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 

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The Gayatri Mantra line by line to understand the meaning of its core components:

 

Sanskrit     Sound      Translation / Meaning

ॐ.             Om.         The primeval sound, the universal sound of the cosmos, representing the Supreme

                                     Entity (Brahman).

भूर्               bhūr          The physical realm or earth; the vital spiritual energy (prana).

भुवः             bhuvaḥ     The mental or middle realm; the destruction of sufferings.

स्वः.             svaḥ.         The celestial or heavenly realm; the embodiment of happiness/bliss.

तत्              tat              "That" refers to the ultimate reality or the Supreme Lord.

सवितुः.       savituḥ.     The Creator, the source of all existence, the Sun God (Surya) as the source of

                                      light.

वरेण्यं         vareṇyaṃ  Most adorable, most desirable, worthy of worship.

भर्गो            bhargo.       Effulgence, divine light, aura, radiance; the dispeller of sins/darkness.

देवस्य.        devasya.     Of the divine, the Lord, the celestial being.

धीमहि        dhīmahi      We meditate upon, we contemplate.

धियो.         dhiyo.         Our intellect, mind, or spiritual intelligence.

यो.             yo                Which, who.

नः.            naḥ.              Our.

प्रचोदयात् pracodayāt May it inspire, guide, or stimulate.

 

In essence, the mantra is a prayer to the Divine, the Creator, inviting Divine Light (effulgence) to purify our mind and illuminate the intellect, guiding us towards wisdom, enlightenment & self-realisation in this lifetime.

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ॐ भूः भुवः स्वः (Om Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ) These three words are called the Maha Vyāhṛtis — the “great utterances.”
They represent the three realms of existence and the levels of human consciousness:

• Bhūr – the earthly plane, symbolizing the physical body and material life.

• Bhuvaḥ – the mental or subtle plane, representing the mind, emotions, and the life force (prāṇa).

• Svaḥ – the celestial or spiritual plane, the soul and higher consciousness.

 

Interpretation:
This opening invocation reminds us that the Divine is present in all levels of existence — physical, mental, and spiritual. When we chant “Om Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ,” we are aligning our whole being with the cosmic order.

 

भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि (Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi)

• Bhargo – The radiance or purifying light that dispels ignorance.

• Devasya – “Of the Divine Being.”

• Dhīmahi – “We meditate upon.”

 

Interpretation:
We meditate upon that divine radiance which removes all darkness from our intellect and purifies our inner being. The word Bharga suggests both illumination and purification — light that not only reveals, but also cleanses.

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धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् (Dhiyo Yo Naḥ Prachodayāt)

• Dhiyo – Our intellects or understanding.

• Yo – Who.

• Naḥ – Our.

• Prachodayāt – “May inspire, guide, and direct.”

 

 Interpretation:
Here we pray that the divine light we’ve invoked may awaken and guide our intellects — helping us to think clearly, act wisely, and align our will with the higher truth.

This is the heart of the mantra: a humble request not for wealth, health, or success, but for right understanding — the light of discernment that leads to liberation (moksha).

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The Gayatri Mantra is a universal prayer for enlightenment. It is not bound to any religion dogma or ritual — it is a meditation on Light, both outer and inner.

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“May the Divine Light that pervades the universe illuminate our minds, purify our hearts,
and lead us from ignorance to truth.”

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The Gayatri Mantra isn’t just meant to be recited; it’s meant to be experienced. When chanted with awareness, it harmonizes your breath, mind, and inner energy, leading to deep clarity and calm.

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Traditionally, chant during the Sandhyā times —

• Morning (sunrise) – to invite clarity for the day

• Evening (sunset) – to offer gratitude and calm the mind before slumber

​But you can chant any time that feels peaceful and undisturbed.

Find your comfortable seat in a quiet, clean spot — ideally facing east (morning) or west (evening).
You can light a small candle, symbolising the inner  and outer light we are invoking.

Sit comfortably with your spine straight — on the floor, a mat, or a chair.
Rest your hands on your knees or in Gyan Mudra (tip of thumb and index finger touching).

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Before you begin, take three deep breaths:

• Inhale slowly through the nose — feel the air fill your belly and chest.

• Exhale gently — release tension from your body.

Let your mind settle.
You may visualize a soft golden light at the centre of your chest or between your eyebrows — the light of awareness.

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• Om – Feel the vibration fill your whole being.

• Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ – Sense yourself connecting to the three planes: body, mind, and spirit.

• Tat Savitur Vareṇyam – Visualise a golden sun rising within you.

• Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi – Let that light radiate through your heart and mind, purifying negativity.

• Dhiyo Yo Naḥ Prachodayāt – Offer your intellect to that light; ask for clarity, guidance, and peace.

 

Traditionally, it’s chanted 3, 9, 27, 54 or 108 times using a mala (beads) remember even three slow repetitions with full attention is powerful.

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After your repetitions, sit silently for a few minutes.
Feel the resonance of the mantra within you — as though the sound is still echoing in your heart.
This is where the real meditation happens — in the stillness that follows the sound.

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If you wish to go deeper, you can synchronize the mantra with your breath:

• Inhale: Om Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ

• Exhale: Tat Savitur Vareṇyaṃ

• Inhale: Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi

• Exhale: Dhiyo Yo Naḥ Prachodayāt

This aligns the vibration of the mantra with your prāṇa (life force), deepening concentration.

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• Reverence – You are addressing the Divine Light within and without.

• Sincerity – Even one mindful chant is more powerful than a hundred distracted ones.

• Gratitude – End with a moment of thanks — for life, light, and awareness.