Durga Gayatri Mantra — Word-by-Word Meaning
दुर्गा गायत्री मंत्र
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
ॐ
Om
the primordial sound
विद्महे
Vidmahe
may we know / we seek to know — Katyayani (the fierce daughter of sage Katyayana)
धीमहि
Dhimahi
we meditate upon — the eternal maiden (Kanyakumari)
तन्नः … प्रचोदयात्
Tannah … Prachodayat
may Durga inspire and illumine our intellect
Complete Translation
Om. May we know Katyayani (the fierce daughter of sage Katyayana); may we meditate upon the eternal maiden (Kanyakumari); may that Durga inspire and illumine our minds.
Origin & History
Source: The Gayatri mantra of Goddess Durga
Author: Traditional (Vedic)
Beyond the universal Gayatri Mantra, the Vedic tradition gives each great deity its own Gayatri — a prayer in the sacred Gayatri meter calling upon that deity to illumine the intellect. The Durga Gayatri Mantra invokes Goddess Durga, the giver of protection, strength, courage and victory, in the timeless pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat" — "may we know, may we meditate, may the Lord inspire our minds." Chanted at the sandhya hours, it is a complete and gentle daily sadhana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Durga Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is the Gayatri mantra of Goddess Durga: "Om Katyayanyai cha Vidmahe Kanya-kumaryai cha Dhimahi. Tanno Durgih Prachodayat". Set in the sacred Gayatri meter, it invokes Goddess Durga to inspire and illumine the intellect, in the pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat".
What are the benefits of the Durga Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is chanted for protection, strength, courage and victory, and to awaken clarity and wisdom of mind. As a Gayatri mantra it is held to be especially purifying and steadying, bringing the blessings of Goddess Durga into daily life.
When and how many times should it be chanted?▼
Chant it 108 times on a mala, ideally at dawn and the other sandhya times, facing east. Navratri, is its special day. It can be made part of a daily Gayatri sadhana.
What does "Vidmahe Dhimahi Prachodayat" mean?▼
Every Gayatri follows this pattern: "Vidmahe" — may we know; "Dhimahi" — may we meditate upon; "Prachodayat" — may that deity inspire and illumine our intellect. So the mantra is a prayer for the deity to awaken wisdom within us.
Can anyone chant the Durga Gayatri Mantra?▼
Yes — deity Gayatri mantras may be chanted by anyone with devotion. They are recited at dawn after a bath, with a clean mind, ideally on Navratri,, and are a gentle, complete daily practice.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →