The Gayatri Mantra Lyrics
One of the oldest prayers known to humanity. It spans the ages and calls us to seek wisdom and enlightenment in order to be freed from ignorance and suffering. There are myriad interpretations and perspectives. What does it say to YOU?
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Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Pra-Chodayat
We meditate on the unity of Divine Spirit,
Which pervades everything on earth,
The atmosphere and the heavens.
May this Supreme Consciousness guide us, protect us
And illuminate our hearts and minds.
OM Life, eternity, existence, and that which is beyond
Bhur Earth
Bhuvah Sky/Heavens
Svah Beyond the skies
Tat That
Savitur Illuminating, like the sun
Varenyam Best, highest choice
Bhargo Destroy that which hinders or binds
Devasya Divine
Dhimahi Aspect of meditation
Dhiyo Intellectual mind
Yo Who
Nah Our
Prachodayat Inspiration and guidance
The Gayatri Mantra is one of the many chants that are often repeated 108 times. Learn why 108 matters.
More technical stuff that I personally like:
The word Gayatri actually means ‘a verse of 24 syllables’. I wondered why there are more than 24 syllables in the version that is most commonly known and chanted. I found that the first line is an ‘opener’, like an introduction, and helps establish the setting by acknowledging The Eternal manifested in Earth, Sky, and Beyond, or past, present, and future.
The 24 syllables – 3 lines of 8 syllables – begins at the second line with Tat Savitur. (When counting, Var-e-nee-yam is 4 syllables, and De-vas-ya is 3)
The Goddess Gayatri is considered to be the mother of the Vedas. The Gayatri Mantra is from Rig Veda 10:16:3.
The introductory line ends with Svah, which is sometimes pronounced Svaha. There is a Sanskrit grammatical rule that applies. If the very last word of a line or sentence ends with ‘ah’ as in svah, then it is followed by another sounded ‘ah’. Hence, Svah becomes Svaha when pronounced. Not every chanter of the Gayatri Mantra follows this rule. Regardless, the intention and energy of the chant remain the same.
Another tidbit is about the word Savitur. In one of my readings it was written that Surya (as in Surya Namaskar, or Sun Salutation) is the sun in the sky that is seen and experienced directly. Savitur, or Savitir, is the sun that is below the horizon and is not directly percieved, but of which our belief of its existence persists.
There are many other interpretations of the Gayatri Mantra which recognize different and sometimes deeper religious aspects. A simple google search can provide hours of exploration…
Listen to the Gayatri Mantra on YouTube, recorded at Heartsong Retreat Center in the Boston Mountains of Newton County, Arkansas.
Learn more about religion and chanting.
