Essential rules to be observed by Gayatri Sadhaks

A person engaged in Gayatri Sadhana is required to observe the following rules:

1.   The body should be cleaned by taking bath before sitting in Sadhana. In the event of any disability, seasonal un-favorableness or illness one can make do by washing hands and face or by taking a sponge bath with a wet cloth.

2.   One should wear as few clothes as possible at the time of Sadhana. If there is excessive cold a blanket may be used instead of putting on tight clothes.

3.   The Sadhak should find out an open secluded place for Sadhana where atmosphere is calm and quite. A field, garden, temple or the bank of a river or lake are best suited for this purpose. But, if such a place is not available, a clean calm and quite portion of the house can be selected.

4.   It is better to put on newly washed clothes while doing Sadhana.

5.   The Sadhak should sit in cross-legged, comfortable position so that there may not be difficulty in sitting in that posture for a long time, and the mind is not distracted by a sense of physical discomfort.

6.   The back-bone should be kept erect so that the spinal column remains straight and there is no obstruction in the flow of pran in Sushumna.

7.   One should not sit for Sadhana on bare ground. The energy which is generated flows out into the earth if one sits on the ground. A mat prepared of Kush is best for this purpose. In its absence one can sit on a cotton mat. Woolen and leather carpets are used only for Tantrik Sadhana of Gayatri.

8.   Rosary of Tulsi or Sandalwood beads should be used. Rosaries of Rudraksh, red-sandal-wood and conch-shells are used only for Tantrik Sadhana of Gayatri.

9.   Jap should be started two hours before sunrise. In the evening it should be finished an hour after sunset. Only Tantrik Sadhanas are performed around midnight. The non-tantrik Sadhanas should not be performed during the night.

10. Special attention should be paid in Sadhana to four matters. Firstly, the mind should not run hither and thither. If it does so, it should be gently persuaded to meditate on the beautiful image of the Mother. Secondly, there should be unflinching faith and belief in the Divine Mother. Person with wavering faith cannot derive full advantage of Sadhana. Thirdly, The Sadhak should resolutely stick to Sadhana. Lack of enthusiasm, dejection, ill-health, delay in getting benefits immediately and other worldly difficulties act as obstacles in Sadhana. Ignoring them, the Sadhak keeps on advancing on his way, fourthly, regularity or continuity is an essential rule of Sadhana. Howsoever, busy one may be, and even while placed in adverse circumstances, Mother's worship should not be interrupted. Irregularity in this respect is harmful. Due compliance of these four rules makes the progress in Sadhana smooth and sure.

11. Jap of one rosary or one hundred and eight Mantras should be performed daily. If more Jap could be done it is so much the better.

12. Before starting Sadhana some experienced righteous person should be made Sadhana-guru. It should be ascertained from the Guru which type of Sadhana is appropriate. A patient is not competent to diagnose and treat his own disease. He has to seek the help of some physician, similarly, a Sadhana-Guru is needed to suggest appropriate Sadhana to rectify drawbacks and solve difficulties.

13. The Sadhak should sit facing the East (towards the sun) in the morning and West in the evening.

14. If one feels tired in sitting in one posture there is no harm in changing the posture.

15. One being required to get up in between for answering the call of nature or for any urgent work, Sadhana can be resumed after washing hands, face etc. with pure water. In that event Jap of one additional rosary should be performed by way of penance for such an interruption.

16. If on any day there is break in Sadhana for some unavoidable reason additional Jap should be performed the next day by way of compensation.

17. Performance of Jap rosary should be stopped during the period of impurity, in the event of any death or birth in the family. Only mental Jap can be done during this period. If such an emergency arises during Anusthan of 1.25 lakh, it should be discontinued during this period and resumed after the expiring of the period of impurity. Additional Jap of one thousand Mantras should be performed for purification in lieu of such an interruption.

18. There is no necessity of taking bath during long journeys or illness. In such an event, mental Jap can be per formed during the journey or lying on bed during illness.

19. The food and daily routine of the Sadhak should be righteous (Satwik). In food, the sadhak should eat Satoguni, simple easily digestible food prepared by some pious person. Chilies, excessive spices and pungent articles, fried dishes, sweets, s tale good-stuffs kept overnight, meat, intoxicants, food prepared from money earned thought, foul means and food offered disdainfully should be avoided, as f ar as possible.

20. It is always desirable to observe Brahmacharya, but it is specifically essential to observe it during Gayatri Anusthan.

21. It is also desirable to follow some specific disciplines during Anusthan. (1) The Sadhak should avoid getting hair of his head cut although he can shave himself. (2) He should sleep on a hard, wooden bed or on the ground and not on a cot. (3) Foot- wear of leather should be avoided (4) Food, if possible, should be taken only once a day. Fruits or milk can be taken in the evening. (5) The Sadhak should do his own service himself. He should not, as far as possible, allow his body and clothes to be touched by others.

22. Sumeru (the central big bead) of the rosary should not be crossed while doing Jap. After completion of the rosary every time, the sumeru should be touched on the eyes and forehead and after reversing it, Jap should be resumed till the sumeru is reached again. Materials of worship should be placed at such a place that they are not touched by others.

23. There should be no slackness in maintaining cleanliness of the place and articles of worship. Cleanliness of body and clothes is also essential. Jap is more useful if it is done in a fixed number at a fixed time and place.

There is no harm in doing Sadhana anywhere at whatever time with unsteady mind, but such symbolic worship is not as beneficial as one which is done with utmost sincerity and with observance of above mentioned guidelines.