Gayatri Mantra: Complete Pronunciation Guide with Audio
Learn the correct pronunciation of the Gayatri Mantra word by word. Includes transliteration, meaning, and common pronunciation mistakes to avoid.
Gayatri Mantra: Complete Pronunciation Guide
The Gayatri Mantra is one of the most sacred and powerful mantras in Hindu tradition. It's chanted daily by millions and is considered the essence of the Vedas.
But pronouncing it correctly requires understanding several Sanskrit sounds that don't exist in English. This guide will walk you through each word.
The Complete Mantra
In Devanagari:
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्
In Transliteration (IAST):
Oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
Tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
Bhargo devasya dhīmahi
Dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt
Practice This Mantra
Listen to the pronunciation and start learning
Line-by-Line Breakdown
Line 1: ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
Oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
Common Mistakes:
Line 2: तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं
Tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
Common Mistakes:
Line 3: भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
Bhargo devasya dhīmahi
Common Mistakes:
Line 4: धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्
Dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt
Common Mistakes:
The Meaning
Understanding the meaning enhances your practice:
Oṃ - The primordial sound, representing the absolute
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bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ - The three worlds: Earth, Atmosphere, Heaven (or body, mind, spirit)
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tat savitur vareṇyam - We meditate on the glorious light of the divine Savitṛ (the Sun deity, source of all life)
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bhargo devasya dhīmahi - May that divine light illuminate our consciousness
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dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt - May it inspire and guide our intellect
Practice Tips
1. Start Slow
Practice each line separately before combining them. Speed comes naturally once pronunciation is correct.
2. Focus on Problem Sounds
Most English speakers need extra work on:
3. Use Reference Audio
Listen to authentic recordings from the Vedic Heritage Portal or traditional sources. Compare your pronunciation.
4. Record Yourself
Your ear adapts to your own voice. Recording and playing back reveals mistakes you miss while chanting.
5. Get Feedback
If you don't have a teacher, tools like Vedic Voice can give syllable-by-syllable pronunciation feedback.
Traditional Practice Guidelines
The Gayatri Mantra is traditionally chanted:
Timing:
Repetitions:
Preparation:
Prerequisites (Traditional):
The Significance
The Gayatri Mantra appears in the Rig Veda (3.62.10) and is attributed to the sage Vishvamitra. It's considered:
Regular practice is said to:
Start Your Practice
The best way to learn is to practice. Start today, even if imperfectly.
Listen to the correct pronunciation, attempt it yourself, and gradually refine. Consistency matters more than perfection.
Practice the Gayatri Mantra with pronunciation feedback at Vedic Voice.