Concept of Gayatri In the Vedas and The Puranas

Contents Foreword vii Acknowledgment ix Preface xi Abbreviations xv Transliterations xvii 1 Introduction 1-7 Concept of Mother Goddess Meaning Origin 2 Concept of Gayatri in Vedic Literature 8-34 Genesis Gayatri as a Metre (Chandas) and its Application Birth of Gayatri Forms and Appearance of Gayatri Gayatri as a deity 3 Gayatri in Comparison with other Deities in Vedic Literature 35-55 Identification of Gayatri with other Deities Gayatri and Lord Brahma Gayatri and Savitr Deva Gayatri and Agni Gayatri and Soma 4 Significance of Gayatri in Vedic Literature 56-88 Importance of Aum (Om) and Gayatri Gayatri and Vyahrtis Identity of Pranava and Brahman Aditya and Brahman Significance of the Name Gayatri Interpretation of the Mantra 5 Origin and Birth of Gayatri in the Puranas 89-103 Origin of Gayatri Birth of Gayatri 6 Forms Appearance and Iconographical features of Gayatri 104-127 Forms of Gayatri Form of Gayatri as a deity Appearance of Gayatri Iconography of Savitri/Sarasvati/ Gayatri Identification of Gayatri with other gods 7 Method of Sandhya worship of Gayatri and its Advantages 128-167 Visualized meditation of Gayatri as described Kavaca One Thousand Names of Gayatri Glory and Advantages of Gayatri Japa 8 Tantric Mode of Worship of Gayatri 168-177 Achievement Obtains by Gayatri Sadhana 9 The Conclusion 178-184 Appendices 185-205 I. Analogus Gayatri Mantras II. Gayatri Sahasranama III. Savitri Astottarasatanama IV. Glory and Advantages of Gayatri Japa Glossary 206-211 Bibliography 212-221 Index 222-226