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Super Science of Gayatri

Author: Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya
Translation by: Satya Narayan Pandya, Shambhudas
Revised Edition 2000
Published by: Yugantar Chetna Press Shantikunj, Haridwar, India 249411 email: shantikunj@awgp.org Ph: (91) 1334 260602, 260309 : (91) 1334 260866 : www.awgp.org

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INTRODUCTION

A person can proceed rapidly on the path of soul growth and self-realization through devotion of the Goddess Gayatri the supreme creative energy of the divine. It endows its devotee with true wisdom. A subtle, uninterrupted current of divine energy starts flowing through the inner being of the devotee, cleansing his intellect, mind and emotions of the perverse, perverted and dark thoughts, feelings and desires.

The effect of sincere and steadfast Gayatri Sadhana is swift and miraculous in purifying, harmonizing and steadying the mind and thus establishing unshakable inner peace and a sense of joyfilled calm even in the face of grave trials and tribulations in the outer life of the Sadhak.

Gayatri Sadhana bestows extra-ordinary benefits on the devotees. Many persons have performed Gayatri Sadhana under my guidance and I have myself been a witness to the material and spiritual benefits achieved by them through this Sadhana. The reason is that they get true discriminative wisdom as a divine gift in the light of which all infirmities, complications and difficulties, which make people unhappy, worried and miserable, are solved. Darkness has no independent existence of its own. It is nothing but absence of Light. In the same way, unhappiness is nothing but absence of knowledge. Otherwise, in this orderly creation of God, there is no shadow of sorrow or suffering. God is Sat, Chit, Anand, embodiment of Supreme Truth, Pure, Awareness and Divine Bliss. Human beings suffer because they choose to aimlessly wander in the wilderness of ignorance- forgetting their true identity as Divine sparks. Otherwise, birth in a human body is a great boon, which even the gods covet, because it is the only means through which a soul can attain self-realization, the fount of unalloyed Bliss.

The Sadhana of Gayatri is worship of supreme Knowledge. It is my personal experience and firm belief that those who worship Gayatri will never be lacking in spiritual enlightenment and worldly happiness.

– Shriram Sharma Acharya

CONTENTS

1. The Origin of Vedmata Gayatri 9

2. Activation of Internal Power Centres by Gayatri Sadhana 14

3. Gayatri is Kamdhenu 19

4. Attainment of Divine Wisdom through Gayatri Sadhana 22

5. The Glory of Gayatri 29

6. Paeans of praise for Gayatri 33

7. Spiritual Attainments of Gayatri Sadhaks 38

8. Gayatri Sadhana as eulogised in the Ancient Scriptures 4 2

9. Women’s Right to do Gayatri Sadhana 52

10. Yagyopaveet and Gayatri 58

11. The Meaning of Gayatri Mantra 65

12. Gayatri Dhyan 69

13. Pragya-Yog Sadhana 72

14. Essential Elements of Gayatri Sadhana 78

15. Gayatri Anusthan 86

16. Special Sadhanas for women 9 4

17. Gayatri Sadhana for house–wives 100

18. Gayatri Geeta 103

19. Gayatri Upanishad 112

20. Awakening of Kundalini by Gayatri Sadhana 118

21. Vedhan (Piercing) of Shat Chakras 124

22. Signs of Success in Sadhana 134

23. Siddhis (Divine Powers) should never be misused 138

24. Vam-margi Tantrik Sadhana 143

25. Gayatri Tantra 148

26. Clarrification of controversies and doubts in respect of Gayatri Sadhana 152

27. Gayatri and Yagya 163

28. Distribute this Divine Prasad (Grace) to others 172

29. Foundation of New Era 175

Foreward

Ever Since the beginning of Vedic Era chanting of Gayatri Mantra, Gayatri Sadhana and Yagya have been considered the most potent means of invoking divine energies, latent in the deeper consciousness of human beings, for the refinement, upliftment and wellbeing of individuals as well as the society. However, with the passage of time, especially during the dark medieval ages of feudalism and foreign domination, their came about a general all round decline of ethical, moral and social values. As a result, Vedic rituals, modes of worship and prayer underwent gross distortions at the hands of the priestly class. It was sought to be made out through these perverted interpretations that Gayatri Mantra, Gayatri Sadhana and Yagya were the exclusive prerogatives of the male members of one particular caste, the Brahmans. Women were strictly forbidden to take up Gayatri Sadhana. They pronounced that Gayatri Sadhana, according to the scriptures, was a secret doctrine and the Mantra could not be chanted audibly. Such retrograde orthodoxy and the pomp, pelf and ostentation which was introduced into the modes of worship led to the undermining of faith in Vedic Dharma.

It was against this back-drop that there appeared on the scene a pioneer of spiritual renaissance and the guiding spirit behind the reformation programme for a resurgent society , the seer-saint scholar, Yugrishi Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya.

He was born on September 20, 1911 in village Anwalkheda, District Agra, (U.P.). He was formally initiated into Gayatri Sadhana, at the tender age of eight, by the great nationalist leader, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, the founder of Benaras Hindu University. In 1926, at the age of fifteen, when he was doing Gayatri Mantra Jap in the early hours of the auspicious Vasant Panchami day , the great Himalayan Yogi, Swami Sarveshwaranandaji, who is living in his astral body for the past many centuries, appeared in Acharyaji’s room of worship as an apparition of dazzling light and revealed to the latter glimpses of his three earlier incarnations and the mission of present birth. Intuitively recognising this great Yogi as his divine Guru, Acharyashri totally surrendered himself to him and unquestioningly and scrupulously carried out his biddings throughout his life.

As instructed by the divine Master Acharyashri performed twenty-four Mahapurashcharans (each of 2.4 million recitation of Gayatri Mantra) in twenty-four years in front of an incessantly lit lamp (Akhand Deep), which has been kept so lit ever since and can be seen in Shantikunj in his Sadhanasthali. During this period he strictly observed prescribed devout austerities.

He was actively involved as a freedom fighter, spent sometime at Gandhiji’s Sabarmati Ashram as a volunteer and went to jail a number of times as a political activist. He visited his divine Guru’s retreat in the high Himalayas four times for intensive tapsaya and Sadhana for self-transformation under the master’s direct guidance.

Acharyashri started a monthly magazine “Akhand Jyoti” in Hindi on Vasant Parva, 1937 which has now a circulation of more than 1.5 million in Hindi and various other Indian languages. Besides translations of and commentaries on Vedas, Upnishadas, Smritis, Darshans and Puranas, he wrote four volumes of Pragya Purana, thousands of books and booklets on all aspects of upliftment of human life. Although true evaluation of Acharyaji’s greatness has to be left to the historians, one can have a glimpse of his divine personality by going through the stupendous corpus of his writings which is being published in 108 volumes, titled “Complete Works of Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya”, seventy of these have already been published. The Brahmavarchas Research Institute of Shantikunj, Haridwar is a living testimony to Acharyaji’s pre-eminence as a great teacher, combining in himself the penetrating vision of a seer and a superbly refined intellect of an original scientist.

With a view to accelerating the process of transformation of human consciousness from the astral plane this great worshipper of Gayatri, after leading an illustrious life of 80 years, voluntarily shed his physical sheath on Gayatri Jayanti day on June 2nd, 1990.

A comprehensive treatise on the super-science of Gayatri was written by Acharyashri in Hindi and was published in three volumes (now available in one single volume). An English translation of important chapters of these books was published under the title “ The Great Science and Philosophy of Gayatri” The present volume – “ Super Science of Gayatri” is a thoroughly revised, edited and expanded version of the former book with appropriate additions and corrections. The earlier edition “ The Great Science and Philosophy of Gayatri” contained some errors and omissions as also defects as regards printing and get-up. This book “The Super-Science of Gayatri” contains all which is worth knowing about Gayatri Mantra, Gayatri Sadhana and Gayatri Yagya and it is hoped that by logically establishing co-relationship of science with spirituality in the modern age, it will provide to the aspirant readers unambiguous guidelines, deep inspiration and firm faith in Gayatri Sadhana and fulfill the true purpose of human life.

Guru Poornima Pranav Pandya 16th July 2000

THE ORIGIN OF VEDMATA GAYATRI

Veda means Supreme Knowledge. Rik, Yaju, Sam and Atharva are four branches of knowledge. Spiritual wellbeing and fulfilment, self realization, peace of mind, Brahma-Nirvana, dutifulness, love, Tapas, compassion, beneficence, generosity, service etc., fall under Rigved. Generosity, valour, courage, gallantry, self defence, leadership, fame, victory, power, dignity etc., fall under Yajurved. Samved deals with games, sports, amusement, recreation, music, arts, literature, sensual enjoyment ,beauty, harmony, poetic imagery dynamism, refined taste, gratification etc. Wealth, prosperity, accumulation of money and resources, medicines, food grains, materials, metals, buildings, vehicles, animals and similar other materials of worldly wellbeing fall within the purview of Atharva Veda.

If the subtle and material, internal and external activities and imaginations of any living being are seriously and scientifically examined, it will appear that its entire consciousness moves within these four spheres. The current of knowledge of all living-beings flows only in the four directions of (1) Rik-spiritual wellbeing and fulfilment ,(2) Yaju- valour, (3) Sam- enjoyment, and (4) Atharva- prosperity. Rik is also known as righteousness, Yajur as liberation (Moksha), Sam as sensual pleasure (Kam) and Atharva as prosperity (Arth). These are four faces of Brahma. Brahma has been described four- faced, because although having only one face, there is outflow of four currents of knowledge from his mouth. Although supreme Knowledge or law which is called Veda is one, it manifests in four different aspects. This is the secret behind the four arms of Vishnu. For the spontaneous development of these four aspects, four stages of human life (Ashrams) and four social divisions (Varnas) have been formed. Childhood is the stage of playfulness and self development; youth of raising a family and earning money, Vanprastha of virility, and Sanyas of doing wel

Super Science of Gayatri fare activities. According to this four-fold division, Brahman is Rik, Kshatriya is Yaju, Vaishya is Atharva and Shudra is Sam.

These four kinds of knowledge are off-shoots of that creative consciousness of Brahma which has been described in the ancient scriptures by the name of Gayatri. Thus, Gayatri is mother of four Vedas and it is, therefore, called Vedmata. Just as water manifests in four different forms of ice, vapour (cloud, dew, fog etc.), air (hydrogen, oxygen) and liquid, and fire manifests in the forms of burning, heat, light and movement, so also Gayatri manifests in the form of four Vedas, four kinds of knowledge. Gayatri is the mother and four Vedas her progeny.

This much about the subtle form of Vedmata Gayatri. Now let us consider its gross form. Before creating the four Vedas, Brahma created Gayatri Mantra consisting of twenty-four letters. Every letter of this Mantra is instinct with a superbly refined subtle conscious energy field from which have emanated the four Vedas and their branches and sub branches. A great banyan tree lies hidden in the interior of each of its seeds which, when it sprouts and develops into a tree, gets embellished with innumerable twigs, branches, leaves, flowers and fruits. As is the growth of a tiny seed in a tree several thousand million times bigger than its origin, so have the twenty four letters of Gayatri bloomed and manifested themselves in the stupendous, all-encom-passing Vedic literature.

The origin of Grammar lies in the fourteen sounds produced by Shiva’s Damru (musical percussion instrument). Mahadeva, once in ecstasy, played his favourite instrument Damru which produced fourteen sounds. Panini, the celebrated pioneering Grammarian of ancient India, created his great grammatical treatise on the basis of these fourteen sounds. Since then, its interpretations and elaborations have assumed so huge a form that they can constitute a library of grammatical literature. Similarly, the twenty-four letters of Gayatri Mantra have manifested in each and every branch and sub-branch of Vedic literature. Gayatri is the Primordial Word and Vedic Richas its detailed interpretations.

Manifestation of Gayatri by Brahma

Brahma is the supreme divine Creator of all. No sooner did the urge of creation arise in Brahma, a vibration was created which is known as Shakti (energy or power). This Shakti manifested as Jad (inanimate) and chetan (animate) objects and creatures. The inanimate creation is governed by material nature (Prakriti) and animate creation is governed by chitta Shakti which is known as Savitri.

It has been described in the scriptures that in the beginning of the creation a lotus flower rose up from Vishnu’s navel. Brahma the creator originated from this lotus flower. From Brahma, Savitri was created and through the union of Brahma and Savitri, all the four Vedas came into existence. Knowledge of all kinds originated from the Vedas and thereafter, Brahma created this material world comprised of the five basic elements. The secret behind this allegorical description is that from the interior or centre of the Uninvolved, Invariable, Absolute Divine Being, a lotus flower came into existence. According to the scriptures, in the beginning of the creation, the Supreme Absolute willed to get Himself multiplied, “Ekoham Bahusyam.” This willed vibration arose from the focal point and blossomed in the form of a lotus flower.

Brahma, who is said to be born of lotus flower is one of the three basic manifestations of the Absolute Divinity-Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh symbolising creation, nurture and dissolution respectively. The first born of the triple divinity had to be Brahma, the creator, as creation precedes nurture and dissolution.

Brahma started his work and created two kinds of creation, Chaitanya (animate) and Jad (inanimate). All living beings having desire, consciousness and ego fall under Chaitanya creation. This is an independent creation which is known as Pranmaya-kosh of the

Super Science of Gayatri universe. Chaitanya (animate) element pervades the entire universe and is known as Pran. Ideas, will and emotions are three attributes of Pran-tatva which constitute the three coverings (bodies) of the soul

-astral (Sukshma), causal (Karan) and physical (Sthool). All living-beings owe their consciousness and existence to this Pran-tatva.

For creating Jad (inanimate) creation comprising matter, Brahma created five elements (Panchbhoot) viz. earth, water, air, fire and ether. The atoms of the entire material nature manifest as solid, liquid or gas. This vast expanse of nature in the form of rivers, mountains, earth etc. is the play of atoms of these five elements. Physical bodies of all living beings are also constituted by these five elements of nature.

There is activity in both these creations. In Chaitanya creation it is seen in various activities in the form of ego, determination and inspiration. In Jad creation, the form, colour, shape etc. of different objects are formed and dissolved on the basis of the vibrating energy. The basis of Jad creation is atom and of Chaitanya creation, conscious will. Both these bases are superbly subtle and powerful. They are indestructible and they simply change their forms.

In the emergence of Jad and Chaitan creations, Brahma’s powers of Chetna (consciousness) and Padarth (matter) are functioning. Initially, need was felt for the power of will as, without it Chaitanya could not manifest. In the absence of Chaitanya energy, none could have knowledge about matter and it would have remained without any use. The utility of matter is for the convenience of manifestation of Chaitanya. Therefore, Brahma initially created Chaitanya and discovered will for knowledge. In Puranic language it can be said that Vedas or knowledge manifested first of all. The energies of conscious will (Sankalpa) and matter (Padarth) are the two arms of Brahma by which the work of creation is accomplished. Since the former is animate (Chaitan), it is also described as Brahma’s wife.

Gayatri – The Source of Occult Powers

A devotee who attains the harmonized and transformed currents of Sat, Raj and Tam of Adya-Shakti Gayatri can easily get spiritual, mental and worldly happiness. The powers of Saraswati, Lakshyami and Kali are different. (1) Yogis, spiritual seekers, philosophers, devotees, philanthropists and those who have realized the Self adore the ‘Hreem’ aspect of the Divine Mother Saraswati; (2) Intellectuals, religious preachers, social reformers, businessmen, labourers, industrialists, socialists, communists etc. are all engaged in search of ‘Shreem’ power of Lakshyami; (3) Physical scientists are engaged in the investigation and worship of ‘Kleem’ element of Kali. All these three categories of seekers are worshippers of one single emanation of Adya-Shakti Gayatri. This Triveni fulfils all the three aspirations, namely: spiritual, mental and physical. Mother does all the work of her child. She discharges the functions of a sweeper, cook, servant, tailor, washer-woman, watch-woman as and when necessary. Those who are able to establish spiritual communion with Adya Shakti, receive celestial boons from the Omnipotent Divine Mother and are Her ideal children.

The root cause of all human suffering in the world is ignorance, infirmity and lack. These three kinds of suffering can be removed by invoking the triple currents of the occult powers of Gayatri. Hreem removes ignorance, Shreem removes lack and Kleem removes infirmity. This super science of acquiring the most coveted bliss which was discovered by the Indian mystics and Yogis, is their greatest gift to humanity. This discovery is known as Sadhana. Sadhana leads to Siddhis (divine powers). Gayatri-Sadhana is the fount of miraculous divine powers.

ACTIVATION OF INTERNAL POWER CENTRES BY GAYATRI SADHANA

The masters of Mantra-Vidya know that words are uttered by different parts of the mouth such as, throat (larynx), tongue, teeth, lips and the root of the tongue. During speech, the nerve-fibres of the particular parts of the mouth from which sound emits stretch upto different parts of the body and put pressure on the corresponding glands. If particular glands of the person concerned are diseased or dysfunctional he starts stammering while uttering the specific words. There are many large and small, visible and invisible glands in the body. Yogis know that some specific energies lie hidden in these glands, Shat-Chakras (six energy centre) related to the Sushumana are quite well-known but there are several other such glands in the body. The utterance of different words has its impact on different glands and by such impact the energy of these glands gets stimulated. Mantras have been composed on this basis. There are twenty-four letters in Gayatri-Mantra which are related to twenty-four such glands located in the body which, on getting stimulated, activate and awaken the powers of righteous wisdom. By uttering Gayatri Mantra the sitar of the subtle (Sookshma) body of the Sadhak starts playing, tinkling at twenty-four points, creating sound waves which impact important elements of the invisible world. It is this impact which becomes more and more pronounced and tangible through Gayatri Sadhana.

The flow of sound of these twenty-four letters of the Maha Mantra is of deep significance. The experts of the science of sound know the powers hidden in sound and the results which can be achieved by its subtle vibrations. Sound is synonymous with Brahma. It is Brahma from whom the original first creative vibration issues forth resulting in seven-time chanting of OM. Just as the pendulum of a clock keeps on moving by swinging to and fro, in the same way the sound waves of Super Science of Gayatri Om create vibrations which regulate this creation. Later, three main waves of Sat, Raj and Tam relating to Hreem, Shreem and Kleem elements respectively flow in this current. It is further divided into branches and sub-branches which are known as Beej-Mantras. The letters, words and clauses of Gayatri Mantra have been seen by a seer vision and emanate from the unified field of creative energy, arranged in a specific and special sequence and inter-relationship. Chanted with sincere devotion, they plug the sadhak’s soul into the supreme and inexhaustible fount of spiritual energy.

Singing of Deepak-rag lights up extinguished lamps. It starts raining when megh-malhar tune is sung. The melody created by playing flute makes the snakes wave their hoods in synchronicity, deer gets swooned and cows start yielding more milk. The warbling of cuckoo incites passion. Even strong iron bridges may collapse by the sound created by the in-step, coordinated and rhythmic marching of a troop soldiers. The army is, therefore, forbidden to march rhythmically, in-step, while crossing a bridge. Dr. Hutchinson of America has achieved success and fame in curing several patients suffering from incurable and painful diseases by different musical sounds. In India, Tantriks keep a Thali (large metallic plate) on a pot and play it in a special rhythm and are capable of curing persons bitten by poisonous snakes, scorpions etc. and those suffering from thyroid goitre, Vishvel (poisonous creeper), ghosts, mania etc. The vibrations of a specific sound spread in the ether and attract atoms of similar type and return to their origin within few moments, duly charged with appropriate energy which exercises curative impact in the appropriate area. This is how Mantras accomplish miraculous effects. The chanting of Gayatri Mantra activates the network of nerves in the mouth and stimulates specific glands. No sooner do they get stimulated, a Vedic symphony is created which spreads in the ether, takes a round of the entire universe, coming back to the source with its energy augmented manifold, capable of fulfilling the desired purpose. Gayatri Sadhana, thus, becomes a spiritual as well as a material boon for the Sadhak.

Super Science of Gayatri The factor which makes Gayatri Mantra extremely potent is the sadhak’s confidence coupled with faith. Psychologists are well acquainted with the power of self confidence. Instances have been cited in several of my books and articles to prove that only on account of imaginary fear people met untimely death and persons who were almost dead got new life on account of faith and confidence. Tulsidas has in his Ramayan compared faith and confidence to Bhawani and Shankar and stated, “Bhawani Shankaro vande shraddha vishvas rupino.” It is faith which has the power to turn a bush into a ghost, a rope into a snake and an idol into God. There are people who happily sacrifice money, comfort and even life for defending one’s faith and conviction. Eklavya, Kabeer etc. are examples of persons who acquired Knowledge not directly from their masters, Gurus, but by dint of their unflinching faith in them. The basis of hypnotism is to get the desired work done by the subject just by infusing faith in him in the words of the physician. The Mantra of the Tantrik works miraculously on the patient only if he has deep faith in it. A Sadhak devoid of faith may utter that Tantrik Mantra hundreds of times but it will not have any effect. This fact applies to Gayatri Mantra also. When the Sadhak takes up Sadhana with faith and confidence Gayatri Mantra becomes much more effective and proves to be extra-ordinarily powerful due to the combined effect of faith and the Mantra’s own instrinsic spiritual energy.

It is shown in the sketch , which particular letter of Gayatri is related to which part of the body. The details are given in the following chart :

No. Letter ”(Gland) Granthi Involved” Energy

1 tat Tapini success
2 sa Saphalta bravery (Parakram)
3 vi Vishwa maintenance (Palan)
4 tur Tushti wellbeing (Kalyan)
5 va varda Yog
6 re revati love (prem)
7 ni Sookshma money
8 yam gyana brilliance (tej)
9 bhar bharga defence (raksha)
10 go gomati intellect (buddhi)
11 de devika suppression (daman)
12 va varahi devotion (nistha)
13 sya sinhani dharna (power of retention)
14 dhee dhyan Pran (life-breath)
15 ma maryada self-restraint (sanyam)
16 hi sfuta tap
17 dhi medha far-sightedness
18 yo yogmaya jagriti (awakening)
19 yo yogini production
20 naha dharini sarasta (sweetness)
21 pra prabhava ideal
22 cho ooshma courage
23 da drashya wisdom (vivek)
24 yat niranjan sewa (service)

Gayatri activates the above-mentioned twenty-four divine qualities in the devotee. With their growth, varied accomplishments (Siddhis) and prosperity start manifesting in the life of the devotees. Most of the people think that some god or goddess is bestowing these gifts because they are unable to see and understand the working of these subtle divine energies and the transformations flowing therefrom. Once they understand that transformations are taking place as a result of their own Sadhana they would realise that it is not by way of some unexpected gift from somewhere but is the result of a well organized scientific process of spiritual growth. Gayatri Sadhana is not based on blind faith but has a solid scientific basis.

GAYATRI IS KAMDHENU

Kamdhenu is believed to be the heavenly cow which gives nectarlike milk. It is said that gods drink it and always remain in a state of self-satisfaction, happiness and abundance. The speciality of Kamdhenu is that the desire of a person approaching it is instantly fulfilled. Like Kalpa-vriksha, (heavenly tree) Kamdhenu, too, fulfils the desires of those who approach it with pragya and devotion.

Kamdhenu is another name of Gayatri. Devata means a person who possesses divine nature. If a person having divine nature worships this great power, he drinks spiritual milk from the breasts of the Divine Mother. He is saved from all botherations. The basic nature and characteristic of the individual soul is happiness. Its main attribute is to remain bathed in eternal bliss. No sooner does it get rid of ignorance-induced pain and suffering it regains its original nature. Gods in heaven always remain happy. Man can also remain happy in the same manner on this earth if causes of his suffering are removed. Kamdhenu Gayatri removes all the sufferings of her devotees.

Deliverance from Suffering of Three Kinds

The causes of all suffering are (1) ignorance, (2) infirmity and (3) inadequacy. A person becomes happy to the extent he is able to remove these causes of suffering from within him.

