Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra — Word-by-Word Meaning
लक्ष्मी 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 — Mahalakshmi (the great goddess of fortune)
धीमहि
Dhimahi
we meditate upon — the consort of Vishnu (Vishnu-patni)
तन्नः … प्रचोदयात्
Tannah … Prachodayat
may Lakshmi inspire and illumine our intellect
Complete Translation
Om. May we know Mahalakshmi (the great goddess of fortune); may we meditate upon the consort of Vishnu (Vishnu-patni); may that Lakshmi inspire and illumine our minds.
Origin & History
Source: The Gayatri mantra of Goddess Lakshmi
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 Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra invokes Goddess Lakshmi, the giver of wealth, prosperity, abundance and auspiciousness, 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 Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is the Gayatri mantra of Goddess Lakshmi: "Om Mahalakshmyai cha Vidmahe Vishnu-patnyai cha Dhimahi. Tanno Lakshmih Prachodayat". Set in the sacred Gayatri meter, it invokes Goddess Lakshmi to inspire and illumine the intellect, in the pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat".
What are the benefits of the Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is chanted for wealth, prosperity, abundance and auspiciousness, 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 Lakshmi 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. Friday 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 Lakshmi 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 Friday, and are a gentle, complete daily practice.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →