The Hidden Meaning Behind The Gayatri Mantra; Celebrity Singer Ameya Dabli Explains Why Is It So Powerful

Ameya Dabli is a former banker turned celebrity singer whose work seamlessly blends purpose, spirituality and service through sound. Although he had a successful career in the corporate world, Ameya's passion for music since childhood made him quit his job and pursue music full-time. He has till date performed over 4,000 concerts across 15 countries.

Ameya also had the honour of sharing the stage and performing with renowned artists such as A.R. Rahman, Ustad Zakir Hussain, and Shankar Mahadevan. What makes his journey unique is not just his musical talent, but also the mission behind it. He works closely with the Indian Armed Forces, using music to honour and provide emotional support to soldiers and their families.

In an exclusive conversation with The Free Journal, Ameya discusses the importance of spirituality in our daily lives and shares his personal experiences.

Experts:

Are religion and spirituality the same?

Discussing the role of spirituality in our lives, Ameya Dabli said: "Not only in our country, but all over the world, people often confuse religion with spirituality, which is a misconception."

"Spirituality is distinct from religion because it involves what we believe at our core. My guru, Shri Shri Ravi Shankar ji, once explained that spirituality is like the inner core of a banana, while religion is the outer covering. This means that spirituality encompasses what I deeply believe in, and what you may also embrace as your practice, your sadhana, or your philosophy of life.

"On the other hand, religion is often a matter of choice. For instance, being born into a Hindu family does not obligate you to follow that faith; you may be born into a particular religion yet choose to engage in spiritual practices that are unrelated to any specific religion."

Ameya also expressed that spirituality is inherent to our nature and that everyone is born with a spiritual essence. Spirituality reveals itself in various formations through our beliefs and the actions we take for social welfare and personal growth.

Why is the Gayatri Mantra performed in schools?

When asked about the Gayatri Mantra and its relevance in schools, he explained, "The Gayatri Mantra is recited in schools as it serves to invoke Lord Surya (the Sun) or Lord Suryanarayan. Chanting the Gayatri Mantra is akin to offering 'arghya' to Suryadev. In ancient times, it was primarily taught to 'Santha,' which refers to a sacred teaching given by a Guru to a disciple, especially during the Upanayan Sanskar (initiation ceremony).

Initially, the Gayatri Mantra was considered a 'gupt mantra,' meaning a secret mantra. However, due to the influence of films and music, it gradually became more widely known and is now chanted openly by everyone, regardless of gender. The Gayatri Mantra is a powerful mantra that embodies significant spiritual energy." He further said, "In our country and our culture, this mantra is recited, so it is a great thing."

Does it help if we start our day with a Gayatri Mantra?

Discussing the Gayatri Mantra and its significance, he stated, "Any mantra or philosophy that you firmly believe in can positively influence your life if you start your day with it and make it a daily practice. For instance, you could say, 'I am the greatest human being on this planet.'

"What is a mantra? A mantra is the resonance of specific words that hold profound meaning and impact. Therefore, the Gayatri Mantra can have a significant effect. If you genuinely believe in affirmations like 'I am the greatest human being,' it can lead to some level of manifestation in your life.

"The Gayatri Mantra is powerful enough to help you begin your day positively, which is why many people in our country recite it every morning after taking a bath."

Music plays a significant role in our lives

According to Ameya, music plays a significant role in our lives and has a profound connection with spirituality.

According to him, "Music influences our subtle mind and subconscious, aspects that are not easily visible. Many spiritual masters suggest that there are various secrets in life, one of which pertains to mantras, chants, and music.

"I believe music falls into this category because its impact is difficult to quantify tangibly. However, through different forms of study, such as monitoring and evaluation, we can track changes before and after music therapy using various metrics and psychological assessments. This reveals a strong correlation between individuals' personal belief systems, their spirituality, and music."

What happens to the body when it dies according to spirituality? Is there an afterlife?

When discussing the concept of an afterlife, Amaya Dabli said "I am not the enlightened soul to explain the concept of an afterlife, but I believe that there is one."

He elaborated, "My guru has told me that there is an afterlife. A true soul knows, while an unreal soul believes. For instance, when I tell my child not to put their hand in the fire because I know it will burn, my child does not understand that risk. I know from my own experiences.

"Similarly, when an enlightened master informs you that there is an afterlife, you should accept it as truth; therefore, I believe there is an afterlife."

He went on to explain that the soul is immortal. "As discussed in the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna mentions that we experience many lifetimes, and this current life is just one in which we act according to our karma, both past and present.

He admitted, "I have never seen souls in their true form, but I have felt their presence during meditation. However, I am still on my journey toward reaching that understanding." He concluded by saying that, "Based on what I've learned, the soul is immortal and continues to travel from one body to another until God decides otherwise."

Thus one can safely conclude that spirituality is a broad concept that typically refers to the pursuit of meaning and purpose in life. It often involves a connection to something greater than oneself. Embracing spirituality can help individuals gain insight and discover their true selves. It fosters compassion, encourages connections with others, and alters one's perception of the world.

Published on: Friday, July 18, 2025, 10:00 AM IST