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The background
 Years ago (actually, almost two and a half decades ago) when was I
doing some research into the Vedas and other Indian Scriptures, I
ran into something very curious. I had not heard of it till then. I
had, of course, heard about and practised the Gayatri Mantra
regularly, especially as part of my Sandhya Vandanam, but never
heard about its expansion. But I had not heard of the Sarva Gayatri
Mantras. More about this later. First, about the Gayatri Mantra
itself.
The Gayatri Mantra
As most Hindus are aware, the
Gayatri Mantra is basically in the form of a meter of the Rig Veda consisting of 24
syllables. It (the meter or the chanda) has been used in many
mantras in the Rig Veda. The most famous of them is of course the
Gayatri Mantra. It was first documented in the Rig Veda (III, 62,
10). Even though the mantra is known as the Gayatri, its real name
is Savitri Mantra.
Initially, this mantra was a simple invocation to the Sun to bless
all on earth. Gradually, it came to be regarded as a mystic symbol
of universal power. The
Gayatri Mantra
was first revealed to the
Rishi Vishwamitra. Rishi Vishwamitra was the very embodiment of all tapas and ascetic
forces and his mantras carry the power of light, energy and
transformation.
The
Gayatri is the mother of the Vedas; it contains the essence of all the Vedas
and of the Brahmanas, for the Gayatri is believed to embody Brahma,
Shiva, Vishnu and the Vedas.
The Gayatri mantra is important in Yoga, Vedanta, Ayurveda and Vedic
Astrology. In each branch, it has a purpose. In Yoga, it sets in
motion, it stirs the Divine Will thereby awakening the Kundalini
force. In Vedanta, it grants Self-knowledge and knowledge of the
solar Self. In Ayurveda, it provides the power of the cosmic prana
that is given by the sun. In Jyotish (Vedic astrology), it provides
knowledge of the movements of all the heavenly bodies ruled by the
sun.
 Spiritual effects of chanting the mantra
Those desiring to go to heaven should recite this mantra a thousand
times (Aitreya Brahmana). It is also said by reciting the Gayatri
five times a dah we are performing equivalent day the
Panchamahayagya.
Ideally, it should be recited 16 times a day.
Physical effects of chanting the mantra
Different scientific studies have established today what the Indians
established thousands of years without the aid of any equipment.
First let me state what the Indian scriptures say about chanting of
mantras, specially the Gayatri.
Sound pulsates throughout the body and makes it a force. The human
consciousness is affected by sound. It affects the different layers
of the mind. When the mantras are chanted in a peaceful atmosphere,
they generate a positive effect. And when more people chant the
mantras, specially the Gayatri, together, it generates a tremendous
energy that resonates throughout the body and has a great impact on
the body and mind.
Mind drives the body. Chanting drives the mind to positively affect
out internal atmosphere. The yogis and sages used sound to actually
increase the physical functioning of the body, augment the power of
the brain and the heart.
Sound has a large effect on the layers of the mind. It is obvious
that certain sounds are soothing, while others are annoying. The
atmosphere of places is very important while chanting. Good, calm
atmosphere affects are thoughts positively and the opposite is also
true. We all are quite sensitive to the effects of different
atmospheres.
Chanting allows us to positively affect our internal atmosphere. The
yogis have used sound for thousands of years to affect actual
physical functioning of brain, heart and blood pressure as well as
to effect change in the deepest regions of our consciousness.
Two important scientific studies, one by Neha Racca and another by
Glen Rein, Ph.D. established conclusively that chanting the Gayatri
Mantra and other Sanskrit mantras positively impacted the body. They
established that chanting the Gayatri mantra and the Sanskrit
mantras increased the ability to impact the REG and absorb UV light
(by as much as 8.2 per cent in one experiment). They produced a
large, unwinding effect on the DNA. Basically, it happens because
these chants are converted into scalar, non-Hertzian energy that
resonate with the human DNA.
The origin of the Sarva Gayatris and their japam
 The Gayatri Mantra japam is known to several people. However,
because of their remarkable adaptability, the meter on which the
Gayatri is based, has been used by various sages to create multiple
mantras. We call them as Gayatris again, although each Gayatri is in
praise of a different God (sometimes same God, but different phrases
within the meter) and has been created for a different purpose.
Together, they are called the Sarva Gayatri Mantras. There are
supposed to be more than 150 such Gayatri Mantras. During my
research over the years, I have been able to compile about 140.
The process for the japam itself has been compiled (please note,
compiled, not created) by me, culling from various texts. I have
been performing this for a number of years now. The entire process
runs like this:
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First perform the basic Gayatri puja
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Chant the Gayatri Pranayama Mantra
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Offer tikka (or kumkum and sandalwood paste to all those present)
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Chant the Gayatri mantra at least 108 times, if not 1,008 times
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Perform the Gayatri aarti
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Offer flowers
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Follow this by chanting the Sarva Gayatri Mantras at least three
times (each time together)
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Perform the Gayatri aarti again
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Offer flowers again
The japam requirements
Minimum requirements for the Japam are:
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A photo or a picture of the Gayatri Mantra itself
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The Gayatri Yantra
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The Rig Veda with the page on which the Gayatri Mantra is documented
(III 62.10) open
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A picture of Lord Ganesha
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At least one lamp to be burning throughout the japam (cotton wick
and sesame oil)
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Copies of the Sarva Gayatri Mantras for the participants in the
Japam
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Prasadam (payasam or halwa)
The preparation
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The host (the one who leads the japam) should practise chanting the
Sarva Gayatris for at least 28 days before the actual japam takes
place
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On the day of the japam, the host should ensure that he/she (a man
or a woman can lead this japam) performs a Ganesh puja before the
start of the Sarva Gayatri Japam
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All the participants should bathe and wear clean and washed clothes
just before the japam; those coming from outside should wash their
feet and hands before joining in the japam
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The host should not eat anything until the japam is completed
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The host must take the blessings of elders after the japam is
complete
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Participants should not consume alcohol at least 48 hours before the
japam
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The host should not consume alcohol and non-vegetarian food from the
previous day before he starts the practice (that is, at least 29
days)
Sameer Khanwalker
skhanwalker@hotmail.com
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