murugankartikeyaskandashanmukha

Shanmukha Gayatri Mantra (Kartikeya Gayatri)

षण्मुख गायत्री मंत्र (कार्तिकेय गायत्री)

🕉️ hindu·📿 108× repetitions·🕐 Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn) or during sunrise; especially on Shashthi tithi, Tuesdays, and Skanda Shashthi·📜 Traditional deity-Gayatri (Tantric/Agamic and Puranic Subrahmanya worship)

Also known as: kartikeya gayatri mantra · skanda gayatri mantra · subrahmanya gayatri · murugan gayatri mantra · tatpurushaya vidmahe mahasenaya dhimahi · shanmukha gayatri

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

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हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

The Shanmukha Gayatri is the Gayatri-metre invocation of Lord Kartikeya (Skanda, Subrahmanya, Murugan), the six-faced son of Shiva and commander of the celestial army. Like all deity-Gayatris it follows the 'Vidmahe–Dhimahi–Prachodayat' structure, here naming the Lord as Tatpurusha, Mahasena and Shanmukha. It is chanted to awaken wisdom, courage and divine grace.

Origin & Story

Traditional deity-Gayatri (Tantric/Agamic and Puranic Subrahmanya worship) · Unknown (traditional) · Ancient

Each principal deity has a Gayatri-metre invocation built on the threefold 'Vidmahe–Dhimahi–Prachodayat' pattern of the Vedic Gayatri. The Shanmukha (Kartikeya) Gayatri names the Lord by his epithets Tatpurusha, Mahasena and Shanmukha. These deity-Gayatris are widely used in daily worship, sandhya, and as the seed-invocation in pujas and homas dedicated to Subrahmanya.

✦ As told in scripture

Devotees of Murugan hold that steady recitation of his Gayatri before examinations, battles, or difficult undertakings clears confusion and grants the 'Vel-like' piercing clarity of mind that cuts through ignorance, just as the Lord's spear Vel pierced the demon Surapadma.

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The Mantra

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ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महासेनाय धीमहि। तन्नो षण्मुखः प्रचोदयात्॥

Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahasenaya Dhimahi Tanno Shanmukhah Prachodayat

Meaning:Om. Let us realize that Supreme Being; let us meditate upon Mahasena, the great commander of the divine hosts. May that six-faced Lord Shanmukha illumine and inspire our intellect.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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ॐ🔊OmThe primordial sound, the cosmic vibration of the Absolute

तत्पुरुषाय🔊TatpurushayaTo that Supreme Being (the transcendent Purusha)

विद्महे🔊VidmaheMay we know, may we realize

महासेनाय🔊MahasenayaTo Mahasena, the great general of the celestial army (an epithet of Skanda)

धीमहि🔊DhimahiMay we meditate upon, may we contemplate

तत्🔊TatThat (the divine)

नः🔊NahOur, for us

षण्मुखः🔊ShanmukhahThe six-faced one (Shanmukha/Subrahmanya, who has six faces)

प्रचोदयात्🔊PrachodayatMay (he) impel, inspire and illumine (our intellect)

Benefits of Chanting Shanmukha Gayatri Mantra (Kartikeya Gayatri)

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Invokes the grace of Lord Kartikeya for wisdom and clarity of mind

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Bestows courage, valour and victory over inner and outer enemies

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Sharpens intellect and aids students and seekers of knowledge

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Removes fear, doubt and negative influences

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Suitable as a daily japa for devotees of Murugan/Subrahmanya

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Aligns the mind with the disciplined, fearless energy of the divine commander

How to Chant Shanmukha Gayatri Mantra (Kartikeya Gayatri)

Repetitions108times

Best TimeBrahma Muhurta (pre-dawn) or during sunrise; especially on Shashthi tithi, Tuesdays, and Skanda Shashthi

Sit facing east, calm the breath, and chant the mantra 108 times using a rudraksha mala. Begin with 'Om' drawn out fully. Hold the image of the six-faced, twelve-armed Lord seated on the peacock with the Vel (spear) in mind. The Gayatri may also be recited 3, 9, or 11 times before any prayer or study session to invoke focus and grace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shanmukha ('six-faced') is Lord Kartikeya — also called Skanda, Subrahmanya, Murugan, Guha and Mahasena. He is the son of Shiva and Parvati and the commander-in-chief of the army of the gods. His six faces are said to represent his birth from six sparks of Shiva's third eye, nursed by the six Krittika stars.

Mahasena means 'lord of the great army'. Kartikeya was created to lead the celestial forces and destroy the demon Tarakasura, so he is worshipped as the supreme general (Devasenapati). Invoking him as Mahasena draws on his energy of courage, leadership and victory.

It is ideally chanted at dawn (Brahma Muhurta) and on days sacred to Murugan — Shashthi tithi each month, Tuesdays, and the festival of Skanda Shashthi. Students and seekers also chant it before study to invoke clarity.