Sāvitrī Prāṇāyāma
Sāvitrī Prāṇāyāma (सावित्री प्राणायाम) is a prāṇāyāma technique in which the Gayatri Mantra is recited mentally during inhalation, retention, and exhalation. The practice is named after Sāvitrī, the presiding deity of the Gayatri Mantra, and is considered one of the most sacred prāṇāyāma practices.
Overview
Sāvitrī Prāṇāyāma combines breath control with the recitation of the 24-syllable Gayatri Mantra (Oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ…). It is traditionally performed during the sandhyā (twilight) periods and is considered especially powerful for spiritual purification and intellectual illumination. The practice is described in various yoga texts and is widely taught in traditional Hindu households.
Method
The practitioner sits in a meditative posture, typically during the morning sandhyā. During inhalation, the first portion of the Gayatri Mantra is mentally recited; during retention (kumbhaka), the middle portion is recited; and during exhalation, the final portion is recited. The ratio of inhalation, retention, and exhalation is gradually increased as the practitioner advances. The practice is traditionally performed for 108 breath cycles.
Benefits and Purpose
Traditional texts claim Sāvitrī Prāṇāyāma:
- Purifies the mind and speech
- Enhances concentration and memory
- Invokes the grace of Sāvitrī (the Sun deity)
- Is meritorious and leads to spiritual liberation
- Purifies the nāḍīs and balances the prāṇic system
Verification Notes
- Referenced in the sandhyāvandana literature and yoga manuals.
- The Gayatri Mantra is from the Ṛg Veda (3.62.10).
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).