and wisdom in our minds. If you regularly chant the Gayatri Mantra, you may be able to achieve success, happiness, and wealth in your life. The Gayatri Mantra has three purposes: the first is to worship the sun and offer your gratitude for the sun’s offering. The second is to seek enlightenment from the sun as we chant its name. The third is to offer heartfelt gratitude to the physical sun for providing heat and the Divine sun that is present in everything around us. 

References

  1. Comparison of effect of Gayatri Mantra and Poem Chanting on Digit Letter Substitution Task: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3807963/
  2. To study the effect of Gayatri mantra on Manas Prakruti and stress: https://www.ijedr.org/papers/IJEDR1802133.pdf
  3. Mantra, Music, and Reaction Times: A study of applied aspects: https://www.ijmrhs.com/medical-research/mantra-music-and-reaction-times-a-study-of-its-applied-aspects.pdf