The importance of Gayathri japam

Gayathri mantra is made up of 24 letters. Even if one does not know how to chant the Gayathri mantra, merely the process of meditating on Her will help one reap the dividends of spiritual equity. Just as how a mother is very special to a newborn—even more than a father—similar is the efficacy of Gayathri. 

Gayathri manifests as three entities—Gayathri, the repository of wisdom, Savitri, the life force (who brought back her husband Satyavan from the jaws of death) and Saraswati, the supreme dispenser of knowledge. Thus one can be assured of good thoughts, a good life and great wisdom if one were to meditate on Gayathri everyday. In essence our trikarnasuddhi, or the three characteristics of satva, rajo and tamas can be turned to better use if we meditate upon Gayathri at the appropriate time. It is said that on an average, a human being is governed by satva traits from 4 am to 8 am and 4 pm to 8 pm. From 8 am to 4 pm, one is more likely to be under the influence of rajas; from 8 pm to 4 am one is likely to be experiencing tamasic qualities. And since Gayathri is the master of senses and wisdom, it is best to meditate upon her during the Brahmamuhurtam of 4 am to 8 am. This is the reason elders extol the virtue of studying early in the morning to children, and physical trainers often suggest starting the workout regimen during these hours. It is the best time of the day to think of spiritual aspects, meditate or focus the mind on a certain aspect and also be physically active. As Andal says in one of her pasurams, “Sing aloud with your mouth, mediate deeply and pray by showering flowers.” Gayathri is present in all these forms. 

Surya is the adhidevata for Gayathri mantra. He is the energy provider for all life forms on earth, and protecting us along with the Sun God is Gayathri, who is depicted as five-faced and ten armed. Her five faces represent the five elements—air, water, earth, fire and ether, and together with Surya, she endows a devotee with all essential benefits.

The essence of Gayathri mantra is found in the Ramayana. It is said that Vyasa, the compiler of Vedas, summoned Valmiki and instructed him to deconstruct the Vedas so that everyone can follow the essence of those teachings. Valmiki even took the name of Ramayana from the important letters of the names of the four Vedas. He also narrated the entire epic in 24, 000 verses, each numbering a thousand, representing each of the 24 letters in the Gayathri Mantra. Therefore, those who do not know the mantra or lack the time to chant the mantra, can read or hear discourses of the Ramayana. In Kerala and in many other states, the reading of the Ramayana in the month of Aadi, is a common ritual. Children especially will greatly benefit from reciting AdityaHridayam, figuring the Ramayana.