Mantra · Savitr (Surya)
Gayatri Mantra
The Gayatri Mantra with Sanskrit text, transliteration, meaning, benefits, and the correct way to chant this Vedic hymn to the divine light.
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat
Meaning
We meditate on the glorious splendor of the Divine Creator (Savitr), who pervades the earth, the atmosphere, and the heavens, and who is worthy of worship. May that radiant light illuminate and guide our intellect toward truth and righteousness.
हम उस सृष्टिकर्ता परमात्मा (सविता देव) के दिव्य तेज का ध्यान करते हैं, जो पृथ्वी, अंतरिक्ष और स्वर्ग — तीनों लोकों में व्याप्त है और पूजनीय है। वे हमारी बुद्धि को सद्मार्ग की ओर प्रेरित करें।
Benefits
- Considered the most powerful mantra for awakening intellect, clarity, and wisdom.
- Traditionally chanted at sunrise and sunset (sandhya) to align the mind with natural rhythms.
- Believed to purify thought, speech, and action when chanted with devotion.
- Widely taught to students as part of the Upanayana (sacred thread) tradition for focus and learning.
How to Chant
The Gayatri Mantra is ideally chanted facing the rising or setting sun, in a seated meditative posture. Begin with the pranava Om, then recite the mantra slowly, allowing each phrase — Bhur Bhuvah Svah, Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat — to be felt, not just spoken. It is traditionally chanted 108 times using a mala, though 3, 9, or 21 repetitions are common for daily practice.
Recommended count: 108 times (1 mala), or in multiples of 3
Origin
The Gayatri Mantra is drawn from the Rigveda (Mandala 3, Hymn 62, Verse 10) and is composed in the Gayatri meter — 24 syllables arranged in three lines of eight. It is addressed to Savitr, the solar deity representing the life-giving and illuminating power of the sun, and is one of the most widely recited mantras across Hindu traditions.
Word-by-word breakdown
| Sanskrit | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Om | The primordial sound |
| Bhur Bhuvah Svah | The three worlds — earth, atmosphere, heaven |
| Tat | That (the divine) |
| Savitur | Of Savitr, the sun/creator |
| Varenyam | Worthy of worship, most excellent |
| Bhargo | Radiance, splendor, that which burns away impurity |
| Devasya | Of the divine |
| Dhimahi | We meditate upon |
| Dhiyo | Intellect, understanding |
| Yo Nah Prachodayat | May it inspire/guide us |
When it is chanted
Traditionally recited during the three sandhya periods — sunrise, midday, and sunset — the Gayatri Mantra is also chanted during Upanayana ceremonies, before study or exams, and as a daily practice for mental clarity and spiritual grounding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gayatri Mantra mean?
We meditate on the glorious splendor of the Divine Creator (Savitr), who pervades the earth, the atmosphere, and the heavens, and who is worthy of worship. May that radiant light illuminate and guide our intellect toward truth and righteousness.
How many times should Gayatri Mantra be chanted?
The traditional recommendation is 108 times (1 mala), or in multiples of 3.
What are the benefits of chanting Gayatri Mantra?
Considered the most powerful mantra for awakening intellect, clarity, and wisdom. Traditionally chanted at sunrise and sunset (sandhya) to align the mind with natural rhythms.