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Gayatri Mantra — Word-by-Word Meaning

गायत्री मंत्र

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

ॐ
Om
The primordial sound — the universal divine vibration
भूः
Bhuh
The physical world — the earth plane
भुवः
Bhuvah
The astral world — the vital life force (prana)
स्वः
Swah
The celestial world — the realm of the gods
महः
Mahah
The world beyond the three — the realm of truth
जनः
Janah
The world of birth — the realm of creative will
तपः
Tapah
The world of austerity — realm of divine love
सत्यम्
Satyam
The world of truth — the realm of supreme Brahman
तत्
Tat
That — pointing to the Supreme Reality (Brahman)
सवितुः
Savituh
Of Savitr — the divine sun, creator and source of life
वरेण्यम्
Varenyam
Most worthy of adoration; the best, most adorable
भर्गो
Bhargo
The divine radiance — the light that destroys sin and ignorance
देवस्य
Devasya
Of the divine one — belonging to the supreme deity
धीमहि
Dhimahi
We meditate — we contemplate deeply and reverentially
धियो
Dhiyo
The intellect — our powers of reasoning and understanding
यो
Yo
Who — that divine being
नः
Nah
Our — belonging to us, ours
प्रचोदयात्
Prachodayat
May illuminate — may inspire and guide our intellect

Complete Translation

We meditate upon the divine radiance of that supreme being who is the source of all creation. May that radiant divine light illuminate and inspire our intellect.

Origin & History

Source: Rigveda (Mandala 3, Hymn 62, Verse 10)

Author: Rishi Vishwamitra

Period: 1800-1500 BCE

The Gayatri Mantra was revealed to Sage Vishwamitra during intense meditation. Vishwamitra was originally a king (Kshatriya) who renounced his kingdom and performed thousands of years of tapas (austerities) to become a Brahmarishi. During his deepest meditation, the divine light of Savitr (the solar deity) illuminated his consciousness, and the 24 sacred syllables of the Gayatri were revealed to him. He recorded it in the Rigveda, the oldest known scripture in human history. The mantra is called 'Veda-Mata' — the Mother of all Vedas — because it contains the essence of all Vedic wisdom in just 24 syllables.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Gayatri Mantra?▼
The Gayatri Mantra is the most revered Vedic mantra, appearing in the Rigveda (3.62.10), composed between 1800-1500 BCE. It is addressed to Savitr — the solar deity representing divine consciousness — and prays for the illumination of the intellect. It is called "Veda-Mata" (Mother of the Vedas) and has been chanted continuously for over 3,500 years.
How many times should I chant it?▼
108 times daily is the classical practice, taking about 20 minutes. Beginners can start with 11 or 21 daily — consistency over months is far more powerful than occasional 108-count sessions. There are three traditional times: sunrise, noon and sunset.
Can women chant the Gayatri Mantra?▼
Yes, absolutely. Modern scholars and traditional authorities agree that the Gayatri Mantra can be chanted by anyone — men, women and children of all backgrounds. Some older texts restricted it to initiated Brahmins but this is not the mainstream position today.
What is the meaning of each word?▼
OM = primordial sound; TAT = that Supreme Reality; SAVITUR = of the divine sun; VARENYAM = most worthy of worship; BHARGO = divine radiance that destroys ignorance; DEVASYA = of the divine; DHIMAHI = we meditate; DHIYO = intellect; YO = who; NAH = our; PRACHODAYAT = may illuminate/inspire.

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