Gayatri is revered as the Goddess of Wisdom and Enlightenment. She is the Source of Universal Power and the Mother of the Vedas, who originated from the auspicious and purifying Gayatri Mantra, whose Divine energy she epitomizes. Gayatri Jayanthi is the Day of appearance of Gayatri, which people generally observe on Shukla Paksha Ekadasi, the 11th Lunar Day of the waxing Moon phase in the Jyeshta Month that corresponds to May-June. This Year, Gayatri Jayanthi falls on June 17, 2024.
The
Significance of Gayatri
As Veda Mata, she is the
essence of Vedic texts, the ancient storehouse of Divine knowledge. She thus
remains the personification of knowledge, who can elevate souls to their
highest level of consciousness and help them in their self-realization. She is also
purity personified, from whom emanate the 4 Vedas that purify living beings.
She is also said to sustain the cosmos, being the energies of the Supreme
Trinity—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Both Shaivism and Shaktism
hold Gayatri in high reverence, regarding her as the consort of the
ever-blissful Shiva. On the other hand, ancient texts like Skanda Purana
consider her to be the consort of Brahma. Elsewhere, Gayatri is described and
depicted as the Shakti with 5 heads and 10 arms, in which she holds a host of
weapons and objects like the trident, sword, discus, goad, noose, lotus,
manuscript, and a pot of ambrosia. She also holds the protective Abhaya Mudra
in her right hand and the boon-giving Varada Mudra in the left. Puranas claim
that she took this form to slay the demon Vetra.
The Sacred Gayatri Mantra
contains 24 syllables; it is said that Gayatri also has 24 forms, each
representing one syllable of this highly efficacious Mantra.
Goddess
Gayatri in Mythology
The Padma Purana narrates
Gayatri's origin and how she became the supreme creator of Brahma's consort.
There was a demon by the name of Vajranabha who tried to torment and harm
Brahma's children and the people of the world. Then Brahma took on the demon and
slew him using his seat, the lotus itself as a weapon. In the process, 3 lotus
petals fell on earth at 3 places, where 3 lakes were formed. These are the
Pushkar Lake (known as Jyeshta Pushkar), the Madhya Pushkar (the Middle
Pushkar) Lake, and Kanishta Pushkar (the Youngest or Lowest Pushkar) lake.
Then Brahma decided to
come down himself to earth and perform a Yagnya (fire sacrifice) at the banks
of the Pushkar Lake (Jyeshta Pushkar). But he wanted the ritual to go on
unhindered and wished to take measures to prevent any demonic attack on it.
Hence, he created 4 hills in 4 directions around the lake- Suryagiri in the
East, Sanchura in the West, Nilgiri in the North, and Ratnagiri in the South.
However, when he was about to start the sacrifice, Brahma realized that the
sacred protocols also required his wife to be by his side when he performed the
ritual. But Devi Savitri, his spouse, was not available then, as she was said
to be waiting for divinities like Lakshmi, Parvati, and Indrani.
But as the auspicious time
for starting the Yagnya was near, Brahma asked the celestial king Indra to
arrange a suitable spouse for him so that they both could perform the Yagnya
successfully for the benefit of the universe. Accordingly, Indra identified the
daughter of a milkmaid, purified by a cow's touch. Shiva and Vishnu also found
the woman, who was reborn as Gayatri after being sanctified by the cow, as most
suitable to be Brahma's consort and perform the sacrifice as his associate.
Brahma was pleased, took
Gayatri as his consort, and performed and completed the Yagnya. Gayatri offered
Amrita, the Divine nectar, as an oblation in the sacrifice, carrying it in a
pot on her head.
Gayatri
Jayanthi Observance and Pooja
On the Sacred occasion of
Gayatri Jayanthi, which happens to be the auspicious Shukla Paksha Ekadasi,
people get up early in the morning, refresh themselves, keep a decorated
picture or image of the Goddess Gayatri at the altar, perform Pooja, and offer prayers
to her. They also visit temples, where they conduct special Poojas for the
Goddess. People also organize Satsangs and Kirtans at many places, where they
sing devotional songs in praise of Gayatri Devi.
But the most significant
aspect of Gayatri Jayanthi observance is the recitation of the Gayatri Mantra,
which is held more Sacred than even the Vedic hymns. Gayatri Mantra meditates
on the greatness of the creator, who embodies knowledge and light, removes
ignorance and all sins, and invokes him to enlighten our intellect. People can
chant the Mantra 108 times, 3 times on Gayatri Jayanthi Day, in the morning,
afternoon, and evening, with complete focus and devotion.
People can also recite
other hymns dedicated to Gayatri on the occasion and invoke other Gods and
Goddesses. Devotees can also perform Gayatri Homa (a Fire Lab dedicated to the
Goddess) under the right guidance.
Benefits
of Gayatri Jayanthi Worship
Performing Gayatri Pooja
along with chanting Gayatri Mantra on Gayatri Jayanthi can propitiate the
Goddess and earn her beneficial blessings for the devotees. It can enhance
their intelligence, wisdom, self-confidence, and the sense of self-worth, grant
them material comforts, and help them lead righteous lives and make spiritual
advancement.
Let us meditate on Devi
Gayatri on her Jayanthi for her blessings for higher intellect and a good life.
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