Skip to main content

Significance of Gayatri Mantra: Can ladies chant the Gayatri mantra?

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]
                   Image Source: Radio Sai on Instagram

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: 
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.

Comments

MOHAN SUNDARAM said…
I knew one MUSLIM car driver who used to chant the Gayatri mantra. If Anuradha Paudwal can chant the Gayatri, why not other women ?
MOHAN SUNDARAM said…
Some people say that Rama, Krishna, Vishnu & Shiva mantras can be chanted even without taking bath, but GAYATRI must be chanted only after taking bath. I don't know how far this is true. Anyway heavens r not going to fall even if chant it whthout bahing.
MOHAN SUNDARAM said…
@ Swapnaji, If you go on chanting the Gayatri all the time, soon you will attain MANTRA SIDDHI & will become a JAPA YOGI(NI). BTW do you repeat Gayatri mentally or do you whisper ? Do u also chant Mahamrityunjaya mantra ?
MOHAN SUNDARAM said…
@ Swapnaji, If you go on chanting the Gayatri all the time, soon you will attain MANTRA SIDDHI & will become a JAPA YOGI(NI). BTW do you repeat Gayatri mentally or do you whisper ? Do u also chant Mahamrityunjaya mantra ?
MOHAN SUNDARAM said…
Swapnaji, Do you use a Desk Top, Laptop or a Tablet for posting on the net ? just curious. Please do not mistake me.
Swapna Raghu Sanand said…
Hello @GoldenLion - I believe that everyone, irrespective of caste, gender, community, religion or nationality can chant the mantra, the only requirement is faith and sincerity.
MOHAN SUNDARAM said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Most LOVED Posts

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences.  [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste.  You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this  new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being bor...

How do you light Deepam at home?

How do you light deepam at home? As a child, I loved watching the ritual of my grandmother lighting the deepam or the traditional lamp at home in the evenings. A sense of serenity accompanied her frail figure as she would carefully straighten every wick, dip it into the tiny puddle of oil and light the lamp. As my grandmother would read out the scriptures and chant the prayers, the fragrance of incense sticks and flowers added depth to the experience. In many Hindu homes nowadays, the lighting of the lamp (or the nilavilakku, as Malayalis refer to the traditional lamp in their homes) is not a regular practice. A lot of people have many questions around how to light deepam at home and which oil to use and so on. An important point to keep in mind - Maintain physical cleanliness and hygiene while lighting the lamp. Wear clean clothes while lighting the lamp. Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting Deepam at Home Collating most queries related to how to light the deepam at home, I'v...

Power of Hanuman's Work

As you start work - here's a question for you - are you disciplined about how you work and what you do every day? From dawn to dusk, we work - all of us are engaged in some task or another. Many tend to work almost on autopilot. Happens, doesn't it? Sometimes, we engage in activities that may not be of use to us and results in waste of time. Distractions trouble us - it could be a colleague talking loudly in the phone, and we may do the same too, without realising we are distracting others at work.                                        ( Source: Radio Sai.org) Often, we are not conscious of how this impacts the quality of our work and time, not to mention our energy and attitude to work. The way we work reflects in the minds of our children. They watch us and we barely realise what they imbibe. Now life wasn't easy for our elders - in fact, they had none of the comforts that we do today...

Best time to light diya

Want to know when is the best time to light diya or deepam at home? In most Hindu homes, 'deepam' or 'diya' is lit at least twice - once in the morning and then in the evening. For both times, brass is considered to be auspicious for lighting deepam or lamp at home. Clay diyas are also considered auspicious for lighting at home. When lighting diyas on Fridays, it is better to use ghee than oil, if possible. [READ: What Does Deepam Represent , Why Malayalis Light Nilavilakku ] When Should I Start Lighting Diyas? The symbolic shift begins from darkess to light. Therefore, in the evenings, light diya before sunset to usher in divine blessings into your home. Can we light diyas at 4pm? Typically, we don't see sunset at 4 pm. If sunset is at 4 pm, you can light diya. When to light a lamp in the puja room? Every morning at sunrise and every evening before or at sunset. Whatever you do, offer it with sincerity and love in your heart. Our Devatas are watching, they know wh...

Food in Hinduism: The Significance of Offering Food to God

If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it. – Lord Krishna (Bhagawad Gita) Food brings a sense of warmth, hospitality and loving awareness when it is prepared. In most Indian homes, we place considerable importance to the preparation of food and how it is served.  For the same reason, in most Indian homes, food is served with care and love to a guest. I have found it interesting that food can bridge differences, bring people together rather than divide them. If you have missed my post on 'Three Types of Purity While Preparing Food,' you can read it here.                                                       [Image: Pexels.com] Food in Hinduism: Importance of Naivedyam In Hinduism, food is considered to be an aspect of Brahman (the Absolute and Almighty one). The rationale for this in Hi...