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Gayatri Mantras (PDF included)

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What is a Gāyatrī mantra?

Originally used to invoke Surya (the Sun), the mantra itself became personified as a goddess of enlightenment and wife of the creator deity Brahma. Today, there are many mantras for different deities composed in the same poetical meter. Though they are for various divinities, all are infused with the enlightening power of the goddess from whom these mantras arose. These are generally considered to be “public” mantras appropriate for beginners and which do not require initiation from a guru.

It is helpful to chant a mantra of a deity while working on sacred art. This helps with focusing the mind and orienting to the deity. If the artist already knows the mantra of the deity being invoked, they can just go with what they know. But most tantrik deity mantras are secret or require initiation. And most artists don’t actually want to be initiated into the mantra of every deity they portray. So, in light of these challenges, these Gāyatrī mantras are provided for working artists and students of sacred art. 

The list begins with Gaṇeśa, then the original Gāyatrī mantra, and then the rest for other deities are arranged in alphabetical (English) order. Suggestions for improvement and additions are welcome.

Download our PDF or browse the mantras below.

More questions? Here are some answers.

Many of the mantras here do not have a Devanagari version; why?

Only a few Devanagari versions are provided because these are what I could find and I lack the skill to type them out them myself. If anyone reading this has or can write reliable versions in digital form to add to this compilation, such contributions would be gratefully accepted ????

Where are the planets?

The planets are listed by their Sanskrit names: Bṛihaspati (Jupiter), Buda (Mercury), Chandra (Moon), Maṅgala (Mars), Śani (Saturn), Śukra (Venus), Sūrya (Sun)

Why is there more than one mantra per deity?

Many of the deities have more than one valid Gāyatrī mantra. Several variations are included. Listed first is the version I am most familiar with.

How do I pronounce the Sanskrit written in Roman letters?

Sanskrit pronunciation is precise and the academic spellings here can be misleading for English speakers. For example, “ca” is pronounced “cha”. When in doubt, especially if you are unfamiliar with Sanskrit pronunciation or with diacritical spelling using Roman letters, please do a web-search for audio recordings. Consider taking Living Sanskrit’s course on pronunciation if you want to get really good.

COMPILATION OF GAYATRI MANTRAS

Gaṇeśa Gāyatrī Mantras

  1. Oṁ Ekadantāya Vidmahe
    Vakra-Tuṇḍāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Dantī Pracodayāt 

    Oṁ, may we know that single-tusked one,
    May we meditate on the one with a curved trunk
    May that tusked one inspire our insight.

  2. Oṁ Lambodarāya Vidmahe
    Mahodarāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Dantī Pracodayāt.

    Om, may we know that god with broad paunch
    Oh, God with a big belly, give me higher intellect,
    And let the elephant faced one inspire our insight.

  3. Oṁ Tatpuruṣāya Vidmahe
    Vakratuṇḍāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Dantī Pracodayāt

    Om, may we know that great male,
    Oh, God with broken tusk, give me higher intellect,
    And let the elephant faced one inspire our insight.

  4. Oṁ Dakṣiṇāmūrtaye Vidmahe 
    Vakratuṇḍāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Dantī Pracodayāt

  5. Oṁ Ekadantāya Vidmahe
    Vakratuṇḍāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Buddhiḥ Pracodayāt

Gāyatrī Mantra (Original – helpful for invoking brilliance, intelligence, vigor. Purifies by burning through ignorance and unresolved/undigested karmas. Helps to rectify Solar issues. Heating. It appears in Ṛg Veda 3.62.10)

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥

Oṁ Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ
Tat-Savitur Vareṇya
Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi
Dhiyo Yo Naḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, oh Earth, Sky, and Heaven
We meditate on the divine effulgence,
May this light inspire our insight.

Agni Gāyatrī Mantras (God of Fire)

  1. Oṁ Mahā-Jvalāya Vidmahe
    Agni-Devāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Agniḥ Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the great flame,
    We meditate on the God of fire,
    May the Fire God inspire our insight.

  2. Oṁ Vaiśvānarāya Vidmahe
    Lālīlāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Agniḥ Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the flame that digests,
    We meditate on the merger of all,
    May the Fire God inspire our insight.

Annapūrnā Gāyatrī Mantra (Goddess of Nourishment)

Bhagavatyai Vidmahe
Māheśvaryai Dhīmahi
Tanno‘nnapūrṇe Pracodayāt

Brahmā Gāyatrī Mantras (Creator God)

  1. Oṁ Caturmukhāya Vidmahe
    Haṃasārūḍhāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Brahmā Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the God with four faces,
    We meditate on the God who rides on the Swan
    May Brahma inspire our insight.

  2. Oṁ Vaiśvānarāya Vidmahe
    Lālīlāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Agniḥ Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the flame that digests,
    We meditate on the merger of all,
    May the Fire God inspire our insight.

  3. Oṁ Vedātmane Vidmahe,
    Hiraṇya-Garbhāya Dhīmahi,
    Tanno Brahmā Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the God who is the soul of Vedas, 
    We meditate on the one who holds the entire world within himself
    May Brahma inspire our insight.

  4. Oṁ Parameśvarāya Vidmahe,
    Paratattvāya Dhīmahi, 
    Tanno Brahmā Pracodayāt

Brihaspati Gāyatrī Mantra (aka the planet Jupiter)

Oṁ Vṛṣabha-Dhvajāya Vidmahe
Kruni-Hastāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Guruḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know him who has bull in his flag,
We meditate on he who has power to get things done
May Guru inspire our insight.

Budha Gāyatrī Mantra (aka the planet Mercury)

Oṁ Gaja-Dhvajāya Vidmahe
Sukha-Hastāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Budhaḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know him who has elephant in his flag,
We meditate on he who has power to grant pleasure,
May Budha inspire our insight.

Chandra (Amṛtatvāya) Gāyatrī Mantras (aka the Moon)

  1. Oṁ Kṣīra-Putrāya Vidhmahe
    Amṛtatvāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Chandraḥ Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the son of milk,
    We meditate on the essence of nectar
    May the moon God inspire our insight.

  2. Oṁ Padma-Dvajāya Vidhmahe
    Hema-Rūpāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Chandraḥ Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know God who has lotus in his flag,
    We meditate on the God of golden color
    May the moon God inspire our insight.

Dattatreya Gāyatrī Mantras (Primordial Form of Guru)

  1. Oṁ Dattātreyāya Vidmahe
    Yogīśvarāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Dattaḥ Pracodayāt

  2. Oṁ Digambarāya Vidmahe
    Yogīśvarāya Dhīmahī
    Tanno Dattaḥ Pracodayāt

  3. Oṁ Dattātreyāya Vidmahe
    Digambarāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Dattaḥ Pracodayāt

  4. Oṁ Dattātreyāya Vidmahe
    Avadhūtāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Dattaḥ Pracodayāt

Garuda Gāyatrī Mantra (Vehicle of Viṣṇu)

Oṁ Tatpuruṣāya Vidmahe
Suvarṇa-Pakṣāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Garuḍaḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know that great living being,
We meditate on the bird with golden wings
May Garuda inspire our insight.

Guru Gāyatrī Mantras (The Teacher)

  1. Guru (Haṃsa) Gāyatrī this mantra is also used for Surya and Sarasvati

    ॐ हंसहंसाय विद्महे
    परमहंसाय धीमहि
    तन्नो हंसः प्रचोदयात् ॥

    Oṁ Haṃsa-Haṃsāya Vidmahe
    Paramahaṃsāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Haṃsaḥ Pracodayāt. 

    Oṁ, may we know the swan of swans
    We meditate on the supreme swan
    May (this) swan (truth) inspire our insight.

  2. Gurudevāya Vidmahe 
    Parabrahmāya Dhīmahi 
    Tanno Guruḥ Pracodayāt

Hanumān Gāyatrī Mantras (Hero Monkey God)

  1. Oṁ Āñjaneyāya Vidhmahe
    Mahā-Balāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Hanumān Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the son of Anjana,
    We meditate on very strong one
    May Hanuman inspire our insight.

  2. Rāmadūtāya Vidmahe
    Vāyuputrāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Hanumat Pracodayāt

Hayagrīva (Viṣṇu) Gāyatrī Mantra (Form of Viṣṇu with horse head)

Oṁ Vāṇīsvarāya Vidmahe
Haya-Grīvāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Hayagrīvaḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know the god of learning,
We meditate on God who has a horse face
May Hayagrīva inspire our insight.

Indra (Devendra) Gāyatrī Mantra (King of the Gods)

Oṁ Sahasra-Netrāya Vidmahe
Vajra-Hastāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Indraḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know the thousand-eyed one,
We meditate on the one who holds the Vajra
May Indra inspire our insight.

Kāma (Manmatha) Gāyatrī Mantra (God of Desire/Love, similar to Cupid)

Oṁ Kāma-Devāya Vidmahe
Puṣpa-Vāṇāya Dhīmahe
Tanno Kāmaḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know the God of love,
We meditate on the one with flower-arrows
May the God of love inspire our insight.

Ketu Gāyatrī Mantra

Oṁ Aśva-Dhvajāya Vidmahe
Śūla-Hastāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Ketuḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know him who has horse in his flag,
We meditate on the one who has a trident in his hand
May Kethu inspire our insight.

