Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji at Gayatri Homa – May 25, 2012 – Mysore
Jaya Guru Datta
The Gayatri mantra is very powerful. I am very happy that so many participants have taken part in this Yajna organized by Sri Bala Swamiji as an offering to Swamiji for his 70th Birthday. A total of over 1 crore japa has been done in the name of Swamiji for universal welfare. You have chanted the mantra for a thousand times each day for a few months, following strict rules and regulations. Please keep up this habit. Those who chant this mantra after initiation should always have their food and drink sitting down. Eating and drinking while standing is not good. Passing urine standing is not a good practice. It should be avoided. One should remain in a calm frame of mind always. Mantra chanting should always be done for the wellbeing of all, and not with any personal motive such as obtaining a visa, and getting a job promotion. The moment a selfish thought comes into the mind, the efficacy of the mantra diminishes.
Valmiki Ramayana has the entire Gayatri Mantra incorporated into it. The 24,000 verses contain the 24 syllables of the Gayatri. That is why the chanting of Ramayana is so powerful. The Shatashloki Ramayana is equally powerful. If you chant the Shatashloki Ramayana you get the same benefit as chanting the Gayatri Mantra. So those who have not been initiated into the Gayatri Mantra have the easy option of earning spiritual merit by simply studying and chanting the Shatashloki Ramayana.
Sri Guru Datta