Gayatri Jayanti celebrates the manifestation of Goddess Gayatri, who is worshipped as Veda Mata (The Mother of Vedas). In 2024, the date of Gayatri Jayanti is Monday, August 19, 2024.
Gayatri is a universal prayer that is addressed to the immanent and transcendent divine. The Gayatri Mantra is sacred and is considered the mother of the Vedas. It is non-denominational and can be chanted by anyone to illumine the intellect. It can be chanted upon waking, before the midday meal and in the evening – alone or in the company of the good and Godly.
The potency of the Gayatri Mantra is embedded in its power of illuming intelligence and intellect. Upon attainment of these, one becomes wiser and develops a keen sense of discrimination between right and wrong.
The process of avoiding the bad and adopting the good leads the aspirant toward righteousness. Righteousness purifies our senses and generates a sense of unity of thought, word and action. This unity is a stepping-stone to divinity and subsequent self—realisation. Thus, the powers of intelligence and intellect are significant. Intelligence and intellect are distinctive in their functions. Intelligence is the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations. It is related to one’s ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one’s environment or think abstractly as measured by objective criteria. Intellect pertains to the power of knowing as distinguished from the power to feel. It indicates one’s capacity for knowledge and the capacity for rational or intelligent thoughts, analytical reasoning and evaluation. Intelligence is an emotion.
What is the Gayatri Mantra?
“The Gayatri Mantra is a Universal Prayer enshrined in the Vedas, the most ancient Scriptures of Man.” SSS, Vol. X, p. 109
“The Gayatri Mantra is a prayer that can well be spoken with a yearning by men and women of all creeds and climes in all countries. Repetition of this Mantra will develop Intelligence.” SSS, Vol. 5 p. 58
Meaning of the Word “GAYATRI”
“What is the real meaning of the word ‘Gayatri’? Does anyone try to know it today? The word is taken to mean either a Goddess or a formula. Gayatri is that which protects (Tra) the Gaya-s or Pranas (life-breaths) or the Indriyas (senses), beginning with Vaak (speech). It is said ‘Gaayantam traayate yasmaad Gayatri’; that is to say that one which saves those who sing it, revere it, repeat it, and meditate on it, is called Gayatri.” Gita Vahini, Reprint 2001, p. 45
“Gayatri means ‘that which saves, when repeated.”
“Gaayantam Traayate Iti Gayatri”, Gayatri redeems the chanter of the Mantra.”
“That is to say, the Mantra enables you to be in the proximity of the Divine that is drawn near by the potency of the formula when charged with your own mental current.” SSS, Vol. VII, Discourse on 16-10-1969, p. 128
Gayatri Mantra Astotra Naamavali
The word ‘Naamaavali’ is a composite word of Naama (name) + Aavali (line, array, collection, group). Thus, Naamaavali means a collection or a grouping of names (of a chosen God or Goddess). Normally, Naamaavali consists of 108 one-line verses called Stotras addressed to a particular Form and Name of God. Each verse depicts salutationsssss, adoration and attributes of the chosen deity. Sometimes a Naamaavali consists of 1008 or more names. It is a spiritual exercise for remembering God’s Name bringing the form to mind. It is a Japa (recital). Japa is a sadhana (spiritual activity). The definition of Japa, according to the Agni Purana is thus:
The syllable “Ja” indicates the destruction of the birth and death cycle and the syllable “pa” refers to the protection of the seeker by destroying all sins. Thus, Japa is that spiritual exercise, which protects the spiritual aspirant by destroying his sins and karmic consequences, and liberates him/her from the cycle of birth and death.
THE GAYATRI ASHTOTRA NAAMAAVALI
OM Sri Gayatriyai Namaha
Salutations to Goddess Gayatri
OM Jaganmatre Namaha
Salutations to one who is the Universal Mother
OM Parabrahma Swaroopinyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the embodiment of the Formless Absolute Brahma
OM Paramaarthapradaayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who grants salvation
OM Japayayai Namaha
Salutations to the one whose name is worth chanting
OM Brahmatejo Vivardhinyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the augmenter of the effulgence of Brahma
OM Brahmaastra Roopinyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is like Brahmaastra
OM Bhavyayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is elegant
OM Trikaalaa-roopinyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who transcends all three categories of time – past, present and future
OM Trimoorti-roopayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is three faceted
OM Sarvajnanayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is onmiscient
OM Vedamaatre Namaha
Salutations to the one who is mother of the Vedas
OM Manonmayyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the form of mental sheath
OM Baalikaayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is ever a spinster
OM Tarunyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is ever youthful
OM Vriddayayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who confers prosperity
OM Sooryamandala-vasinyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who exists in the solar region
OM Mandeha-tannava dhvamsakaarinyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who destroys the blemishes of body and mind
OM Sarvakaaranaayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the cause of everything
Om Hamsaaroodhaayai Namah
Salutations to the one who is like a swan
OM Vrisharootayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is like a Bull
OM Garauda-rohinyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who rides the celestial bird Garuda
OM Shubhayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is noble
OM Shadgutshinyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is imbued with six good virtues
OM Tripadaayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who has three Padas (feet)
OM Shuddhayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is unsullied and pure
OM Panchashirshayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is five headed
OM Trilochanayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is three-eyed
OM Triveda-roopayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the embodiment of the three Vedas
OM Trividayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the form of three kinds of knowledge
OM Trivarga-phala~daayinyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who grants three kinds of fruits
OM Dasha-hastayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who has ten hands
OM Chandra-vamayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who has the splendour of the Moon
OM Vishwamitra vara—pradayai Namaha
(Salutations to the one who granted the boon to Sage Vishwamitra
OM Dashaayudha-dhaarayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who holds ten weapons
