The Gayatri Mantra

The Gāyatrī Mantra is a highly revered Vedic Sanskrit verse from a hymn of the Rigveda (3.62.10)

It first appeared as a vision to the great rishi (sage) Viśhvāmitra.

The mantra is named for its vedic Gāyatrī meter.

As the verse can be interpreted to invoke the deva Savitr, it is often called Sāvitrī.

Its recitation is traditionally preceded by Oṃ and "Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ", known as the Mahāvyāhṛti ("great utterance").

 

Meaning of Upanayanam:

It is the formal ceremony to consecrate the sacred thread, signifying the initiation into sacred scripture study of the youth and formally handing a youth to a spiritual teacher.

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गृह्योक्तकर्मणा येन समीपं नीयते गुरोः । बालो वेदाय तद्योगात् बालस्योपनयं विदुः

(Gṛhyoktakarmaṇā yena samīpaṃ nīyate guroḥ | bālo vedāya tadhyogāt bālasyopanayaṃ viduḥu) ||

(Spiritual birth is conferred upon the youth, and he becomes a Dvij (the twice born))

(Manusmṛti 2.36-38)

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गर्भाष्टमे ब्राह्मण उपनेय इत्युपनयनं संस्कारार्थम्

(Garbhāṣṭame brāhmaṇa upaneya ityupanayanaṃ saṃskārārtham) Mahābhārata 6.6.84.

Translation: Upanayan Sanskar should be given to a brahmin in the 8th year after their inception.

 

अग्नीन्धनं भैक्षचर्यामधःशय्यां गुरोर्हितम् ।
आ समावर्तनात् कुर्यात् कृतोपनयनो द्विजः ॥ १०८ ॥

Agnīndhanaṃ bhaikṣacaryāmadhaḥśayyāṃ gurorhitam |
ā samāvartanāt kuryāt kṛtopanayano dvijaḥ || 108 ||

The twice-born person, whose sacred thread Initiation has been performed, should continue to do, till the final Bath of “Return” (Samāvartana), lighting of fire (lighting a lamp everyday), showing respect for food (as if it is given to us as alms), sleeping on ground (not wishing for lavish beds) and always acting for the teacher’s well-being.

Manusmṛti 2.18,173.

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