The supreme knowledge of Gayatri is the origin of the Vedic (Indian) Culture…. The limitless powers and infinite radiance of Gayatri have been experienced and glorified by the spiritual saints, sages, scholars and great personalities of all ages…. There could be vast difference of opinions among them on other topics, but the eternal eminence of Gayatrī is unanimously sung by all-since the vedic times till the modern days… The Atharva Veda incorporates a prayer (19|1|71) in praise of Gayatri stating that it grants longevity, energy, power, fame, wealth and divine brilliance (Brahm Tej).
According to Maharshi Vishwamitra, there is no other mantra like the Gayatri Mantra. All the Vedas, yagyas, tapas (devout austerity), charities together are not equivalent even to a small fraction of the supreme potency of the Gayatri Mantra. Manu says that the Gayatri Mantra, with its three phases, was conceived by Lord Brahma as the essence of the three principal Vedas. No mantra can have the purifying effects like the Gayatri Mantra. Yogiraj Yagyavalkya says – “Gayatri and all the Vedas were weighed in a balance. The scale was found tipped in favor of Gayatri” .
In the word of Atri Muni- “All the deep-rooted defects and vices are cleansed out by the divine power of Gayatrī. 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 flowers, ghrit of the milk, in the same way Gayatri is the essence of all the Vedas. Is like Kamadhenu for the one who has acquired mastery in its true knowledge”.
Rishi Bhardwaj says that – “even God Brahma performs the japa of the Gayatri Mantra. It leads to ultimate realization of the Brahm” According to devarshi Narad, “Gāyatrī is devotion personified. Wherever there is Gayatri in the form of devotion, God undoubtedly resides there”. Similar views have been expressed by almost all the great rishis.
Apart from the views expressed by the ancient saints and sages, eminent personalities, erudite scholars, philosophers and spiritual masters of the modern age of rational and evidential thinking have also unequivocally praised the pre-eminence and divine glory of Gayatri Mantra.
The great Indian poet Ravindranath Tagore says, “The mantra that can awaken India is so simple that it could be uttered in a single breath. It is the Gāyatri Mantra” According to Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya, “Gāyatrī Mantra 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”
According to globally revered Adi Shankaracharya – “It is beyond human competence to describe the glory of Gayatrī. Nothing is more important in the world than to attain spiritual wisdom, which is inspired by Gayatrī Sādhanā. Gāyatrī is the primordial mantra. Its sādhanã destroys all sins and in-
culcates divine virtues. Swami Ramakrishna Paramhans too had affirmed the astonishing power of this mantra and he used to guide his disciples to perform simple Gayatri Sadhana rather than arduous, complicated sādhanās. In his views, all the siddhis are attainable by Gayatri Sadhanā.
Swami Dayananda Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj, was a staunch worshiper of Gayatrī. He preached Gayatrī as the paramount Guru Mantra of all the Vedas. Swami Vivekananda used to regard this mantra of sadbuddhi as the pre-eminent crown of all mantras. In views of Swami Ramteerth – “The purpose of Gayatri Mantra is to remove intellect’s craving for sensuous pleasures and inculcate in it deep interest for God. He alone can realize thee whose intellect is so pure and stable”
Maharshi Raman preached that of all masteries, the mastery of a mantra is extremely powerful. Marvelous results are achieved by the power of mantras. Gayatrī is such a mantra, which bestows both material as well as spiritual benefits. Lokmanaya Tilak believed that, “Political freedom alone will not liberate Indian people from the bonds of slavery. For this, the inner soul should be enlightened. The great Gavatri Mantra is endowed with this supreme power”
Mahatma Gandhi had adored the effects of Gayatri Mantra in protection from all infirmities and ailments, and in inducing peace and divine evolution of the soul. Sri Aurobindo has also advocated Gayatri Japa. According to him, Gayatri has supernormal potency to accomplish great and noble aims.
Prof. R. Srinivasan, a senior member of the Theosophical Society has expressed that – “If one chants the Gayatri Mantra with deep understanding and concentrating on its meaning and divine secret in the mind and the heart, his consciousness gets connected with the super power immanent in the Sun. This educes grand spiritual transmutation in his inner and outer life. These paeans affirm that Gāyatrī Sādhanā-Upāsanā is not a blind faith or tradition. Rather it is an authentically tested mode of spiritual elevation that also enlightens materialistic progress by virtuous development of personality.
Source: Gayatri Sadhana – Why and How?
