Do Women Have the Right to Chant the Gayatri Mantra?

Do Women Have the Right to Chant the Gayatri Mantra?

By Priyanshu Seth

In today's era, a misconception has spread in Hindu society that women do not have the right to chant the Gayatri Mantra. This belief contradicts our scriptures. In ancient times, both men and women regularly worshiped Gayatri, but today, this practice is rare. Present-day sectarian gurus give their disciples new and various mantras. Some prescribe "Ramaṃ Rāmāya Namaḥ," others "Namo Nārāyaṇaḥ," while some suggest "So'ham" and many other unfamiliar chants. Among these, the Dvādaśākṣara Mantra (twelve-syllable mantra) is widely known as "Om Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya."

The first issue with this so-called mantra is that it does not appear in any Veda. No one can show this mantra in the Vedic texts. Secondly, it was never meant for the twice-born (Dvijas). Even the Puranas confirm this, stating:

"Dvādaśākṣarakaṃ mantraṃ strīśūdreṣu vidhīyate."

— Vishnu Dharma, Prathama Khaṇḍa 155/28

This means that the twelve-syllable mantra was created for women and Shudras.

When women were deprived of their right to Vedic knowledge, new mantras like "Om Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya" were introduced. No sectarian guru instructs their disciples to chant the Gayatri Mantra. If some do, they wrongly claim that women are not entitled to its recitation.

This falsehood must be corrected. From the Vedas to the Puranas and Smritis, all scriptures affirm that women have the right to Vedic knowledge. When Rishikas (female seers) have been acknowledged as composers of Vedic hymns, who can challenge women's right to study the Vedas? History also mentions many Brahmavadini (women scholars of Vedic knowledge).

The Shalya Parva of the Mahabharata narrates the story of a female ascetic named Siddha, who mastered the Vedas and attained yogic perfection. Bharadwaja’s daughter, Shrutavali, was a Vedic scholar, while devotee Shandilya’s daughter, Shrimati, was engaged in Vedic study. Shiva, a Brahmin woman, was also well-versed in the Vedas. Similarly, Bharti, Maitreyi, Gargi, Sulabha, Draupadi, Vayuna, Dharini, and Vedavati were all learned in the Vedas. Vedavati had committed all four Vedas to memory.

Not only were women allowed to study the Vedas, but some even attained the esteemed title of Brahma (spiritual master). If women have the right to study all four Vedas, then is the Gayatri Mantra outside the Vedic domain?

The Puranas also grant women the right to chant Vedic mantras. The Bhavishya Purana (Uttar Parva 4/13) states:

"A woman, even if widowed, should practice good conduct and receive Vedic mantras. A married woman may do so with her husband's consent."

Similarly, the Vasishta Smriti (21/7) states:

"If a woman develops ill thoughts toward her husband, she should atone by chanting the Gayatri Mantra 108 times to purify herself."

The Bhavishya Purana also warns against non-Vedic chants:

"Vrithā jāpyam avaidikam."

— Bhavishya Purana, Uttar Parva 122/9

This means that chanting non-Vedic mantras is futile.

There are numerous such references proving that those who forbid women from chanting the Gayatri Mantra are disregarding the Vedas, Shastras, Puranas, and historical records.

Many texts have been written on the profound meaning of the Gayatri Mantra, and more will continue to be written. However, its full essence can never be completely explained because it embodies the essence of all four Vedas. Practitioners who chant it should understand its significance. Without comprehension, chanting yields limited benefits. The devotee should be aware of what they are saying before the Divine, what requests they are making, and what they are offering.

The Gayatri Mantra, in essence, is an invocation of self-surrender. Just as a bride, with full awareness and determination, surrenders herself to her husband before the sacred fire during marriage, a devotee chanting the Gayatri Mantra says:

"O Beloved, I meditate upon Your divine, pure, and luminous radiance. You alone are worthy of adoration. You, the Creator of all, the illuminator of all beings, the remover of sorrows, and the giver of happiness! I offer my intellect to You—guide it toward the path of righteousness!"

Just as a devoted wife remains forever faithful to her husband, the practitioner of the Gayatri Mantra dedicates themselves entirely to the Divine. Once surrendered, no other entity can take the place of the Supreme within their heart. Any deviation from this devotion is akin to a blemish on one's faith.

Through constant chanting of the Gayatri Mantra, the devotee repeatedly submits themselves to the Divine, saying:

"I am now Yours. You hold the reins of my intellect. O Lord, lead me toward Your divine path!"

The mind, being singular, can either be devoted to God or become entangled in worldly distractions. As Kabir aptly puts it:

"Kabira yeh man ek hai, chahe jahān lagāya

Bhāve prabhu kī bhakti kar, bhāve viṣay kamāya."

"Kabir says: This mind is one—wherever you place it, there it will be. Either dedicate it to the devotion of the Lord or let it wander in worldly desires."

Through the Gayatri Mantra, one firmly establishes their mind in the Divine. Having surrendered everything to God, one should constantly cherish and adore Him, saying:

"Make my eyes a palace for You, let my pupils be the royal bed,

Let my eyelashes be the curtains, so I may enchant my Lord."

Once the intellect and mind have been offered to God, no other thoughts can intrude. Chanting "Bhūḥ," one calls out to the Supreme as their Prāṇa-pyāra (beloved of life). If the Beloved is separated even for a moment, the devotee feels the anguish of separation, just as a lover longs for their beloved. True devotion is marked by an intense longing for union with the Divine. As a poet describes:

"Ur me dāha, pravāha drig, rah-rah nikle āha,

Mar miṭne kī chāha ho, yahi viraha kī rāha."

"The heart burns, tears flow, and sighs escape time and again.

A deep longing to surrender—this is the path of devotion."

However, those who sincerely practice the Gayatri Mantra do not face spiritual death. Instead, they receive a new life, filled with divine wisdom and enlightenment.

(Thanks to the boundless grace of Maharshi Dayanand, women have regained their right to Vedic knowledge. Thus, these so-called non-Vedic mantras should be abandoned, and all should regularly chant the Gayatri Mantra.)

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