Post by Kanchi Periva on Aug 14, 2012 8:24:59 GMT 5.5
Here are some compilations on importance of Gayatri Mantram - compiled from the email messages forwarded by Sri G. Balasubramaniam
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Kanchi ParamAchAryA used to tell us that if for three generations people do not perform Gayatri Japam(Chanting) properly, even the so-called priestly class will get downgraded. His advice to those who have leave their homes for work was that at least on Sundays and other holidays one should perform Gayatri Japam1008 times. "Sahasra Paramaa Devi satamadhya dasaavara", says the Taitrrya Aranyaka of Yajur Veda.
It means chanting Gayatri 1008 times gives the best result, chanting 108 times gives mediocre results while chanting ten times Gayatri the least. It is said that best results of chanting Gayatri are obtained by chanting in early morning, noon and evening twilight . Chanting during these three interrugnums are stated to confer on us tranquility and peace. It is also said that whatever may be the emergency, at least 10 Gayatri should be chanted in these time periods. This should not be interpreted to mean that it is
sufficient to chant only 10 Gayatris even when we have all the time for doing Gayatri Japam.
In the morning Gayatri is to be meditated as Brahmaroopini,in midday as Sivaroopini and in the evening as Vishnuroopini. Again, Gayatri is also meditated as Savitri in noon and Saraswati in the evening. When a brahmin boy undergoes Upanayanam(investiture of sacred thread) ie., when he is supposed to born for the second time, his Acharya tells him to perform Sandhyavandanam and Gayatri Japam 3 times a day. In the morning 108 gayatris are to be performed,32 at noon and 64 in the evening. *
Gayatri is said to contain the efficacy and energy of of all the Veda mantras . In fact, they say that Gayatri gives strength to all Veda Mantras. If Gayatri is not chanted, other mantras lose their strength. Gayatri is an invalueable aid to liberation. Gayatri Mantra is uttered while offering'Argya'(devotional offering of water) to Sun God three times a day. In the morning Argya is to be offered before sunrise, in mid-day when the sun`s position is exactly above one`s head and in the evening before sunset. *
Just as medicine is necessary for curing fever, Gayatri is essential medicine for curing the disease,as it were, of bondage for the Atma. Gayatri should not be abandoned under any circumstance. This is more important than medicine.
Gayatri Upasana(worship) has to be done in the form of mother. Mother is the most Loving entity for all of us. We know that God can come to us in any form. If God comes in the form of mother that will be more beneficial to us. The Vedas proclaim that Gayatri is such a mother.
Benefits of regularly chanting Gayatri:
GAyatri mantram has to be chanted as prescribed daily. Certain benefits are said to accrue by chanting as follows:-
1.It is said that by chanting 1008 times Gayatri in the morning for one month, all sins get extinguished and by chanting for one whole year daily one gets longevity, bodily strength and good health by chanting.
2.I have also heard that by chanting Gayatri 108 times in the morning daily, one gets released from wordly ties.
3.Elders say that the water kept in a vessel in front while doing the Japam 108 times, if consumed, will relieve one from the effect of poison and evil spirits.
4. I have also witnessed some elders doing Gayatri japam by keeping Vibhuti(Bhasma) in a small plate in front with fingers touching the bhasma. Such a bhasma if consumed in minute quantities and if applied on the forehead is stated to relieve one from fever.
5.Performance of 1008 Gayatri Japam extinguishes the sin of having abandoned *sandhyAvandanam. All the benefits of meditation are attained by this. *In fact it is considered a greater attainment than even *samAdhi *in meditation. Since the *mantra* commences with 'OM', this is considered as superior to *samAdhi.*
6.*VyAsa smrti* says by chanting *Gayatri Japam *ten times a day, any sin committed within three days will get extinguished. Chanting 1000 times will remove all obstacles and chanting a crore will confer the benefit of begetting all that one wants..
7.There is no *mantra *greater than GAyatri which is capable of relieving one from all sins. One should chant by observing the restrictions on food and with *shraddhA and acAra niyamam. *Then only can one reap the real benefit.
8.*ViswAmitra smrti* declares that there will be no fear for one who chants GAyatri regularly and as prescribed. Even if one were to leave elaborate rituals and worship, one should never leave chanting GaAyatri,says *the smrti.*
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Kanchi ParamAchAryA used to tell us that if for three generations people do not perform Gayatri Japam(Chanting) properly, even the so-called priestly class will get downgraded. His advice to those who have leave their homes for work was that at least on Sundays and other holidays one should perform Gayatri Japam1008 times. "Sahasra Paramaa Devi satamadhya dasaavara", says the Taitrrya Aranyaka of Yajur Veda.
It means chanting Gayatri 1008 times gives the best result, chanting 108 times gives mediocre results while chanting ten times Gayatri the least. It is said that best results of chanting Gayatri are obtained by chanting in early morning, noon and evening twilight . Chanting during these three interrugnums are stated to confer on us tranquility and peace. It is also said that whatever may be the emergency, at least 10 Gayatri should be chanted in these time periods. This should not be interpreted to mean that it is
sufficient to chant only 10 Gayatris even when we have all the time for doing Gayatri Japam.
In the morning Gayatri is to be meditated as Brahmaroopini,in midday as Sivaroopini and in the evening as Vishnuroopini. Again, Gayatri is also meditated as Savitri in noon and Saraswati in the evening. When a brahmin boy undergoes Upanayanam(investiture of sacred thread) ie., when he is supposed to born for the second time, his Acharya tells him to perform Sandhyavandanam and Gayatri Japam 3 times a day. In the morning 108 gayatris are to be performed,32 at noon and 64 in the evening. *
Gayatri is said to contain the efficacy and energy of of all the Veda mantras . In fact, they say that Gayatri gives strength to all Veda Mantras. If Gayatri is not chanted, other mantras lose their strength. Gayatri is an invalueable aid to liberation. Gayatri Mantra is uttered while offering'Argya'(devotional offering of water) to Sun God three times a day. In the morning Argya is to be offered before sunrise, in mid-day when the sun`s position is exactly above one`s head and in the evening before sunset. *
Just as medicine is necessary for curing fever, Gayatri is essential medicine for curing the disease,as it were, of bondage for the Atma. Gayatri should not be abandoned under any circumstance. This is more important than medicine.
Gayatri Upasana(worship) has to be done in the form of mother. Mother is the most Loving entity for all of us. We know that God can come to us in any form. If God comes in the form of mother that will be more beneficial to us. The Vedas proclaim that Gayatri is such a mother.
Benefits of regularly chanting Gayatri:
GAyatri mantram has to be chanted as prescribed daily. Certain benefits are said to accrue by chanting as follows:-
1.It is said that by chanting 1008 times Gayatri in the morning for one month, all sins get extinguished and by chanting for one whole year daily one gets longevity, bodily strength and good health by chanting.
2.I have also heard that by chanting Gayatri 108 times in the morning daily, one gets released from wordly ties.
3.Elders say that the water kept in a vessel in front while doing the Japam 108 times, if consumed, will relieve one from the effect of poison and evil spirits.
4. I have also witnessed some elders doing Gayatri japam by keeping Vibhuti(Bhasma) in a small plate in front with fingers touching the bhasma. Such a bhasma if consumed in minute quantities and if applied on the forehead is stated to relieve one from fever.
5.Performance of 1008 Gayatri Japam extinguishes the sin of having abandoned *sandhyAvandanam. All the benefits of meditation are attained by this. *In fact it is considered a greater attainment than even *samAdhi *in meditation. Since the *mantra* commences with 'OM', this is considered as superior to *samAdhi.*
6.*VyAsa smrti* says by chanting *Gayatri Japam *ten times a day, any sin committed within three days will get extinguished. Chanting 1000 times will remove all obstacles and chanting a crore will confer the benefit of begetting all that one wants..
7.There is no *mantra *greater than GAyatri which is capable of relieving one from all sins. One should chant by observing the restrictions on food and with *shraddhA and acAra niyamam. *Then only can one reap the real benefit.
8.*ViswAmitra smrti* declares that there will be no fear for one who chants GAyatri regularly and as prescribed. Even if one were to leave elaborate rituals and worship, one should never leave chanting GaAyatri,says *the smrti.*
