Gayatri Mantra
Sacred 24-syllable hymns in the Vedic Gayatri meter invoking divine illumination of the intellect.
9 mantras of this type
About Gayatri Mantra
Gayatri Mantras are sacred verses composed in the Gayatri meter (chandas), one of the most prominent Vedic meters consisting of 24 syllables arranged in a triplet of eight syllables each. The original and most famous Gayatri Mantra, addressed to Savitar (the Sun deity), is from Rigveda 3.62.10 and is considered the essence of all Vedic knowledge. Over time, the Gayatri meter has been applied to create deity-specific Gayatri mantras for every major Hindu god and goddess.
The structure of a Gayatri Mantra typically follows the pattern: 'Om [deity epithet], [meditative phrase], [prayer for illumination].' Each Gayatri mantra invokes a specific deity and seeks the illumination of the intellect (buddhi) through that deity's grace. The Gayatri is not merely a prayer but a meditation technique — the three lines correspond to the three states of consciousness (waking, dreaming, deep sleep) and the three worlds (bhur, bhuvah, svah).
Gayatri mantras hold a special status in Hindu worship because they are Vedic in origin and can be chanted by all, regardless of sect or tradition. They are the primary mantras used in Sandhyavandana (daily Vedic worship performed at dawn, noon, and dusk). Each deity's Gayatri mantra is considered the most sattvic (pure) and universally accessible way to connect with that deity's energy, making them ideal for beginners and advanced practitioners alike.
All Gayatri Mantra Mantras
Shiva Gayatri Mantra
We meditate upon the great Mahadeva; may Rudra inspire our intellect.
ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि । तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Vishnu Gayatri Mantra
We meditate upon Vasudeva; may Vishnu illuminate our mind.
ॐ नारायणाय विद्महे वासुदेवाय धीमहि । तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Krishna Gayatri Mantra
We meditate upon Krishna, son of Devaki; may He inspire our intellect.
ॐ देवकीनन्दनाय विद्महे वासुदेवाय धीमहि । तन्नो कृष्णः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Rama Gayatri Mantra
We meditate upon Rama, son of Dasharatha and beloved of Sita; may He inspire us.
ॐ दाशरथये विद्महे सीतावल्लभाय धीमहि । तन्नो रामः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Hanuman Gayatri Mantra
We meditate upon Hanuman, son of Anjani and Vayu; may he inspire our intellect.
ॐ आञ्जनेयाय विद्महे वायुपुत्राय धीमहि । तन्नो हनुमान् प्रचोदयात् ॥
Durga Gayatri Mantra
We meditate upon Katyayani the maiden; may Durga inspire our intellect.
ॐ कात्यायनाय विद्महे कन्यकुमार्यै धीमहि । तन्नो दुर्गिः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra
We meditate upon Lakshmi, consort of Vishnu; may she inspire our intellect.
ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै च विद्महे विष्णुपत्न्यै च धीमहि । तन्नो लक्ष्मीः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Saraswati Gayatri Mantra
We meditate upon Saraswati; may the goddess of speech inspire our intellect.
ॐ सरस्वत्यै विद्महे ब्रह्मपुत्र्यै धीमहि । तन्नो वाणी प्रचोदयात् ॥
Ganesh Gayatri Mantra
We meditate upon the one-tusked Ganesha; may he inspire our intellect.
ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि । तन्नो दन्ती प्रचोदयात् ॥