We meditate on the glory of the Creator;
Who has created the Universe;
Who is worthy of Worship;
Who is the embodiment of Knowledge and Light;
Who is the remover of Sin and Ignorance;
May He open our hearts and enlighten our Intellect.
At each moment, somewhere in the world, someone recites the Gayatri Mantra. This mantra brings light to the earth and the hearts of men. Some say it out loud, some as a whisper, while some repeat it in their heads. It can also be sung - the most famous one probably being the version from Deva Premal and Miten.
Even not knowing the meaning of this mantra, we can feel a bit of its magic and power. This mantra is considered the most sacred and powerful of all mantras.
It appeared for the first time in writing in the Rig Veda a Vedic text from India, in which it is called “Poem of the Divine”. It was reserved for a few selected priests, because it would have been too powerful for the uninitiated. Today, Gayatri is available to all and transcends all religion and spiritual traditions. It can be considered like a universal prayer.
The Gayatri Mantra mentions Savitur, God of the Sun: this mantra is dedicated to the Sun, bringing light and life to earth and its inhabitants. It’s traditionally repeated by multiples of 108, using a mala or bead necklace (see a video on how to use a mala). When we repeat this mantra, we meditate on this limitless light. But Savitur is not only in the sky; it’s also the light that shines inside of us and all living beings. Our inner Sun, our divine unconditional Love. To repeat this mantra is to awaken this light within us and all beings, helping to bring enlightenment on earth.