The outlook of a person about the world gets vitiated on account of ignorance. Being ignorant of his true identity he gets entangled in a false sense of identity with the transient phenomena and becomes unhappy. The feelings of selfishness, self-indulgence, greed, ego, nar-row-mindedness and anger deflect a man from his duty. He abandons far-sightedness, hankers after money, materials, false name and fame – which are all transient and chimerical. Thus he strays away more and more from his true self which is the spark of the Divine. This separation from the Source is the original sin. Sin automatically results in suffering. On account of ignorance he is unable to understand the basic purpose of his life in this world. Consequently, his hopes, cravings and imaginations know no end. On account of such a perverted outlook normal ups and downs of life make him laugh, cry and weep. Death of a relative, differences in the tastes and temperament of colleagues, ups and downs and fluctuations in circumstances are all natural but the ignorant man insists that what he wants must always happen and he should never be required to face adverse circumstances. When this does not happen as per his fancies and events unfold contrary to his wishes, he weeps and cries. Thus, ignorance leads to innumerable sufferings.

Infirmity means weakness. A man is unable to enjoy his natural basic rights on account of his physical, mental, social, intellectual and spiritual infirmities. Delicious dishes, beautiful damsels, sweet music, beautiful scenery have absolutely no meaning for a diseased person. He cannot enjoy money and wealth. How can one enjoy the joys of studying literature, poetry, philosophy etc. if he is intellectually bankrupt ? Love, devotion, company of righteous persons and spiritual bliss can hardly be enjoyed by a person who is spiritually bankrupt. Nature’s law of survival of the fittest works in eliminating the weak. The weak are always harassed and eliminated. Even positive, factors become quite unfavourable to such a man. Winter season which adds to the strength and vigour of strong persons and to the pleasures of an humorist becomes the cause for catching pneumonia, gout, rheumatism to a person of weak constitution. Factors which are debilitating for the weak prove invigorating for the strong. Even mighty emperors feel proud in adopting the figure of a roaring lion as the state emblem of their kingdom while the weak bleating goat is killed by wild animals or is sacrificed before the idol of Bhawani. The Infirm, thus, always suffer and even favourable factors do not prove helpful to them.

Materials security is yet another cause for human suffering. Difficulties of several kinds have to be faced on account of scarcity of food, clothing, water, housing, cattle, land, companions, friends, money, medicines, books, weapons, teachers etc. and a person has to curtail his legitimate needs, suppress his feelings and waste his precious life. Even capable and competent persons feel themselves crippled beaten down for want of material resources.

Gayatri is Kamdhenu

One who sincerely invokes, adores and worships Gayatri, enjoys pleasures similar to the ones a child feels while sucking nectarlike milk of his mother’s breasts. He gets rid of suffering created by ignorance, infirmity and scarcity and all his righteous desires are fulfilled.

Gayatri is Kalpa Vraksha

It is said that there is a Kalpa Vraksha in heaven and a person sitting underneath it gets whatever he wants. All his desires are instantly fulfilled. One can imagine how happy shall a person be who possesses such a Kalpa-vraksha. There is such a Kalpa-Vraksha on this earth also which again is known as Gayatri. By outward appearance it is a string of twentyfour letters or nine words but by deep contemplation it will be found that every letter and word of this Mantra incorporates in it the keys to the fulfilment of all righteous desires of a man.

Gayatri is not only one of the numerous gods or goddesses. It is the original creative energy of the Absolute Brahma, which is transcendent, In incomprehensible and beyond the cosmos. The words Gayatriupasna carry the same meaning as Ishwar-bhakti ,Ishwar-upasana, Brahma-Sadhana, Atma-sakshatkar, Brahma-darshan, prabhuparayanta etc.Gayatri-Sadhana is, in fact, exemplary yet easiest way of worship. Those who tread this path pass joyously through life and ultimately reach the ultimate goal of God-realization. Absolute Brahma and Gayatri are, in fact, Two-in-One.

ATTAINMENT OF DIVINE WISDOM THROUGH GAYATRI SADHANA

Gayatri is the mantra which imparts true wisdom. It inspires the mind, intellect inner psyche and emotions of the devotee towards the righteous path. Its Sadhana helps in progressive growth of righteous (sat) elements. When the Sadhak concentrates on the meaning of this mantra he realises that the supreme prosperity and the greatest success in life is to attain true wisdom. When he gets fully convinced about the true aim of life, he single-minded starts his self-effort towards this goal. This aspiration creates an ever expanding vibrations in the universal realm which attracts and assimilates waves of righteous thoughts, emotions and inspirations pervading the subtle atmosphere. The magnetic power of thoughts is well-known. Thoughts attract thoughts of similar kind scattered in the mental universe with the result that powerful eternal thoughts and spiritual attainments of living and past illumined persons start accumulating spontaneously within the Sadhak as a divine boon and his accumulated capital of such thoughts goes on increasing.

The effect of this influx of righteousness (satogun) in the body and mind is amazing. This is not visible to the naked eye nor can it be understood from purely physical point of view. But those who are endowed with the occult knowledge of the working of the inner being know it well that decrease in the elements of tam and raj and increase in sat is almost similar to the steady process of elimination of disease producing toxins, viruses and germs from the body and replacing them with health-giving rejuvenating cells. True, the process will not be instantly visible, but there can be no doubt that it will have miraculous effects on health in due course. Rejuvenation of body is a scientifically proved phenomenon. Whether this benefit is a divine gift or it is due to human efforts is a matter on which opinion may differ but it is certain that Gayatri Sadhana increases virtues in the inner psyche of the Sadhak and simultaneously throws out the vices and impurities. This results in internal transformation of the Sadhak. There is no use in entering into the controversy whether the advantage accrued is an individual attainment or a divine boon. No work, whatsoever, can be accomplished without the grace of God and so it may be said that all that happens is due to Divine grace.

With increase in sat element in the body there is significant change in physical activities. The constant turbulence of sense organs steadily calms down. Bad habits like greediness for delicious dishes; craving for eating articles of different tastes; desire to eat more and repeatedly, irrespective of any consideration whether what is being eaten is eatable or not; dislike for satvik foods and liking for pungent, spicy, sweet, gross, indigestible items of food are gradually reversed. The Sadhak develops liking for light, easily digestible, juicy simple foods and shuns luxurious, tamsik food. Like-wise, sexual urge is restrained and moderated on account of righteous thoughts and the mind hardly gets an opportunity to get engrossed in passion, debauchery and intense sexual desire. Faith is developed in observance of brahmachrya which helps in increasing vitality. Sex and taste are the two main sensual urges which on being controlled can promote preservation of health and physical wellbeing. Coupled with these restraints, other daily routines like physical work, sleep, awakening, cleanliness, simplicity etc. also get regulated with the growth of satogun. Such a pious way of life automatically leads to vibrant health and longevity.

In the mental sphere, with the development of virtues, vices like passion, anger, greed, attachment, pride, jealousy, selfishness, laziness, intoxication, lewdness, deception, falsehood, pretence, worry, fear, sorrow etc. get reduced and with their reduction virtues like self-re-straint, regularity, sacrifice, equality, humility simplicity, straight-for-wardness, truthfulness, fearlessness, carefulness, valour, wisdom, courage, patience, compassion, love, service, generosity, dutifulness, devoutness etc. start developing in the Sadhak. The result of this inner transformation is that the Sadhak acquires the wisdom and strength to meet with equanimity routine challenges and setbacks of daily life. Physical ailments are averted on account of exercising self-control over sense organs and maintaining regularity. Wit the awakening of the power of discrimination, one gets rid of worries, sorrows, fear, apprehension, attachment, loss etc., which are all created due to ignorance. On account of faith in God, the intellect remains unperturbed and the Sadhak remains care-free about his future. Other people are also benefited by the sadhak’s virtues like service-mindedness, politeness, generosity, philanthropy, honesty, benevolence etc. and there is no apprehension of any harm being done to anybody by him. The result is that out of gratitude for his unconditional service people become his admirers, friends and defenders. On account of this mutual goodwill, life becomes exceedingly blissful. Thus, with the increase in the element of righteousness (satva) in the physical as well as mental sphere a current of divine bliss overflows and Gayatri Sadhak remains always immersed in it.

Man being an integral part of Divinity, all divine powers are hidden in the human soul in seed form. These powers remain dormant under the debris of mental agitation , sensual peversions, defects and vices in the form of ignorance. People think that they are poor, miserable, insignificant and infirm, but the sadhaks who are able to sweep away this debris from within themselves are able to have a glimpse of the pure light of the inner self. They know that the light of the Omnipotent Supreme Divine is present within their own soul and they are its true inheritors. As soon as the ash covering live coal is removed, red-hot flame of blazing fire is revealed. This live coal, although small in size, has the potentiality of causing devastating conflagration. With the unveiling of this curtain an insignificant man becomes a great man. Human soul is a storehouse of supreme knowledge, wisdom and extraordinary powers. By their unfoldment a Sadhak becomes a siddha-Yogi. Nothing is required to be brought from outside nor does it require the grace of some god or demon to attain Siddhis. What is needed is simply to remove the dense and dark covering which envelops the inner light. The sun of righteous Sadhana of Gayatri removes the clouds of ignorance and the resplendent divine light of the soul is manifested. This is instinct with all divine powers, riddhis-Siddhis.

The development of righteousness through Gayatri Sadhana gives birth to numerous kinds of spiritual and material prosperity. The purification of the body and mind makes worldly life happy and peaceful. With the growth of prudence and spiritual power several difficulties which appear to others to be daunting like a steep mountain top become as simple and light as a straw. The Sadhak finds no insurmountable hindrance in accomplishment of any work. Either circumstances change according to his will or he adjusts and changes his desires to the circumstances. Suffering is due to conflict between desire and unfavourable circumstances. A prudent person is always resilient and avoids conflict and thus leads a happy life. For him the Ganga of divine bliss flows on this earth.

In fact, the basis of happiness is not external material resources or circumstances but man’s own attitude. A man whom once even rich delicious dishes and thick silken cushions and pillows did not satisfy considers plain ground in the forest to be an ideal bed and edible roots and wild fruits as best food, when, under the advice and guidance of an illumined person, he tames his wayward mind and takes a vow of leading an austere life. Gayatri is the goddess of supreme wisdom and we seek wisdom from Her. There is thus nothing impossible if as a result of Gayatri Sadhana the quality of our thinking is elevated and by understanding the true aim of human life we start enjoying life in whatever circumstances we are placed.

Since long I have been trying to popularise Gayatri Sadhana and so I am acquainted with several sadhaks. Thousands of persons have received guidance and inspiration from me in this direction. Those who have followed this path firmly and single-mindedly have been richly benefited and they regard it a boon given to them by Divine Mother Gayatri. They do not subscribe to the scientific rationale that the miraculous looking boons are the reward of their own self-effort. They ascribe them to the Divine Mother,s grace. Thus their egos are subdued. This attitude is quite appropriate. There should be intense love, gratefulness and complete identification with our chosen deity to increase our faith and devotion. Even though the benefits which Gayatri Sadhana provides are the result of an exact scientific method, it is necessary to have feelings of deep gratitude and devotion to the Divine Mother , whose manifestation in creation each soul is.

Rejuvenation of life

Gayatri mantra rejuvenates a person spiritually. As soon as a person starts Gayatri Sadhana he feels a new vibrancy surging within himself. With the increase in the element of righteousness, vices, evil thoughts, evil tendencies, malice, avarice etc. start decreasing and virtues like self-restraint, politeness, sweetness, honesty, truthfulness, generosity, love, contentment, peace, service-mindedness, warmth start increasing day by day. The result is that people are positively impressed by his sweet nature and conduct and entertain feelings of praise, gratefulness, faith and respect for him and gladly extend to him all the help that they can. Besides, these virtues in themselves are so uplifting that a person possessing them always feels self-contentment and perpetual peace.

An extra-ordinary change takes place in the general attitude of a Gayatri Sadhak. On account of development of prudence, true knowledge and ritambhara intellect, suffering due to ignorance are eliminated. Everybody has to face difficult circumstances due to destiny and as an essential outcome of his own deeds. Whereas, an ignorant and unrefined person feels suffocating pain and suffering on account of loss, bereavement, disease, violence, opposition, shock etc., a Gayatri Sadhak endowed with spiritual discernment and faith meets these adversities with perfect equanimity. He remains in blissful peace even in adversity.

