Gayatri Mantra – the seed of Bliss

 
We all have heard the power of words. Singing of Deepak Raag, fires the lamps and singing Raag Malhar, raining starts. The various sound of music alleviates the chronic diseases. Chanting of mantras creates vibrations in atoms of body and powerful energy.
The Gayatri mantra is considered crown in all Hindu mantras and being very potent in invoking the universal Brahman. The mantra is extracted from the 10th verse of Hymn 62 in Book III of the Rig Veda. The glory of the mantra is mentioned in all Vedas and other Hindu scriptures. It has been praised by various rishis and Acharya. Dr.Howard Steingeril, an American scientist, tested the strength of Mantras, Hymns and invocations of all over the world. Gayatri Mantra produced 110,000 sound waves /second. This was the highest and was found to be the most powerful hymn in the world. The Gayatri mantra is as under:
 
ॐ भूर्भुवस्व: | तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम् | भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि | धियो यो न: प्रचोदयात्
Om Bhurbhuvaswaha Tatsaviturvarenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo naha prachodayat,

Gayatri sadhana brings physical, mental and spiritual happiness and helps in realization of cosmic consciousness (almighty). Gayatri Mantra inspires the mind for satvik actions. It has 24 syllables which activates 24 glands of body (details given in coming paras).
Yagyopaveet or upanayan (Sacred Thread Ceremony) Sanskar and commencement of study of Vedas, are started with Gayatri Mantra. 

Gayatri mata is shown with five faces and ten hands. Five faces symbolizes five deities (Aum, Ganesha, Vishnu, Shiva & Bhavani), five elements of life (Earth, Water, Air, Akash & Fire), five sheaths of living being (Annmaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijyanmaya & Anandamaya), five senses (see, hear, smell, touch & taste), five organs of action (powers of speech, handling, movement, excretion and procreation or reproduction) and five internal instruments (Soul, Ego, Intellect, Mind & Chit). Ten hands destroy corrupt eyes, dependency, triviality, fear, negligence, selfishness, indecision, passion, greed and laziness.
The details of Gayatri Mantra such as its meanings, genesis and significance are given hereunder:-

​Gayatri Mantra, a prayer
While chanting the Gayatri Mantra, we pray the Parmatma (Supreme God). The mantra has following meanings:

1. The supreme being & protector of all, most lovable, remover of sufferings & pains, blissful, creator of entire universe, most excellent & brilliant, most deserving to be embraced, form of purity, destroyer of all miseries, we meditate on you, god of gods, parmatma, please inspire our mind & intellect in doing right actions such as performing yajna etc. and on path of liberation (Moksha).
2. ओ३म्—हे सर्वरक्षक परमेश्वर (Almighty) आप; भूः—प्राणों के प्राण, प्राण प्रिय (spiritual energy); भुवः—दु:ख विनाशक (destroyer of sufferings); स्वः— सुखस्वरूप हो (embodiment of happiness); तत् (bring luminous like sun)  सवितुः—आप सब जगत् की उत्पत्ति करने वाले; वरेण्यम्—अतिश्रेष्ठ ग्रहण करने योग्य (most exalted); भर्गोः—शुद्ध स्वरूप,सब क्लेशों को भस्म करने वाले हो (destroyer of sins); देवस्य— हम आप देवों के देव महादेव का (divine); धीमहि—ध्यान करते हैं (imbibe); धियोः यो न:— हे ईश्वर ! आप हमारी बुद्धियों को (who our intellect); प्रचोदयात्—यज्ञादि शुभ कर्मों व मोक्ष मार्ग में प्रेरित कीजिए।(inspire)

1. Gayatri mantra is also denoted as Kalpa Vriksha (tree), with following meaning:

Om–Parmatma/cosmic consciousness/supreme being; Bhur–spiritual wisdom(आत्मज्ञान); bhuva– Karmayog; swaha–bliss/Samadhi; Tat–life science; savitur–accumulation of energy;  varenyam–excellence; bhargo–purity; devasya–great vision; dhimahi–good qualities & abilities; dhiyo–Intellect; yonaha–patience; prachodayat – service.

1. Let us meditate on that excellent glory of the divine Light. May he stimulate our understandings (knowledge, intellectual illumination)

 
Chanting of Gayatri Mantra 
Gayatri Mantra should be chanted correctly and according to rules. Chanting of Gayatri mantra should be done in erect sitting posture, with concentrated, calm  & stable mind, preferably after taking bath, not loudly (person sitting next to you, not hear), etc. However, elaborate rules are prescribed by different texts.
While chanting Gayatri Mantra, thinking its meaning and discarding other thoughts, it leads human beings towards divinity.
It has 24 syllables which activates 24 glands of body (1.tat–Tapini–success, 2. sa-saphalta-bravery,  3.vi-vishwa-maintenance,  4.tru-tushti-wellbeing,   5.va-varda-love,   6.re-revati-love,  7.ni-sookshma-money,   8.yam-gyana-brilliance,   9.bhar-bharga-defence,  10.go-gomati-intellect,  11.de-devika-suppression,    12.va-varahi-devotion, 13.sya-sinhani-retention,   14.dhee-dhyan-vital energy,   15.ma-maryada-self-restraint, 16.hi-sfuta-tap, 17.dhi-medha-far sightedness,    18.yo-yohmaya-awakening,   19.yo-yogini-production, 20.naha-dharini-sweetness,  21.pra-prabhava-ideal,     22.cho-ooshma-courage,   23.da-drashya-wisdom and  24.yat-niranjan-service) .
Gayatri Sandhya is done thrice a day viz. at the time of sunrise, afternoon and sunset.
In Hinduism, man and woman have equal rights in spiritual practice, liberation and practice of mantras. Names of large number of rishikais (female rishis) are mentioned in Rigveda (verses-10.39, 10.40, 10.91, 10.95, 10.107, 10.109, 10.154, 10.159, 10.189, 10.134, 5.28, 8.91, etc.). In Vishnu Puran (verse-1.10, 18.91) and Markanday Puran (verse-52) also mention about rishikais who used to give sermons on Brahman.  

Significance of Gayatri Mantra 
The mantra has been praised in various Hindu scriptures and by rishis & Acharya.
 

1. The mantra is extracted from the 10th verse of Hymn 62 in Book III of the Rig Veda.  
2. In Atharvaveda (Kand 19, Sunkt 71, verse – 1), it is explained that worship of Gayatri mantra bestows age, health, offspring, wealth, fame, eternal light and God audience (दर्शन).
3. Gayatri mantra finds mention in Yajurveda (3.35.30, 2.36.3) as well as Samaveda (13.3.3).
4. In Srimad Bhagwat (Sikand 10, Chapter 70, verse 6), it is mentioned that yogeshwar Sri Krishna used to chant Gayatri mantra daily in mind.
5. Mahabharat (chapter – 150, verse- 1 to3; 68-77),  Yudhishter asked Bheeshm Pitamah, when he was in death bed, about the mantra which is perfect for chanting at the time going, entering, starting any work or prayer, and which gives peace, power, protection and destroys enemy & fear. Bheeshm Pitamah informs that by chanting of Gayatri mantra person accomplish various powers, overcomes fears, avoids miseries and attain liberation.  This mantra was chanted by great rishis.
6. In Devi Bhagwat (Skand 11, Chapter 16, verse–15), It is mentioned that summary of Vedas is worship of Gayatri.
7. Rishi Vishwamitra told importance of Gaytri to Sri Ram & Sri Lakshman.
8. Shringi Rishi informed that Gayatri is root cause of liberation.
9. Maherishi Vyas advised that there is no difference between Gayatri and Brahman.
10. Rishi Manu mentioned that Gayatri is entrance gate of Brahman. He told the fruits of all the yajnas one-sixteenth part of the fruit of Gayatri mantra. But fruits of Gayatri mantra is possible when the seeker controls his 11 senses (5 Gyanandriyas, 5 Karmandriyas, Mind)
11. Rishi Prasher has proclaimed Gayatri mantra as the best.
12. Shri Shakara Acharya told Gayatri is mother of universe.
13. Swami Dayanand, founder of Arya Samaj, praised Gayatri Mantra. He said, the mantra is root of all Vedas. Chanting of the mantra purifies conscience and clears mind.

 
 Reference:

1. https://www.speakingtree.in/
2. http://www.awgp.org/spiritual_wisdom/gayatri/
3. Gayatri Mahavigyan by Shri Ram Sharma Acharya
4. Mahamantra by Mahatma Anand Swami Saraswati