Gayatrimantra, Gayatri-mantra, Gāyatrīmantra: 6 definitions

Introduction:

Gayatrimantra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Vastushastra (architecture)

[«previous next»] — Gayatrimantra in Vastushastra glossary
Source: McGill: The architectural theory of the Mānasāra

Gāyatrīmantra (गायत्रीमन्त्र) refers to a hymn chanted during the homa-sacrifice performed by the sthapati (master builder) during the ritual of “opening of the eyes”, according to Mānasāra chapter 70.—Chanted at sunrise, this originally Vedic hymn (later adapted by the Śaiva as well as other sects with variations according to their respective doctrine) addresses Savitṛ, Sun the Vivifier, who by his splendor excites and incites meditation, illuminating the mind with wisdom, knowledge and intelligence .In the context of the ceremonies here, especially ln the ceremony of “the opening of the eye of the image”, the manifestation of the transcendent deity is akin to sunrise that vivifies and enhghtens the mind with spiritual insight.

Vastushastra book cover
context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Gayatrimantra in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Gāyatrīmantra (गायत्रीमन्त्र) refers to three-footed sacred mantra of the Ṛgveda well-known after its metre Gāyatrī. It is addressed to the sun (Savitar) and is therefore called Sīvitrī. It runs—

तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयत्
tatsaviturvareṇyaṃ bhargo devasya dhīmahi dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayat

“We meditate on that excellent light of the sun. May he illuminate our minds”.

According to Śivapurāṇa 1.15.—“[...] A Brahmin who has repeated the Gāyatrī mantra two million four hundred thousand times also deserves the same and accords full benefit and wordly enjoyments. [...] Gifts to a Brahmin who regularly repeats Gāyatrī mantra, accord Satyaloka for ten years. Gifts to a Brahmin devotee of Viṣṇu accord Vaikuṇṭha Loka”.

Purana book cover
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The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

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General definition (in Hinduism)

[«previous next»] — Gayatrimantra in Hinduism glossary
Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Gāyatrīmantra (गायत्रीमन्त्र).—The Gāyatrī-mantra is a highly revered mantra of the Vedic tradition. Just like all the Vedic mantras, Gāyatrī-mantra is considered not to have an author and like all other mantras is believed to have been revealed to a Brahmarshi, in this case Brahmarshi Vishvamitra. As the verse can be interpreted to invoke the deva Savitr, it is often called Sāvitrī mantra. Depending on how Savitri is interpreted, this mantra can be seen as connected to Sun Worship, Yoga, Tantra and Mother Goddess. Its recitation is traditionally preceded by oṃ and the formula bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ, known as the mahāvyāhṛti (“great (mystical) utterance”).

The most interesting aspect of the mantra is that the mantra is considered to be not different from the divine entity that forms the content of the mantra. Thus name of the divine entity contained in the mantra is also called Gayatri. In other words, Gayatri mantra is not just a means of worship but is an object of worship by itself. The word 'Gayatri' is used in reference to the Gayatri mantra as an object of worship apart from being used as a reference to the divine entity described in the mantra. It is in this sense of Gayatri Mantra as an object of worship that the Mantra is personified into a goddess.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Gayatrimantra in Sanskrit glossary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Gāyatrīmantra (गायत्रीमन्त्र).—prayers connected with the गायत्री (gāyatrī).

Derivable forms: gāyatrīmantraḥ (गायत्रीमन्त्रः).

Gāyatrīmantra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms gāyatrī and mantra (मन्त्र).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

1) Gāyatrīmantra (गायत्रीमन्त्र) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—[tantric] Oxf. 107^b.

2) Gāyatrīmantra (गायत्रीमन्त्र):—Fl. 161.

3) Gāyatrīmantra (गायत्रीमन्त्र):—Fl. 161. Oxf. 107. Peters. 4, 7.

Gāyatrīmantra has the following synonyms: Caturviṃśatigāyatrī.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Gāyatrīmantra (गायत्रीमन्त्र):—[=gāyatrī-mantra] [from gāyatrī > gā] m. prayers connected with the Gāyatrī.

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

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