Twameva Mata Cha Pita Twameva Meaning — Line by Line

त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

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Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Twameva Mata Cha Pita Twameva with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

Verse 1#

त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव ।

Tvameva mata cha pita tvameva Tvameva bandhushcha sakha tvameva

MeaningYou alone are my mother, and you alone my father; you alone my kinsman, and you alone my friend.

Verse 2#

त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणं त्वमेव त्वमेव सर्वं मम देव देव ॥

Tvameva vidya dravinam tvameva Tvameva sarvam mama deva deva

MeaningYou alone are knowledge, and you alone my wealth; you alone are my all, O God of gods.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

त्वमेव

Tvameva

You alone (tvam eva) — addressed to God as the one source of all

माता च पिता

Mata cha Pita

Mother and father — God as both parents of the devotee

बन्धुश्च सखा

Bandhush-cha Sakha

Kinsman and friend

विद्या द्रविणम्

Vidya Dravinam

Knowledge and wealth

देव देव

Deva Deva

O God of gods — the supreme Lord (Vishnu / the Divine)

Origin & History

Source: Traditional Sanskrit prayer

Author: Traditional

Period: Classical

This single verse is among the most widely recited prayers in the Hindu world — a complete act of surrender in four lines. By declaring God to be mother, father, friend, kinsman, knowledge, wealth and all, the devotee lets go of every lesser support and rests in the Divine alone. Simple enough for a child and deep enough for a sage, it closes countless pujas and aartis across India.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'Twameva Mata Cha Pita Twameva' mean?▼

It means: 'You alone are my mother and my father, you alone my kinsman and my friend; you alone are my knowledge and my wealth; you alone are my everything, O God of gods.' It is a prayer of total surrender, declaring God to be the source of all relationships and all support.

When is the Twameva Mata prayer recited?▼

It is recited daily — in the morning, before meals, before a journey, and especially at the close of puja and aarti as a prayer of surrender. It is one of the first prayers many children are taught.

Which god is the Twameva Mata prayer addressed to?▼

It is a universal prayer addressed to one's chosen deity (Ishta Devata) — most often Lord Vishnu or Krishna, and sometimes the Guru — as 'Deva Deva' (God of gods). Its spirit is universal, fit to be offered to the Divine in any form.

What is the meaning and importance of this shloka?▼

The shloka expresses sharanagati — complete surrender — by acknowledging that every role a human being depends on (parent, friend, teacher, provider) is ultimately fulfilled by God alone. Reciting it cultivates humility, trust and the peace of knowing one is never without refuge.

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