Gayatri Mantra (the mother of the vedas), the foremost mantra in hinduism and hindu beliefs, inspires wisdom. Its meaning is that "May the Almighty God illuminate our intellect to lead us along the righteous path". The mantra is also a prayer to the "giver of light and life" - the sun (savitur). Godddess Gayatri is closely linked to Saraswati (goddess of education) and Lakshmi (goddess of wealth).

"AUM BHOOR BHUWAH SWAHA,
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASAYA DHEEMAHI
DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT"

 

Word for Word Meaning of the Gayatri Mantra

Om:The primeval sound that represents Brahma,

Bhur: The physical world that embodies the vital spiritual energy or 'Pran',

Bhuvah:The mental world and destroyer of all sufferings,

Swaha:The celestial and spiritual world that embodies happiness,

Tat:That or God, referring to transcendental Paramatma (Ultimate Spirit),

Savithur:The Bright Sun or the Creator and Preserver of World,

Varenyam:Best or most adorable,

Bhargo:Destroyer of all sins,

Devasya:Divine Deity or Supreme Lord,

Dheemahi:We meditate upon and take in,

Dhiyo:The Intellect,

Yo:The Light,

Nah:Our,

Prachodayath:Inspire or Enlighten.

Gayatri Mantra can be translated as follows:

"Oh Creator of the unverse!

We meditate upon thy supreme splendor.

May thy radiant power illuminate our intellects,

destroy our sins, and guide us in the right direction"