ಗಾಯತ್ರೀ ಮಂತ್ರ — Word-by-Word Meaning
गायत्री मंत्र
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
ॐ
Om
The primordial sound — the universal divine vibration
भूः
Bhuh
The physical world — the earth plane
भुवः
Bhuvah
The astral world — the vital life force (prana)
स्वः
Swah
The celestial world — the realm of the gods
महः
Mahah
The world beyond the three — the realm of truth
जनः
Janah
The world of birth — the realm of creative will
तपः
Tapah
The world of austerity — realm of divine love
सत्यम्
Satyam
The world of truth — the realm of supreme Brahman
तत्
Tat
That — pointing to the Supreme Reality (Brahman)
सवितुः
Savituh
Of Savitr — the divine sun, creator and source of life
वरेण्यम्
Varenyam
Most worthy of adoration; the best, most adorable
भर्गो
Bhargo
The divine radiance — the light that destroys sin and ignorance
देवस्य
Devasya
Of the divine one — belonging to the supreme deity
धीमहि
Dhimahi
We meditate — we contemplate deeply and reverentially
धियो
Dhiyo
The intellect — our powers of reasoning and understanding
यो
Yo
Who — that divine being
नः
Nah
Our — belonging to us, ours
प्रचोदयात्
Prachodayat
May illuminate — may inspire and guide our intellect
Complete Translation
ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಯೆಲ್ಲದರ ಮೂಲವಾದ ಆ ಪರಮಪುರುಷನ ದಿವ್ಯ ತೇಜಸ್ಸನ್ನು ನಾವು ಧ್ಯಾನಿಸುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಆ ದಿವ್ಯ ಪ್ರಕಾಶವು ನಮ್ಮ ಬುದ್ಧಿಯನ್ನು ಬೆಳಗಿಸಿ ಪ್ರೇರೇಪಿಸಲಿ.
Origin & History
Source: Rigveda (Mandala 3, Hymn 62, Verse 10)
Author: Rishi Vishwamitra
Period: 1800-1500 BCE
ಗಾಯತ್ರೀ ಮಂತ್ರ ಋಷಿ ವಿಶ್ವಾಮಿತ್ರರಿಗೆ ಗಾಢ ತಪಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಲಭಿಸಿತು. ಅವರು ಮೊದಲು ರಾಜ (ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯ); ರಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ತ್ಯಜಿಸಿ ಹಲವು ವರ್ಷ ತಪಸ್ಸು ಮಾಡಿ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮರ್ಷಿಯಾದರು. ಅವರ ಆಳವಾದ ಸಮಾಧಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸವಿತನ ದಿವ್ಯ ಬೆಳಕು ಪ್ರಕಾಶಿಸಿ ಗಾಯತ್ರಿಯ 24 ಅಕ್ಷರಗಳು ಪ್ರಕಟವಾದವು. ಅದನ್ನು ಋಗ್ವೇದದಲ್ಲಿ ದಾಖಲಿಸಿದರು. ಸಮಸ್ತ ವೇದ ಜ್ಞಾನದ ಸಾರ ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವುದರಿಂದ ಇದನ್ನು 'ವೇದ-ಮಾತೆ' ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gayatri Mantra?▼
The Gayatri Mantra is the most revered Vedic mantra, appearing in the Rigveda (3.62.10), composed between 1800-1500 BCE. It is addressed to Savitr — the solar deity representing divine consciousness — and prays for the illumination of the intellect. It is called "Veda-Mata" (Mother of the Vedas) and has been chanted continuously for over 3,500 years.
How many times should I chant it?▼
108 times daily is the classical practice, taking about 20 minutes. Beginners can start with 11 or 21 daily — consistency over months is far more powerful than occasional 108-count sessions. There are three traditional times: sunrise, noon and sunset.
Can women chant the Gayatri Mantra?▼
Yes, absolutely. Modern scholars and traditional authorities agree that the Gayatri Mantra can be chanted by anyone — men, women and children of all backgrounds. Some older texts restricted it to initiated Brahmins but this is not the mainstream position today.
What is the meaning of each word?▼
OM = primordial sound; TAT = that Supreme Reality; SAVITUR = of the divine sun; VARENYAM = most worthy of worship; BHARGO = divine radiance that destroys ignorance; DEVASYA = of the divine; DHIMAHI = we meditate; DHIYO = intellect; YO = who; NAH = our; PRACHODAYAT = may illuminate/inspire.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →