Gayatri Mantra
During its recitation, the hymn is preceded by oṃ (ॐ) and the formula bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ (भूर् भुवः स्वः), known as the mahāvyāhṛti, or "great (mystical) utterance".
This prefixing of the mantra is properly described in the Taittiriya Aranyaka (2.11.1-8), which states that it should be chanted with the syllable oṃ, followed by the three Vyahrtis and the Gayatri verse.
[12] Whereas in principle the gāyatrī mantra specifies three pādas of eight syllables each, the text of the verse as preserved in the Samhita is one short, seven instead of eight.
Many monotheistic sects of Hinduism such as Arya Samaj hold that the Gayatri mantra is in praise of One Supreme Creator known by the name Om as mentioned in the Yajurveda, 40:17.
[15][16] After splitting the sandhi (Padapatha), the hymn may be glossed as follows: tatthatsavituḥSavitr-GENvareṇyamlovely-ACCbhargaḥsplendor-ACCdevasyagod-GENdhīmahimay-we-attaindhiyaḥthoughts-ACCyaḥwho-NOMnaḥourpra-codayātmay-he-guidetat savituḥ vareṇyam bhargaḥ devasya dhīmahi dhiyaḥ yaḥ naḥ pra-codayātthat Savitr-GEN lovely-ACC splendor-ACC god-GEN may-we-attain thoughts-ACC who-NOM our may-he-guide'May we attain the lovely splendor of the god (deva) Savitr, he who may guide our thoughts.
The first line, oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ, is not part of the gayatri syllables, but an introduction to invoke the mantra to work on three Vyāhṛti or planes (physical, mental and spiritual).
[33] The Gayatri mantra as received is short one syllable in the first line: tat sa vi tur va reṇ yaṃ.
[note 11] The Gayatri mantra is also repeated and cited widely in Hindu texts such as the Mahabharata[citation needed], Harivamsa,[7] and Manusmṛti.
[39]In Sutta Nipata 3.4, the Buddha uses the Sāvitri mantra as a paradigmatic indicator of Brahmanic knowledge: Brāhmaṇo hi ce tvaṃ brūsi, Mañca brūsi abrāhmaṇaṃ; Taṃ taṃ sāvittiṃ pucchāmi, Tipadaṃ catuvīsatakkharaṃ If you say you brahmin are, but call me none, then of you I ask the chant of Sāvitrī, consisting of three lines
[40] Imparting the Gayatri mantra to young Hindu men is an important part of the traditional upanayana ceremony[citation needed], which marks the beginning of study of the Vedas.
It is believed by practitioners that reciting the mantra bestows wisdom and enlightenment, through the vehicle of the Sun (Savitr), who represents the source and inspiration of the universe.
[21] In 1827 Ram Mohan Roy published a dissertation on the Gayatri mantra[43] that analysed it in the context of various Upanishads.
