Budha Gayatri Mantra (Mercury Gayatri) — Word-by-Word Meaning
बुध गायत्री मंत्र
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
ॐ
Om
the primordial sound, the Supreme Brahman
गजध्वजाय
Gajadhwajaya
to the one with an elephant on his banner
विद्महे
Vidmahe
may we know / we seek to know
शुकहस्ताय
Sukahastaya
to the one holding a parrot in his hand
धीमहि
Dhimahi
we meditate upon
तन्नः
Tannah
therefore, for us / may that
बुधः
Budhah
Budha, the planet Mercury, the wise one
प्रचोदयात्
Prachodayat
may he inspire and illumine (our intellect)
Complete Translation
Om. May we know the one whose banner bears the elephant; may we meditate upon the one holding a parrot; may that Budha (Mercury) inspire and illumine our minds.
Origin & History
Source: The Gayatri mantra of Budha (Mercury), among the Navagraha Gayatris
Author: Traditional (Vedic)
Each of the nine planets (Navagraha) has its own Gayatri — a prayer in the sacred Gayatri meter invoking that graha to bestow its blessings and illumine the intellect. The Budha Gayatri invokes Mercury, the planet of intelligence, speech and learning, depicted with an elephant on his banner and a parrot in his hand. As the lord of wit, eloquence and commerce, Mercury is honoured through this mantra in the timeless pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat," especially on Wednesdays and before study or trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Budha Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is the Gayatri mantra of the planet Mercury (Budha): "Om Gajadhwajaya Vidmahe Sukahastaya Dhimahi. Tanno Budhah Prachodayat". Set in the sacred Gayatri meter, it invokes Mercury — the elephant-bannered, parrot-bearing wise one — to sharpen and illumine the intellect, in the pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat".
What are the benefits of the Budha Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is chanted for intelligence, memory, eloquence and clear thinking, and for success in study, examinations, writing, communication and business. It also helps strengthen a weak or afflicted Mercury, the planet that governs the intellect in Jyotisha.
What does Mercury (Budha) govern in astrology?▼
Budha (Mercury) rules the intellect, speech, learning, logic, writing, commerce and the nervous system. A strong Mercury gives a sharp mind, good communication and skill in trade; this mantra is chanted to strengthen those qualities and to remedy an afflicted Mercury.
When and how many times should it be chanted?▼
Chant it 108 times on a mala, ideally on Wednesday — the day of Mercury — at dawn and the other sandhya times. Green offerings are traditional. It is especially helpful before study or business, and can be made part of a daily Navagraha or Gayatri sadhana.
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