In the Vedic tradition, who is traditionally credited with composing the famous Gayatri Mantra from the Rigveda?

Introduction / Context:
This question comes from ancient Indian history and religious literature. The Gayatri Mantra is one of the most revered mantras in the Vedic tradition and appears in the Rigveda. Competitive exams often test whether candidates know which sage is traditionally associated with its composition. Understanding such associations helps connect key spiritual texts with the sages who propagated them.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The mantra in question is the Gayatri Mantra.
• We are asked which figure is traditionally credited with composing it.
• Options include Vishvamitra, Vasishtha, Indra and Parikshit.
• We assume standard traditional attributions accepted in Hindu religious texts.

Concept / Approach:
Traditionally, the Gayatri Mantra is attributed to the sage Vishvamitra. The mantra is addressed to Savitar, the Sun deity, and is found in the Rigveda. While many sages contributed hymns to the Vedas, specific mantras are linked to particular rishis. Vasishtha is another important Vedic sage but is not associated with this specific mantra. Indra is a Vedic deity, and Parikshit is a king mentioned in later texts, not composers of this mantra.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Gayatri Mantra is a Rigvedic mantra dedicated to Savitar. Step 2: Remember that traditional accounts names the rishi Vishvamitra as the seer associated with this mantra. Step 3: Examine the options and identify Vishvamitra among them. Step 4: Recognise that Vasishtha, although a great sage, is not linked specifically to the Gayatri Mantra. Step 5: Choose Vishvamitra as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative Check:
Religious commentaries, traditional chant books and many introductory texts on Hinduism explicitly mention that the seer of the Gayatri Mantra is Vishvamitra. The mantra is sometimes called the Savitri Mantra in reference to the deity Savitar but the human sage associated with its revelation is consistently listed as Vishvamitra. Indra is worshipped within many Vedic hymns but is a deity, not a human composer. Parikshit is known from the Mahabharata tradition and Puranic stories, not Vedic hymn composition.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b (Vasishtha) is a prominent Vedic rishi but is not the traditional seer of the Gayatri Mantra. Option c (Indra) is a Vedic god and recipient of many hymns, not the composer in human terms. Option d (Parikshit) is a Kuru king associated with later epics and Puranas and does not appear as a composer of Rigvedic mantras. Thus, none of these alternatives match the long-established tradition.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse different rishis because many appear repeatedly in Vedic literature, and names like Vasishtha and Vishvamitra are often mentioned together. Another pitfall is to think of Indra as the answer simply because he is an important Vedic figure, forgetting that the question asks for the composer, not the deity. To avoid such confusion, remember a direct link: “Gayatri Mantra – sage Vishvamitra – Rigveda.”

Final Answer:
According to Vedic tradition, the Gayatri Mantra is traditionally attributed to the sage Vishvamitra.