Vishnu Gayatri Mantra — Word-by-Word Meaning
विष्णु 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 — Narayana (the refuge of all)
धीमहि
Dhimahi
we meditate upon — Vasudeva (the indwelling Lord)
तन्नः … प्रचोदयात्
Tannah … Prachodayat
may Vishnu inspire and illumine our intellect
Complete Translation
Om. May we know Narayana (the refuge of all); may we meditate upon Vasudeva (the indwelling Lord); may that Vishnu inspire and illumine our minds.
Origin & History
Source: The Gayatri mantra of Lord Vishnu
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 Vishnu Gayatri Mantra invokes Lord Vishnu, the giver of protection, prosperity, dharma and liberation, 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 Vishnu Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is the Gayatri mantra of Lord Vishnu: "Om Narayanaya Vidmahe Vasudevaya Dhimahi. Tanno Vishnuh Prachodayat". Set in the sacred Gayatri meter, it invokes Lord Vishnu to inspire and illumine the intellect, in the pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat".
What are the benefits of the Vishnu Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is chanted for protection, prosperity, dharma and liberation, 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 Lord Vishnu 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. Thursday 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 Vishnu 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 Thursday, and are a gentle, complete daily practice.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →