The Gayatri Mantra is the universal prayer enshrined in the Vedas, the most ancient Scriptures of Man. A Universal prayer is that which is to be chanted with devotion for one's spiritual benefit in all the ages in any part of the world. We have to recite the Mantra as follows.

OM
BHUR BHUVA SVAHA
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI
DHI YO YONAH PRACHODAYAT


The Gayatri Mantra can be translated as 

OM

Para Brahman

BHUR

Bhu Loka (Physical Plane) - This refers to the five elements this body is made up of

BHUVA

Bhuva Loka (Middle Plane) - This refers to the power in man which animates the body. This is actually the Prana Sakthi

SVAHA

Swarga Loka (Heaven)

TAT

That, this refers to God, or Paramatma.

SAVITUR

That from which all is born

VARENYAM

Fit to be worshipped

BHARGO

The Radiance, the Spiritual Effulgence, the light that bestows wisdom.

DEVASYA

Divine Reality

DHEEMAHI

We Meditate

DHI YO

Buddhi, Intellect

YO

Which

NAH

Our

PRACHODAYAT

Enlighten.

The Gayatri Mantra may be translated as follows

OM (OM) - We meditate (DHEEMAHI) upon the Spiritual Effulgence (BHARGO) of THAT Adorable Supreme Divine Reality (VARENYAM DEVASYA), the Source (SAVITUR) of the Physical (BHUR), the Astral (BHUVA), and the Heavenly (SVAHA) Spheres of Existence. May THAT (TAT) Supreme Divine Being enlighten (PRACHODAYAT) our (NAH) Intellect (DHIYO) (So that we may realise the Supreme Truth).

Sage Vishwamitra discovered the Gayatri Mantra. This mantra enabled the sage to use rare weapons, which bowed to his will, when this mantra was invoked with faith. Through the power he attained, this way he was able to create a counterpart of the cosmos. The Gayatri Mantra is addressed to the energy of the Sun - Surya. It is addressed to the Immanent and Transcendent Divinity. This mantra has infinite potentiality; it is a vibrant formula. It has immense powers, which are truly amazing, for the Sun is it's presiding Deity. 

The Gayatri Mantra is enshrined in the Vedas, the most ancient Scriptures of Man. Gayatri is the Mother of the Vedas and Gayatri redeems the chanter of the Mantra. Ma Gayatri is present wherever the Mantra is chanted. Gayatri has three names - Gayatri, Saavitri and Saraswathi. These three are present in each one of us. Gayatri is the master of the senses, Saavitri is the master of Prana (Life Force). Saavitri signifies Truth. Saraswathi is the Presiding Deity of Speech (Vaak). Theses three represent purity of Thought, Word and Deed. One who practises the purity and harmony of Thought, Word and Deed will have Gayatri, Saavitri and Saraswathi in him. 


The Gayatri Mantra Has Three Parts

1. "OM BHUR BHUVA SVAHA TAT SAVITUR
VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA"

2. "DHEEMAHI"

3. "DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT"

These three parts refer to the three elements that figure in the adoration of the Lord - Praise, Meditation and Prayer. These Parts may be described as 

· Prayer to Savitha, The Divine is first praised
· Meditation on Savitha, The Divine is then meditated upon with reverence
· Prayer to Savitha.

An appeal is made to the Divine to awaken and strengthen our intellect, the discriminating faculty in us. The Gayatri Mantra is considered to be the Essence of the teachings of the Vedas, The Veda Sara. Chanting it fosters and sharpens the knowledge-yielding faculty in man, and one who chants it regularly with faith the mantra relieves him of diseases, wards off all misery and fulfils all the needs of man. It bestows all that is beneficial to the chanter. The Gayatri should not be chanted casually, as it give the chanter various kinds of power. This mantra should be chanted three times a day - Dawn, Noon and Dusk, although the mantra is not bound by these three time periods of the day. Remember it can be chanted anywhere and at any time. The chanter of Gayatri mantra should not treat it casually and his heart should be pure at all times. The Gayatri Mantra is an essential requisite for the young and students because it ensures bright and auspicious future for them. The chanter of mantra has sharper intellect, they become more zealous, more enthusiastic, and certainly become qualified to get better marks, ranks and first classes. Just as we take bath to cleanse our bodies, so also we should chant the Gayatri Mantra to purify our mind and Intellect. 

The most recommended time for chanting the Gayatri are :

· When we get up from bed in the morning

· Before every meal

· When we go to bed in the evening

After the Gayatri one should chant 'OM' and 'Shanti' Three times. The Gayatri Mantra protects the chanter wherever he may be. 
The importance of the mantra are given as follows:

· If Gayatri Mantra is not recited correctly it has opposite effect of enveloping the chanter in darkness. If it is chanted with Love, God will accept it.

· Each word should be pronounced clearly and distinctly, without undue haste or hurry.

· Gayatri is the very basis of Vedas. It is also called Veda Mata (Mother of the Vedas)

· Gayatri is the mantra, which preserves, protects and rescues the chanter from mortality.

· The Gayatri mantra is a Universal prayer, which asks for a clear Intellect so that the Truth may be reflected therein without distortion.

· Men, Women of all climes and creed, can chant Gayatri Mantra.

· The heart needs to be cleansed atleast three times a day with Gayatri.

· The Gayatri Mantra is synonymous to the Divinity and therefore must be approached with humility, reverence, faith and love towards the Mantra.

· Chanting with humility, reverence, faith and love is more important than mechanical repetition while the mind wanders.

· Full faith in the power and potency of the Gayatri Mantra will be generated only when the seeker has developed requisite degree of enthusiasm, reverence and love towards the Mantra.

· The more one chants the Mantra, the greater benefit the chanter gets.