Rahu Gayatri Mantra — Word-by-Word Meaning
राहु गायत्री मंत्र
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
ॐ
Om
the primordial sound, the Supreme Brahman
नाकध्वजाय
Nakadhwajaya
to the one whose banner reaches the heavens (the sky-bannered one)
विद्महे
Vidmahe
may we know / we seek to know
पद्महस्ताय
Padmahastaya
to the one holding a lotus in his hand
धीमहि
Dhimahi
we meditate upon
तन्नः
Tannah
therefore, for us / may that
राहुः
Rahuh
Rahu, the ascending lunar node (the shadow-planet, head of the serpent)
प्रचोदयात्
Prachodayat
may he inspire and illumine (our intellect)
Complete Translation
Om. May we know the sky-bannered one; may we meditate upon the one holding a lotus; may that Rahu inspire and illumine our minds.
Origin & History
Source: The Gayatri mantra of Rahu, 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 Rahu Gayatri invokes Rahu, the ascending lunar node and shadow-planet, who in the Puranas is the severed head of the asura Svarbhanu that swallows the Sun and Moon to cause eclipses. Depicted sky-bannered and lotus-bearing, Rahu is honoured through this mantra in the timeless pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat," especially to pacify his powerful, unpredictable influence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rahu Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is the Gayatri mantra of the shadow-planet Rahu: "Om Nakadhwajaya Vidmahe Padmahastaya Dhimahi. Tanno Rahuh Prachodayat". Set in the sacred Gayatri meter, it invokes Rahu — the sky-bannered, lotus-bearing ascending lunar node — to bless and illumine the intellect, in the pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat".
What are the benefits of the Rahu Gayatri Mantra?▼
It is chanted to pacify a malefic or afflicted Rahu and to ease the Rahu Mahadasha. It helps clear confusion, fear and sudden obstacles, and is sought for protection from deception and illusion, and for worldly success achieved by honest means.
What is Rahu in Vedic astrology?▼
Rahu is the ascending lunar node — one of the two 'shadow planets' (Chhaya grahas), envisioned as the severed head of the cosmic serpent that swallows the Sun and Moon at eclipses. Rahu governs worldly desire, ambition, foreign matters, sudden change and the unconventional, and its mantras are chanted to balance these powerful, unpredictable influences.
When and how many times should it be chanted?▼
Chant it 108 times on a mala, traditionally on Saturday and during Rahu Kaal, at dawn and the other sandhya times. Donating black gram (urad) and offering a lamp are recommended. It can be made part of a daily Navagraha or Gayatri sadhana, especially during the Rahu Mahadasha.
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