Besides worldly benefits, a Gayatri Sadhak acquires spiritual gifts. Several persons entangled in great difficulties like disease, weakness, unemployment, family quarrels, litigation, violence, absence of conjugal happiness, instability and weakness of mind, daughter’s marriage, apprehension about the future, fear of not getting success in examination, bondage to evil habits, etc. have been able to overcome such challenges by Gayatri Sadhana.

At the root of all difficulties lie some attitudinal flaws. With the growth of virtues there is change in one’s food, habits, daily routine, outlook and nature. This change becomes the key for removing such flaws and establishing happiness and peace. Many a times our desires, cravings and passions are such that they are not in keeping with our worth and circumstances. With purification of mind a prudent man abandons delusions and stops becoming needlessly unhappy. Ordinary people weep and cry when they face calamity due to unavoidable destiny but a Gayatri Sadhak, on account of his increased spiritual awareness, faces them calmly.

Gayatri Sadhana is also performed for averting a particular crisis and fulfilling specific needs. The results are often astonishing. It has been observed that where utter darkness, failure, apprehension and fear prevailed, a divine light emerged, hopelessness was transformed into hopefulness and difficult tasks became easy by the grace of Vedmata. Having seen several such instances with my own eyes, it has become my firm belief that Gayatri Sadhana in never in vain.

Gayatri Sadhana is a sure spiritual technique for developing latent spiritual powers. Many people practise wrestling and do physical exercise to win a wrestling bout. If per chance a person loses a wrestling bout it should not be considered that his efforts have been wasted. Such a practice strengthens his physique and he gets its advantage throughout his life. Good health, vibrancy, longevity, capacity to do hard work, marital happiness, good progeny, fearlessness from enemies and similar other advantages are in no way inferior to winning a wrestling bout. If due to destiny a specific purpose is not fulfilled by Sadhana it is certain that immense advantage has accrued to the Sadhak in terms of his inner soul growth.

Super Science of Gayatri Soul is the respository of countless divine powers (riddhis-Siddhis). The immortal soul, which is the prince of Omnipotent God-head, possesses all His divine powers. But, just as a live charcoal covered with ash becomes dimmed so also, due to internal impurities, the light of the soul becomes dimmed. By Gayatri Sadhana the dark dense covering of impurities gets removed and the soul of the Sadhak manifests with divine powers (riddhis-Siddhis) and shines brilliantly with Brahmatej. A Gayatri Sadhak attains high goals with little effort, which the Yogis attain with difficult prolonged tapasya.

This effect of Gayatri Sadhana is seen from time to time even in the present day. During the last fifty or hundred years, hundreds of persons have achieved wonderful results by Gayatri Sadhana and have made their lives so elevated, that thousands of people have received inspiration from them. Gayatri Sadhana has the capacity of uplifting the soul to great spiritual heights.

In the ancient times, eminent seers had undergone great penance and performed yog-Sadhana and had achieved riddhi-Siddhis like anima, mahima etc., the basis of which was Gayatri Sadhana. Ancient scriptures are full of descriptions of miraculous powers which they possessed. Such illumined souls are present even today and they are of the view that there is no other as sure and easy a way of achieving success in yog-marg as Gayatri Sadhana. All the emperors of Suryavansh and Chandravansh were worshippers of Gayatri. By virtue of this divine power, brahmans were called Jagatgurus and kshatriyas as emperors. This is an eternal truth and is as effective now as it was in the past. No one who takes refuge in Gayatri Mata with devotion is ever disappointed.

THE GLORY OF GAYATRI

It is difficult to fathom the root cause of the astonishing demonstrations of Gayatri Sadhana. Right from Brahma, the Creator of this universe, down to the present era, all the rishis, saints, spiritual seers and seekers have demonstrated the beneficent effects of the chanting of Gayatri mantra. No other mantra has been worshipped and chanted as much as Gayatri Mantra. Since ages highly elevated souls have been practising Gayatri Sadhana. Thus, a huge mass of highly elevated spiritual energy has been accumulated in subtle celestial spheres (loks) enveloping the earth.

It is a scientific truth that no sound or idea ever perishes. Whatever is uttered or thought today will spread in the space along with its waves and will remain there till infinity in some state or the other. Waves which are most powerful remain specifically alive. Scientists are trying to catch waves set in motion during the Mahabharat battle and those of the music of Tansen. If they succeed, we will be able to listen to sounds of important conversations which took place in ancient times. It will then be possible to listen Geeta directly emanating from the mouth of Lord Krishna. Although, it may not be possible to transform sounds and thoughts into material forms in near future, it is certain that they do not vanish into nothingness. The faith and devotion towards Gayatri which have been nourished by countless persons still exist with all their potentialities in the subtle realm. According to the principle of convergence of all homogeneous elements at one point, the faith, devotion, sentiments and devout austerity of all the devotees have combined to contribute to the accumulation of a huge store of conscious spiritual energy.

Those who are acquainted a little with the science of thinking know that a magnetic field of the type in which a person thinks is created in his mind. This magnetism attracts thoughts of similar nature permeating the entire space and in a short time there is a vast accumulation of similar kinds of thoughts. Persons who think about gentlemanliness become more and more charged with righteous thoughts, virtues, tendencies and nature. In the same way a sinful mind becomes all the more so in a short time. All this happens according to the science of attraction of identical thoughts, according to which thoughts of all divine souls who were devotees of Gayatri right from the beginning of this creation get inter-linked. It is difficult even for a strong man to climb over a high wall but if a ladder or a stair-case is provided, anybody can climb over it easily. With the help of the stair-case built by the devotees of Gayatri in the past we can easily attain the fruits of Gayatri Sadhana .

We get enriched suddenly and spontaneously with all the boons of Gayatri Sadhana for which great seekers in the past had put in extremely hard labour. By these past Sadhanas powerful energy fields have been created in the subtle spheres by tuning into which we can march ahead with great speed. A drop of water, when it falls in the ocean, becomes the ocean itself. A person recruited in the army becomes part and parcel of the army. In the same way, a Sadhak who gets linked with the accumulated power of Gayatri derives all its benefits. No other Ved-Mantra possesses so much radiant and puissant energy as Gayatri Mantra. It is for this reason that immense benefits are obtained through Gayatri Sadhana with the least effort.

Even then we find that most of the people do no take advantage of it although they know its importance. A person may have ample money in his possession but if he does not use it and enjoy it, it can only be considered his misfortune. Gayatri is divine knowledge which has been made available by God to us. Rishis and saints have been directing us at every step in the scriptures to take advantage of Gayatri Sadhana. Yet, if we do not perform Sadhana and get its benefit, it our misfortune and nothing else.

Gayatri is Spiritual Triveni

Some instances about the importance of Gayatri have been furnished in the fore-going pages. It is difficult to consolidate and publish all of them. Ganga, Geeta, Gau (cow) and Gayatri, these four are pillars of Indian culture. Every person who believes in Hindu religion reveres them like Mother and feels a special sense of mutual bonding with all others with similar faith.

Gayatri has been called spiritual Triveni. The confluence of Ganga and Yamuna creates an invisible, subtle, divine river which is known as Saraswati and the confluence of these three is known as Triveni. On account of this Triveni, Prayag is called king of all the Teerths. In the same way Gayatri is Triveni of the spiritual world. Its first letter ‘ga’ is suggestive of Ganga, second letter ‘ya’ of Yamuna and third letter ‘tri’ of Triveni. Several trios viz. (1) Sat, Chit, Anand, (2) Satyam (truth), Shivam, Sundaram (beauty) (3) Sat, Raj, Tam, (4) Ishwar (God) Jeev (soul) Prakriti (quality), (5) Rik, Yaju, Sam (6) Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya (7) Gun (virtue), Karma (action), Swabhav (nature), (8) Shaishav (childhood), Yauvan (youth), Budhapa (old age), (9) Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, (10) Utpatti (creation), Vridhi (growth), Nash (destruction) (11) Sardi (winter), Garmi (summer) Varsha (rainy season) (12) Dharma (righteousness), Arth (wealth), Kam (sensual enjoyment), (13) Akash (space), Patal (nether-most world), Prithvi (earth), (14) Dev (God), Manushya (man), Asur (demon) etc. are interwoven and lie embedded in Gayatri chand. One who observes deeply by meditation and contemplation, these trinities gets the same spiritual merit as one gets in the material world by taking a dip in Triveni. These various trios represent various kinds of problems which the Sadhak is required to face and by solving which he attains the ultimate goal of self-realisa-tion.

The three currents of Triveni appear to be vast, deep and daunting. In the same way, Gayatri Sadhana appears to be very difficult. But just as fear disappears and tranquilizing cheerfulness is attained by taking a dip in Triveni, so also by thinking, contemplating and probing deep into various aspects of Gayatri Sadhana a person attains such spiritual insight which inspires him to follow righteous path and ultimately leads him to eternal peace and bliss. Gayatri, undoubtedly, is spiritual Triveni, it is teerathraj because the philosophy underlying it is easy, simple, and intelligible and it leads to perennial happiness.

The importance and glory of Gayatri is infinite. Ved, puran, shastras, history, rishis, saints, house-holders all acknowledge its importance. It has a marvellous power of changing our outlook towards life. If our perverted thinking and mental back-ground are set right, our desires, aspirations, thoughts and sentiments get refined, we can rise higher than even the gods. Gayatri Sadhana can emancipate us from bondage to hellish perversions, of envy, hatred, malice, ill will etc, thus manifesting in our lives the Divine attributes of Satyam, Shivam and Sundram.

Tripada Gayatri

Gayatri has three phases and so it is called tripada. It is also called tripada because it is Vedmata, Devmata and Vishwamata. Vedas have originated from Gayatri mantra and so it is known as Vedmata. It is Devmata because it helps in manifestation of divine virtues (gun), actions (karma) and nature (swabhav). It gives inspiration for establishment of universal family “Vasudhaiva kutumbakam” and so it is known as Vishwamata. It enjoins to regard every human being as one’s own self. It advocates lofty thinking, ideal character and polite behaviour. It is known as Guru-mantra which means that of all the Mantras, it is the best and supreme. Gayatri Mantra was the first lesson to be taught in the schools in the ancient times and students were explained that the purpose of education is to attain spiritual wisdom. It directs cultivation of human dignity and observance of self-imposed rules and regulations. Education and learning are meaningful only if these factors are kept in view. The letters of Gayatri mantra are interwoven in such a manner that by their utterance special vibrations are created and the secret subtle centres of energy within the Sadhak get activated and awakened, manifesting their paranormal potencies.

PAEANS OF PRAISE FOR GAYATRI

Several concepts are prevalent in the Hindu religion and there are controversies and conflicting opinions also in respect of some of them. But all the sects, saints and rishis have accepted the pre-eminence of Gayatri mantra with one voice.

Atharva Ved incorporates a prayer (19-1-71) in praise of Gayatri stating that it grants longevity, energy, power, fame, wealth and divine brilliance (Brahma-tej).

According to Vishwamitra, there is no other mantra like Gayatri mantra in all the four Vedas. All the Vedas, Yagya, charity, tap (devout austerity) are not equivalent even to a small portion of potency of Gayatri mantra.

Manu says that “Gayatri mantra having three phases was conceiVed by Brahma as the essence of three Vedas. There is no more purifying mantra than Gayatri mantra. A person doing Gayatri tap regularly for three years realises God. A dwij (twice-born person known as Brahman) who meditates on Gayatri mantra in the morning and evening gets the benefit of reciting all the Vedas. Such a person can attain divine powers (Siddhis) by Gayatri jap alone. Those who perform Jap of this mantra a thousand times daily get rid of the ill-effect of their sins just as a snake casts off its slough. A dwij who does not worship Gayatri deserves severest condemnation.”

Yogiraj Yagyavalkya says- “Gayatri and all the Vedas were weighed in a balance. The scale was tipped in favour of Gayatri. Upnishads are the essence of Vedas and Gayatri along with its vyahrities, has been regarded as the essence of Upnishads. Gayatri is the mother of Vedas, it destroys sins and there is no other greater purifying mantra than Gayatri on this earth as well as in the heavens. Just as there is no better place of pilgrimage than Ganga and none can excel God, the keshav, so also there is no mantra superior to Gayatri mantra. One who masters Gayatri becomes master of all knowledge and becomes shroutriya. A dwij who is not devoted to Gayatri is like a shoodra, although he may be well-versed in the Vedas. He who does not know Gayatri gets depriVed of brahmanatva and becomes sinful.”