OM Nityayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is eternal
OM Santushtayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is ever contented
OM Brahma-pujitayai Namah
Salutations to the one who is worshipped by Brahma
OM Aadishaktyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the primal source of energy
OM Mahaavidyayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who possesses the greatest knowledge
OM Sushumnagyayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is engrossed in the Sushamna stage
OM Saraswatyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is Saraswati herself
OM Saavitriyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is Saavitri herself
OM Satyavatsalayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who loves truth
OM Sandhyayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the focus of worship
OM Raatriyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is worshipped in night time
OM Prapaadagyayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who removes sufferings
OM Shaankhyana-kulotbhavayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who was bom in Shankhyana lineage
OM Sarveshwaryai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the Goddess of all
OM Sarvavidyayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who treasures all types of knowledge
OM Sarvamantrathaye Namaha
Salutations to the one who knows all mantras
OM Avyayayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is subtle
OM Shuddhavastrayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who wears pure clothes
OM Shuddha-vidyayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the embodiment of pure knowledge
OM Shuklamaalyanu Lebanayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who wears white garland
OM Surasindusamayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who destroys evil elements
OM Soumyayai Namah
Salutations to the one who is sweet and humble
OM Brahmaloka-nivaasinyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who resides in Brahma loka
OM Pranava pradipaath-yaanhayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who enkindles the glow of Pranava
OM Pranatothdharana-Kshamayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who has capability to uplift prana (vital airs)
OM Jalaanjali Susantushtayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who holds water in her hands and is fully peaceful and contented
OM Jalagarbhayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is immersed in water
OM Jalapriyayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who loves water
OM Swaahayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is Goddess Swaahaa
OM Swadhaayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who loves study of scriptures
OM Sutasamstayai Namaha
Salutations to the one whose children are all
OM Srowshad Vowshad Vashat Kriyayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is Vowshed and Vaskat
OM Surabhyai Namaha.
Salutations to the one who is joined with Devas
OM Shodasha Kalaayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who has sixteen Kalaas
OM Munibrinda Nishevitayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who was served by Munibrinda
OM Yagna Priyayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who loves Yajna
OM Yagna Moortiyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the form of Yajna
OM Sruksruvaajya Swaroopinyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is like Yaga
OM Archamaala-dharaayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who wears the garland of worship
OM Archamaala-samsthayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the abode of the garland for worship
OM Archaraakmtyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is a kind-hearted
OM Madhuchandasa Namaha
Salutations to the one whose poetic metre is sweet
OM Rishipreetayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who loves sages
OM Swachandayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who moves freely
OM Echchandasaam Nidhaya Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the treasure of the Vedas
OM Anguleeparva-samthanaayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who keeps the Pranava (Omkaara) in her fingers
OM Chaturvimsati Mudrikaayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who has twenty-four Mudrikas or modes
OM Brahmamultiyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the form of Brahma
OM Chatur-vimsadyat-charadyayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who has 24 potencies
OM Rudrasikhayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who has Rudra in her head
OM Sahasra Paramambikaayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who has thousands of pranas
OM Sahasraparamaayai Namah
Salutations to the one who has thousands of names
OM Vishnu-hridkaayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who resides in the heart of Lord Vishnu
OM Agni-mukhyai Namaha
Salutations to the one whose face is of Agni (fire)
OM Sadamadhyayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who grants right wisdom
OM Dasaavataraayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who has ten incarnations
OM Sahasra Dala Padmasthayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is seated on the one-thousand-petalled lotus
OM Hamsa-roopayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who has swan-like form
OM Niranjanayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is unsullied pure
OM Charaachara-sathayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who exists in animate and inanimate objects
OM Chaturayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is smart and intelligent
OM Surya-koti-samaprabhaayai Namaha
Salutations to the one whose effulgence is equal to millions of suns
OM Pancha-varana-mukhyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who has five faces of various colours
OM Tatriyyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who assumes the fonn of the Tatriya bird
OM Chandra-koti Susismitayai Namaha
Salutations to the one whose smile has the brightness of millions of moons
OM Mahaa Maayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the great illusion we call nature (prakriti)
OM Vichitrangiyai Namaha
Salutations to the one whose conduct is mysterious
OM Maayaapijanivaasinyai Namaha
Salutations to the one who removes ignorance (maya, illusion)
OM Sarvayantra-aatmikaayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is indweller of every being
OM Sarva-tantra-roopayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who assumes different forms
OM Jagadditayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is the Sun of the world
OM Maryaadapaalikaayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who abides by code of conduct
OM Maanyayai Namaha
Salutations to the one who is honorable and adorable
OM Maha-mantra Phala-pradaayai Namaha
(Salutations to the one who gives the fruits of the great mantra
|| Iti Shree Gaayatree Ashottara Shatanaamaavali Samaaptam ||
Download the 108 Names of Gayatri in English
