Types of Gayathri

Types of GAYATHRI:

There are three types of Gayathri namely, Ajaba Gayathri, Gayathri and
Thureeya Gayathri. When we say 'Ham', we inhale, When we say 'Sah', we
exhale. So, every time we breathe, we unknowingly chant 'Ham' 'Sah'
without even pronouncing it. This is called Ajaba Gayathri or Hamsa
Gayathri.

Thripada Gayathri is the Gayathri which is chanted in the
Sandhyavandanam which is the essence of all the three Vedas. As this is
very much famed, there are Gayathris for other gods like Ganapathi
Gayathri, Shiva Gayathri, Vishnu Gayathri, These are only 12 in number
as per the Vedas. (Thaithireeya Arunam 10-1-4).

Thureeya Gayathri is 4th paadam of the Gayathri. Those Dwijas who have
already taken the Brahmopadesam must seek the Upadesam of Thureeya
Gayathri from a Guru, if interested, along with Rishi, Chandas, Anga
Nyaasam, Kara Nyaasam, Dhyanam etc. It would yield special benefits.
That is also a Veda Manthram.

Some people have Moola Manthram Japam too. Whichever Manthram one might
chant, first chant Gayathri and then continue with the Moola Manthram of
your choice. But make sure that the count of Moola Maanthram(s) does not
exceed the count of Gayathri.

When doing the Gayathri Japam, please stick to one count always.
Start with 36. Every time, you do Sandhyavandanam, make sure you do the
Japam at a minimum of 36. If you have any other Japam then remember you
need to have minimum of that Manthram and its count should not exceed
the count of Gayathri. So doing 36 Gayathri is ruled out. So, if you
have any other Moola Manthra japam do Gayathri a minimum of 64 and the
Moola Mathram at 36.

Remember, if you feel that you can do more and increase the count of any
Manthram, make sure you don't go below that under any circumstance.
Suppose, one day you have time and you do 100 of Gayathri. After that,
you must never come below 100 of Gayathri for the rest of your life. So
increase your count only if you feel that you can carry it on. Doing
1000 Gayathris on 'Avani Avittam' is different. You can do that.

Even though, Pranavam (Om) and Vyahruthis (Bhuh, Bhuvah, and Suvah) are
supposed to be included in the Gayathri, they are not Gayathri.
First came Pranavam; From Pranavam came Vyaahruthi; from Vyaahruthi came
Gayathri and from Gayathri came the 3 Vedas. In order to find out the
essence of the Vedas, Brahma churned the Vedas. He found that its
essence was Gayathri, Gayathri's essence was the Vyaahruthis and the
essence of the Vyaahruthis was the Pranavam.
So, Gayathri will be complete only if we include Vyaahruthi and the
Pranavam with it.

How to do the Gayathri Japam?

As told earlier, after completing the Arghyam, place the Aasanam in a
clean place, doing the Sankalpam, Pranayaamam, Aavahana Manthram
(Aayathu), one should sit for Gayathri Japam. Until this, one should do
them sitting. But Gayathri Japam should be done standing only in the
morning Sandhyavandanam.
For the Maadhyanhika japam Maharshis say in two different ways. So, one
could follow one's home tradition and do either sitting or standing. But
most of the Rishis, say that Maadhyanhika Gayathri Japam must be done
standing itself. Evening Japam must be done sitting only.

In the Morning and afternoon one should do the Japam facing east.
Evening Japam should be done facing west. Some people say that Afternoon
Japam must be done facing north. But some say that one should never do
Gayathri Japam facing north. So, it is better to do Japam facing East as
there is no contradiction there.
It is best to do 1,000 Japam every time you do Sandhyavandanam. This is
'Uthamam'. Some also do 108. This is called 'Madhyamam'. If you are in
any immediate urgency, or in travel or Ashoucham (theendal), at least 10
Gayathri japam must be done. This is called Adhamam. Other than the
above circumstances one should not do just 10 Gayathri Japam.
In the morning, one should hold the two hands, as if one would hold for
Anjali, close it with Vasthram (probably the Anga Vasthram) and then do
the Gayathri Japam. Others are not supposed to see us counting. For
morning Sandhyavandanam, the hands should be straight in front of the
face. During the afternoon, it hands should be in front of the heart and
in the evening, it should be in front of your navel (naabhi).
When I say Anjali, it means folding your hands like for a Namaskaram.
But then, you cannot count. So, to enable counting, we just open the
hand and hold it as would, while giving Arghyam. Only then can you
count. So, keep the hands that way in front of Face, Heart or navel, in
the three kaalams respectively and do the Gayathri Japam.

Even in urgencies, one should not do 10 Gayathris as you would if you
were Ashoucham. At least 54, 32 or 28 as told by some Maharshis must be
done. But not just the 10.

knr

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