Shanmukha Gayatri Mantra (Kartikeya Gayatri) — Word-by-Word Meaning
षण्मुख गायत्री मंत्र (कार्तिकेय गायत्री)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
ॐ
Om
The primordial sound, the cosmic vibration of the Absolute
तत्पुरुषाय
Tatpurushaya
To that Supreme Being (the transcendent Purusha)
विद्महे
Vidmahe
May we know, may we realize
महासेनाय
Mahasenaya
To Mahasena, the great general of the celestial army (an epithet of Skanda)
धीमहि
Dhimahi
May we meditate upon, may we contemplate
तत्
Tat
That (the divine)
नः
Nah
Our, for us
षण्मुखः
Shanmukhah
The six-faced one (Shanmukha/Subrahmanya, who has six faces)
प्रचोदयात्
Prachodayat
May (he) impel, inspire and illumine (our intellect)
Complete Translation
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.
Origin & History
Source: Traditional deity-Gayatri (Tantric/Agamic and Puranic Subrahmanya worship)
Author: Unknown (traditional)
Period: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shanmukha in this Gayatri?▼
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.
Why is the Lord called 'Mahasena' here?▼
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.
When is the best time to chant the Shanmukha Gayatri?▼
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.
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