Surya Gayatri Mantra — Word-by-Word Meaning
सूर्य 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 — the light-maker (Bhaskara)
धीमहि
Dhimahi
we meditate upon — the maker of day (Divakara)
तन्नः … प्रचोदयात्
Tannah … Prachodayat
may Surya (the Sun) inspire and illumine our intellect
Complete Translation
Om. May we know the light-maker (Bhaskara); may we meditate upon the maker of day (Divakara); may that Surya (the Sun) inspire and illumine our minds.
Origin & History
Source: The Gayatri mantra of Surya Dev (the Sun God)
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 Surya Gayatri Mantra invokes Surya Dev (the Sun God), the giver of health, vitality, confidence, success and authority, 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 Surya Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is the Gayatri mantra of Surya Dev (the Sun God): "Om Bhaskaraya Vidmahe Divakaraya Dhimahi. Tannah Suryah Prachodayat". Set in the sacred Gayatri meter, it invokes Surya Dev (the Sun God) to inspire and illumine the intellect, in the pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat".
What are the benefits of the Surya Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is chanted for health, vitality, confidence, success and authority, 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 Surya Dev (the Sun God) 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. Sunday 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 Surya 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 Sunday, and are a gentle, complete daily practice.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →