Pranayama Mantra (Gayatri with Vyahritis and Shiras) — Benefits & How to Chant
प्राणायाम मन्त्र
Complete guide to chanting correctly for maximum benefit
Benefits of Chanting Pranayama Mantra (Gayatri with Vyahritis and Shiras)
The prescribed mantra for Pranayama in the daily Sandhyavandana ritual
Joins breath-control with meditation on the Gayatri, steadying body and mind together
The seven Vyahritis consecrate the seven worlds, expanding awareness from earth to Satya-loka
Invokes the illuminating grace of Savitr to purify and inspire the intellect (Prachodayat)
The Shiras ('Apo Jyoti…') affirms the unity of water, light, essence, nectar and Brahman
Cultivates calm, focus and pranic balance before japa, puja or meditation
How to Chant Pranayama Mantra (Gayatri with Vyahritis and Shiras)
Instructions
Sit erect facing east (or north). Close the right nostril with the thumb and inhale slowly through the left (Puraka) while mentally reciting the whole mantra once. Hold the breath (Kumbhaka), closing both nostrils, reciting it a second time. Then release through the right nostril (Rechaka), reciting it a third time. This is one round of Pranayama; three rounds are commonly done. Keep the spine straight and the mind fixed on the solar effulgence of Savitr throughout.
Spiritual Significance
It is traditionally held that Pranayama performed with this mantra burns away the impurities of the breath and senses, just as fire purifies gold; the Manusmriti declares that the sins of the senses are consumed by Pranayama joined to the Vyahritis and the Pranava. Sages say that one who steadies the breath upon the Gayatri sees the inner solar light dawn within the heart.
Origin & History
Source: Yajurveda / Taittiriya tradition (Sandhyavandana ritual); Gayatri verse from Rigveda 3.62.10
Author: Sage Vishvamitra (the Gayatri verse); the Vyahritis and Shiras from Vedic ritual
The central verse is the celebrated Gayatri Mantra revealed to Rishi Vishvamitra in the Rigveda. For ritual use in the thrice-daily Sandhyavandana, the Vedic tradition frames it with the seven Vyahritis — born, says the Taittiriya Aranyaka, when Prajapati brooded upon the worlds — and crowns it with the Gayatri-Shiras. In this complete form it became the mantra of Pranayama, uniting controlled breath with the meditation on Savitr's light that opens every Brahmin's day.