Gayatri Mantra

गायत्री मंत्र (Gayatri Mantra)

मंत्र (Mantra)

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥

Transliteration

Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat

Word-by-Word Meaning

• ॐ (Om) — The primordial sound, the essence of the universe
• भूः (Bhur) — The physical world (earth)
• भुवः (Bhuvah) — The mental world (atmosphere)
• स्वः (Svah) — The spiritual world (heaven)
• तत् (Tat) — That (referring to the Supreme)
• सवितुः (Savitur) — Of the Sun (the Creator, Savitar)
• वरेण्यम् (Varenyam) — The most excellent, worthy of worship
• भर्गो (Bhargo) — Divine light, splendor, radiance
• देवस्य (Devasya) — Of the Supreme Lord
• धीमहि (Dhimahi) — We meditate upon
• धियो (Dhiyo) — Our intellect, understanding
• यो (Yo) — Who, which
• नः (Nah) — Our
• प्रचोदयात् (Prachodayat) — May inspire, illuminate, guide

Complete Meaning

"We meditate on the glory of that Being (the Sun/Creator) who has produced this universe; may He enlighten our minds and guide our intellect."

Significance

The Gayatri Mantra is one of the most universal and oldest mantras from the Rig Veda (Mandala 3, Sukta 62, Mantra 10). It is attributed to the sage Vishwamitra.

• It is considered the essence of all Vedic wisdom
• The mantra is dedicated to Savitar, the Sun deity, representing the divine light of consciousness
• Regular recitation is believed to enhance intellect, remove ignorance, and bring spiritual illumination
• It is traditionally chanted during the three Sandhya Vandana times: sunrise, noon, and sunset
• The mantra is also called the "Mother of the Vedas" (Veda Mata)

Practice

• Best Time: Sandhya Vandana (sunrise, noon, sunset)
• Recommended: 108 times daily on a mala
• Direction: Face east during sunrise, north during noon, west during sunset
• Ideal Posture: Padmasana or Sukhasana with spine erect