In plain words
They teach it because they do not know better, not because they lack love for their children. Parents have abundant love for their children. But they do not know the future. That is why they teach in that way. At such times you must gently convince them with love and set their minds at rest. “Mātṛdevobhava, pitṛdevo bhava,” says the Veda. I often tell children: your blood, your food, your money, your head, all of it is the gift of grace from your parents! So, first of all, show your parents the gratitude that is their due.
The Essence of the Gāyatrī Mantra
You must repeat the Gāyatrī mantra at all times. Gāyatrī has the name ‘Pañcamukhī’. That is, she has five faces. Oṃ bhūrbhuva ssuvaḥ tatsaviturvareṇyaṃ, bhargodevasya dhīmahi, dhiyoyonaḥ pracodayāt: these are the five faces of Gāyatrī. In the Gāyatrī mantra all three are contained: description, prayer and dhyāna. Oṃ, bhūḥ, bhuvaḥ, suvaḥ, tat, savitur, vareṇyaṃ, bhargo, devasya: these nine are all description. ‘Dhīmahi’: this is dhyāna. ‘Dhiyoyonaḥ pracodayāt’: this is prayer. “Mother! Drive away the darkness of ignorance in me and bless me with a good Buddhi”: that is how one must pray. The essence of the Gāyatrī mantra is just this! The Gāyatrī mantra bestows Bhakti, Jñāna and Vairāgya. Repeating so sacred a mantra as the Gāyatrī makes the mind pure. Above all, young men and students must repeat the Gāyatrī mantra without fail.
These days many receive the upadeśa of the Gāyatrī mantra only after they are well on in years. Until then their Buddhi does not blossom. It is only after the Gāyatrī mantra has been uttered that the Buddhi blossoms and shines. So it is good to give children the upadeśa of the Gāyatrī mantra at the age of eight itself. If children repeat the Gāyatrī mantra from their tender years, they grow into people of fine intelligence. Whenever it may be in your life, by repeating the Gāyatrī mantra you will be blessed beyond measure. But Bhakti and śraddhā are what matter most. Today, wherever you look, unrest and fear are growing beyond all bounds.