Gayatri Mantra and Views of Rishis

Several concepts are prevalent in the Hindu religion and there are controversies and conflicting opinions also in respect of some of them. But all the sects, saints and rishis have accepted the pre-eminence of Gayatri Mantra with one voice.

• Atharva Ved incorporates a prayer (19-1-71) in praise of Gayatri stating that it grants longevity, energy, power, fame, wealth and divine brilliance (Brahma-tej).

• According to Maharshi Vishwamitra, there is no other mantra like Gayatri mantra in all the four Vedas. All the Vedas, Yagya, Charity, Tap (devout austerity) are not equivalent even to a small portion of potency of Gayatri Mantra.

• According to Parashar Rishi, “of all suktas and Ved Mantras, Gayatri Mantra is the superiormost. Between the Vedas and Gayatri, the latter has an upper hand. One who performs Gayatri jap with devotion becomes pure and gets liberated. A person without Gayatri worship cannot be considered a Brahman, although, he might have read Vedas, Shastras, Purans and history”.

• Shankha Rishi is of the view that “Gayatri alone extends a helping hand and saves a person from falling in the ocean of hell. There is nothing superior to it on this earth as well as in the heavens. Undoubtedly, a person who masters Gayatri attains heaven (swarga)’’.

• According to Shounak Rishi “ a dwij may or may not do other worships. He gets liberated by doing Gayatri jap alone and attains all material and spiritual boons. Performance of ten thousand japs averts calamity in the hour of crisis.”

• Attri Muni says “Gayatri completely purifies the soul. By the glorious power of Gayatri deep-rooted defects and vices are cleansed out. Nothing else remains to be attained in this world by one who fully understands the substance of Gayatri.”

• Bhardwaj Rishi says that “even God like Brahma performs Gayatri jap. It leads to God realisation. A vicious man gets rid of his vices by performing Gayatri jap. A person devoid of Gayatri Sadhana is worse than a shudra.”

• A person who worships Gayatri, observes Brahmacharya and consumes fresh fruits of Anwala tree (emblic myrobalan ) attains longevity according to Charak Rishi.

• According to Narad Rishi “Gayatri is devotion (bhakti ) personified. Wherever there is Gayatri in the form of devotion, God-Narayan, undoubtedly resides there.”

• Vashishtha says “ persons who are dull, way-ward and fickle-minded become highly intelligent and steadfast and rise to great heights in worldly and spiritual pursuits by Gayatri Sadhana. Those who worship Gayatri steadfastly and piously attain self-realisation’’.