Guest guest Posted September 17, 2002 Report Share Posted September 17, 2002 Yes, Pradeep. This is precisely where my question is coming from. You have stated the classic view about the who and how of Gayatri. On the other side is the unclassical but authoritative view from so many saints including His Holiness Swami Sivananda of Divine Life Society, Sathya Sai Baba etc. who do not advise any purificatory rites and mention in their writing that anyone anywhere can chant the Gayatri. The funny thing with me is that I hesitate to chant the gaytari and stick to my guru mantra for the fear of committing blasphemy. The last thing I need is the wrath of the seer of Gayatri Mantra. Who can tell me the final word on this ? If Thakur has said it I will believe it without hesitation. Then I have Swami Sivananda, Satya Sai Baba and thakur and that is like having the Vedas speak. News - Today's headlines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2002 Report Share Posted September 17, 2002 Dear List Ref: Gayatri (Is the gender or caste important?) This list is devoted to the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. Though they have always shown respect to the traditional approach in Hinduism, they have also advocated a more refreshing reinterpretation of religious issues - hence we should exercise our freedom in deciding what is right. We at the Vivekananda Centre London, teach all our youngsters to recite, and understand the meaning of the Gayatri. We think this is a very important prayer of our tradition and should be promoted. Most of the youngsters who attend our classes are girls, many of these youngsters come from a variety of backgrounds. (We have never asked them about their caste). jay Vivekananda Centre London Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2002 Report Share Posted September 17, 2002 Dear Dev, I think the Gayatri Mantra itself is a purificatory mantra as it invokes the light (savitur) to clear the darkness. Today I had a talk with the Head of the Sarada Math here who said even women and others can safely chant the mantra. However those who have had their upanayana *must* chant the Gayatri not only for themselves but also for the world. This is what the Shastras say. Regards Jagannath. News - Today's headlines http://news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2002 Report Share Posted September 17, 2002 Pranams to all. I would like to thank Rahul jii first of all, it is heartening to know there are people like him, and I have learnt a lot from his email. I am no scholar on Vedic manthras and my knowledge is v. kamzor, on such matters. However, at least I do not discriminate like a lot of 'scholarly' people do, of that I am sure. I just know that I love the deity Gayathri, whom I identify as a Mother figure, and Gayathri Mantra. The Gayathri was the first Manthra my mother taught me, she used to recite it to us from a v. early age. And yes, all through school, and University, it has guided and guarded me. I never ever for a moment gave any attention to the thought that I may be doing something 'strictly forbidden' for women! Why is it so difficult for some people to comprehend that women are as qualified as men (who are born of women!) to recite the Gayathri Manthra. I really fail to understand why gender should matter at all in spiritual quests, after all everyone recognizes that it is soul and not body which attains salvation, and surely soul does not have a gender. There are so many things I would like to know, and would love to write on and on, but these debates are endless, and only bring 'ashaantii'. The simplest thing would be to recite the powerful Gayathri Manthra! I am certain it will lead us to the truth. Peace be to all... kind regards, srija. Rahul Banerjee wrote: > > >To the best of my knowledge, Gayatri should be chanted only by men > >(that too dwijas) as it is a great " Veda Mantram " . Also because it > >starts with the " pranava " mantram (om) it should not be chanted by > >women. > > I am sorry I don't agree with the above proposition. If the Gayatri > mantra is supposed to be as great as it is supposed to be then it should > be all the more reason all, high and low , men and women, should be > encouraged to practise it and understand its meaning. Again its not > enough simply to say that 'Vedic scholars said so' ..... we are rational > people on this list and it behoves those who frame such rules to give > adequate reasons why it should be so. > This reminds of a thesis Shri Shankaracharya wrote dissuading low > caste brethren from studying the Vedas.Swamiji (Swami Vivekananda) had > been unable to forgive Sri Shankaracharya for that. > The Upanishads themselves contain discourses between men and women. > What kind of logic is this ..... that the Vedas (including the Upanishads) > contains the views of exceptional women yet women will not be allowed to > use them for their spiritual practices ? > The Brahminical priests have done enough to damage social relations > in the subcontinent. I have a hunch these rules were invented by them > to exploit and hold down helpless people. > > >I am not an authority on this, but I have heard the above from fairly > >orthodox vedic scholars and hence my views. > > On the contrary I have been categorically told by a Sannyasi from > Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, Calcutta that the Gayatri mantra is > good for all. One should think the best way out is for interested > women to practise the Gayatri and decide for themselves whether it suits > them or not...... > > with best regards, > Rahul. > > > Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah > Vivekananda Centre London > http://www.vivekananda.co.uk > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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