Gayatri Mantra
oṃ bhūrbhuvaḥ svaḥ tatsaviturvareṇyaṃ bhargo devasya dhīmahi dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt
Om, the three worlds - Earth, Atmosphere, and Heaven That most excellent radiance of the Sun God (Savita) We meditate upon the divine radiance of that God May that divine light illuminate our intellect
oṃ bhūrbhuvaḥ svaḥ
Om, the three worlds - Earth, Atmosphere, and Heaven
Word by Word
tatsaviturvareṇyaṃ
That most excellent radiance of the Sun God (Savita)
Word by Word
bhargo devasya dhīmahi
We meditate upon the divine radiance of that God
Word by Word
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt
May that divine light illuminate our intellect
Word by Word
Meaning
The Gayatri Mantra is considered the Mother of the Vedas. It appears in the Rig Veda (Mandala 3, Sukta 62, Mantra 10), composed by Sage Vishwamitra. This mantra is dedicated to Savita (the Sun deity) and is a prayer for the illumination of intellect.
Complete meaning: “We meditate upon the most excellent divine radiance of God Savita (the Creator). May He illuminate and inspire our intellect and understanding.”
Benefits
- Mental peace: Regular chanting calms and focuses the mind
- Intellectual growth: Especially beneficial for students and seekers of knowledge
- Spiritual progress: Develops consciousness and leads toward self-realization
- Protection: The mantra’s energy provides protection from negative forces
- Health benefits: When combined with pranayama, it offers physical benefits
How to Chant
- Sit facing east at sunrise (the ideal time for chanting)
- Sit on a mat with spine straight
- Take three deep breaths
- Chant the mantra slowly, clearly, and with correct pronunciation
- Chant a minimum of 108 times (one mala/rosary)
- Meditate on the Sun God while chanting