What is Gayathri Mantra?
If you translate it into plain English, it looks like below
OM: The primordial sound of the universe.
Bhur Bhuvah Suvaha: The material world The physical world The celestial world.
Tat Savitur Varenyam: The supreme being The Source To be Worshipped.
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi: The Devine light The Sacred Truth We deeply Meditate.
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayath: The Intellect Which to us may light be endowed.
The final translation is like below
O thou existence Absolute, Creator of the three dimensions, we contemplate upon thy divine light. May He stimulate our intellect and bestow upon us true knowledge.
Alternatively
O, Divine Mother, our hearts are filled with darkness. Please make this darkness distant from us and promote illumination within us
Please check about Religiosity
However, the ancient core Indian religious texts defy criticism of them, the deep grammatical and structure wise they have been written or composed. these texts are not written by ordinary individuals but by individuals with deep insight and experience.
Here below is an excellent presentation by “The Sanskrit Channel” on Gayathri Mantra
Most people today do not have enough training or understanding of the way to read these texts and benefit from them.
Why a Mantra is needed and what is its utility in our daily lives?
The fundamental purpose is to calm your mind and increase your mental ability and mental health.
The ancient Rishis are clever in using God as a facilitator to provide you with methods and techniques to improve your mental and physical health(for example with the help of Yoga).
Instead of utilizing and benefitting from these ancient techniques, we spend time in unwanted analysis and criticism.
