The Cult of Gāyatrī: A Study

There is no other mantra in this World like the Gāyatrī Mantra which can fulfill all the desires of man. Gāyatrī is the best-renowned mantra who possesses the magnanimous power to fulfill all. Gāyatrī is the Ṛgvedic Mantra, and this is very ancient like Ṛgveda. The meaning of this mantra ‘Gāyatraṁ trāyate iti Gāyatrī’ (Gāyatrī Mantra Sadhanā va Upāsanā.P.1.). Varāha Purāṇa says that Gāyatrī is Sarasvatī ‘Kamalā sanaje devī Sarasvatī namostute’(Varāha Purāṇa.28/29). In Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad, Gāyatrī Mantra is regarded as Sūrya Mantra and Sāvitrī. Aiterya Brāhmaṇa says Gāyatrī is Brahmā ‘yā gāyatrī tad Brahmaiva, Brahma vai gāyatrī’ ( Aitareya Brāhmaṇa. 3/3/34/3). This paper defines the Gāyatrī and Her power and utilization of Gāyatrī, etc. in a very lucid manner and briefly also.