Significance of Gayatri Mantra for Women: The energy sounds that form the base of the Gayatri Mantra
are believed to provide a powerful aura of protection to those who chant
it regularly. Now, it always amazes me when I get queries from women asking, ''Can
ladies chant the Gayatri mantra?" and I can't help but ask, "Why do you
think women can't chant the Gayatri mantra?" [Must Read: Significance of Surya Arghya]
The next question that comes
my way frequently is this, ''Can ladies chant the Gayatri mantra during their periods?" and my answer is the same, "Why can't they chant the Gayatri mantra
during their periods?"
Over the years, I can now feel how the energy around me alters my
thoughts and actions when I chant the Gayatri. For instance, I feel more
positive, less forgetful and more energetic to take on challenges on the
days I chant the Gayatri.
The Gayatri mantra is considered to be the most powerful mantra and the
very basis of the Vedas. When this mantra is chanted with faith and
awareness, you can feel the energy of the mantra travel with you, forming
a protective aura around you. [WHY CHANT GAYATRI MANTRA]
Several years ago, I went through a phase of mind-numbing pain - the kind
of pain that makes you go numb to everything else. I continuously chanted
the Sai Gayatri mantra. The pain didn't go away but the doctor told me,
''I have never seen anyone smile through something like this and come out
serene enough to actually thank me for doing my job. I can't believe you
just did that.'' Till he mentioned it, I hadn't even known that I was
smiling or doing something extraordinary. The Sai Gayatri mantra is all I
had. You can use the Gayatri mantra instead - it works out most powerfully
too, because Swami says that it can be invoked into your body for speedy
healing.
What matters is that you have faith and a higher awareness. That
works.
With daily practice, you will even begin to feel the sound of the
mantra embrace and resonate around you, even when you have stopped
chanting it. For the same reason, it is said that the Gayatri mantra is
Universal Energy, beyond caste, religion, gender or community. Any
person, who chants the Gayatri with faith and awareness, will benefit
from it.
The only hurdle that stops you from chanting the Gayatri mantra is
your own thoughts, nothing else.
No woman is stopped from praying or conducting spiritual activities
in Prashanti Nilayam because she is having periods. Some of the early women devotees have documented that Swami used to
gently scold them when they kept away from spiritual
activities. Swami was always clear that women are born to lead on the path of
spirituality.
From my own experience, I can share one secret with you so that you understand that the Gayatri Mantra can be invoked into your body as a ''Shakti Mantra" as well. If you chant the Gayatri mantra while having your periods, you will find yourself calmer, less cranky and you know that yucky sick feeling and cramps, even that will feel less painful. Your body's inner and outer healing process will be much faster. Also read:
- How to Offer Surya Arghya?
- Why Malayalis light Nilavillaku in their homes?
- Mahashivaratri: Where is Kailasam?
- Mahamrityunjaya mantra: Meaning and Benefits of Chanting
- Gayatri Mantra: Why chant it?
- Gayatri Mantra as Panchamukhi
- Why chant Ramayana during Karkiddakam
- How do you light Deepam at home?
- Adi Shankara teaching will transform your life!
In the sacred book titled 'Stories from the Nrsimha Purana', there is a talk that the young Prahlad shares with his school mates. These are Prahlad's words of profound wisdom to guide us:
"Only when one has the sense of devotion for the Lord does human life have meaning. Those who are completely devoid of devotion for the Lord sink down into the most abominable species of life, birth after birth. Thereafter, my dear schoolmates, give up the passionate desire to enjoy this material world, imagining yourselves in positions of subordination to Lord Vishnu."
As a mother, I bow with absolute humility to great devotees such as Prahalad and pray that we too learn to tread the path of devotion with such purity. Om Namo Narayanaya.
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