Gayatri Mantra
गायत्री
Awaken divine wisdom with the supreme Vedic meter. The Gayatri is the mother of all mantras — from the original Savitri Gayatri to deity-specific Gayatri mantras, each follows the sacred 24-syllable format that illuminates the intellect and purifies the soul.
All Gayatri Mantras
Shiv Gayatri Mantra
ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि। तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात्॥
A Gayatri-format prayer invoking Lord Shiva's supreme wisdom and transformative illumination.
Vishnu Gayatri Mantra
ॐ नारायणाय विद्महे वासुदेवाय धीमहि। तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात्॥
A Gayatri-format prayer invoking Lord Vishnu's preserving grace and divine wisdom.
Ganesh Gayatri Mantra
ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि। तन्नो दन्ती प्रचोदयात्॥
A Gayatri-format prayer invoking Lord Ganesha's wisdom and obstacle-removing power.
Surya Gayatri Mantra
ॐ भास्कराय विद्महे दिवाकराय धीमहि। तन्नो सूर्यः प्रचोदयात्॥
A Gayatri-format prayer invoking Lord Surya's radiant energy for health, vitality, and illumination.
Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra
ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै विद्महे विष्णुपत्न्यै धीमहि। तन्नो लक्ष्मीः प्रचोदयात्॥
A Gayatri-format prayer invoking Goddess Lakshmi's blessings for prosperity, abundance, and spiritual wealth.
Saraswati Gayatri Mantra
ॐ वाग्देव्यै विद्महे कामराजाय धीमहि। तन्नो देवी प्रचोदयात्॥
A Gayatri-format prayer invoking Goddess Saraswati's blessings for knowledge, speech, and creative wisdom.
Hanuman Gayatri Mantra
ॐ आञ्जनेयाय विद्महे वायुपुत्राय धीमहि। तन्नो हनुमत् प्रचोदयात्॥
A Gayatri-format prayer invoking Lord Hanuman's supreme devotion, courage, and indomitable strength.
About Gayatri Mantra
The Gayatri is the most revered and powerful poetic meter (chhanda) in the entire Vedic tradition. Comprising 24 syllables arranged in a triplet of eight syllables each, the Gayatri meter is considered the mother of all Vedic meters and, by extension, the mother of the Vedas themselves. When people refer to "the Gayatri Mantra," they typically mean the Savitri Gayatri from Rigveda 3.62.10, but the Gayatri format has been applied to virtually every major deity in the Hindu pantheon, creating a family of powerful mantras that share the same sacred structure.
The word "Gayatri" derives from the Sanskrit roots "gai" (to sing) and "trai" (to protect), meaning "that which protects the one who sings it." This etymological meaning reveals the mantra's fundamental purpose — it is a sung prayer that creates a shield of divine protection around the practitioner while simultaneously illuminating the intellect and awakening higher consciousness.
The Gayatri meter follows a specific three-part structure that mirrors the process of spiritual realization. The first line typically invokes the deity through knowledge ("Vidmahe" — we know, we perceive). The second line deepens the connection through meditation ("Dhimahi" — we meditate upon). The third line requests divine inspiration and illumination ("Prachodayat" — may that deity inspire our intellect). This progression from knowing to meditating to being inspired represents the complete arc of spiritual practice.
Historically, the Gayatri Mantra was considered so sacred that its recitation was restricted to the twice-born (dvija) castes who had undergone the Upanayana (sacred thread) ceremony. However, many modern spiritual teachers, including Swami Vivekananda, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and Sri Aurobindo, have advocated for the universal accessibility of the Gayatri, teaching that its transformative power belongs to all sincere seekers regardless of birth, gender, or social status.
The practice of chanting Gayatri mantras is traditionally performed during the three Sandhya times — dawn, noon, and dusk — which correspond to the junctions between different phases of the day. These transitional moments are believed to be windows of heightened spiritual receptivity when the mantra's vibrations penetrate most deeply into consciousness.
Modern scientific research has begun to explore the effects of Gayatri Mantra chanting on the brain and body. Studies published in the International Journal of Yoga and the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research have found that regular Gayatri chanting increases alpha brain wave activity, improves memory and concentration, reduces cortisol levels, and enhances overall cognitive function. The 24-syllable structure appears to create a specific resonance pattern that synchronizes brainwave activity across both hemispheres.
This collection brings together the most important Gayatri-format mantras from across the Hindu tradition. Whether you seek the universal illumination of the original Gayatri or the specific blessings of a deity-specific Gayatri, each mantra in this collection carries the transformative power of the supreme Vedic meter.
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Gayatri Mantras by Purpose
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Written & Curated By
Chakshu Chhabra
Founder, MantraList.in
LinkedInI grew up in a household where every morning began with the fragrance of incense and the sound of aarti. What started as a family tradition became a deeply personal practice — I found that chanting mantras before work brought clarity to my decisions, calm to stressful days, and a sense of connection that nothing else could.
As an entrepreneur, I noticed that authentic mantra resources online were either incomplete or hard to follow. So I built MantraList.in — a place where seekers can find accurate Sanskrit text, proper pronunciation, word-by-word meaning, and practical chanting guides, all in one place. Every Gayatri Mantra page on this site is personally reviewed by me to ensure the Sanskrit is correct and the guidance is rooted in tradition.
When I am not building MantraList.in, I perform evening aarti with my family — a ritual that keeps me grounded through the demands of entrepreneurship. I believe mantras are not just words; they are vibrations that transform your inner world, and everyone deserves access to them.