Gayatri Mantra
गायत्री मंत्र
Full Text / Lyrics
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
English Meaning
The Gayatri Mantra is one of the oldest and most revered prayers in the Hindu tradition, drawn from the Rig Veda (3.62.10) and attributed to the sage Vishvamitra. It is addressed to Savitr, the divine Sun who illumines the three worlds — the earth (bhuh), the atmosphere (bhuvah), and the heavens (svah).
The core verse can be rendered: "We meditate upon the radiant glory of the divine Sun (Savitr), the source of all creation. May that supreme light illumine our intellect and guide our thoughts toward truth." The mantra is essentially a prayer for inner illumination — asking the Divine to awaken and direct the buddhi (the discriminating intellect), so that one's thoughts, words, and actions may be aligned with truth and dharma.
Traditionally, the Gayatri is chanted at the three sandhyas (dawn, midday, and dusk) as part of the daily sandhyavandanam. It is regarded as the mother of the Vedas (Veda Mata) because all Vedic wisdom is said to be condensed within it. Devotees chant it for clarity of mind, purification of consciousness, protection from negative influences, success in studies and work, and ultimately for spiritual liberation. Saints across centuries — from the ancient rishis to Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi — have praised the Gayatri as a complete spiritual sadhana in itself.