The Gayatri Upanishad 

The Gayatri Upanishad is a minor Upanishad closely based on, or extracted from, the section on the sacred Gâyatrî in the Brihadâranyaka Upanicad (5.14). It is a short Sanskrit text focused on the esoteric, meditative, and protective significance of the Gâyatrî meter/mantra.

Traditional accounts present the text through dialogues—such as between Maitreya and Maudgalya or Brahma and Yajnavalkya—exploring the inner metaphysical truths behind the sacred chant. The well-known Gâyatrî/Sâvitrî mantra (from Rigveda 3.62.10) is:

“Om bhûr bhuvah svah, tat savitur varenyam;
bhargo devasya dhîmahi, dhiyo yo nah pracodayât.”

(We meditate on the excellent/adorable radiance of the divine Savith;
may that inspire/illuminate our intellects.)

The text analyzes the Gâyatrî as having (traditionally) three feet of eight syllables each, plus a mystical fourth (turîya) foot:

• First foot: The three worlds— earth (bhûmi), intermediate space/sky (antarikca), and heaven (dyaus). One who knows this wins as much as exists in those three worlds.
• Second foot: The three Vedas — Rig, Yajur, and Sâma. One who knows this wins the full fruits of the threefold knowledge (trayî vidyâ).
• Third foot: The three vital airs— prâna, apâna, and vyâna. One who knows this wins all that lives and breathes.
• Fourth (turîya) foot: The shining sun (the being who “shines above,” parorajâ), described as “apparently visible” (darshata) and supramundane. One who knows this shines with splendour and fame.

The Gâyatrî as a whole is said to rest on this fourth foot, which itself rests on truth (identified with the eye/sight), and truth rests on strength (the vital force/prâna). Internally (adhyâtma), the Gâyatrî is established in the vital force within the body. It is called Gâyatrî because it “saves the gayas” (the organs/senses). The Sâvitrî mantra taught by a teacher is none other than this, and it protects the organs of the pupil to whom it is taught.

The text also discusses proper recitation (preferring the Gâyatrî form over an Anushmubh version of the Sâvitrî), the results of receiving gifts in relation to its feet, a salutation to Gâyatrî in its one-, two-, three-, four-, and footless forms, and a dialogue involving King Janaka of Videha illustrating purification and immortality through knowledge of it (even one who commits sin is said to become purified, free from old age and death).

This closely mirrors the Brihadâranyaka treatment, where Gâyatrî is linked to the vital force (prâna), protection of the organs, and meditation on Brahman under the limiting adjunct of the Gâyatrî.  The Upanishadic discussions treat the Gâyatrî meter and this mantra as symbols of cosmic and microcosmic realities (worlds, Vedas, vital forces, the Sun/Self), emphasizing knowledge and meditation rather than mere mechanical recitation. The Gâyatrî is often called the “mother of the Vedas” (Vedamâtâ) and is central to the upanayana (sacred thread) ceremony.