According to Parashar, “of all suktas and Ved Mantras, Gayatri Mantra is the superiormost. Between the Vedas and Gayatri, the latter has an upper hand. One who performs Gayatri jap with devotion becomes pure and gets liberated. A person without Gayatri worship cannot be considered a Brahman, although, he might have read Vedas, Shastras, Purans and history”.

Shankha Rishi is of the view that “Gayatri alone extends a helping hand and saves a person from falling in the ocean of hell. There is nothing superior to it on this earth as well as in the heavens. Undoubtedly, a person who masters Gayatri attains heaven (swarga)’’.

According to Shounak rishi “ a dwij may or may not do other worships. He gets liberated by doing Gayatri jap alone and attains all material and spiritual boons. Performance of ten thousand japs averts calamity in the hour of crisis.”

Attri muni says “Gayatri completely purifies the soul. By the glorious power of Gayatri deep-rooted defects and vices are cleansed out. Nothing else remains to be attained in this world by one who fully understands the substance of Gayatri.”

According to Maharshi Vyas “just as honey is the essence of flower, ghrit of milk, in the same way Gayatri is the essence of all the Vedas. Gayatri is like Kamdhenu for one who has acquired mastery in it. Ganga purifies sins committed by the physical body but Gayatri, the Brahma Ganga, purifies the soul. A person resorting to systems of worship other than Gayatri is like a fool who leaves delicious delicacies and takes to begging for food. There is nothing superior to Gayatri Sadhana for achieving desired fruits and developing the power of devout austerity (tap).”

Bhardwaj Rishi says that “even God like Brahma performs Gayatri jap. It leads to God realisation. A vicious man gets rid of his vices by performing Gayatri jap. A person devoid of Gayatri Sadhana is worse than a shudra.”

A person who worships Gayatri, observes Brahmacharya and consumes fresh fruits of Anwala tree (emblic myrobalan ) attains longevity according to Charak Rishi. According to Narad “Gayatri is devotion (bhakti ) personified. Wherever there is Gayatri in the form of devotion, God-Narayan, undoubtedly resides there.”

Vashishtha says “ persons who are dull, way-ward and fickle-minded become highly intelligent and steadfast and rise to great heights in worldly and spiritual pursuits by Gayatri Sadhana. Those who worship Gayatri steadfastly and piously attain self-realisation’’.

Similar views have been expressed by almost all the Rishis. It is thus apparent that even though they had divergent views in respect of other matters, all of them had deep faith in Gayatri and its worship.

According to JagatGuru Shankaracharya “it is beyond human competence to describe the glory of Gayatri. Nothing is more important in the world than to attain spiritual wisdom, which is inspired by Gayatri Sadhana. Gayatri is the primordial mantra. Its Sadhana destroys sins and promotes virtues.”

Apart from the views expressed by the ancient rishis and saints, eminent persons, philosophers, spiritual masters of the present and recent past have unequivocally praised the pre-eminence and glory of Gayatri mantra. Shri Rama Krishna Paramhamsa stated “ I tell people that it is not necessary to get engaged in complicated Sadhanas. Perform simple Gayatri Sadhana and see the results. Great Siddhis are attained by Gayatri Sadhana. This Mantra is short, no doubt, but it is extremely powerful.”

Swami Dayananda, the founder of Arya Samaj, was a staunch worshipper of Gayatri. He told the ruler of Gwalior that Gayatri Purascharan is better than weekly discourses of Bhagvat Puran. Swami ji had taught several persons like Sachhidanand , Heeralal Raval, Ghodal Singh etc. at Jaipur the method of doing Gayatri jap. In Multan, Swamiji advocated the supremacy of this mantra and said that the origin of all the Vedas is Gayatri mantra. He said that all the Rishis and seers used to perform Jap of this mantra in the ancient times. Swami ji got several Gayatri anusthans performed at several places.

Swami Ramteerath said “the most important task is to attain Ram (God). The purpose of Gayatri is to remove intellect’s craving for sensuous pleasures and inculcate in it deep interest for God. He alone can attain God whose intellect is pure and stable. There should be such purity in the intellect that it may consider Ram greater than kam (sensuousness).”

Vivekanand said, “only that thing should be begged from a king which befits his dignity. Spiritual wisdom alone is the most suitable gift which could be asked from God. God grants spiritual wisdom which leads to advancement on the right path and results in our happiness. One who is advancing towards the truth always remains happy. Gayatri mantra is instinct with spiritual wisdom and, therefore, it has been acclaimed the greatest of all the mantras.”

According to Mahamana Madanmohan Malviya, “Gayatri is the most precious gem which has been given to us by the Rishis. It purifies the intellect and enlightens the soul with the light of God. Countless souls have been liberated from worldly bondage by its Sadhana. Gayatri has the power to inculcate feelings of devotion to God and bestows worldly abundance. Gayatri Sadhana is essential for brahmans. A person who does not perform Gayatri jap is guilty of neglecting his primary duties.”

Maharshi Raman preached that of all masteries, the mastery of a mantra is extremely powerful. Marvellous results are achieved by the power of Mantras. Gayatri is such a mantra which bestows both material as well as spiritual benefits.

Prof. R. Shrinivasan, a senior member of Theosophical Society, has stated that Gayatri has been acclaimed as the most powerful Mantra in the Hindu religion. Its significance is extremely mysterious and its Sadhana gives miraculous results. It has different effects on devotees of different mental dispositions.

According to Lokmanya Tilak, “Political freedom alone will not liberate Indian people from the bonds of slavery. For this, the inner soul should be enlightened so that it may be possible to discriminate right from the wrong and people may be inspired to leave the wrong path and pursue the righteous one. Gayatri Mantra incorporates this prayer.”

The great Indian poet Ravindranath Tagore says, “the mantra which can awaken India is so simple that it can be uttered in a single breath. It is Gayatri mantra. There is absolutely no scope for any dispute or argumentation in regard to the supremacy of this holiest of mantras.”

According to Mahatma Gandhi, “constant Jap of Gayatri Mantra is useful for curing physical ailments and for the upliftement of the soul. Gayatri Jap performed with a calm, unperturbed mind has the power of averting crisis in the hour of distress.” Sri Aurobindo, too, has advocated Gayatri Jap. According to him Gayatri has extraordinary potency to accomplish great and noble aims. S. Radhakrishnan says,”if we ponder over the universal prayer Gayatri we will realise what superb benefits it provides. Gayatri is a prayer for rejuvenating the source of our life.”

Thus, besides the views expressed by the ancient Rishis, seers etc. there is vast collection of opinions of several noted and eminent intellectuals of the present century on the basis of which it can be concluded that Gayatri Sadhana is not a blind faith or blind tradition but is a well-tried and tested sun-lit path of spiritual growth. Whosoever has taken refuge under this supreme Divine Shakti has swiftly and uninterruptedly advanced on the inner pilgrimage of self-discovery. Gayatri Sadhana never goes in vain.

ATTAINMENTS OF GAYATRI SADHAKS

The ancient history, Purans, reveal that rishis and maharshis used to do yog Sadhana and tapascharya on the basis of Gayatri. The life stories of rishis like Vashishtha, Yagyavalkya, Atri, Vishwamitra, Vyas, Shukdev, Dadhichi, Valmiki, Chyavan, Shankh, Lomash, Maitreya, Jabali, Uddalak, Vaishampayan, Durvasa, Parashuram, Pulastya, Dattatreya, Agastya, Sanat Kumar, Kanva, Shounak etc. make it abundantly clear that the key to there occult and spiritual attainments was Gayatri Sadhana.

There have been several saints in the recent past also who got their spiritual enlightenment through the grace of Gayatri. Their personal deities, ideals and principles might have been different but all had firm faith in Vedmata. They owed their greatness, to a large extent, to their devotion to Vedmata Gayatri.

In the dense forest of Ramtekri near Nagrai (U.P.), a saint named Harihar had obtained siddhi by Gayatri Sadhana. The cottage of the saint could be approached after crossing about fourteen miles of dense jungle which was inhabited by lions and tigers. Those who wanted to meet the saint had to face these ferocious animals. These animals used to leave the track and disappear merely by the devotees saying “we are going to see Harihar Baba.”

There was a great Gayatri worshipper named Vishwanath Goswami in Laxmangarh, Rajsthan, who spent most of his time in Gayatri Sadhana. By his blessings a poor Veedavat family of sikar became rich and prosperous. The descendants of this family still celebrate mundan ceremony of their children on the samadhi of Pandit Goswami.

In a village named Jaun in the erstwhile Jaipur State lived Pandit Har Rai who was an ardent Gayatri worshipper. He knew beforehand about the time of his death. He called all his disciples and members of the family, delivered a religious discourse and breathed his last while chanting Gayatri Mantra.

Visnudasji of village Budhadeval near Jaipur, observed the vow of Brahmacharya throughout his life. He lived an ascetic’s life of devout austerity in a cottage in Pushkar and attained great Siddhis by Gayatri Sadhana. The rulers of Jaipur and Jodhpur and other dignitaries visited his cottage to pay their respects. The Maharana of Udaipur took him to his capital after ardent persuasions and got final ritual of puruscharan performed in the royal palace. Several miraculous stories are famous about Visnudasji Brahmachari.

Pandit Bhudarmal, a learned brahmin of Ratangarh Rajasthan was an ardent worshipper of Gayatri. He shifted to Kashi in the Vikram Samvat 1966 and remained there till his death. He knew the moment of his death, arranged a huge religious function and cast off his body during worship. Several ordinary persons who were recipients of his blessings became millionnaires. Some of them are still alive. .

A person born in an ordinary family in a small village in Alwar State renounced the world, came to Mathura and started doing Gayatri Sadhana on a hillock. He performed one crore Jap of Gayatri, and became a siddha. He was known as booti-siddha. He always observed silence. That hillock is known as Gayatri-teela. There is a small temple on this hill, with a beautiful idol of Gayatri installed in it. Several persons were benefitted by the blessings of this saint. The rulers of Dholpur and Alwar had great faith in him.

A saint used to perform Gayatri Jap in a cave behind Mandhata Temple at Onkareshwar. His family members were present at the time of his death. A boy, who was intellectually very dull, sought his blessings. The saint called the boy close to him and poured water from his kamandal on his tongue and blessed him saying that he would become a scholar. In due course, this boy grew up to be an extraordinarily learned man and became famous in erstwhile Indore state by the name of Onkar Joshi. The ruler of Indore was so deeply impressed by this man that he used to pick him up from his house when he went for his morning walk.

Kundalini power of one Shri Udhadji Joshi, Yogeshwar of Chandel, was awakened by Gayatri Sadhana and he had become a great saint. The lives of several persons were saved by him. Many poor people became rich by his blessings and many others could ward off calamities through his occult powers. His predictions were always correct. A person who belittled and ridiculed the saint became leper.

Shri Mukatramji Maharaj of Manjusar, Baroda was a devout worshipper of Gayatri. He had attained great Siddhis. He used to perform Gayatri Jap for about eight hours daily. He could narrate happenings in distant foreign lands as if he was seeing these happen with his own eyes. All his clairvoyant visions were found to be cent percent correct. Although, his formal education was hardly upto first or second standard in Gujarati, he could understand and speak all the languages of the world. Foreigners used to visit him and talk to him for hours in their own languages. He was master of Rajyog, astrology, ayurVedic, Tantra and various spiritual disciplines. Several scholars used to come to him to get their difficulties solved. People had great faith in him on account of several miracles displayed by him.

In Borsad Gujrat, a saint remained without food for seven years and performed Gayatri purascharan. Whatever he uttered turned out to be true. In Kashi, Baba Shivprasad Gupta got the foundation-stone of Bharat-Mata temple laid by Babu Bhagwandas. On that occasion a big Mahayagya of two hundred days was performed in which twenty lakh of Gayatri Jap were performed. On the day of purnahuti of the Yagya withered leaves of the surrounding trees turned green and a tree fructified and got loaded with out-of-season fruits. On this occasion, Pandit Madanmohan Malviya, Raja Motichand, High Court Judge and Shri Kanhaiyalal were among the many eminent persons who were witness to these miracles of Gayatri Mata.

