Giving Gayatri Mantra 

Priest: You have taken the vow of Brahmacharya. Now I will initiate you to the Gayatri Mantra that is to be chanted in daily prayer. Keep the Akshata and flowers in front of you when you chant the Mantra. When the sacrament is over, offer the Akshata and flowers to God.

The Gayatri is the supreme mantra among all the mantras. This Hindu tradition of chanting Gayatri in the prayer has come down from Rigveda. Whom do we pray? There are seven levels of existence like Bhooh, Bhuvah and so on. In other words, we contemplate on the earth, the space, the Sun in our planetary circle, millions of such Suns, our galaxy containing millions of such Suns, and such infinite number of galaxies. The one who inspires all creation is that self-same Savita. Let us pray that he may inspire all of us and our nation.

Priest and the participants:

   Om
   Om
   Om

(Meditation for one and a half minute. The Tanpura also stops, there is pin-drop silence.)

Priest and the participants:

   Om
   Om
   Om

(A moment’s silence)

  O Earth
  O Space
  O sun
  O millions of Suns
  O Galaxy
  O Infinite galaxies
  O Parabrahma, the Truth

We contemplate the most radiant lustre of the Supreme, the God. May he inspire our intellect.

Priest and the participants :

   Brahman is the only reality.
   Brahman is the reality.
   Brahman is the reality.

After this, the priest says ‘Namaste’. All join hands and the sacrament ends. After a few minutes’ break, a short meeting of half an hour is held. Two or three aspirants who have taken the vow express their feeling. One or two parents make small speeches. The preceptor and the chief guest offer blessings. Prasad or sacrificial food is given to all, the ceremony ends.)