चंद्र गायत्री मंत्र

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

ॐ

the primordial sound, the Supreme Brahman

क्षीरपुत्राय

Kshiraputraya

to the son of the milk-ocean (the Moon, who arose from the churning of the ocean of milk)

विद्महे

Vidmahe

may we know / we seek to know

अमृततत्त्वाय

Amritatattvaya

to the one whose essence is nectar (amrita), the principle of immortality

धीमहि

Dhimahi

we meditate upon

तन्नः

Tannah

therefore, for us / may that

चन्द्रः

Chandrah

Chandra, the Moon god

प्रचोदयात्

Prachodayat

may he inspire and illumine (our intellect)

Complete Translation

ॐ। हम क्षीरसागर से उत्पन्न (चंद्र) को जानें, अमृतस्वरूप का ध्यान करें; वे भगवान चंद्र हमारी बुद्धि को प्रेरित व प्रकाशित करें।

Origin & History

Source: The Gayatri mantra of Chandra (the Moon), 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 Chandra Gayatri invokes the Moon, who in the Puranas arose from the churning of the ocean of milk along with the nectar of immortality, and is therefore called Kshiraputra (son of the milk-ocean) and Amritatattva (essence of nectar). As the cool lord of the mind and emotions, the Moon is honoured through this mantra in the timeless pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat," especially on Mondays and when seeking peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Chandra Gayatri Mantra?▼

It is the Gayatri mantra of the Moon (Chandra): "Om Kshiraputraya Vidmahe Amritatattvaya Dhimahi. Tannash Chandrah Prachodayat". Set in the sacred Gayatri meter, it invokes the cooling Moon — son of the milk-ocean and essence of nectar — to bring calm and illumine the intellect, in the pattern "Vidmahe… Dhimahi… Prachodayat".

What are the benefits of the Chandra Gayatri Mantra?▼

It is chanted for peace of mind, emotional balance and calm, and to strengthen a weak or afflicted Moon in the birth chart. Since the Moon governs the mind and emotions, it is valued for relief from anxiety and restlessness, bringing contentment and the Moon's gentle, nourishing grace.

Why is the Moon called the son of the milk-ocean?▼

In the Puranas, when the gods and demons churned the ocean of milk (Kshira Sagara), the Moon (Chandra) emerged among its treasures along with the nectar of immortality. Hence the Moon is addressed as 'Kshiraputra' (son of the milk-ocean) and 'Amritatattva' (whose essence is nectar) in this mantra.

When and how many times should it be chanted?▼

Chant it 108 times on a mala, ideally on Monday — the day of the Moon — at dawn and the other sandhya times, and on the full-moon day (Purnima). Offering white flowers and milk is traditional. It can be made part of a daily Navagraha or Gayatri sadhana.

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