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Table of Contents
Key Benefits of Sri Rama Gayatri Mantra
- Inner peace and thought reduction
- Alignment with Dharmic values
- Increased willpower and self-control
- Fearlessness and divine protection
- Strengthened devotion to Sri Rama
- Reduced stress and enhanced bliss
- Purification of mind and spiritual growth
Meaning of Gayatri Mantra before we understand Sri Rama Gayatri
Gayatri Mantra, the most popular one is the Brahma Gayatri that describes the nature of Brahman and attached to Gayatri Devi and the Sun, the presiding deities of the Brahma Gayatri. But most people may not know that Gayatri also represents a specific Vedic Meter which usually has 24 syllables, a rhythmic way in which a mantra is delivered with certain repetitive syllables in every Gayatri mantra dedicated to each of the innumerable deities in the Vedic Pantheon.
So just like Brahman or the Surya Devata, each Vedic Deity can have a specific dedicated Gayatri Mantra. Fundamentally, the Gayatri mantras of any Devata is usually recited to invoke purification resulting in awakening spiritual wisdom. We are discussing one such Gayatri Mantra, the Rama Gayatri.
The main qualification required for a person to chant any form of Gayatri mantra is performing Sharanagati to a perfected spiritual master, the Sat-Guru, who is illumined or attained spiritual wisdom. The qualification required for the student to obtain such a Guru is utter humility and sincerity of purpose without any hidden worldly agenda or ulterior motives.
It is said that one shall only get a Guru commensurate to the sadhaka’s purity of intention. Even though a sadhaka is bound by Maya but has sincerity of intention with a longing to attain the Truth at any cost, such a dedicated sadhaka, shall only obtain a perfected master, not interested in name, fame and disciples. When such a disciple does sadhana under such a Guru he becomes qualified to undertake Gayatri Sadhana.
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Meaning of Rama Gayatri Mantra and the Presiding Deity
The Rama Gayatri is a 24 syllable Mantra dedicated to the sacred invocation of Bhagawan Sri Rama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. There are various Rama Gayatri mantras and one of the Popular Rama Gayatri mantra is
Om Dasarathaye Vidmahe, Sita Vallabhaya Dhīmahi, Tanno Ramah Prachodayāt
ॐ दाशरथये विद्महे, सीता वल्लभाय धीमहि, तन्नो रामा: प्रचोदयात्
which means We meditate upon the son of Dasharatha, the beloved of Sita. May Lord Rama illuminate our intellect.
Bhagawan Ram is the perfect incarnation of the Supreme Truth who represents Truth, Righteousness and Devotion. When one chants the Rama Gayatri mantra, one starts to gravitate towards Sri Rama’s perfected qualities of divine strength, Perfect Moral Integrity and shall develop humility and respect for all of Creation. Such a person shall receive all round protection and can never be touched by evil. It shall result in purging the mind of its inferior nature and it shall align to selfless service.
History and Scriptural References
The Rama Gayatri Mantra is derived from the structure of the original Gayatri Mantra found in the Rig Veda (3.62.10)
Rāmagāyatrī (रामगायत्री) is the name of a Mantra employed during Jalādhivāsa or the ceremony of placing the Lord into the waiting waters at the time of His coronation as discussed in chapter 4 of the Bhāradvājasaṃhitā. Sri Rama’s unparalleled glory fills our scriptures like the Valmiki Ramayana, Adhyatma Ramayana, Ananda Ramayana, Vishnu Purana, and Bhagavata Purana.
Sri Rama’s glory is extensively mentioned in scriptures like the Valmiki Ramayana, Adhyatma Ramayana, Vishnu Purana, and Bhagavata Purana.The mantra appears in the Pancharatra texts popular in the Sri Vishnu worship traditions which emphasize japa and Congregational Chanting of Rama Nama as most appropriate method of attaining liberation especially in Kaliyuga.
Sri Rama is considered the essence of the Vedas, as the name “Ra-Ma” consists of the seed syllables of the Narayana and Shiva mantras. Lord Shiva is considered as a strong proponent of Rama Nama as per traditions in North India, the Ramcharit Manas being one such shining example which promotes Lord Shiva as the chief preacher of Sri Rama Nama. Also in Kashi, it is said that Lord Shiva grants Mukti to people who leave their mortal coil in Kashi, by the utterance of Rama Nama in their ears.
