Which is better — chanting the Gāyatrī mantra or reading a stotra?

they do different things — a mantra is repeated for focus, a stotra is sung in praise; both are valid and can be combined.

A mantra like the Gāyatrī (Ṛgveda 3.62.10) is a compact sacred formula, usually repeated many times as japa with a steady mind. A stotra is a hymn — verses of praise, story and prayer, like the Hanumān Chālīsā or the Śiva Pañcākṣara Stotra — read or sung once or a few times, often with feeling and melody.

There is no competition between them. Many people do a few rounds of Gāyatrī japa at sunrise and read a stotra to their iṣṭa-devatā during pūjā. Families that observe sandhyā-vandana give the Gāyatrī a central place; bhakti traditions give a central place to nāma and stotra. Each grows from its own lineage.

Choose what you can keep up every day. A short Gāyatrī japa plus one stotra you love is a beautiful, balanced daily practice.

Gāyatrī: Ṛgveda 3.62.10 · Source: Vedic and bhakti traditions

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