Kathia Baba of Vrindaban, Udia Baba, Pragyachakshu Swami Gangeshvarananda did their Sadhana with Gayatri Jap. All the Acharyas of Vaishnav sampradaya laid stress on Gayatri Sadhana.

Pandit Balbhadraji Brahmachari of Nawabganj, Swami Devdarshan of Saharanpur district, Mahatma Yoganandji and Swami Brahmarshidasji Udaseen of Bulandshahr district, Mahatma Anasaktaji of Bihar, Yogacharya Pandit Jagannath Shastri, Mahatma Hari Om Tatsat of Rajgarh and several other saints were deeply engaged in Gayatri Sadhana. Several house-holders, too, who are engaged in this great Sadhana, are leading lives of devout austerity and have attained significant spiritual progress..

I have myself performed Gayatri Sadhana ever since the tender age of eight and it has become the foundation of my life. Credit goes to Gayatri Sadhana for what little success I have achieved in purification and refinement of my body, mind and intellect. All the qualities of nobility of character, high ideals, loving kindness, compassion, self control , service, erudition, penance etc. which are effortlessly manifesting through this individuality are the boons bestowed by Vedmata Gayatri. She has saved me several times from hardships and lighted my path in darkness. Gifts of her grace are too numerous to narrate here. For me Her presence is more concrete than any physical phenomenon. Persons who have started worshipping Vedmata Gayatri, after deriving inspiration from my life, have noticed increase in their dedication to righteousness, alertness, self-purification, disgust for vice, self restraint, piety and fervent faith in the Divine. They may or may not have gained materially but every one has been benefitted spiritually If judged wisely these advantages are so great that mere material gains pale into insignificance when weighed against these divine boons of noble character.

I would, therefore, strongly impress upon my readers, with all the emphasis at my command, that they should start worshipping. Gayatri and see for themselves the resultant miracles. A spontaneous urge towards righteousness (satogun), wisdom (vivek) and noble acts is aroused in those who take refuge in Vedmata. This self-awakening leads to all-round abundance, spiritual as well as material.

GAYATRI SADHANA AS EULOGISED IN THE ANCIENT SCRIPTURES

In the first part of Gayatri Mahavigyan (Hindi) some events were narrated which helped the Sadhaks in their mundane and spiritual growth. Impending catastrophes were averted. Adverse circumstances were transformed into favourable ones. Dangers which hovered like dark clouds disappeared. Whosoever tried to verify the veracity of those narrations found them to be entirely true.

A period of about thirty years has passed since those miraculous events occurred. Since then, the number of such unusual events has gone up to lakhs. Narration of even a fraction of these miraculous happenings will constitute a voluminous book. It has, therefore, been considered prudent not to publish them because it will raise shallow curiosities. Such an undertaking will be a waste of time and energy, which can be better utilised for tasks that really matter.

Therefore, not a single event of worldly achievements has been narrated in this book and readers are advised to consider this book alone as their guide and get engaged in Sadhana with faith and devotion. Some extracts from the ancient scriptures are, however, being given here about advantages and importance of Gayatri Sadhana.

Advantages of Gayatri Jap

One can get a glimpse of the advantages which accrue as a result of Gayatri Jap from the following spiritual quotations. It has specifically been enjoined to be essential for brahmans whose main preoccupation is search and cultivation of spiritual wisdom. A person gets such wisdom on following the path indicated by Gayatri.

‘ Gayatri Jap should be performed daily as it is the essence of all Vedas and sacred Upnishads.

Sadhana of Gayatri Mantra is the essence of all Vedas. Even Gods like Brahma medidate on and perform Jap of Gayatri at the time of twilights.

A Brahman who has mastered Gayatri alone attains salvation.

One who steadfastly performs Gayatri Jap daily with wakefulness for three years realises Brahma and, like air, acquires the power of free and unhindered movement.

Manu himself has stated that although a dwij may or may not perform worship of any other deity, he will attain absolute salvation by performing Gayatri Jap alone.

A person who exercises self-restraint, controls his senses and performs Gayatri Jap along with “Onkar” and ‘vyahrities’ is known as “shroutriya”.

Merely by offering water to the sun and performing Jap of three thousand Gayatri Mantras at the time of twi-lights, a person becomes beloved of God.

Jap of Gayatri Mantra ten thousand times destroys all miseries and sins and purifies a person.

One who has mastered Gayatri and properly chants it, is revered in this world and in heaven and ultimately attains Brahmalok (salvation)

Persons aspiring to get salvation get salvation, those aspiring to get wealth, get wealth, persons fighting in battle get victory and those suffering from disease get sound health by Gayatri Sadhana.

Jap of Gayatri performed in any manner destroys sins, and fulfils all desires. It is, however, certain that the ultimate goal of self-realization is attained if it is meditated upon systematically.

Ancient scriptures have severely condemned persons who do not know Gayatri or, knowing it, fail to worship it. Persons who are irregular in Sadhana on account of laziness or want of faith have been advised to be careful and take up this excellent Sadhana.

Daily worship of Gayatri has been described in all the Vedas. A Brahman devoid of Gayatri is doomed in all respects.

A man may know all the four Vedas very well but all his labour goes waste if he does not realise the pre-eminence of Gayatri Mantra.

A Person who worships a Mantra other than Gayatri cannot get success even if he takes millions of births.

A Brahman who gives up Gayatri Jap goes to hell although he may worship Vishnu or Shiv.

One who knows Gayatri and performs Gayatri Jap is Brahman. Otherwise he is like a Shudra although he may be well-versed in Vedas.

A person cannot become Brahman by studying Vedas and Shastras alone. He becomes Brahman only if he worships Gayatri three times daily.

Importance of Gayatri described in Scriptures

The Vedas, Shastras, Purans proclaim the importance of Gayatri. In Atharva-Ved, the following prayer has been offered to Gayatri in which it has been described as one which gives longevity, energy (Pran Shakti), domestic animals, fame, wealth and spiritual splendour (Brahma-tej).

Almighty God in the form of Vedas has stated in Atharva-Ved “May Vedmata Gayatri to whom I offer prayer, purify dwijas (brahmans) and grant them longevity, spiritual vital energy (Pran), animals, fame, wealth and spiritual splendour’’.

Just as honey, ghrit and water or milk are the essence of flowers, milk and taste (ras) respectively, so also Gayatri Mantra is the essence of all the Vedas.

Rishis and seers say that there is no other Mantra like Gayatri Mantra in all the four Vedas. Ved, Yagya, dan (donation, charity), tap are not equivalent even to a fraction of Gayatri Mantra.

Gayatri is mother of Vedas.

God Prajapati Brahma created three-stepped Gayatri as the essence of three Vedas.

In old days Brahma weighed Gayatri against Vedas and found that Gayatri weighed heavier than all the four Vedas put together.

Gayatri Mantra with pranav and three Vyahritis should be uttered and meditated upon because there is no Mantra as efficacious in destroying sins as Gayatri Mantra.

There is no greater charity than giving food and water to the needy, no greater austerity than non-violence, no greater Jap than Gayatri jap, no Yagya greater than chanting of Vyahritis.

Gayatri holds the hands of a person falling in the ocean of hell and rescues him. A dwij should, therefore, perform Gayatri Jap daily with a pure heart.

Upnishads are the essence of the Vedas and Gayatri alongwith its three Vyahritis is the essence of Upnishads.

Gayatri is mother of Vedas. It is destroyer of sins. There is no other Mantra more sacred and purifying than Gayatri Mantra on this earth as well as in the heaven.

Just as Fire is the greatest amongst all the Vedic deities, Brahman is best among men and the spring is best of all the seasons Gayatri chhand is the best of all the Vedic metres .

There is no teerth like Ganga, no God like Keshav. So also there has been, is and will be no Jap as beneficial as Gayatri Jap.

Of all the Suktas, of Rik, Yaju, and Sam and the Divine Om (Pranav) Jap of Gayatri Mantra is the best.

Ekakshar which means Om is Parabraham, Pranayam is great tap. However, nothing is more purifying than Gayatri Mantra.

O Yudhistir, all persons belonging to Chandra Vansh, Surya Vansh, Raghu Vansh and Kuru Vansh used to perform Gayatri Jap daily after proper ablution.

It is no exaggeration to state that mastery in Gayatri Sadhana is Kamdhenu for the dwijas.

Gayatri is the sum and substance of all the Vedas. Gayatri is Brahma. Gayatri is Almighty God.

Ganga is known as such because it incorporates all the Teerthas. It is a form of Brahma Gayatri.

Geeta contains all the shastras. Geeta is nothing but a form of Gayatri. Gaya teerth and Golok are also froms of Gayatri.

Whether a man is pure or impure, is sitting or walking, in whatever condition a wise man may be, he should perform Gayatri Jap. A man gets rid of all sins by this Jap.

By contemplating on Gayatri, sins are destroyed, heaven is attained and a man accomplishes all the four basic pursuits viz. Dharma (righteousness), Arth (wealth), Kam (worldly pleasures) and mokshya (salvation).

Those who worship Mantras other than Gayatri are fools like those who abandon prepared food and wander about begging food.

Nothing is greater than Gayatri in this as well as other worlds for success in performance of daily duties fulfilment of desires and for cultivation of tap.

One who understands Gayatri (wich is also known as Savitri) attains heaven. Therefore, one should, after taking bath, perform Gayatri Jap with a calm and collected mind since it destroys all sins.

WOMEN’S RIGHT TO DO GAYATRI SADHANA

Women have always been accorded high respect in the Indian culture. They have been regarded more pious than men. They are often addressed as devi. Girls are named as Shantidevi, Gangadevi, Dayadevi. The word devi is thus often annexed to their names. Girls are adorned not by degrees etc. but by their inherent God-given feminine virtues.

Gods and great personalities are often known through the names of their wives. In various names like Sitaram Radheshyam, Gaurishankar, Lakhyaminarayan, Uma-Mahesh, Maya-Brahma, Savitri- Satyavan; women, have been given precedence over men. All thoughtful and wise persons have regarded women more prominent in respect of virtues like chastity, loyalty, mercy, compassion, service, sympathy, love, affection, generosity, devotion etc.

Women have, in general been given prominence and respect in all religious and spiritual pursuits. If one goes through the Vedas it will appear that not only rishis but several wives of rishis were also seers to whom Vedic hymns were revealed. How could the great God who is kind-hearted, just and impartial discriminate between man and woman who are his own children?

The rishi of the Mantras of RigVed (10/85) is a female named Surya Savitri. In Nirukt, a rishi has been defined as one who is a seer of Mantras, who understands the secret behind them and transmits it to others (“Rishi darshanat stoman dadarshati, Rishyo Mantra drastarah”).

In twenty-fourth chapter of Vrihad Devta, a list of women rishis in RigVed has been given which includes the names of Ghosha, Godha, Vishvavara, Aapala, Upnishad, Juhu, Adity, Indrani, Sarama, Super Science of Gayatri Romasha, Urvashi, Lopamudra, Yami, Shaswati, Surya, Savitri as being brahmavadinis. The seers of Rigveda’s sukta 10-134, 10-39,10-40, 10-91, 10-95,10-107,10-109,10-154,10-159,10-189,5-28,8-91 etc. were women. There is ample evidence which proves that, like males, females used to perform Yagya. They were experts in Yagya technique and religious learning. Several women used to guide their fathers/husbands in this respect. Ida had told Manu that she would do avadhan on fire in such a way that he would get worldly riches, pleasures and respect and attain heaven. In shatpath Brahman, Yagyavalkya’s wife Maitreyi has been called brahmavadini, which means brahmavadan-sheel. Brahma means Ved and brahmavadansheel means one who gives discourses on Vedas.

Adi-Shankaracharya had to enter into a spiritual debate with Bharati Devi. Her exposition of the scriptures was so marvellous that even eminent scholars were wonder-struck. Shankaracharya was unable to answer her profound questions and had to seek one month’s time to respond. In Shankar Digvijaya (3/16) it is written that Bharati Devi was well-versed in all the Vedas and other scriptures and branches of Knowledge. None excelled her in knowledge. How can a ban now be imposed on study of the scriptures by women? If there had been such a restriction in the ancient times, how could there have been women who could have philosophical debates with persons like Yagyavalkya, Shankaracharya etc. ? In fact, in those days all men and women had equal opportunities for studying the Vedas.

