The Gayatri is a universal prayer enshrined in the Vedas. It is addressed to the Immanent and Transcendent Divine which has been given the name ‘Savita,’ meaning ‘that from which all this is born.’ The mantra is often recited in the early morning hours during meditation and prayer, and it is believed to have the power to purify the mind, body, and spirit, bringing peace and spiritual awakening to those who chant it with devotion.
The Gayatri Mantra is a revered and ancient Vedic mantra found in the Rigveda (3.62.10). It is considered one of the most powerful and significant mantras in Hinduism. The mantra is dedicated to the deity Savitr, who represents the sun, and it is traditionally chanted to invoke wisdom and enlightenment.
Savitr is a significant deity in the Vedic pantheon, often associated with the sun and the life-giving power of sunlight. Savitr is considered a solar deity, distinct yet sometimes identified with Surya, the Sun God. The name Savitr comes from the root “su,” which means to stimulate or to set in motion, reflecting the deity’s role in invigorating and inspiring all living beings.
In the context of the Gayatri Mantra, Savitr is revered as the source of divine light and enlightenment. The mantra invokes Savitr to illuminate and purify the mind, leading to higher knowledge and understanding. This association with light and enlightenment makes Savitr a central figure in Vedic rituals and spiritual practices, emphasizing the pursuit of wisdom and inner clarity.
Gayatri is the Mother of all scriptures (Vedas). She is present, wherever Her name is chanted. She is very powerful. The One who nourishes the individual being is Gayatri. She bestows pure thoughts on anyone who worships Her. She is the embodiment of all Goddesses. Our very breath is Gayatri, our faith in existence is Gayatri.
Gayatri has five faces, they are the five life principles. She has nine descriptions, they are ‘Om, Bhur, Bhuvah, Swah, Tat, Savitur, Vareñyaṃ, Bhargo, Devasya’. Mother Gayatri nourishes and protects every being and she channelizes our senses in the proper direction. ‘Dhīmahi’ means meditation. We pray to her to inspire us with good intelligence. ‘Dhīyo Yonah Prachodayāt’ – We beseech her to bestow on us everything we need. Thus Gayatri is a complete prayer for protection, nourishment and finally, liberation.
“Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.”
This can be translated into English as:
“We meditate on the glory of the Creator who has created the Universe, who is worthy of worship, who is the embodiment of knowledge and light, who is the remover of all sin and ignorance. May He enlighten our intellect.”
गायत्री मंत्र
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः ।
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्यः धीमहि ।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ।।
Gayatri Mantra
oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ suvaḥ ।
tat savitur vareṇyaṃ bhargo devasya dhīmahi ।
dhiyo yo naḥ prachodayāt ।
