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गायत्री मन्त्र
Vedic Suktas · mantra · 1 verses
Vishvamitra (revealed in Rig Veda)
Rig Veda 3.62.10; also Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda
The Gayatri Mantra — composed by the seer Vishvamitra in the Rig Veda (3.62.10) — is the most sacred of all Vedic mantras and the foundation of Hindu daily prayer. Addressed to Savitri (the solar deity), it is a meditation on the divine light that illumines all intellects. In 24 syllables across three lines, it invokes the three realms of existence (bhūr, bhuvaḥ, svaḥ) and prays that the Sun's divine radiance inspire and guide our intelligence. Traditionally given at the upanayana (sacred thread ceremony), it is recited at the three daily sandhyas and is considered the Mother of the Vedas.
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः। तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम्।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि। धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥
oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ। tat-savitur-vareṇyam।
bhargo devasya dhīmahi। dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt॥
Om — the three worlds (earth, atmosphere, heaven). We meditate upon the most-adorable splendour of that radiant Savitri (Sun-deity). May He inspire our intellects.
Word meanings
bhūr — earth realm
bhuvaḥ — atmospheric realm
svaḥ — heavenly realm
tat — that
savitur — of Savitri (the sun-deity)
vareṇyam — most-adorable, most-worthy
bhargo — splendour, radiance
devasya — of the deity
dhīmahi — we meditate upon
dhiyo — intellects, minds
yo naḥ — who, our
pracodayāt — may inspire, may direct
ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि।
तन्नो दन्तिः प्रचोदयात्॥
oṃ ekadantāya vidmahe vakratuṇḍāya dhīmahi।
tan-no dantiḥ pracodayāt॥
Om — we know the one-tusked, we meditate on the curved-trunked. May the elephant-faced one inspire us.
ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि।
तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात्॥
oṃ tatpuruṣāya vidmahe mahā-devāya dhīmahi।
tan-no rudraḥ pracodayāt॥
Om — we know the Supreme Purusha, we meditate on the Great God. May Rudra inspire us.
ॐ नारायणाय विद्महे वासुदेवाय धीमहि।
तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात्॥
oṃ nārāyaṇāya vidmahe vāsudevāya dhīmahi।
tan-no viṣṇuḥ pracodayāt॥
Om — we know Narayana, we meditate on Vasudeva. May Vishnu inspire us.
ॐ अञ्जनेयाय विद्महे महाबलाय धीमहि।
तन्नो हनुमान् प्रचोदयात्॥
oṃ añjaneyāya vidmahe mahā-balāya dhīmahi।
tan-no hanumān pracodayāt॥
Om — we know the son of Anjani, we meditate on the greatly powerful. May Hanuman inspire us.
Sources: Rig Veda 3.62.10; also Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda. Awaiting scholar verification.