Kṛṣṇa Gāyatrī Mantras

  1. Oṁ Damodarāya Vidmahe
    Rukmiṇi-Vallabhāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Kṛṣṇaḥ Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the god whose belly was tied by a rope, 
    We meditate on the consort of Rukhmiṇi
    May Kṛṣṇa inspire our insight.

  2. Oṁ Govindāya Vidmahe 
    Gopī-Vallabhāya Dhīmahi 
    Tanno Kṛṣṇaḥ Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the god who takes care of all beings,
    We meditate on darling of all gopis
    May Kṛṣṇa inspire our insight.

  3. Oṁ Devkīnandanāya Vidmahe
    Vāsudevāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Kṛṣṇaḥ Pracodayāt

Lakṣmī Gāyatrī Mantras

  1. Oṁ Mahādevyai Ca Vidmahe
    Viṣṇu-Patnyai Ca Dhīmahi
    Tanno Lakṣmī Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the greatest goddess,
    We meditate on the wife of Lord Viṣṇu
    May Goddess Lakṣmī inspire our insight.

  2. Mahā-Lakṣmyai Vidmahe 
    Mahā-śriyai Dhīmahi 
    Tannaḥ Śrīḥ Pracodayāt

Mangala (Angāraka) Gāyatrī Mantra (aka the planet Mars)

Oṁ Vīra-Dhvajāya Vidmahe
Vighna-Hastāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Bhaumaḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know him who has hero in his flag,
We meditate on he who has power to solve problems
May the son of earth God inspire our insight.

Nandi Gāyatrī Mantra (Vehicle of Śiva)

Oṁ Tatpuruṣāya Vidmahe
Cakratuṇḍāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Nandiḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know that great living being,
We meditate on lord of devas
May Nandi inspire our insight.

Narasimha (Avatar of Viṣṇu) Gāyatrī Mantras

  1. Oṁ Narasiṃhāya Vidmahe
    Vajra-Nakhāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Narasiṃhaḥ Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the god who is the lion man,
    We meditate on he who has diamond claws
    May Narasimha inspire our insight.

  2. Vajra-Nakhāya Vidmahe
    Mahadevāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Narasiṃhaḥ Pracodayāt

Pṛthvi (Bhudevi) Gāyatrī Mantra (AKA the planet Earth)

Oṁ Pṛthvī-Devyai Vidmahe
Sahasra-Mūrtyai Dhīmahi
Tanno Pṛthvī Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know the goddess of earth,
We meditate on the Goddess who has thousand forms
May Goddess earth inspire our insight.

Rādhā Gāyatrī Mantra (Consort of Kṛṣṇa)

Oṁ Pṛthvī-Devyai Vidmahe
Sahasra-Mūrtyai Dhīmahi
Tanno Pṛthvī Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know the goddess of earth,
We meditate on the Goddess who has thousand forms
May Goddess earth inspire our insight.

Rāhu Gāyatrī Mantra  (Consort of Kṛṣṇa)

Oṁ Pṛthvī-Devyai Vidmahe
Sahasra-Mūrtyai Dhīmahi
Tanno Pṛthvī Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know the goddess of earth,
We meditate on the Goddess who has thousand forms
May Goddess earth inspire our insight.

Rāma Gāyatrī Mantra

Oṁ Dāśarathaye Vidmahe
Sītā-Vallabhāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Rāmaḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know the son of Daṣaratha,
We meditate on consort of Sita,
May Rāma inspire our insight.

Śanīśvara Gāyatrī Mantra (AKA the planet Saturn)

Oṁ Kāka-Dhvajāya Vidmahe
Khaḍga-Hastāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Mandaḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know him who has crow in his flag,
We meditate on he who has a sword in his hand,
May lord Śani inspire our insight.

Sarasvatī Gāyatrī Mantras

  1. Oṁ Sarasvatyai Ca Vidmahe
    Brahma-Putryai Ca Dhīmahi
    Tanno Devī Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the goddess of speech,
    may we meditate on daughter of Lord Brahma
    May goddess Vani inspire our insight.

  2. Oṁ Vāgdevyai Ca Vidmahe
    Viriñci-Patnyai Ca Dhīmahi
    Tanno Vāṇī Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the goddess of speech,
    May we meditate on the wife of Lord Brahma
    May Goddess Vani inspire our insight.

  3. Oṁ Sarasvatyai Vidmahe
    Brahma-Putryai Dhīmahi
    Tanno Sarasvati Pracodayāt

  4. Vāgdevyai Vidmahe
    Kāma-Rājāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Devī Pracodayāt

Sitā Gāyatrī Mantra (Wife of Rāma)

Oṁ Janaka-Nandinye Vidmahe
Bhūmijāyai Dhīmahi
Tanno Sītā Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know the daughter of Janaka
may we meditate on the daughter of Earth
may Sita inspire our insight.

