गायत्री मंत्र — Word-by-Word Meaning

गायत्री मंत्र

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

← Full Page Complete Lyrics Benefits & How to Chant

Word-by-Word Breakdown

ॐ

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

Who — that divine being

नः

Nah

Our — belonging to us, ours

प्रचोदयात्

Prachodayat

May illuminate — may inspire and guide our intellect

Complete Translation

हम उस सर्वोत्तम सत्ता के दिव्य तेज का ध्यान करते हैं जो समस्त सृष्टि का स्रोत है। वह दिव्य प्रकाश हमारी बुद्धि को प्रेरित और प्रकाशित करे।

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.

Ready to start chanting?

See Benefits & How to Chant →