Gayatri Mata
गायत्री माताగాయత్రీ మాతகாயத்ரீ மாதா
Also known as: Veda Mata · Savitri
Gayatri Mata is the Gayatri mantra of the Rig Veda worshipped as a goddess, and she is called Veda Mata, the mother of the Vedas. Devotees chant her mantra at dawn, noon and dusk, and the mantra itself is a prayer to the sun to inspire the mind.
- Day of worship
- Sunday
Texts for Gayatri Mata
The story
The Gayatri mantra is verse 10 of hymn 62 in the third book of the Rig Veda (3.62.10). Tradition says it was revealed to the sage Vishvamitra. It is addressed to Savitr, the sun as the one who stirs and inspires, and it asks him to inspire our minds. It is composed in the gayatri metre, which gives it its name.
In later tradition the mantra itself is worshipped as Goddess Gayatri, and she is shown with five faces. The mantra is taught at the upanayana, the sacred thread ceremony, and it is recited at sandhyavandanam at dawn, noon and dusk.