In Shatpath (1/9/2/2/1 and 1/9/2/22,23) there are directions for women about pronouncing Mantras 23/23, 25,27,29 of Yajurved. Same is the case with Mantras 1/1/10 of Tettriya Samhita. Ashvalayan Grahya Sutra 1/1/9 provides that in the absence of yajman, his wife, son or unmarried daughter could perform Yagya. Kathak Grahy Sutra (3/1/ 30 and 26/3) and Logakshi Grahya Sutra (25) propound study and chanting of Ved Mantras and performance of Vedic karmakand by women.

In Paraskar Grahya Sutra 1/5/1,2 the bride herself chants Mantras of Laja Hom at the time of marriage. She also chants YajurVed Mantras (teachchakshurdevhitam 36/24) while seeing the sun. While doing samajjan at the time of marriage both the bride and the groom are required to chant RigVed Mantras (10/85/48).

In Tandya Brahman (5/6/8) women have been directed to play on Veena and sing Mantra of SamVed in the battle. The other Mantras direct to keep a pitcher (kalash) on their heads and take a round singing the Ved-Mantras. In Etreya (5/5/29) there is a story about Kumari Gandharva Grahta which proves that unmarried girls were authorised to study Vedas and perform Yagya. In Katyayan Shrout sootras (1/17,4/1,22/10/13,6/6/3,26/4/13,27/7/28,26/7/1,20/6/12) there are clear directions about chanting by women of particular Ved-Mantras. Latyayan Shrout sootra provides that wife should sing Mantras of Samveda with rhythm. In Shankhayan Shrout sutra 1/12/ 13 and Ashvalayan Shrout sutra 1/11/1 similar directions have been given. Brahman 1/2/3 directs unmarried girls to chant Ved-Mantras.

Gayatri Sadhana by Women in Ancient Times

In the ancient days Gargi, Maitreyi, Madalsa, Anusuiya, Arundhati, Devyani, Ahilya, Kunti, Satrupa, Vrinda, Mandodari, Tara, Dropadi, Damyanti, Gautami, Apala, Sulaha, Shavati, Ushija. Savitri, Lopamudra, Pratisheyi, Vaishalini, Bendula, Suneeti, Shakuntala, Pingala, Jarutkaar, Rohini, Bhadra, Vidula, Gandhari, Anjani, Seeta, Devhooti, Parvati, Aditi, Shachi. Satyavati, Sukanya, Shaivya etc. were highly learned and spirutally illumined women who were worshippers of Gayatri. They had elevated their souls and attained yoga Siddhis by Gayatri Sadhana. Though, they lived family lives they had achieved spiritual eminence by worshipping Savitri (Gayatri). It is hardly possible to narrate in this small book details of the glorious lives lived and Siddhis achieved by these great women. Those who have studied ancient Indian history and scriptures know it well that all the aforesaid women were unparalleled shining stars in their own right in exemplifying virtues like learning, courage, energy, valour, far-sightedness, morality, righteousness, devotion, spiritual awakeninmg etc. They had displayed awe-inspiring excellence in their spiritual and mental attainments.

In the ancient days Savitri performed Gayatri-Jap for a year and acquired powers by which she could stand up to even the God of Death (Yamraj) and revive her dead husband. It was Damyanti’s tap which burnt the hunter to ashes when he tried to molest her. Gandhari who had blindfolded her eyes and thus performed great tap had developed such a power in her vision that by her mere glance Duryodhan’s body became invulnerable except the portion around his loins which he had covered for the sake of modesty, which remained vulnerable. Bheem struck Duryodhan on this part and killed him. Anusuiya’s tap turned Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh into small children. The strength of the tap of a chaste lady, Shandili had stopped the chariot of the Sun. Sukanya’s tap transformed the old and wornout body of Chyavan rishi into youthfulness. The history of tap performed by women is in no way inferior to that done by men. It is obvious that whether it be men or women, the highway of tap for all is Gayatri Sadhana.

Even in present times, I am well-acquainted with several women who are deeply immersed in Gayatri Sadhana and who have attained material and spiritual happiness and peace.

Why should there be Restriction on Women

The meaning of Gayatri worship is to regard God as Mother and sit in her lap. Of all the relations in the world, the relationship of mother and child is most loving and intimate. With whatever devotion we turn to God, He responds according to our faith. When the devotee visualises God in the form of Mother and sits in her lap he gets affectionate response accordingly.

The qualities of love, affection, compassion, tenderness, generosity are, by nature, found in greater digree in women than in men. Rishis have, therefore, been worshipping God in the form of mother since days immemorial and they have directed every person having faith in religion to adopt this easy and safe path of Sadhana. Gayatri worship is supposed to be the daily religious routine of every Indian. Whatever may be the system of sandhya vandan, Gayatri is an essential element in it. One may or may not perform Gayatri Sadhana for a specific worldly or spiritual purpose but he is guilty of neglecting his religious duties, if he does not perform daily routine of Sadhana.

Daughter and son both are beloved children of the mother. Man and woman are both equally dear to God. No impartial and just parents discriminate between their children on the ground of sex. God has provided facilities for performance of religious duties and Sadhana for self-realization both to man and woman. This is but appropriate on the grounds of equality, justice and impartiality and is proved by logic as well. This simple truth hardly calls for debate and dispute.

It is gratifying to note that in the recent past wise and farsighted eminent persons men have been trying to abolish evil customs of the dark middle ages. They have started realizing that our nation will not be able to regain its ancient glory so long as women are not liberated from the iron grip of narrow-mindedness in which they have been encased since the middle ages. Since women constitute half of our population we will be able to make all-round progress only by restoring them to their rightful position of dignity, which they enjoyed in the golden era of our hoary past. The Blind adherence to orthodoxy which considers evil traditions and conventions prevalent since middle ages as religion is bound to oppose enlightened reforms tooth and nail but it has to be faced boldly by such refomist movements.

Decision by Malviyaji

There has been considerable discussion amongst the scholars of Kashi on the controversy whether women have a right to chant Ved-Mantras.

A girl student named Kumari Kalyani wanted to seek admission to a course in which Vedas were taught in Banaras Hindu University. The authorities refused to grant admission according to the prevalent belief on the ground that a woman, according to Shastras, had no right to chant Ved-mantras.

This controversy continued for quite a long time. A paper “Sarvadeshik” published several articles in support of the right of women to study Vedas while the other paper “Sidhanta” took an opposite view. A deputation of Arya Samajists met University authorities and there was prolonged discussion on the subject.

Ultimately, the University appointed a committee under the chairmanship of Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya in which several Vedic scholars were included. The committee, after a thorough study of the shastras, gave a finding that women have the same right as men in respect of Vedas. Mahamana Malviyaji, who was considered as the standard bearer of Sanatan Dharma, announced this decision of the committee on 22nd August 1946. Kumari Kalyani was accordingly admitted to the course in which Vedas were taught and it was finally decided that henceforth women would have the right to study Vedas and there would be no discrimination on grounds of sex.

Nobody can say that Mahamana Malviyaji and his learned colleagues could be hostile to the tenets of Sanatan Dharma. Their devotion to religion is well-known. What can be said about the wisdom of those persons who still persist in saying that women have no right to worship Gayatri when this controversy has been settled once for all by eminent persons like Malviyaji?

The names of several learned women of the ancient times are still famous. References are found in Vedas about several women rishis being authors of several Ved-Mantras. It is, therefore, the duty of all social reformers to follow in this respect the decision given by Malviyaji who has been a rishi of the present age.

YAGYOPAVEET AND GAYATRI

Shikha and Sootra, Symbols of Hindu Dharma
There are two symbols of Hindu Dharma, one is shikha (distinctive lock of hair on the crown of the head) and the other is sootra. Sootra means Yagyopaveet or sacred thread. Just as in the context of devotion for one’s own country there is a national flag, so also shikha is like a flag of divine culture on the fortress of human brain. Religious communities have their respective flags. The idol of Lord Shiva can be installed merely by placing a circular stone on a platform. Shikha is like a banner of Gayatri Mata installed on the top of the head, so that it may always be kept in mind that the entry of evil thoughts is banned in this area and only righteous thoughts are welcome.

In Hindu Dharma, Mundan, in which the hair on the head of a child are shaved, is regarded as an important ceremony. In fact, this is a celebration of installation of shikha which is formed by removing other hair on the head. Human body is regarded as a temple on which shikha is established like a banner.

Yagyopaveet, an Image of Gayatri

Yagyopaveet is also called Brahma-sootra. Thread is also called sootra. The authors of Vyakran, darshan, religious scriptures and several other ancient treatises have tried to express their purport in very brief, concise sentences in Sanskrit. Detailed commentaries, annotations have been written on these sootras which explain the meanings underlying them. Although, there are no letters in Brahma-sootra, much has been indicated with the help of images, marks, signs, pictures etc. The Brahma-sootras of Yagyopaveet also, even without speech and script incorporate within them meanings of deep import.

Gayatri is known as Guru-Mantra. Yagyopaveet ceremony is performed with the chanting of Gayatri Mantra and other Ved-Mantras. It is as much necessary for a dwij to know Gayatri as it is to put on Yagyopaveet. Gayatri and Yagyopaveet constitute one pair as do the words Lakshyami-Narayan, Sita-Ram, Radhe-Shyam, Prakriti-Brahma, Gauri-Shankar. Their union forms one single unit. Just as husband and wife living together constitute a family, dwijatva is a union of Gayatri and Yagyopaveet. Yagyopaveet is sootra and Gayatri its interpretation. They are inter-linked.

There are three threads in Yagyopaveet; so also Gayatri has three phases. The first phase is “ tatsavitur varenyam”, second is “ bhargo devasya dhee mahi”, and third one is “dhiyo yo naha prachodayat”. To understand the principle underlying three threads of Yagyopaveet, one should thoroughly understand the afore-said three phases of Gayatri. There are three granthis (knots) and one Brahma Granthi in Yagyopaveet. In Gayatri there are three Vyahritis, namely Bhooha, Bhuvaha, Swaha and one pranav (Om). Onkar (Om) and three Vyahritis of Gayatri Mantra symbolise respectively the Brahma-Granthi and three knots of Yagyopaveet. The first, second and third phases of Gayatri symbolise the first, second and third threads of Yagyopaveet respectively.

Let us now examine in detail what is the meaning and philosophy underlying this interpretation of Gayatri and Yagyopaveet. The message of pranav is that God pervades all living beings and so a Sadhak should devote himself selflessly and quietly in the service of humanity. Bhooha implies that the human body is just a transient instrument. A seeker of truth should not get attached to it but should enhance his inner spiritual awareness, pursue the righteous path and do selfless service. Buvaha means a person who struggles valiantly against evils attains self-realisation. He alone is wise who follows high ideals with pure means. Swaha implies that truth should be pursued through discriminating wisdom and pure intellect and thus inspire others by example to lead a life of austerity, devotion, self-inquiry, self-restraint and sacrifice.

This, in short, is the four-fold duty of a person who puts on Yagyopaveet. He has to develop his capabilities, has to be generous and utilise his talents in the service of others. Thus alone can he attain peace and happiness for himself and help others to attain these.

According to Gayatri-Geeta, nine fibres of Yagyopaveet represent nine virtues which are as important and precious as gems. These virtues are (1) the science of life (2) awakening of inner hidden energies (3) superiority (4) purity (5) divine insight, (6) righteousness, (7) wis-dom, (8) self-control (9) service.

By having knowledge of the science of life man understands the mystery behind birth and death. He has no fear of death and is always fearless. He has no attachment to or craving for worldly objects. He, thus, escapes from the pendulum like swings of ups and downs of life created by the illusory play of dualities of success and failure, pleasure and pain, birth and death etc. from which ignorant people are perpetually tormented.

