Gayatri Mantra (Rigveda 3.62.10)
गायत्री मंत्र (ऋग्वेद सावित्री मंत्र)
The mother of the Vedas, addressed to the solar deity Savitr, petitioning the supreme primordial light to illuminate and sharpen human intellect and conscious discernment.
Considered the supreme Mahamantra across Sanatan Dharma, traditionally initiated during Upanayana and chanted during the three Sandhyas (dawn, noon, dusk) for intellectual clarity, mental purification, and realization of the Self.
दोहा (Opening Dohas)
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः।
Oṁ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ |
The Mahāvyāhṛtis (sacred cosmic utterances): Om, the physical plane (Bhur), the subtle vital plane (Bhuva), and the celestial spiritual plane of pure consciousness (Svah).
चौपाई (The Verses)
ॐ तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि। धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥
Oṁ tat savitur vareṇyaṁ bhargo devasya dhīmahi | Dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt ||
समापन दोहा (Concluding Doha)
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
Oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ||
Om Peace, Peace, Peace (peace across the physical, astral, and causal realms).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the literal meaning of Gayatri Mantra in English?
The Gayatri Mantra is a meditation on the supreme solar effulgence (Savitr). It means: "We meditate upon the supreme, most adorable radiance of the Divine Sun. May that celestial brilliance illuminate and guide our intellect toward truth."
Where is the Gayatri Mantra found in the Vedas?
It appears in the Rigveda (Mandala 3, Sukta 62, Verse 10), revealed through the realization of Brahmarshi Vishwamitra. It is also preserved verbatim in the Yajurveda (Shukla Yajurveda 36.3) and the Samaveda.
What is the meter (Chhandas) of the Gayatri Mantra?
It is composed in the classical Vedic Gayatri meter, consisting of 24 syllables organized into three lines (padas) of 8 syllables each (Tripada Gayatri: 8 + 8 + 8 = 24 syllables).