Garuda Gayatri Mantra — Word-by-Word Meaning
गरुड़ गायत्री मंत्र
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
ॐ
Om
the primordial sound, the Supreme Brahman
तत्पुरुषाय
Tatpurushaya
to that Supreme Person
विद्महे
Vidmahe
may we know / we seek to know
सुवर्णपक्षाय
Suvarnapakshaya
to the one with golden wings (Garuda)
धीमहि
Dhimahi
we meditate upon
तन्नः
Tannah
therefore, for us / may that
गरुडः
Garudah
Garuda, the divine eagle and mount (vahana) of Vishnu
प्रचोदयात्
Prachodayat
may he inspire and illumine (our intellect)
Complete Translation
Om. May we know that Supreme Person; may we meditate upon the one with golden wings; may that Garuda inspire and illumine our minds.
Origin & History
Source: The Gayatri mantra of Garuda
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 Garuda Gayatri invokes Garuda, the golden-winged eagle who is the mount of Lord Vishnu and the great destroyer of serpents and poison. Addressing him as the Supreme Person of golden wings, the mantra follows the timeless pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat" and is chanted above all for protection, healing and the removal of poison and fear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Garuda Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is the Gayatri mantra of Garuda: "Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Suvarnapakshaya Dhimahi. Tanno Garudah Prachodayat". Set in the sacred Gayatri meter, it invokes Garuda — the golden-winged divine eagle and mount of Vishnu — to protect, heal and illumine the intellect, in the pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat".
What are the benefits of the Garuda Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is chanted for protection and healing — especially to counter poison, snakebite, fevers and disease, and to remove fear and negativity. As a Gayatri mantra it is also purifying and steadying, awakening clarity of mind and drawing Garuda's swift, protective grace.
Why is Garuda associated with poison and serpents?▼
Garuda, the mighty eagle who carries Vishnu, is the natural foe of the Nagas (serpents) and is renowned in the scriptures as the destroyer of poison. For this reason his mantras are traditionally invoked against snakebite, toxins and ailments, and for swift protection from harm.
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. It can be recited whenever protection, healing or safe travel is sought, and made part of a daily Gayatri sadhana.
Can anyone chant the Garuda Gayatri Mantra?▼
Yes — deity Gayatri mantras may be chanted by anyone with devotion. It is recited at dawn after a bath, with a clean mind, and makes a gentle yet powerful daily practice for health and protection.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →