Gayatri Mantra · गायत्री मंत्र

By Rigveda 3.62.10 · Rishi VishvamitraLanguage Sanskrit1 verse

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

Om Bhur Bhuvah Swah, Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.

We meditate on the adorable, radiant light of the divine Savitr, who pervades the earth, the atmosphere and the heavens. May that light inspire and illuminate our intellect.

शब्दार्थ · Word by word

What each word means

Word	Sounds like	Meaning
ॐ	Om	the primordial sound, the Supreme
भूः	bhuh	the earth, the physical world
भुवः	bhuvah	the atmosphere, the world of life-breath
स्वः	swah	heaven, the world of the spirit
तत्	tat	that (Supreme)
सवितुः	savituh	of Savitr, the divine Sun, source of all life
वरेण्यं	varenyam	most excellent, worthy of worship
भर्गः	bhargah	the radiance, the purifying light
देवस्य	devasya	of the divine
धीमहि	dheemahi	we meditate upon
धियः	dhiyah	intellects, understanding
यः	yah	who
नः	nah	our
प्रचोदयात्	prachodayat	may inspire, may guide

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

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सुनें · Listen and sing along

Gayatri Mantra: audio & video

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विधि · How to chant

How to chant the Gayatri Mantra

How many times

108 times, or at least 3, 10 or 28 times at each sandhya.

When

At the three sandhyas: sunrise, noon and sunset. Sunrise, facing the rising sun, is considered best.

Sit facing east in the morning (west in the evening) with your spine straight.
Take a few slow breaths; traditionally achaman (three sips of water) and pranayama come first.
Chant slowly, pausing after Swah, after Dheemahi and after Prachodayat.
Count on a rudraksha or tulsi mala, or on the joints of the fingers.
If you chant at sunrise, end by offering water to the Sun (arghya).

फल · Why it is chanted

Benefits in tradition

A prayer for a clear, inspired mind: students chant it for concentration and memory.
Brings calm and steadiness at the start of the day.
Considered the essence of the Vedas, purifying speech and thought.
The first mantra taught at the upanayana (sacred-thread) ceremony.

These are the benefits described in scripture and tradition. Mantra and prayer support, but never replace, medical or professional care.

About the Gayatri Mantra

The Gayatri Mantra (Rigveda 3.62.10) was revealed to the sage Vishvamitra and is composed in the 24-syllable gayatri metre that gives it its name. It is a prayer to Savitr, the divine Sun as the source of light and life, not for wealth or victory but for an awakened mind. The three words Bhur Bhuvah Swah, the vyahritis naming earth, atmosphere and heaven, are placed before it in the Yajurveda tradition. Revered as Vedamata, the mother of the Vedas, it is the first mantra taught at the sacred-thread ceremony and is chanted at the three sandhyas of the day.

Questions

What is the meaning of Om Bhur Bhuvah Swah?

Bhur, Bhuvah and Swah are the earth, the atmosphere and heaven. Placed before the verse, they declare that the divine light being prayed to fills all three worlds.

Who wrote the Gayatri Mantra?

It was revealed to the sage Vishvamitra and is verse 10 of hymn 62 in the third book of the Rigveda.

Can women chant the Gayatri Mantra?

Many teachers and movements today, including the Arya Samaj and the Gayatri Parivar, encourage everyone to chant it. Some families follow older customs. Chant it with respect and a clear intention.

How many times should it be chanted?

One mala of 108 is a complete daily practice; even 3 or 11 repetitions at sunrise, chanted with attention, are worthwhile.

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