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Re: gAyatrI mantra: tradition
In article <4kks8b$kam@babbage.ece.uc.edu>, dchakrav@netserv.unmc.edu says...
>
>Dear Friends:
>
>I have been looking for an explanation of the tradition of secrecy around
>the gAyatrI mantra. I have been told by many people that it should not be
>said loudly, lest others can hear it.
My assumption is that because those who (on account of their
own doings) lack the adhikara to take advantage of Gayatri can
harm themselves (and possibly others) by trying to chant it, they
are encouraged to chant other mantras instead. To each his own.
>
>The problem is, the gAyatrI mantra itself is in plural (dhImahi). Why
>should it be secret ?
There are many who are qualified to chant Gayatri, which why the
verb is plural but they are nonetheless a superior minority in
society, which is why the mantra is kept "secret."
>
Regards,
-m
