Gayatri Devi

Who is Gayatri?
Gayatri (pronounced as Gaayatree) is a Sanskrit word, made up of two syllables - "Gaa" and "Yatree". "Gaa" means to sing and "Yatree" means protection. So Gayatri means those who "worship her, or sing her praise, get protected".
Gayatri is not a new or independent goddess. She is the supreme power (Shakti) of Lord Brahmaa, Vishnu, Shiv, Raam and Krishn. Lord Raam who came on this Earth in Tretaa Yug, took the Deekshaa of Gayatri Mantra from Muni Vishwaamitra Jee. Lord Krishn, who came on this Earth in Dwaapar Yug, took the Deekshaa of Gayatri Mantra with His friend Sudaamaa from their Guru Saandeepan Muni. Even the Godhead Shree Krishn says in the Holy Geetaa - "Among all the Mantra I am the Gayatri Mantra".


Otherwise Gayatri is a type of Sanskrit poetry which has only 24 syllables - 8 syllables each in three lines. This Gayatri Mantra also has 24 syllables, that is why it is called Gayatri Mantra.

Gaayatree as Devee


(5) White face -This face represents purity. It develops purity in the mind of the aspirant and also grants divine grace from Saraswatee - the goddess for wisdom.

Gayatri is the Aadi Shakti, initial power or prime power, which gives the movement, force or inspiration to both living and nonliving things. Gayatri Poojaa is done by chanting Gayatri Mantra, or by worshipping the Gayatri Yantra, or by conducting the Gayatri Anushthaan.

Picture of Gayatri Maa

This picture of Gayatri Maa is made on the basis of a Shlok from "Sharada Tilakam". Based on this Shlok, many pictures of Gayatri Maa were drawn and are available, but one picture which is very close to the description given in that Shlok is given here along with Shlok and its meaning. This Shlok is also the Dhyaan Shlok for invoking Gayatri before starting her Jap during Sandhyaa Vandan -

Muktaa Vidrum Hem Neel Deval Chhaayai Mukhais Tri-kshanai
Yuktaam Indu Kalaa Nibaddh Mukutaam Tatwaarth Varnaatmikam
Gayatri Varad Abhayaangush Kasaas Subram Kapaalam Gadaam
Shankham Chakram Atharavindaa Yugalam Hastair Vaahanteem Bhaje





--The Ankush and whip symbolize Kaalee, the Shakti

--Gayatri has 24 letters which denote 24 principles.
--Gayatri denotes subjects as he plural, that is why even if an individual chants it, the benefit goes to humanity.
--Gayatri is the extension of the primordial sound Aum.
--Gayatri denotes the three Ved that is why she is called Ved Maataa.
--Gayatri is symbolized as Sarv Devtaa Swaroop - Brahmaa, Vishnu and Shiv.