प्राणायाम मन्त्र — Word-by-Word Meaning
प्राणायाम मन्त्र
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
ॐ
Om
The primordial sound, the Pranava, brahman itself — uttered before each Vyahriti
भूः
Bhuh
The earth plane — the first Vyahriti (gross physical world)
भुवः
Bhuvah
The mid-region / atmosphere — the second Vyahriti
सुवः
Suvah
The heavenly realm — the third Vyahriti (also pronounced 'Svah')
महः
Mahah
The realm of greatness / Mahar-loka — the fourth Vyahriti
जनः
Janah
Jana-loka, the realm of creation — the fifth Vyahriti
तपः
Tapah
Tapo-loka, the realm of austerity — the sixth Vyahriti
सत्यम्
Satyam
Satya-loka, the realm of truth — the seventh Vyahriti, abode of Brahma
तत्सवितुः
Tat-Savituh
That (supreme), of Savitr — the radiant solar Source of all
वरेण्यम्
Varenyam
Most adorable, supremely worthy of being sought
भर्गो देवस्य
Bhargo Devasya
The divine, sin-dispelling effulgence (Bharga) of that god
धीमहि
Dhimahi
We meditate upon, we contemplate
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat
May He inspire and illumine our intellects (buddhi)
आपो ज्योती
Apo Jyoti
The waters and the light (the sustaining and illuminating principles)
रसोऽमृतम्
Raso-mritam
The essence (rasa) and the immortal nectar (amrita)
ब्रह्म
Brahma
Brahman, the Absolute
भूर्भुवःसुवरोम्
Bhur-Bhuvah-Suvar-Om
The three worlds sealed by Om — the Shiras (head) of the Gayatri
Complete Translation
ॐ भूः (पृथ्वी), ॐ भुवः (अन्तरिक्ष), ॐ सुवः (स्वर्ग), ॐ महः (महर्लोक), ॐ जनः (जनलोक), ॐ तपः (तपोलोक), ॐ सत्यम् (सत्यलोक)। उस सविता (सूर्यदेव) के परम वरणीय, दिव्य, पापनाशक तेज का हम ध्यान करते हैं; वह हमारी बुद्धि को सत्प्रेरणा दे। ॐ — जल, ज्योति, रस, अमृत, ब्रह्म — भूः भुवः सुवः ॐ। (सात व्याहृतियाँ सात लोकों की हैं; मध्य की पंक्ति गायत्री मन्त्र है; अन्तिम पंक्ति उसका 'शिरस्' है, जिसे प्राणायाम के समय बोला जाता है।)
Origin & History
Source: Yajurveda / Taittiriya tradition (Sandhyavandana ritual); Gayatri verse from Rigveda 3.62.10
Author: Sage Vishvamitra (the Gayatri verse); the Vyahritis and Shiras from Vedic ritual
Period: Vedic
The central verse is the celebrated Gayatri Mantra revealed to Rishi Vishvamitra in the Rigveda. For ritual use in the thrice-daily Sandhyavandana, the Vedic tradition frames it with the seven Vyahritis — born, says the Taittiriya Aranyaka, when Prajapati brooded upon the worlds — and crowns it with the Gayatri-Shiras. In this complete form it became the mantra of Pranayama, uniting controlled breath with the meditation on Savitr's light that opens every Brahmin's day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Pranayama Mantra different from the ordinary Gayatri Mantra?▼
The ordinary Gayatri is the single verse 'Om Tat Savitur Varenyam…'. For Pranayama and Sandhyavandana it is recited in its expanded form: first the Pranava 'Om', then the seven Vyahritis (Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvah, Mahah, Janah, Tapah, Satyam), then the Gayatri verse, and finally the Gayatri-Shiras ('Om Apo Jyoti Raso-mritam Brahma Bhur-Bhuvah-Suvar-Om').
What are the seven Vyahritis?▼
The Vyahritis are sacred utterances naming the seven cosmic worlds (lokas): Bhuh (earth), Bhuvah (mid-region), Suvah/Svah (heaven), Mahah, Janah, Tapah and Satyam. The first three are the 'Maha-Vyahritis' and are the most commonly used; all seven appear in the full Pranayama form.
What is the Gayatri-Shiras?▼
The Shiras ('head' or crown) is the line 'Om Apo Jyoti Raso-mritam Brahma Bhur-Bhuvah-Suvar-Om' appended after the Gayatri. It identifies the divine light with the waters, the essence, the immortal nectar and Brahman, and seals the meditation. It is used specifically in ritual Pranayama.
Do I need to be initiated to recite it for Pranayama?▼
Traditionally the Gayatri in this ritual form is received through Upanayana/Gayatri initiation and used in Sandhyavandana. Many teachers, however, encourage devotees to use the simple Gayatri verse for breath-awareness and meditation with reverence and a clean, calm seat.
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