Gayatri Mantra: Meaning and Chanting Benefits
The Gayatri Mantra is a Sanskrit mantra that has been recited since a time unknown. It is considered one of the oldest mantras, composed during the Vedic period. The mantra holds knowledge of the universe itself. It serves as a prayer for guidance and praises the divine light. It is a declaration of gratitude and has the power to transform and lead to self-realisation.
Let us explore the significance, meaning and benefits of chanting the Gayatri Mantra. We will also learn the pronunciation and rules for chanting the mantra.
Gayatri Mantra and its Meaning
Gayatri Mantra has 24 syllables, appears in the oldest text in the world, the Rig Veda and is believed to have been recorded more than 3500 years ago. This sacred mantra is also mentioned in the Upanishads as a ritual and in the Bhagwat Gita as a divine poem. The Gayatri Mantra comprises twenty-four syllables organised inside a triplet of eight syllables.
The Gayatri mantra has an effect on all three states of consciousness: jag runt (waking), pushups (deep sleep), and Swapna (dream). On the other hand, it affects life’s spiritual, supernatural, and metaphysical levels.
Here you can read and follow the pronunciation given inside brackets:
गायत्री मंत्र
ॐ भूर्भुव: स्व: तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो न: प्रचोदयात्।
अर्थात
- ॐ : परब्रह्मा का अभिवाच्य शब्द
- भूः : भूलोक
- भुवः :अंतरिक्ष लोक
- स्वः : स्वर्गलोक
- त : परमात्मा अथवा ब्रह्म
- सवितुः : ईश्वर अथवा सृष्टि कर्ता
- वरेण्यम : पूजनीय
- भर्गः: अज्ञान तथा पाप निवारक
- देवस्य : ज्ञान स्वरुप भगवान का
- धीमहि : हम ध्यान करते है
- धियो : बुद्धि प्रज्ञा
- योः : जो
- नः : हमें
- प्रचोदयात् : प्रकाशित करें।
- भुर्भुव: स्व: : भू अर्थात धरती भुर्व: अर्थात अंतरिक्ष और स्व: अर्थात स्वर्गलोक।
- तत्सविदुर्वरेण्यं : त : परमात्मा अथवा ब्रह्म, सवितुः : ईश्वर अथवा सृष्टि कर्ता, वरेण्यम अर्थात पूजनीय।
- भर्गो : अज्ञान तथा पाप निवारक।
- देवस्य : ज्ञान स्वरुप भगवान का।
- धीमहि धियो : हम ध्यान करते हैं बुद्धि प्रज्ञा का।
- योनः : जो : हमें।
- प्रचोदयात् : प्रकाशित करें।
ॐ : सर्वरक्षक परमात्मा, भू : प्राणों से प्यारा, भुव : दुख विनाशक, स्व : सुखस्वरूप है, तत् : उस, सवितु : उत्पादक, प्रकाशक, प्रेरक, वरेण्य : वरने योग्य, भर्गो : शुद्ध विज्ञान स्वरूप का, देवस्य : देव के, धीमहि : हम ध्यान करें, धियो : बुद्धि को, यो : जो, न : हमारी, प्रचोदयात् : शुभ कार्यों में प्रेरित करें।
अर्थ:
हम ईश्वर की महिमा का ध्यान करते हैं, जिसने इस संसार को उत्पन्न किया है, जो पूजनीय है, जो ज्ञान का भंडार है, जो पापों तथा अज्ञान को दूर करने वाले हैं- वह हमें प्रकाश दिखाए और हमें सत्य पथ पर ले जाए।
Aum Bhur Bhuvah Swah, Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat
A basic translation can be given as…
Oh God, the Protector, the basis of all life, Who is self-existent, Who is free from all pains and Whose contact frees the soul from all troubles, Who pervades the Universe and sustains all, the Creator and Energiser of the whole Universe, the Giver of happiness, Who is worthy of acceptance, the most excellent, Who is Pure and the Purifier of all, let us embrace that very God, so that He may direct our mental faculties in the right direction.
An accurate translation would be:
- Om: The primitive sound
- Bur: The human body, Earth, actual domain, presence
- Bhuvah: The essential energies, paradise, and cognizance
- Surah: The spirit, inward space, profound environment, ecstasy
- Tat: That
- Savitur: The Sun, sun-oriented powers
- Varenyam: To pick the best, love
- Bhargo: Blaze, self-radiant, divine light
- Devasya: The heavenly, brilliant
- Dhimahi Dhiyo: the keenness
- Yo: Which
- Nah: Our, of us
- Prachodayat: Enlighten, rouse
Pronunciation
- Om bhuh, bhuvah, swaha (Aumm Bhoor Bhoo-va Su-va-ha)
- Tat saviturvarenyam (Tat Sa-vee-toor Var-ayn-yam)
- Bhargodevasyadhimahi (Bar-go Day-vas-ya Dhee-ma-hee)
- Dhiyoyo nah prachodayat (Dhee-yo Yo Nah Pra-cho-da-yaat)
What is the significance of Gayatri Mantra?
In every ancient civilisation, the sun has been a resplendent symbol of spiritual enlightenment. The name ‘savitur’ reverently invoked in the mantra is the Vedic sun deity, Savitri, who embodies the essence of all sacred chantings. Personified as Gayatri, the eternal power behind the Sun is the omnipotent force that nurtures the cosmos, like a mother to her child. Thus, when we chant these sacred mantras, we tune into the positive cosmic vibrations, bringing them into this earth and charging ourselves with their transformative spiritual and celestial power.
Gayatri Devi rides a swan and has 5 heads and 10 arms. She is the goddess of all knowledge and wisdom and is revered as the ‘mother of the Vedas’. Her five faces symbolise the five elements of the universe: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether (Space). She represents the unified strength of the three goddesses, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Kali; thus, protection, wisdom, and strength are her divine powers.
How Does Chanting Gayatri Mantra Benefit?
If a person regularly chants the Gayatri Mantra, it will surely bring peace, joy, happiness, and prosperity. The mantra is also believed to heal us physically, mentally, and spiritually while helping us increase our concentration. Regular chanting of the Gayatri Mantra also protects us against fear, anger, jealousy, greed, hatred, and other negative energies. As per the ancient Hindu texts, chanting the Gayatri Mantra 10 times a day reduces the bad karma of an individual in this lifetime. Chanting it 108 times a day washes away our bad karma from all previous lifetimes.
Some of the good things about the Gayatri Mantra are:
- It improves learning capacity
- It boosts concentration
- It brings good fortune
- It bestows eternal power on those who possess it
- It is exceptionally beneficial to peace
- It is the first step towards the spiritual path
- It is associated with God
- It strengthens the mind and improves one’s health
- It helps to enhance the rhythm of breathing
- It keeps our hearts in good shape
- It shields the devotee from all dangers and guides them to the Divine through intuition.
- It benefits our family life.
There are numerous benefits to the Gayatri Mantra. However, you will experience the blessings of the goddess if you chant the mantra devotedly and follow the rules strictly while chanting. It is strongly believed that people who experience its power and energy abide by the specific rules when chanting the Gayatri Mantra.
How to chant the Gayatri Mantras?
In recent times, people have started chanting the Gayatri Mantra at any time of the day; however, mantras are best chanted during the Brahma Muhurta, which is in the early morning hours. Those brahmins who have initiated Upanayana Sanskara are advised to chant it regularly.
You must be focused on each word as you chant it. Try to feel the vibration of every single sacred word. Initially, try to read and learn the mantra by heart. In the beginning, you may have to keep your eyes open, but with practise, you will be able to do it even with your eyes closed.
There are essentially nine steps to chanting the Gayatri mantra.
- Find a place where you feel comfortable and have no distractions.
- Sit quietly and take a few deep breaths while your eyes are closed.
- Keep your focus on your breath as you exhale.
- Focus on your breath and chant out the mantra loudly.
- The second time, repeat it with a whispering sound while your focus is on your breath.
- The third time, repeat it quietly in your mind.
- Keep repeating it until you feel satisfied.
- Once the mantra is over, you will feel its effects on your mind, body, and heart.
- Chant the mantra regularly until you can feel the positive effects of the mantra.
Essentially, the Gayatri Mantra is a way of expressing your gratitude to the Surya Dev and the entire cosmos. It is helpful in enhancing a devotee’s approach to life. In a way, it is an offering—a way to open ourselves and feel the infinite power and vibrations of the divine cosmos within us.
You are advised to talk to a guru before you start chanting the Gayatri Mantra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can not chant the Gayatri Mantra?
A: Gayatri Mantra is found in the Rigveda, one of the oldest Vedic scriptures dating back thousands of years. The mantra is dedicated to the Sun god ‘Savitr’ and is a prayer for enlightenment and wisdom. However, there is a popular belief that women should not chant the Gayatri Mantra in Sanatan Dharma, though in recent times, an increasing number of women have started chanting the mantra.
However, you are advised to talk to a guru before you start chanting the Gayatri Mantra.
Q: How old is the Gayatri Mantra?
A: The Gayatri Mantra first appeared in the Rig Veda, which was written in Sanskrit about 2500 to 3500 years ago.
Q: To which deity is the Gayatri Mantra dedicated?
A: The Gayatri Mantra is dedicated to Savitṛ, a solar deity. The mantra is authored by the much-respected Rishi Viswamitra, who is also the author of Mandala 3 of the Rigveda.
Mantras and stotrams are the sacred utterances of various sounds, syllables, words and more, believed by Sanatan Hindu believers to have magical and spiritual power. Every mantra that is dedicated to a Hindu deity connects us to the divine cosmos, and each one has healing power.
Talk to NamoAstro astrologers to understand the significance of different mantras in your life.
