counting of gayathri mantra gayatri

Reality and Thoughts

Gayatri Mantra - In the past every parent advised his sons to do Sandhyavandana and do Japa of Gayatri Mantra for at least 108 times (very long ago it was 1008 times). As the years rolled down, due to the fact that most of the Brahman males went out for various professions other than for puja services, this number was reduced to 21 and now to 10.

Many of us are aware that there is a prescribed procedure as per shaastra/custom as to know how to count the number of times while saying “Gayatri Mantra” at the time of doing Sandhyavandana. Some of us may be using the fingertip of all the fingers to count. But using fingertips is an individual’s invention and it is not an accepted custom.

In order to know how to count the number of times, I have given below two pictures for the benefit of all those who are not familiar in this context. 

The following picture shows the way as prescribed in Rigveda Sandhyavandanam to do Gayatri Japam as per Madhwa or Vaishnava Tradition. One needs to use his right thumb while counting and placing at the respective prescribed spots each time after finishing the Japa once. For doing Japa more than 10 times, a chalk may be used for marking on floor, after each cycle of 10 times.

counting vaishnava way

The following picture shows counting as per Advaita tradition. A person needs to use his right thumb while counting and placing at the respective prescribed spots each time after finishing the Japa once. For doing Japa more than 10 times, a chalk may be used for marking on floor, after each cycle of 10 times.

counting advaita way

Aksharanyasa of Gayatri Mantra is shown in the following picture. Mantra Akshara = Focus/Centre/Nucleus point in the body.

Many of us still use Tulasimala to count 108 times while doing Sandhyavandana. It may be noted that using Tulasimala is prohibited while doing Gayatri Mantra Japa during “Trikaala Sandhyavandana”. The GAYATRI referred to, here as ‘Vishwamitra Gayatri’.

The question arises what mantra needs to be said at other times when doing Japa other than while doing Sandhyavandana. For doing Japa at other times one may do Japa of “Brahma Gayatri Mantra”. The Tulasi maala may be used to count at those times.

What is ‘Brahma Gayatri Mantra’ ?

Aum Vedatmanaya Vidmahe Hiranya Garbhaaya Dheemahi
Tanno Brahma Prachodayath 

OR 

Aum Parameshwaraaya Vidmahe Paratattvaaye Dhimahee 
Thanno Brahma Prachodayath 

OR

Aum Thath-purushaya Vidmahe Chatur-mukhaaya Dhimahee 
Thanno Brahma Prachodayath 

OR

Aum Chatur-mukhaaya Vidmahe Hamsa-roodaye Dhimahee 
Thanno Brahma Prachodayath

Chanting of Brahma Gayatri Mantra is to seek the blessings of Lord Brahma to achieve victory of deeds in all our endeavours.

Finally to conclude, we all know when shastra says so, do so. Good Luck.

end- written sometime in ಇನ್ 2018

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