The Gayatri mantra has in it the validity of the Vedas. It contains the essence of Vedic teachings. Each of the four Vedas has a core axiom (mahavakya) enclosed in it:

Thath Thwam Asi (That thou art),
Prajnanam Brahma (Consciousness is Brahma),
Ayam Atma Brahma (This Self is Brahma), and
Aham Brahmasmi (I am Brahman).

When all these are synthesized, the Gayatri emerges.

Gayatri is all Gods in One: The triple stranded Yagnopaveetham (Sacrificial strand of thread) is to be worn by every one who is initiated into Gayatri recital, for he has to perform the three sandhya rites when the sun rises and sets, as well as when the Sun is at the zenith. The rites are in adoration of the Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The purpose of the rites is to invoke the Gods to bless the novitiate to lead a good life at all times (past, present, and future), in all places (heaven, earth, and nether region). The Gayatri divinises the five elements; it represents the presiding deities of all the five. Gayatri is worshipped as a Five-Faced Goddess:

Om is the first,
Bhoor-bhuvahssuvah is the second,
Thath Savitur Varenyam is the third,
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi is the fourth, and
Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayath is the fifth face.

Through meditation on the Gayatri, one can become aware of the inner motivating principle of the five elements, the five vital airs in the human body, and the five sheaths, which encase the Atma. Just as there are three basic energies that govern man --the physical, metaphysical, and psychical, the Adhi-bhauthik, the Adhi-daivik, and the Adhi-atmic, the Gayatri has three facets: Gayatri, Savitri, and Saraswathi. Gayatri fosters the metaphysical; Savitri, the physical; and Saraswathi, the psychical. These three karanas (instruments) have to be cleansed and sublimated so that man can realize the goal of life. Through the recital of the Gayathri ra and meditation thereon, this great task can be achieved.