Gayathrie

Gayathrie (also spelled Gayatri) is a Hindu goddess, considered a personification of the Gayatri Mantra, a highly revered mantra in Hinduism. She is often depicted as the consort of Brahma, the creator god, though other traditions associate her with Vishnu or Shiva. Gayathrie is considered the mother of the Vedas and the embodiment of knowledge, purity, and divine power.

The Gayatri Mantra, from which the goddess derives her name and essence, is a verse from the Rigveda. The mantra is recited for enlightenment and wisdom, and its personification as Gayathrie reflects the power and importance attributed to it.

Gayathrie is commonly depicted with five heads, representing the four Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda) and the omnipresent Brahman. She often holds symbols like a book, a kamandalu (water pot), a rosary, and a lotus, representing knowledge, purity, and spiritual progress.

Devotees worship Gayathrie for wisdom, knowledge, prosperity, and purification of the mind. Her worship is particularly common among Brahmins, the priestly class, who are traditionally responsible for reciting and preserving the Vedas. Temples dedicated to Gayathrie can be found throughout India, and her image is also frequently found in home shrines.