Gayatri's eldest sibling, Tribhuwaneswari was betrothed to Prince Nararya Sangramawijaya (Raden Wijaya), still a relative of Kertanegara's extended family, and probably groomed to be his successor.

In 1292 Gayatri witnessed the destruction of her home, the Singhasari kingdom, under the unsuspected attack of Jayakatwang, Duke of Gelang-gelang (Kediri).

Yet she survived and escaped unharmed from the burning palace, immediately discarding her identity, hiding and blending herself among the captured servants and slaves.

Prince Nararya Sangrama Wijaya ascended to the throne in regnal name as King Kertarajasa Jayawardhana in November 1293, and established the Majapahit kingdom.

During the reign of Jayanegara, Gayatri seems to take the role of dowager queen, as an influential matriarch figure of Majapahit's inner circle within the palace.

At a certain point of time during the last years of Jayanegara's reign, Gayatri renounced her worldly affairs and retired as a Bhikkuni (Buddhist nun).

Responsible for the succession of the Majapahit throne, Gayatri appointed her daughter Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi to rule the kingdom on her behalf in 1329.

Her death marked the ascend of Hayam Wuruk to the throne since Tribhuwana Tunggadewi had only become queen regnant on behalf of Gayatri.