गायत्री मंत्र
Gayatri Mantra
The Vedic mantra to Savitr, the divine light of the sun
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः।
Om bhur bhuvah svah.
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं।
Tat savitur varenyam.
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि।
Bhargo devasya dhimahi.
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat.
When it is sung or recited
When it is recited: Traditionally at the three sandhyas, which are dawn, midday and dusk. Many people also chant it during morning puja, counting on a mala.
Repetitions: 3 times, 11 times, or 108 times on a mala
Meaning
Om bhur bhuvah svah names the three worlds: the earth, the space between, and the heavens. These words are called the Vyahritis, and they are said before the verse itself. The verse then says: we meditate on the excellent, adorable radiance of Savitr, the divine sun. May that light inspire and guide our understanding. In short, it is a prayer for clear thinking, addressed to the divine light that the sun represents.
Please note
From the Rigveda (3.62.10), traditionally attributed to the sage Vishvamitra. Om and the three Vyahritis are added before the verse in recitation. The mantra is also called the Savitri mantra. Some websites print devasyah (with a final h); the Rigveda reading is devasya, which is the one used here.
Text compared with: wisdomlib.org, en.wikipedia.org, shlokam.org, drikpanchang.com, bhaktibharat.com. A comparison with printed editions is still in progress. Wording differs between sources, so follow your priest’s version.