Gayathri Mantra

Rishis selected the words of the Gayatri Mantra and arranged them so that they not only convey meaning but also create specific power of righteous wisdom through their utterance. The ideal times for chanting the mantra are three times a day - at dawn, mid-day, and at dusk. These times are known as the three sandhyas - morning, mid-day and evening. The maximum benefit of chanting the mantra is said to be obtained by chanting it 108 times. However, one may chant it for 3, 9, or 18 times when pressed for time. The syllables of the mantra are said to positively affect all the chakras or energy centres in the human body - hence, proper pronunciation and enunciation are very important.

The Upanisads (secret texts) of Hinduism contain several references to the Gayatri Mantra.
Chandogya Upanisad 3.12.1

This entire creation is Gàyatrì. And the Gàyatrì is speech - for speech sings (gayati) and protects (trayati) this entire creation.

Brahadaranyaka Upanisad 5.14.4

The Gàyatrì Mantra is based on truth. For truth is based on strength. Strength is breath, and is based on breath. So, Gayatri protects (tra) the wealth (gaya) (the breath!) of those who speak it with earnestness and devotion. When one recites Gàyatrì on behalf of someone, it protects that person's breath too!

Brahadaranyaka Upanisad 5.14.5

This verse talks about the unbounded wealth contained within the four 'foots' of the Gàyatrì Mantra.

• The first foot (aum bhur bhuvah svaha) is said to be equivalent to the wealth contained in the three worlds put together.
• The second foot (tat savitur varenyam) is said to be equivalent to the wealth contained in the three main vedas.
• If one were to receive a gift extending as far as there are living beings, that would equal the third foot (bhargo devasaya dheemahi).
• The fourth foot (dheeyo yo nah prachodyaat) is based on the glory of the sun, whose power and wealth remains unequaled and unrivaled. Hence, there is no amount of wealth that can equal the fourth foot of the Gàyatrì!

More details can be found in Patrick Olivelle's Upanisads (Oxford World's Classics) (Amazon.com link)[IMG]http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ajmanis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0192835769[/IMG]. The translation of The Upanishads (Amazon.com link)[IMG]http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ajmanis-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0915132397[/IMG] by Eknath Easwaran is also eminently readable.