Gayatri Mantra

The Most Sacred of All Mantras

The Gayatri Mantra (Gāyatrī Mantra) is considered the most sacred and powerful mantra in the Vedic tradition. Found in the Rigveda (3.62.10), it has been recited by Hindus for over 3,500 years. The great sage Vishwamitra composed and first revealed this mantra.

Meaning Word by Word

Sanskrit	Transliteration	Meaning
ॐ	Oṃ	The primordial sound, the universal consciousness
भूः	Bhūḥ	The physical world (earth realm)
भुवः	Bhuvaḥ	The astral world (intermediate realm)
स्वः	Svaḥ	The celestial world (heaven realm)
तत्	Tat	That (referring to Brahman, the ultimate reality)
सवितुः	Savituḥ	Of Savitar (the divine sun, giver of life)
वरेण्यम्	Vareṇyam	Most excellent, worthy of worship
भर्गः	Bhargaḥ	The effulgent light, divine radiance
देवस्य	Devasya	Of the divine
धीमहि	Dhīmahi	We meditate
धियः	Dhiyaḥ	Intellect, understanding
यः	Yaḥ	Who (referring to that divine light)
नः	Naḥ	Our
प्रचोदयात्	Pracodayāt	May inspire/illuminate

How to Chant

The Gayatri Mantra is traditionally chanted three times daily:

• Pratah Sandhya — at sunrise (facing east)
• Madhyahna Sandhya — at noon (facing north)
• Sayam Sandhya — at sunset (facing west)

For beginners, chanting 108 times each morning (one mala) is recommended. The mantra should be chanted clearly, with understanding of its meaning, and with a calm, focused mind.

Note: The Gayatri Mantra is associated with the sacred thread ceremony (Upanayana), but in modern times it is considered accessible to all sincere seekers regardless of caste or gender.