GAYTRI & GAYTRI MANTRA
GAYTRI
In Gurbaani Gayatri has been depicted as a mythical, lame cow, to which this dictum has been attributed in the Hindu mythology.
Skanda Purana says that Gayatri is married to Brahma (it is distinct from Brahma’s first wife Sarawati). The story continues that Savitri became angry knowing the wedding of Gayatri with Brahma and cursed all the gods and goddesses engaged in the event. Shaivism sees Gayatri as the consort of eternal blissful absolute Parashiva who manifests in the form of sun, Sivasurya.
GAYTRI MANTRA
The Gāyatrī Mantra also known as the Sāvitri Mantra, is a highly revered mantra from the Rig Veda. Only high class Hindus have right to recite it. Modern Hindu reform movements spread the practice of the mantra to include women and all castes and its use is now very widespread.
Its wording is:
ॐ भूर् भुवः सुवः तत्स॑ववि॒तुववरेण्यि॒ भर्ग॑ देि॒वस्य॑धीमवि वधय ि॒ य नः॑ प्रच ि॒दय ॑त्
oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ suvaḥ tatsaviturvareṇyaṃ bhargo devasyadhīmahi dhiyo yo naḥ prachodayāt
{Meaning: Let us meditate on that excellent glory of the divine vivifying Sun, May he enlighten our understandings (Monier Williams)}
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)