Śiva (and Rudra) Gāyatrī Mantras

  1. Śiva (found in many Tantrik sources), medieval period

    ॐ तन्महेशाय विद्महे
    वाग्विशुद्धाय धीमहि
    तन्नः शिवः प्रचोदयात् ।

    Oṁ Tan-Maheśāya Vidmahe 
    Vāg-Viśuddhāya Dhīmahi
    Tannaḥ Śivaḥ Pracodayāt

    OṀ, may we know that Great Divinity
    may we meditate on the One who makes our speech pure
    may that Shiva inspire our insight.

  2. Rudra (Yajur Veda and Pāśupata Sūtra), c. 200 BCE

    ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे
    महादेवाय धीमहि
    तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात् ।

    Oṁ Tat-Puruṣāya Vidmahe
    Mahā-Devāya Dhīmahi, 
    Tanno Rudraḥ Pracodayāt

    OṀ, may we know that Consciousness-Being
    May our minds be focused on the great Divinity
    May Rudra inspire our insight.

  3. Oṁ Pañca-Vaktrāya Vidmahe
    Mahā-Devāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Rudraḥ Pracodayāt

Subrahamanya (aka Kartikeya/Skanda) Gāyatrī Mantra

Oṁ Tat-Puruṣāya Vidmahe
Mahā-Senāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Ṣaṇmukhaḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know that Consciousness-Being
May we meditate on the commander in chief
May the six faced one inspire our insight.

Sudarśana Gāyatrī Mantra

Oṁ Sudarśanāya Vidmahe
Mahā-Jvālāya Dhīmahi
Tannaś-Cakra Pracodayāt

Oṁ, may we know the holy wheel of Sudharshana,
We meditate on the wheel which has great brilliance
May the wheel inspire our insight.

Śukra Gāyatrī Mantra

Oṁ Aśvadhvajāya Vidmahe
Dhanur-Hastāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Śukraḥ Pracodayāt 

Oṁ, May we know him who has horse in his flag,
We meditate on he who has a bow in his hand
May Shukra inspire our insight.

Surya (Bhaskarāya) Gāyatrī Mantras (aka the Sun)

  1. Oṁ Bhāskarāya Vidmahe
    Diva-Karāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Sūryaḥ Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, May we know the Sun God,
    We meditate on the maker of the day
    May Sun God inspire our insight.

  2. Oṁ Aśva-Dhvajāya Vidmahe
    Pāśa-Hastāya Dhīmahi
    Tannaḥ Sūryaḥ Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the god who has a horse flag,
    We meditate on the god who holds the noose
    May Sun God inspire our insight.

  3. Ādityāya Vidmahe
    Mārtaṇḍāya Dhīmahi
    Tannaḥ Sūryaḥ Pracodayāt

Tulsi Gāyatrī Mantra (Healing Plant Goddess “Holy Basil”)

Oṁ Tulasī-Devyai Ca Vidmahe
Viṣṇu-Priyāyai Ca Dhīmahi
Tanno Vṛndā Pracodayāt

Oṁ, May we know the Goddess of Ocimum, 
We meditate on the goddess who is dear to Viṣṇu 
May Brindha inspire our insight.

Varuna Gāyatrī Mantra (God of the Waters)

Oṁ Jala-Bimbāya Vidmahe
Nīla-Puruṣāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Varuṇaḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, May we know the reflection of water,
May we meditate on the person of ocean blue
May the God of water inspire our insight.

Viṣṇu Gāyatrī Mantras (All-Pervasive Sustainer)

  1. Oṁ Nārāyaṇāya Vidmahe
    Vāsudevāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Viṣṇuḥ Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know Lord Narayana,
    May we meditate on Lord Vasudeva
    May Lord Viṣṇu inspire our insight.

  2. Oṁ Nirañjanāya Vidmahe
    Nirapāśāya Dhīmahi
    Tannaḥ Śrinivāsaḥ Pracodayāt

    Oṁ, may we know the god who is eternal truth,
    May we meditate on the one who is boundless
    May God Srinivasa inspire our insight.

  3. Trailokya-Mohanāya Vidmahe 
    Kāma-Devāya Dhīmahi
    Tanno Viṣṇuḥ Pracodayāt

Yama Gāyatrī Mantra (God of Death)

Oṁ Sūrya-Putrāya Vidmahe
Mahā-Kālāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Yamaḥ Pracodayāt

Oṁ, May we know the son of Sun God,
We meditate on the great Lord of time
May God of death inspire our insight.