The Sanatan Dharma has always indicated the kinetic energy or movable force or the force of action of the universe as Shakti (a feminine Sanskrit term) and the intense variations this force has always been named as a feminine deity, prayed in ‘simple intelligence’ term as goddesses.

Gayatri mantra is not a prayer. It is not even a mantra. Let me explain…

In the literal sense, Gayatri mantra is just an invocation of the super intelligence with which then, it is expected that it will help us invoke our intelligence. But behind the veil of this simple meaning Gayatri mantra conceals several layers of meanings and the ‘simple intelligence’ invocation is actually a request from the Savitr God, the lord of Ṛta, the principle of natural order, who governs the potential and kinetic forms of the universe, to help the human limited intellect, be able to pervade through each of these layers of the Gayatri mantra and help open the higher intellect (Gyan Chakshu), gradually traversing through each layers.

24 syllables of Gayatri Mantra as Kinetic Energy

Gayatri has 24 syllables and each of these syllables indicates the 24 variations of the kinetic energy which governs the lively universe that we perceive everyday.

The names of these shaktis have been indicated in Devi Bhagavatam as,

वर्णानां शक्तयः काश्च ताः शृणुष्व महामुने ।
वामदेवी प्रिया सत्या विश्वा भद्रविलासिनी॥ 1 ॥
प्रभावती जया शान्ता कान्ता दुर्गा सरस्वती ।
विद्रुमा च विशालेशा व्यापिनी विमला तथा॥ 2 ॥
तमोऽपहारिणी सूक्ष्माविश्वयोनिर्जया वशा ।
पद्मालया परा शोभा भद्रा च त्रिपदा स्मृता॥ 3 ॥
चतुर्विशतिवर्णानां शक्तयः समुदाहृताः ।
अतः परं वर्णवर्णान्व्याहरामि यथातथम् ॥ 4 ॥

Taken from – देवीभागवतपुराणम्/स्कन्धः १२/अध्यायः ०२

Meaning: 

Nārāyaṇa said- O Nārada! O Great Muni! Now hear which are the Śaktis in due order of the twenty four syllables of the Gāyatrī Devi- 

(1) Vāma Devī, (2) Priyā, (3) Satyā, (4) Viśvā, (5) Bhadravilāsinī, (6) Prabhā Vatī, (7) Jayā, (8) Śāntā, (9) Kāntā, (10) Durgā, (11) Sarasvatī, (12) Vidrumā, (13) Viśāle’sā, (14) Vyāpinī, (15) Vimalā, (16) Tamopahāriṇī, (17) Sūkṣmā, (18) Viśvayoni, (19) Jayā, (20) Vaśā, (21) Padmālayā, (22) Parāśobhā, (23) Bhadrā, and (24) Tripadā.

You can do your own research to find the significance of each of these devis and be amused. We would also try to cover their significance in later articles. Here we will only discuss about Gayatri. In the same book/chapter (Skand/Adhyay) Narayan further explains Narada,

Colours for each syllables of Gayatri Mantra

Now hear the respective colours of the several syllables of the Gāyatrī Devī- 

(1) like Champaka and Atasī flowers, (2) like Vidruma, (3) like crystal, (4) like lotus; (5) like the Rising Sun; (6) white like conch shell; (7) white like Kuṇḍa flower; (8) like Prabāla and lotus leaves; (9) like Padmarāga, (10) like Indranīlamaṇi; (11) like pearls; (12) like Saffron; (13) like the black collyrium of the eye; (14) red; (15) like the Vaidūrya maṇi; (16) like Ksaudra (Champaka tree, honey, water); (17) like turmeric; (18) like Kuṇḍa flower; and the milk (19) like the rays of the Sun; (20) like the tail of the bird Śuka; (21) like Śatapatra; (22) like Ketakī flower; (23) like Mallikā flower; (24) like Karavīra flower.

Tatvas for each syllables of Gayatri Mantra

Now know about their Tattvas- 

(1) earth; (2) water; (3) fire; (4) air; (5) Ākāśa (ether); (6) smell; (7) taste; (8) form; (9) sound; (10) touch; (11) male generative organ; (12) anus; (13) legs, (14) hands; (15) speech; (16) Prāṇa (vital   breath); (17) tongue; (18) eyes; (19) skin; (20) ears; (21) Prāṇa (up going breath); (22) Apāna; (23) Vyāna, (24) Sāmāna.

Mudras for each syllables of Gayatri Mantra

Now learn about the Mudrās of the syllables- 

(l) Sammukha; (2) Sampuṭa; (3) Vitata; (4) Vistṛta; (5) Dvimukha, (6) Trimukha; (7) Chaturmukha; (8) Pañchamukha; (9) Ṣaṇmukha; (10) Adhomukha; (11) Vyāpakāñjali (12) Śakaṭa; (13) Yamapāśa; (14) Grathita; (15) Sanmukhon mukha (16) Vilamba; (17) Muṣṭika; (18) Matsya; (19) Kūrma; (20) Varāhaka; (21) Simhākrānta, (22) Mahākrānta; (23) Mudgara, and (24) Pallava.

So you see Gayatri is not a prayer, it is the perceivable universe itself. Hence it is also said that the Gayatri Devi (the universal Shakti itself) is the mother of the all four Vedas (Vedmātā) because Vedas came out of it.

Why Gayatri Mantra is called Ved Mata?

The Gayatri Mantra is sometimes referred to as “Ved Mata” or “Mother of the Vedas” because it is considered to be the essence of all Vedic knowledge. The Gayatri Mantra is considered to be the mother of all mantras, the source of all Vedic knowledge, and the key to unlocking the spiritual wisdom contained in the Vedas.

Rig Veda was articulated through the complete understanding of ॐ भूर् भुवः स्वः through all its layers;

Yajura Veda was through complete understanding of तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं;

Sama Veda from भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि;

and the Atharva Veda from धियो योनः प्रचोदयात्.

Now since we have had a glimpse of intellectual understanding of the Gayatri Mantra, let us understand the experiential significance of this Mantra with a little introduction initially.

Where do we find the Gayatri mantra in Veda?

The  Gayatri Mantra, is found in the Rig Veda (3.62.10) and is also known as the Sāvitri Mantra. Everywhere in the world, people chant, meditate on, and sing the Gayatri with love and reverence.

This Gayatri Mantra was revealed to Sage Vishwamitra, the Rishi or seer of this mantra, who disseminated this most valuable Vedic gem. He is the mitra, or companion of the Vishwa, or entire cosmos, just as His name suggests. Later in history, Gayatri was transformed into Gayatri Devi or Savitri Devi, the all-loving and benign Mother Goddess. 

Gayatri has often been compared to the Lord’s Prayer in importance and impact and is regarded as a deity in her own right – Mother Gayatri- the mother of all.

According to the Gayatri mantra, the 24 letters correspond to the 24 vertebrae in the spine. Support and stability are provided by the backbone. Our intellect is similarly stabilized by the Gayatri mantra. According to Vedic texts, both chanters and listeners are purified by the Gayatri mantra. This sacred prayer is said to travel through the entire universe from the heart of the chanter for peace and divine wisdom for all.

As the Scriptures declare: GAAYANTAM TRAAYATE YASMAAT GAAYATRI-ITI PRAKIRTITAA;  Translation: “That which protects the one who chants it is Gayatri.”  So let’s chant the Gayatri mantra once and understand its meaning before moving ahead. 

ॐ भूर् भुवः स्वः।

 Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Swaḥ

तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं।

Tat-savitur Vareñyaṃ

भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि।

Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi

धियो योनः प्रचोदयात्।

Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt

Meaning of Gayatri Mantra

Om, Pervading the Bhu Loka (Earth, Consciousness of the Physical Plane), Bhuvar Loka (Antariksha, The Intermediate Space, Consciousness of Prana) and Swar Loka (Sky, Heaven, Consciousness of the Divine Mind); That Savitur (Savitri, Divine Essence of the Sun) which is the most Adorable; I Meditate on that Divine Effulgence; May that Awaken our Intelligence (Spiritual Consciousness).

Bhur, Bhuvah, and Swah are the three elements of the Gayatri mantra; they represent the body (materialization), the life-force (vibration), and the soul (radiation). Bhur is the earth, i.e. the combination of elements. It denotes the human body, which is also constructed from a variety of materials. Vibration occurs when the body is infused with Bhuvah, the life-force.

The word ‘Swah’ means Prajnāna-shakti, which sustains life-force. Known as constant integrated awareness, Prajnāna-shakti is a state of whole being. The term radiation also applies here. Human beings, then, exhibit all three phenomena, namely, materialization, vibration, and radiation.

There is actually more than one you-the one you assume to be (physical body), the one others assume you are (mental body), and the true yourself (Atma).

Translations

The Gayatri mantra has been translated in many ways. Quite literal translations include:

• Swami Vivekananda: "We meditate on the glory of that Being who has produced this universe; may She enlighten our minds."
• Monier Monier-Williams (1882): "Let us meditate on that excellent glory of the divine vivifying Sun, May he enlighten our understandings."
• Ralph T.H. Griffith (1896): "May we attain that excellent glory of Savitar the god: So may He stimulate our prayers."
• S. Radhakrishnan:

• (1947): "We meditate on the effulgent glory of the divine Light; may he inspire our understanding."
• (1953): "We meditate on the adorable glory of the radiant sun; may She inspire our intelligence."

• Sri Aurobindo: "We choose the Supreme Light of the divine Sun; we aspire that it may impel our minds." Sri Aurobindo further elaborates: "The Sun is the symbol of divine Light that is coming down and Gayatri gives expression to the aspiration asking that divine Light to come down and give impulsion to all the activities of the mind."
• Stephanie W. Jamison and Joel P. Brereton: "Might we make our own that desirable effulgence of god Savitar, who will rouse forth our insights."

Literal translations of the words are below:

• Om - Para Brahman (entire universe);
• Bhur - Bhuloka (physical plane);
• Bhuvah - Antariksha (space);
• Svah - Svarga Loka (Heaven);
• Tat - Paramatma (Supreme Soul);
• Savitur - Isvara (Surya) (Sun god);
• Varenyam - Fit to be worshipped;
• Bhargo - Remover of sins and ignorance;
• Devasya - Glory (Jnana Svaroopa ie Feminine / Female);
• Dheemahi - We meditate;
• Dhiyo - Buddhi (Intellect);
• Yo - Which;
• Nah - Our;
• Prachodayat: Enlighten/inspire.

More interpretative translations include:

• Sir John Woodroffe (Arthur Avalon) (1913): "Om. Let us contemplate the wondrous spirit of the Divine Creator (Savitri) of the earthly, atmospheric, and celestial spheres. May He direct our minds (that is, 'towards' the attainment of dharmma, artha, kama, and moksha), Om."
• Ravi Shankar (poet): "Oh manifest and unmanifest, wave and ray of breath, red lotus of insight, transfix us from eye to navel to throat, under canopy of stars spring from soil in an unbroken arc of light that we might immerse ourselves until lit from within like the sun itself."
• Shriram Sharma: Om, the Brahm, the Universal Divine Energy, vital spiritual energy (Pran), the essence of our life existence, Positivity, destroyer of sufferings, the happiness, that is bright, luminous like the Sun, best, destroyer of evil thoughts, the divinity who grants happiness may imbibe its Divinity and Brilliance within us which may purify us and guide our righteous wisdom on the right path.
• Sir William Jones (1807): "Let us adore the supremacy of that divine sun, the god-head who illuminates all, who recreates all, from whom all proceed, to whom all must return, whom we invoke to direct our understandings right in our progress toward his holy seat."
• William Quan Judge (1893): "Unveil, O Thou who givest sustenance to the Universe, from whom all proceed, to whom all must return, that face of the True Sun now hidden by a vase of golden light, that we may see the truth and do our whole duty on our journey to thy sacred seat."
• Sivanath Sastri (Brahmo Samaj) (1911): "We meditate on the worshipable power and glory of Him who has created the earth, the nether world and the heavens (i.e. the universe), and who directs our understanding."
• Swami Sivananda: "Let us meditate on Isvara and His Glory who has created the Universe, who is fit to be worshipped, who is the remover of all sins and ignorance. May he enlighten our intellect."
• Maharshi Dayananda Saraswati (founder of Arya Samaj): "Oh God! Thou art the Giver of Life, Remover of pain and sorrow, The Bestower of happiness. Oh! Creator of the Universe, May we receive thy supreme sin-destroying light, May Thou guide our intellect in the right direction."
• Kirpal Singh: "Muttering the sacred syllable 'Aum' rise above the three regions, And turn thy attention to the All-Absorbing Sun within. Accepting its influence be thou absorbed in the Sun, And it shall in its own likeness make thee All-Luminous."

