| Composed by | Vishwamitra |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| Mantra | oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ tat savitur vareṇyaṃ bhargo devasya dhīmahi dhiyo yonaḥ pracodayāt. |
What is Gayatri Mantra?
The Gayatri Mantra is the most sacred and powerful Mahamantra in the Vedas. This mantra is dedicated to Savitr Deva (Savita or Surya Deva), which is why the Gayatri Mantra is also called the Savitri Mantra. The Gayatri Mantra is composed of “Bhur Bhuvah Swah” and a verse from Rigveda Mandala 3.62.10, making it one of the world’s oldest and most sacred mantras.
The Gayatri Mantra consists of 32 syllables and is specifically chanted during Sandhyavandan (worship performed at dawn, noon, and dusk). It is commonly recited for enlightenment and spiritual advancement. It is believed that chanting and understanding this mantra leads to the attainment of the divine.
‘Gayatri’ is not only an extremely sacred mantra but also a specific meter, composed of 24 syllables arranged in a combination of 8 + 8 + 8. Gayatri is one of the seven renowned meters of the Rigveda, celebrated for its significance and structure in Vedic literature. These seven meters are named Gayatri, Ushnik, Anushtubh, Brihati, Virat, Trishtubh, and Jagati.
The uniqueness of the Gayatri meter lies in its structure, which comprises three segments (padas) of eight syllables each. Hence, it is referred to as “Tripada Vai Gayatri” (Gayatri with three padas). In the Rigveda, after the Trishtubh meter, the highest number of mantras are composed in the Gayatri meter.
When meters or speech began to be viewed as symbols of creation, this entire universe was considered to embody the form of Tripada Gayatri. This implies that the Gayatri meter is not merely a poetic structure but also a representation of cosmic creation and Vedic philosophy.
Gayatri Mantra Transliteration
Gayatri mantra in Sanskrit:
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम्
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो योनः प्रचोदयात्।
Gayatri mantra in IAST:
oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
bhargo devasya dhīmahi
dhiyo yonaḥ pracodayāt.
The Gayatri Mantra, in reality, begins with “Bhur Bhuvah” and ends with “Prachodayat.” However, the mantra is considered incomplete without the Pranava (ॐ). Hence, the Pranava is used to complete the mantras.
Gayatri Mantra Meaning in English
- oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
- oṃ – The universal sound, represents the infinite and divine.
- bhūr – The earthly plane or physical realm.
- bhuvaḥ – The mental realm or the atmosphere.
- svaḥ – The celestial realm, the spiritual or heavenly planes.
- meaning – “We meditate on the divine essence that pervades the three realms: the earth, the atmosphere, and the heavens.”
- tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
- tat – That (referring to the divine, Savitar).
- savitur – Of Savitar, the Sun God, the source of light and energy.
- vareṇyaṃ – Worthy of praise, revered, or adored.
- meaning – “We meditate on the divine light of Savitar, the Sun God, who is worthy of our highest praise.”
- bhargo devasya dhīmahi
- bhargo – Divine light or the brilliance of the divine.
- devasya – Of the God, referring to Savitar.
- dhīmahi – We meditate upon.
- meaning – “We meditate upon the divine light of the God Savitar that will purify and elevate our minds.”
- dhiyo yonaḥ pracodayāt
- dhiyo – Intellects, minds, or intellects of people.
- yonaḥ – The source or direction.
- pracodayāt – May inspire or lead.
- meaning – “May this divine light inspire and lead our intellects in the right direction, guiding us toward enlightenment and truth.”
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