A person who is able to awaken his dormant energies becomes more and more healthy, learned, wise, generous, cooperative and respectable, as the inner energies gain prominence in his soul . A weak person is often a victim of bad habits, destiny and of wicked persons who are stronger than him; but a strong and noble person himself enjoys life and extends a helping hand to those weaker to him. Injustice flourishes when there are no checks and balances in the exercise of power. Acquisition of power by persons of nobility of character acts as an antidote to this unbridled and evil exercise of power by those who are evil-minded tyrants.

Superiority does not lie in power and pelf but in the richness of high ideals and aims and feelings of compassion, kindness, sharing and caring. Persons who possess only power and pelf and lack inner refinement and balance are crude, fickle-minded, mean and disturbed. They live lives of utmost inferiority. On the other hand, persons of high thinking, generosity of nature and noble actions lead lives of superior quality even if they are not materially affluent. It is this aristocracy of spiritual richness that give unshakable peace and unalloyed happiness.

Purity is true beauty. Not only human beings but even animals and birds, insects and worms like beauty. Wherever there is impurity, ugliness is bound to be there and nobody would like to stay there. A person having impurities in his body is bound to be weak and sick. Then what to say of a person whose mind, intellect and inner-self are full of dross? He is no better than an animal or devil. The only way to rise above these infirmities is to cultivate all-round purity. One who is pure internally as well as externally, whose means of livelihood, ideology, body, speech, dress, residence and other materials of use are clean and pure, will be happy, cheerful, sweet-tempered and contented.

Divine insight means establishing relationship with divine qualities of the world. Like attracts like. Persons having an outlook of seeing goodness in the world find good persons all around them. If we pay attention to philanthropic deeds, goodness, service-mindedness, cooperation and good deeds done by the people we will find that by and large there is far more good in the world than evil. To a person with perverted mind, all objects and person will appear perverse. Likewise one who looks with eyes of love and understanding will find the same qualities reflected back from all around him. He will discover that the world is a multi-hued, beautiful and sweet-smelling garden of God.

We should inculcate good habits, good qualities and righteousness within us. Modesty, politeness, courtesy, sweetness in speech, generosity, service, cooperation, honesty, industriousness, punctuality, orderliness thrift, dutifulness, vigilance, sense of glad humour, patience, courage, bravery, enthusiasm are all divine qualities. It is also virtuous to be proficient in music, literature, arts, crafts, business, oratory, industry, education etc. Persons having such qualities, undoubtedly, lead a happy life.

Wisdom (vivek) is like a spiritual searchlight by which a person can distinguish between truth and falsehood, proper and improper, gain and loss. Innumerable mutually contradictory beliefs, conventions, ideologies are prevalent in this world and each of them has some basis and is linked with the name of some great personage. Under such circumstances it is difficult to decide what should or should not be accepted. Righteous wisdom alone can decide what is genuinely acceptable, keeping in view the factors of place, time, circumstances, utility and public good. He who can intuitively and spontaneously take proper decisions will attain perennial happiness and peace. The basic cause of most of the conflicts, miseries, sins and unhappiness in the world is evil-mindedness, illusion and ignorance. A person endowed with wisdom escapes from all these snares.

To maintain proper balance of the life-force, thinking capacity, sex-desire, labour etc. is known as self-control (sanyam). These natural urges and drives should be neither suppressed nor allowed unbridled indulgence. Human body is a powerhouse of a wide range of energies. Extra-ordinary success can be achieved and all-round progress can be made if these energies are wisely channelised.

To help people help themselves is one of the greatest services one can render. Ordinarily, spending time in other-centred activities, giving money in charity or extending physical or mental help are deemed as acts of service. None bothers to see whether or not such service has led to self-sufficiency, inspiration and awakening. Generally such a service makes persons so served lazy and dependent on others and on destiny and is harmful in the long run. Service should be rendered in such a way that it may accelerate enthusiasm, resourcefulness and self-reliance. It is a sacred service to make one’s own self, others and the world at large more prosperous, beautiful and happy.

These nine virtues are, undoubtedly, nine gems. Ruby, pearl, emerald, topaz, diamond, sapphire, gomed and jewel are called nine gems. Those possessing these nine gems are considered to be happy in all respects. But according to scriptures, persons having the afore-said gem-like qualities of Yagyopaveet and Gayatri are as rich as Kuber, although they may lack material wealth, land and property. A wise person putting on Yagyopaveet possesses KalpaVraksha adorned with nine gems of virtues and always enjoys divine prosperity. For him this bhulok is heaven. A person having this KalpaVraksha attains success in all the four kinds of noble pursuits, viz, divinity (dharma), wealth (Arth), material enjoyment (Kam) and liberation (mokshya).

Putting on Yagyopaveet is necessary for Sadhaks

Some people think that they should not put on Yagyopaveet as they will not be able to observe its rules. This amounts to saying one should not worship unless he has devotion to God. God is worshipped so that we may be able to develop devotion. Similarly, Yagyopaveet should be put on so that conscious attempt could be made to observe its rules. Only a sick person needs medicine.

People have strange misgivings about observance of rules. Some think that Yagyopaveet relates only to fulfilment of certain rules, just as not taking food without taking bath or not taking food which is not fresh or which is cooked by a person belonging to a different caste. These are all false beliefs. The object of Yagyopaveet is to promote all-round human development which includes development of health and to do so, it is necessary to follow carefully all rules relating to food also. But if there remains any flaw in observing certain rules regarding food, it should not be considered that the right to put on Yagyopaveet has been forfeited on that account.

Some people do not put on Yagyopaveet or abandon it on account of fear that they are likely to forget putting Yagyopaveet around their right ear while going to urinal or latrine. It is true that this rule should be strictly observed but the beginners deserve some leniency till the routine becomes a habit. In the beginning, Yagyopaveet may be wrapped round the neck so that it may climb up above the waist. The main purpose in putting Yagyopaveet round the ear is that it may go up above the waist so that there may not be any possibility of its being touched by any sort of impurity. If perchance one fails to wind it up around the ear it is not necessary to change the Yagyopaveet. Putting on Yagyopaveet around the neck can be dispensed with as soon as habit is formed to wind it around the right ear.

For children of tender age and other forgetful persons Yagyopaveet of one-third size, known as kanthi, can be used by putting it around the neck. Small children and insufficiently refined / uncouth people often neglect to clean Yagyopaveet daily which gives bad smell on account of perspiration, dirt etc. It was to take case of such cases that wearing of kanthi, consisting of a string of small beads of tulsi, rudraksha or some other sacred material around the neck came in vogue.

THE MEANING OF GAYATRI MANTRA

Rishis have selected the words of various Mantras and arranged them in such a way that they not only convey some meaning but their chanting also creates specific energies. Gayatri is a mantra which inspires righteous wisdom. It means that the Almighty God may illuminate our intellect, which may lead us on the righteous path. This is the most important prayer. All the problems of a person are solved if he is endowed with righteous wisdom. Having far-sighted wisdom, a man is neither entangled in avoidable calamity nor does he tread a wrong path. A wise man intuitively finds solutions to his problems. Those who lack this clear-sightedness find themselves always facing problems and ever living from crisis it crises. The worship of Gayatri mantra bestows the boon of righteous wisdom. The teachings of and the powers incorporated in Gayatri mantra fulfil this purpose. Righteous wisdom starts emerging as soon as Jap of this mantra is taken up as a Sadhana.

Brahma or Almighty God
embodiment of vital spiritual energy (Pran)
destroyer of sufferings
embodiment of happiness
that
bright, luminous like the Sun
best, most exalted
destroyer of sins
divine
may imbibe
intellect
who
our
may inspire

In short it is a prayer to the Almighty Supreme God, the Creator of entire cosmos, the essence of our life existence, who removes all our pains and sufferings and grants happiness beseeching His divine grace to imbibe within us His Divinity and Brilliance which may purify us and guide our righteous wisdom on the right path.

A man gets imbued with divine qualities contemplating and meditating on this meaning of Gayatri. One should contemplate on these feelings daily and regularly. Three prayer-filled meditations are given here which should be silently recited and projected on the mental screen through imagination.

“The Almighty God, who is known as pranav pervades all the three Lokas, viz, Bhooha-lok, Bhuvaha-lok and Swaha-lok. He is Omnipresent. The cosmos is physical manifestation of God who pervades its each and every particle. I am seeing Him everywhere. I would always refrain from evil thoughts and evil deeds and perform true worship of God by extending cooperation in promoting happiness, peace and beauty in this universe which is His creation”.

“This (tat) God is extremely bright (savitur), most exalted (varenyam), devoid of sin (bhargo) and divine (devasya). I visualise this Divinity within me, in my soul. By such contemplation, I am

becoming illumined, virtues are growing in all the layers of my being. I am being saturated with these virtues, these characteristics, of God.”
“That God may inspire (prachodayat) our (naha) intellect, wisdom (dhiyo) and lead us on righteous path. May our intellect, the intellects of our family members and of all of us, be purified and may He lead us on the righteous path. On getting righteous wisdom, which is the greatest achievement and is the source of all the happiness in this world, we may be able to enjoy celestial bliss in this life and make our human life purposeful.”

We should contemplate and meditate on these three prayer-filled meditations slowly and pausing for a moment on each word and an imaginary picture of that word should be drawn in the mind.

While contemplating upon the first meditation, it should be imagined that God pervades all the three Lokas, the earth, heaven and Patal (nethermost world). God should be visualised pervading these Lokas in the form of light, heat and electricity, life force (Pran) etc. This vast universe is the living physical image of God. The Sadhak should try to visualise in his imagination a glimpse of the All-pervading Omni-present God just as was given to Arjun by Lord Krishna. He should imagine that God is all around him and he is sitting in God’s lap. It should be pondered how evil thoughts and evil actions could remain lodged in his mind and body in the presence of the Omni-potent Divinity. He should imagine that each and every manifestation of this universal Godhead is adorable and that well being lies in selfless service of this universe, this vast humanity and in beautifying God’s creation.

While reflecting on the second meditation, one should imagine the extremely bright and luminous, supremely exalted God adorned with all divine qualities, seated on the throne of Sadhak’s heart. God can be also visualised in the form of Virat Purush. (2) Ram, Krishna, Vishnu, Gayatri, Sarsvati etc. and (3) in the flame of a lamp. God can be meditated upon in male or in mother’s form according to one’s own sentiments. God is female as well as male. Gayatri Sadhaks prefer to meditate on the Almighty God in the form of Gayatri Mata. Brilliance, supreme excellence, utmost piety, purity and divine righteousness should be visualised in the beautiful image of Gayatri Mata. It should be imagined that such a beautiful and virtuous divine power permanently dwells in the sadhak’s heart and permeates all the pores of his body.

While thinking on the third meditation, it should be felt that the divine power of Gayatri has caught the intellect and feelings of our head and heart and is guiding them on the path of righteousness. We are pure, concerted and enthusiastic and are getting attained to move in the direction of righteousness with the grace of Gayatri Mata.

These three kinds of prayer filled meditations embodied in Gayatri are symbolic of Gyan-yog, Bhakti -yog and karma-yog. In fact, contemplation of the meaning of Gayatri amounts to immersion in the Triveni of these three kinds of yog.

By such contemplation, the meaning of Gayatri Mantra is fully assimilated in the heart of the Sadhak. The result is that in a short time his mind gets diverted from evil thoughts and evil deeds and he starts taking enthusiastic joy in righteous thinking and good actions. Howsoever little this tendency may be in the beginning it is almost certain that if the practice persists, the inner-self of the Sadhak becomes more and more awakened and the ultimate aim of life draws closer and closer.

GAYATRI DHYAN (MEDITATION)

Human brain is an extremely wonderful cosmic computer. The activity, movement and potentiality of each of its cells leaves even the greatest of scientists awe-struck. Great energy is generated in the direction in which these cells are applied. All the physical energy of a person is diverted in the direction of his desires, aspirations and cravings.

Emotions first arise in human mind. When the mind concentrates on such emotions a magnetic field is created which attracts the desired elements from the atmosphere. This is the science of meditation. On this basis (AdiShakti) the power of the primordial energy pervading the interior of the nature can be attracted by the Sadhak towards him and retained by him within himself.

Gayatri should be meditated upon daily at the time of Jap or at any convenient time. The Sadhak should sit for meditation in a secluded place ha