The earliest occurrence of the mantra famous as Gayatri Mantra is found in which of the following text?

The correct answer is Rig Veda.

Key Points

• Gayatri Mantra:
  • ​Gayatri Mantra was first recorded in the Rig Veda and was written in Sanskrit around 2500 to 3500 years back.
  • The Gayatri Mantra comprises twenty-four syllables organized inside a triplet of eight syllables.
  • Reciting the Gayatri Mantra not only decontaminates the chanter but the listener as well.
  • Gayatri Mantra comes from the third Mandala of the Rigveda.
  • This Mandala has 62 hymns, mainly to Agni and Indra.
  • It is one of the “family books” (mandalas 2-7), the oldest core of the Rigveda.
  • This Mandala also mentions Kikats, a non-Aryan tribe, which most scholars agree was resident of somewhere near Magadha in modern Bihar.

Important Points

• Why is Gayatri Mantra Chanted?
  • It is believed that by chanting Gayatri Mantra, you achieve success and happiness in your life.
  • With regular chanting of the Gayatri Mantra, one can firmly establish and stabilize the mind.
  • The mantra is a declaration of appreciation, to both the nurturing sun and the Divine.