Concept of Gayatri in the Vedas and the Puranas

Pages: 242 From the JacketGayatri is the most popular meter in the ancient Vedic Literature which through the passage of time assumed the distinction of a prominent deity in the later literature especially in the Puranas. Besides the meter Gayatri as a mantra itself which occurs in the Rgveda and other later Vedic texts is considered as the most sacred and powerful mantra and is often alluded as a wish yielding tree for attainment of almost everything in life.The author contains eight chapter including an introduction; concept of Gayatri in Vedic literature Gayatri in Comparison with other deities in Vedic literature Significance of Gayatri in Vedic Literature Origin and Birth of Gayatri in the Puranas; forms, appearance and iconographical features methods of Sandhya worship of Gayatri and its advantage and Tantric mode of worship of Gayatri. Besides some more interesting features associated with the worship of the Goddess Gayatri have been given in the appendices. Glossary of Sanskrit terms has been added for the better understanding. About the AuthorDr. Prajna Paramita Das (b. 1960) obtained her master degree in Sanskrit in 1983 and M.Phil in 1996 from Utkal University Vani Vihar. She did her PhD form the same University in 2007.Presently Dr. Das is serving as a principal Biswo Tarini Womens Degree College, Chhenpali, Keonjhar district in Orissa. She has contributed various papers and articles in journals and magazines.ForewordGayatri is the most popular meter in the ancient Vedic Litarature which through the passage of time assumed the distinction of a prominent deity in the later literature especially in the Puranas. Besides the meter Gayatri as a mantra itself which occurs in the Rgveda and many other later Vedic texts is considered as the most sacred and powerful mantra and is often alluded as a wish yielding tree for attain