Gayatri mantra: meaning, translation and every word explained
The Gayatri mantra is a verse of the Rigveda addressed to Savitr, the sun as the power that sets all things in motion. In recitation it is preceded by Om and the three vyahritis — bhur, bhuvah, svah — and it is chanted at the junctions of the day.
The Gayatri mantra
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः ।
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Om Bhurbhuvah Svah
Tatsaviturvarenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat
Source: Rigveda 3.62.10, ascribed to the sage Vishvamitra. Om and the three vyahritis — bhur, bhuvah, svah — are said before it, as the Taittiriya Aranyaka (2.11) prescribes.
Meaning: "We meditate on that most excellent radiance of the god Savitr; may he inspire our thoughts."
When it is chanted: At the three sandhyas — sunrise, noon and sunset — commonly on a mala of 108.
Word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ॐ | Om | the sacred syllable |
| भूः | Bhuh | the earth |
| भुवः | Bhuvah | the space between earth and sky |
| स्वः | Svah | the heavens |
| तत् | Tat | that |
| सवितुः | Savituh | of Savitr, the sun that impels |
| वरेण्यम् | Varenyam | most excellent, worthy to be chosen |
| भर्गः | Bhargah | radiance, splendour |
| देवस्य | Devasya | of the god |
| धीमहि | Dhimahi | we meditate on |
| धियः | Dhiyah | thoughts, intellects |
| यः | Yah | who |
| नः | Nah | our |
| प्रचोदयात् | Prachodayat | may he inspire, set in motion |
How to chant a Gayatri mantra
- Keep to one mantra; changing mantras every few days is the commonest way a practice fades.
- Sit at the same time each day, after a bath if you can, facing east or north.
- Chant on a mala of 108 beads — one mala is the customary measure — and turn the mala at the larger meru bead rather than crossing it.
- Say the words clearly, at a pace you can keep; attention matters more than speed.
- The traditional time for Gayatri is every day, at sunrise; any day is fine for a daily practice.
Mantra practice belongs to a tradition of devotion and reflection. It is not a substitute for medical, legal or financial help, and no mantra comes with a promised result.
Gayatri mantra: common questions
Where does the Gayatri mantra come from?
The verse is Rigveda 3.62.10, attributed to the sage Vishvamitra and composed in the Gayatri metre, which gives it its name. The Om and the words bhur bhuvah svah said before it come from Vedic ritual practice.
How many times should a Gayatri mantra be chanted?
One mala of 108 is the customary daily measure. Some keep a larger vow, such as eleven malas, or a number completed over forty days; follow your own teacher's or family's practice where it differs.