🕉 Gayatri Mantra

The Gayatri mantra is called the essence of the Vedas and the «maha-mantra». It is a prayer to illumine the intellect — it asks for nothing material, only «may he inspire our intellect».

📖 Full text — with meaning

Tap «Roman (English) script» to see the original Devanagari text.

🔍 Word-by-word meaning

📿 Japa counter (mala of 108)

📅 Next auspicious days (from our panchang)

• 25 Oct (Sunday) — Purnima
• 26 Oct (Monday) — Purnima
• 1 Nov (Sunday)
• 8 Nov (Sunday)
• 15 Nov (Sunday)
• 22 Nov (Sunday)

Dates are for Delhi sunrise; see today's panchang for your city.

🪔 How to chant / recite

1. Time: Morning (sunrise), noon and evening — the three sandhyas; at least the morning.
2. Direction: East in the morning, west in the evening.
3. Count: 108 daily (one mala); if not possible 11, 27 or 54.
4. Pronunciation: A slight pause after the three vyahritis (Bhuh Bhuvah Svah); reading «Varenyam» as «Vareniyam» is a tradition to complete the 24 syllables.
5. Meditation: While chanting, meditate on the radiance of the Sun illuminating the intellect.

🛕 Puja vidhi (step by step)

🧺 Items needed

• A clean asana (kusha/wool)
• Water vessel (for achamana)
• Ghee lamp
• Rudraksha/tulsi/sandalwood mala

🪷 Procedure

1. Bathe and wear clean clothes; clean the puja place and spread a fresh cloth on the altar (chowki).
2. Do achamana (sip water three times) and purify hands and mouth; sit on an asana and calm the mind.
3. Light a lamp of ghee or sesame oil — by tradition the lamp is kept to the deity's right.
4. Take water, akshata (unbroken rice) and a flower in the right hand and make the sankalpa — your name, gotra, place, date and the purpose of the puja, spoken or in the mind; then let the water fall to the ground.
5. First remember Shri Ganesha (Om Gam Ganapataye Namah).
6. Sit at morning sunrise, noon or evening sandhya, facing east (morning) or north.
7. Do achamana and pranayama (a few deep breaths); meditate on Savita Deva (the Sun).
8. Chant the Gayatri mantra 108 times (or 11/27/54) on a mala; at the end you may offer water to the Sun.
9. Finally perform aarti, offer pushpanjali (flowers) and do parikrama (or turn around in your place).
10. Ask forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja, distribute the prasad and take it yourself.

⚠️ Rules & precautions

• Chant clearly, slowly and rhythmically, with the meaning of each word in mind.
• Sandhya-japa is traditionally not done right after a meal or in an impure state.
• Traditions differ: some sampradayas require diksha/upanayana for Gayatri japa; many modern traditions consider it open to all.

🌟 Benefits (as per tradition)

• A prayer for intellect, concentration and discernment — special for students.
• Peace of mind and positive inspiration.

These are traditional beliefs described in scriptures; results are understood to depend on faith, discipline and one's own actions.

❓ Frequently asked questions