गायकं त्रायते पाताद्गायत्रीत्युच्यते हि सा । यथाऽर्थहिनो लोकेऽस्मिन्परस्यार्थं न यच्छति १६ ।
The word Gāyatrī means that which saves the reciter from downfall. Only a person of purified soul can save others, just as only a rich man can donate anything to others.