When to chant the Gayatri Mantra?

Even though there are no hard and fast rules for chanting the names of the divine, however, chanting is best done during the brief hours of dawn and dusk. When the sun has gone down but it is neither dark nor light, and when the night has passed but the day has yet to begin. The mind enters an altered state of consciousness at these times as well.

The moments do not belong in either the previous or subsequent states. It is time to concentrate on the Self rather than being distracted by changes or movement. During these hours, the mind can easily become confused and fall into inertia, lethargy, negativity, and so on, or it can be elevated and move into a meditative state of positivity. Chanting the Gayatri mantra refreshes and energizes the mind.

Experiential benefit of Gayatri Mantra

As we understand the power and importance of the Gayatri Mantra, the benefits of chanting the Gayatri mantra are equally profound. Among its benefits is the ability to sharpen the intellect, increase learning power, and concentration, protect from negativity, make the mind calm and balanced, dispel ignorance, improve communication skills, open psychic vision, and provide direct knowledge of eternal truths.

Scientific research was conducted by a scientist on the science of Mantra and the effects of the Gayatri mantra at the neurological level.

Impact on Brain Function: The Gayatri Mantra, when chanted or listened to, showed a significant impact on brain function. Dr. Steingeril discovered that the mantra's rhythmic vibrations and specific frequencies stimulated the prefrontal cortex, the area associated with higher cognitive functions, decision-making, and emotional regulation. These findings indicated that the mantra has the potential to enhance mental clarity, concentration, and emotional stability.

Stress Reduction and Well-being: Another important aspect of Dr. Steingeril's research focused on the effects of the Gayatri Mantra on stress reduction and overall well-being. The mantra's vibrational patterns were found to promote a state of deep relaxation, reducing cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and activating the release of endorphins, which are responsible for inducing feelings of happiness and well-being.

Enhancing Cognitive Abilities: Dr. Steingeril's studies also highlighted the mantra's positive influence on cognitive abilities. The Gayatri Mantra was found to enhance memory, focus, and attention span. The rhythmic vibrations of the mantra were observed to synchronize brainwave patterns, leading to improved cognitive function and mental performance.

Psychological and Emotional Benefits: The Gayatri Mantra's powerful resonance has profound effects on psychological and emotional well-being. Dr. Steingeril's research indicated that regular chanting or listening to the mantra helped reduce anxiety, depression, and negative thought patterns. It promoted a sense of inner peace, balance, and emotional resilience.

Significance of the 12^th letter “va” of Gayatri Mantra in Sundarakanda’s opening sloka (verse) of 1^st Chapter  

Sundarakanda begins with the sloka “tatO raa-va-Na neetaayaa”. The syllable “va” is the twelfth syllable in the Gayatri mantra, which denotes surrender and devotion.       Please find the sloka is given below:

After that, Hanuma, the destroyer of foes, desired to travel in the sky where celestials like chaaranas tread, to search for Seetha, who was taken away by Ravana.

Gayatri is the most powerful mantra among all mantras!  Ramayana contains all 24 syllables of Gayatri.  Even though it is widely known as Gayatri – originally this mantra was known as the “savitri” mantra,  because the blessings of The Sun God (savitur) were (and are still presently) invoked through this mantra.  The meter in which it is written is called “Gayatri”.  

Ramayana is the codebook of morals.  Our elders have advised us to refer to Ramayana when in doubt in order to learn how to handle any situation!  Lord Rama is said to have ruled so superbly that Modern day Mahatma Gandhi aspired for India to become “Ramarajya” – a model kingdom such as the one ruled by Lord Rama.

It is the responsibility of the intellect to decide between good and bad!  Without a good intellect, man can achieve nothing!  People who act upon their mind’s whims and fancies will ultimately drive themselves toward their destruction. People who exercise control over their senses by diligently utilizing their minds, with the help of the intellect, will gain the ultimate joy! 

 For example,  once a person begins drinking alcohol, it leaves an impression that is stored in the memory. The thought of alcohol is in the mind.  However, it is the intellect, which advises restraint.  Either you can listen to your mind and get addicted to alcohol, or you can listen to your intellect and live happily by not indulging in alcohol! 

Society (mutual understanding of people) sets rules on what is good and what is bad. Sometimes it is the innermost heart, intuition, which suggests something different. First listen to yourself, using your intellectual power; debate whether what you want for yourself is best for the common good of society or not. When in doubt refers to the moral books and men who are wise!  (Gita). 

Ramayana is a battle that has taken place between people of good intellect (maharshis, ordinary mortals, simians, etc) and people who are completely ruled by the mind listening to its troublesome desires (murderers who murder innocent people just because they feel like doing it!), the demons of Lanka. 

Because the Gayatri mantra invokes the Sun God to guide our intellects in the right decision-making process, Maharshi Valmiki has placed a syllable of the Gayatri Mantra at the beginning of each 1,000 slokas, a total of 24 syllables, in the 24,000 verses of Ramayana.  It is also because Lord Rama belongs to Suryavamsa the dynasty which has its origins from Sun God.

It was devised in this manner so that whoever read Ramayana would develop a  great intellect which would in turn help him/her make the right decisions in life.  A life that is surrendered to the higher aspect is worth living!  Maharshi Valmiki was a visionary.   He knew that Srimad Ramayana, composed in  Tretayuga (the second age of the world),  would be read even in Kaliyuga (the fourth and the most destructive age of the world), consisting mostly of people living to satisfy their minds!

Sundarakanda begins with the sloka “tatO raa-va-Na neetaayaa”.  Here as you can see, the syllable “va” is the twelfth syllable in the Gayatri mantra, which denotes surrender and devotion.    Number 12 by itself is greatly significant.  Number 1 signifies Paramatman and number 2, Jivatman.  Number 2 is devotedly facing number 1 in surrender.  Once you surrender and begin recognizing the higher aspect within you (number 1)  then that becomes Bhakti Yoga.   That is why in Bhagavad Gita, the 12^th Chapter is entitled ‘Bhakti Yoga’ (the Yoga of devotion).

Also, you will find this sloka exactly in the middle of the entire Srimad Ramayana!  From a total of 24,000 verses, the 12,000^th verse is “tatO raavaNa neeta..”.  The 12^th syllable of the Gayatri Mantra, ‘va’,  is hidden in the 12,000^th verse of Srimad Ramayana. 

As you will see,  Hanumanji is likened to the middle pearl of a necklace called Ramayana!  As you read Ramayana till the 12,000^th sloka,  the story commences and descends to the lowest level. Lord Rama and his brothers are born and brought up happily.  Rama gets married and slowly the difficulties set in.  If you can imagine the story of Ramayana like pearls of a necklace adorning beautiful mother Sita,  you will see the pearls slowly descending to the troublesome level. In Sundarakanda Hanumanji visits Mother Sita and makes her feel happy!  From there onwards the pearls ascend back to the joyous levels up to the throne ceremony of Lord Rama!

That is why Sundarakanda is said to have the hidden power of removing the miseries of the devotee.  It also cultivates feelings of surrender toward the Lord!

References:

madhava
Indielogy
GayatriMantra