Essential shlokas · Morning
Gayatri Mantra: meaning, word by word
A calm family video: the shloka, each word, the story, and a chance to say it together.
1. The shloka
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥
oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
bhargo devasya dhīmahi
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt
2. Word by word
| Sanskrit | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ॐ | oṃ | the sacred first sound |
| भूः | bhūḥ | the earth |
| भुवः | bhuvaḥ | the sky, the space in between |
| स्वः | svaḥ | the heavens |
| तत् | tat | that |
| सवितुः | savituḥ | of Savitṛ, the Sun who sets all life in motion |
| वरेण्यम् | vareṇyam | most excellent, worthy to be chosen |
| भर्गः | bhargaḥ | radiance, the light that purifies |
| देवस्य | devasya | of the divine one |
| धीमहि | dhīmahi | we meditate on |
| धियः | dhiyaḥ | minds, understanding |
| यः | yaḥ | who |
| नः | naḥ | our |
| प्रचोदयात् | pracodayāt | may (he) inspire, awaken |
3. What it means
Put together: Om. Earth, sky and heavens. We meditate on that most excellent radiance of the divine Sun. May it awaken our minds.
The first line, oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ, names the three worlds and is added before the verse when it is chanted. The verse itself has three lines of eight syllables, twenty-four in all; this metre is called gāyatrī, which is how the mantra got its name. It does not ask for wealth, health or luck. It asks for the light that lights the world to light up the mind as well.
4. The story behind it
The verse belongs to the third book of the Rig Veda, the family book of the sage Vishvamitra, and tradition remembers him as the seer to whom it was revealed. The stories told about him in the epics and Puranas describe a king, Kaushika, who gave up his kingdom and, through long years of discipline, became a brahmarṣi, one of the greatest sages of India.
The point families take from the story is a simple one: a king who could have asked for anything asked for wisdom.
5. When it is said
- At sunrise and sunset (and traditionally at midday too), at the junctions of the day called sandhyā, often facing the Sun.
- 3, 11 or 108 times are common counts; a mala of 108 beads helps keep count.
- Traditionally it is taught at the upanayana (sacred-thread ceremony). Today many families chant it together at home, and many children first learn it from a grandparent.
- Say it slowly and quietly; the meaning matters more than the speed.
Printable card. The shloka, its sound and its meaning on one page, for the fridge, the prayer shelf or a school bag.
Download the card (PDF)More essential shlokas
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of the Gayatri Mantra in English?
Om. Earth, sky and heavens. We meditate on that most excellent radiance of the divine Sun (Savitṛ). May it awaken our minds.
Where does the Gayatri Mantra come from?
It is verse 10 of hymn 62 in the third book of the Rig Veda (3.62.10). Tradition credits it to the sage Vishvamitra. The opening words, om bhur bhuvah svah, are added before it in recitation.
Why is it called Gayatri?
Gāyatrī is the name of its metre: three lines of eight syllables, twenty-four in all. Over time the name of the metre became the name of this verse, and of the goddess Gayatri who personifies it.
When should the Gayatri Mantra be chanted?
Traditionally at sunrise, midday and sunset, often 3, 11 or 108 times. Many families simply say it together in the morning.
Can children learn the Gayatri Mantra?
Yes. Many children learn it from parents or grandparents. Learning the meaning word by word, as on this page, helps them remember it and understand what they are saying.