Gayatri Mahima

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Q.5. Is audible chanting of Gayatri scripturally permissible?

 

Ans. Some people say that Gayatri Mantra being a " secret " Mantra should only be

whispered in the ear during initiation. This may apply to Tantrik Mantras but

not to Gayatri Mantra. According to scriptures the Ved Mantras should be chanted

loudly with tune or accent according to specified notation. Whispering is needed

only for secrecy and it is done in seclusion in conspiracies. There is nothing

in Gayatri Mantra necessitating such a secrecy.

 

Nowhere in the scriptures, audible chanting of Gayatri is forbidden. The

tradition of whispering the Mantra in the ears of the person being initiated

owes its origin to the vested interests of the dark middle ages, when a

particular class of society amongst the Hindus claimed exclusive rights to

Gayatri worship and its initiation in order to prove its superiority in

spiritual matters. Nothing can be more ludicrous than preaching secrecy and

advocating intellectual proprietary rights on worship of God. (During the

medieval period the Popes in Europe indulged in similar corrupt practices.) In

fact, the scriptures clearly emphasize the need to rhyme the Gayatri Mantra . In

Devi Bhagwat (11.3.11) it is mentioned that " Since it protects its singer, it is

known as Gayatri " . The `Chandogyaupnishad " (Shankar Bhasya) too confirms this

assertion. The `Niruktam' says that since this Mantra was used by the Devtas for

praying (Stuti), it came to be known as Gayatri Mantra (7.12). Besides,

literally the word Gayatri is composed of two words- Gai and Train. In sanskrit

Gai stands for `To sing' and Train means `to look after' or `to protect', i.e.

it protects the one who sings it.

 

Hence, arguments against audible chanting of this Mantra have no basis

whatsoever. Ordinarily Jap should be performed in such a way that throat, lips,

tongue may go on moving but even a person sitting close by may not be able to

hear. It is possible to have estimation of average time and number of Japs with

the help of a Mala. Those who do not possess a Mala can estimate the number

approximately with the help of time. Tulsi, Sandal-wood Malas are most

appropriate ones for performance of Jap. For Tantrik applications Rudraksh Malas

are used. Ordinarily, words are pronounced by the movement of throat, palate,

tongue, lips etc., According to spiritual science it is also mentioned that

there are some subtle centres, channels etc. within the human body which vibrate

along with utterance of words. As soon as the key of a type-writer is pressed,

there is a stroke on the paper and the particular letter is typed on it. The

letters of Gayatri Mantra have been selected in such a manner that by utterance

thereof specific ultrasonic sound waves are created and positive attributes of

Gun (virtues), Karma (action) and Swabhav (nature) get activated. A Sadhak gains

spiritually as well as materially by this Sadhana.

 

Mental Jap without moving the lips can be performed during illness or in a

journey when a person cannot take a bath and during the period of Sootak when

there is birth or death in a family. It can also be done while walking on a the

road or lying on the bed at night.