Gayatri Mantra
गायत्री मंत्र
The Gayatri Mantra is a Vedic prayer from the Rig Veda (3.62.10), and its seer is Rishi Vishvamitra. It asks Savitr, the divine sun and source of all life, to light up our minds. It is traditionally chanted at sunrise, noon and sunset, often 108 times.
- 1 verse
- 1 min
- Rishi Vishvamitra (Rig Veda 3.62.10)
- Best on Sunday
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svahॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
Tat Savitur Varenyamतत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahiभर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayatधियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om. Earth, atmosphere and heaven. We meditate on that most excellent radiance of the divine Savitr. May he inspire and illumine our minds.
- Omthe primordial sound
- Bhurthe earth
- Bhuvahthe atmosphere
- Svahthe heavens
- Tatthat
- Saviturof Savitr, the divine sun who inspires
- Varenyammost excellent, worthy of choosing
- Bhargoradiance that removes darkness
- Devasyaof the divine
- Dhimahiwe meditate upon
- Dhiyointellects, minds
- Yowho
- Nahour
- Prachodayatmay inspire, may illumine
Complete
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Questions
How many times should I chant the Gayatri Mantra?
108 times on a mala is the traditional count. If you are short of time, 3, 11 or 21 times with attention is also fine. Go slowly and say each word clearly.
What is the best time to chant it?
Sunrise, facing east. Tradition prescribes it at all three sandhyas (sunrise, noon and sunset). Many families abroad simply chant it once in the morning before school or work.
Can women chant the Gayatri Mantra?
Traditions differ on this. Many teachers and organisations today encourage everyone, women included, to chant it, and many women chant it daily. Some orthodox families keep the older custom, where it is chanted by men after the sacred thread ceremony (upanayana). Go by your family or your guru.
Which Veda is the Gayatri Mantra from?
The Rig Veda, 3.62.10. Its seer is Rishi Vishvamitra. The opening words 'Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah' are the vyahritis, which are added before the Vedic verse when it is chanted as japa.
Source and review
Source: Rig Veda Samhita, Mandala 3, Sukta 62, Mantra 10
The opening 'Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah' (the vyahritis) is added in traditional japa.
We checked the text line by line against the sources named here. The meanings are an AI-assisted draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet.
The meanings are our own first draft. A scholar has not reviewed them yet. If you spot a mistake, please tell us.