Sri Rama Rahasya Upanishad and Mahanarayana Upanishad describe the divine power of chanting Rama’s name.Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas promotes the Rama Nama Mahima (glory of chanting Rama’s name) as the simplest path to moksha (liberation).
Major Benefits of Chanting the Rama Gayatri Mantra
When one chants the Rama Gayatri Mantra the first symptom that the mantra is working is that one starts to become peaceful with a reduction of the number of thoughts which gives the individual inner stability. One gets naturally aligned to Dharmic Values and develops Vairagya or detachment. One starts to radiate Sri Rama’s divine energy which also makes one fearless and obstacles move away from one’s path of Dharma.
The Rama Gayatri mantra enhances will-power, self-control or ability to prolong one’s celibacy which shall naturally translate into higher concentration levels and focus. One shall become more dedicated towards Bhagawan and shall start remembering Sri Rama more often during the course of the day, therefore resulting in a surge of Love for God.
One shall start experiencing reduced stress levels, and if one continues to follow the practice, because of Guru Kripa, stress shall become a thing of the past.One shall also start experiencing bouts of blissful states. But such symptoms shall only appear to one who is authorized to chant the mantra by the Guru.
Dos and Don’ts While Chanting the Rama Gayatri Mantra
It is important to lead a pure and disciplined life for best results. Most importantly connect with your Guru and let him know your challenges and progress. The Gayatri mantra should be learnt well and one has to try to pronounce the mantra properly. But since the Mantra is done for attaining Pure Bhakti to Sri Rama, in this case one must give more focus to the mood of devotion rather than pronunciation and since the sadhaka is under the benign protection of Guru, the mantra shall only prove super effective.
One must avoid smoking, intoxication, non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic, red lentils and mushrooms as a permanent life-style while taking up chanting of Satvik Devatas, in this case Sri Rama. One of the great Nama Aparadha or an offense towards the holy name is chanting for results only, without proper faith. Hence one should take proper Satsanga and associate with our Guru, before taking up chanting and the purpose of chanting should be only to attain Love of God.
The Benefits of the mantra will anyway accrue unasked. Another offense against the holy name is to resort to unethical practices while chanting this mantra. Such Adharmic living shall only incur inexplicable bad times, when we expect them the least. Individuals who have been unethical and who intend to turn a new leaf, should never take up any form of Gayatri Mantra directly.
They should first follow Yama and Niyama first under a Guru and perform Guru Sharanagati. Then when the Guru is satisfied with one’s progress may consider initiating the individual Gayatri Mantras like the Sri Rama Gayatri.
Best Process to Chant the Rama Gayatri Mantra
One can chant the Sri Rama Gayatri 108 times daily for 41 days at a prescribed time, daily, sitting facing the East, exactly at the same spot of the house everyday. The place should be cleansed with water and cloth and one should light a mud ghee lamp with the wick facing east, since it is best to face the east direction during the morning hours. One can chant the mantra early in the morning. It is not necessary to tax the body by waking up at Brahma Muhurta.
Completing 108 times of the mantra every morning before 8:00 AM can be a very healthy practice. One should chant the mantra on a Tulsi Bead mala provided to you by your spiritual master. It is best to have a photograph of the Rama Darbar as one takes up chanting of the mantra. Offer Flowers, Fruit and Tulsi leaves along with a drop of water to the Ram Darbar. It is best to take up a vow of a fixed number of days of the mantra at the initial stages of taking up Sadhana. Our video on How to take Sankalpa can be useful. One can also follow the process of meditation as described in this video.
Conclusion
The Sri Rama Gayatri mantra is an interesting but an advanced Mantra and so are other Gayatri mantras. Gayatri Mantra chanting is advisable for those sadhakas who have been practicing mantra chanting for many years and have surrendered themselves to an authentic Guru or Guru Parampara. Our article on Sri Murugan Gayatri can be an interesting read.
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