Surya Wisdom & Light Vedic Mantra
One of the most widely recited Vedic verses: a short meditation on the radiance of the sun, as Savitṛ, asking for clear understanding.
Sanskrit
Source text
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
As commonly recited (with the opening syllables)
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः ।
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
The verse itself is the two-line text shown first, as received in the Rigveda. In recitation it is usually preceded by “oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ” (the three vyāhṛtis, or sacred utterances). These opening words are not part of the Rigvedic verse; the Yajurveda tradition joined them to it.
The first line is one syllable short of the usual Gāyatrī metre. We give the text as it has been handed down and do not change it.
Transliteration (IAST)
Source text
tat savitur vareṇyaṃ bhargo devasya dhīmahi |
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt ||
As commonly recited (with the opening syllables)
oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ |
tat savitur vareṇyaṃ bhargo devasya dhīmahi |
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt ||
Meaning
We meditate on the most excellent radiance of the divine Savitṛ, the sun as the giver of light. May that light inspire and guide our understanding.
The story behind this mantra Vishvamitra and the Gayatri
Source / Textual Reference
Rigveda 3.62.10 (Mandala 3, Sukta 62, verse 10)
The opening words “oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ” are described in the Taittiriya Aranyaka (2.11) and are a later addition to the Rigvedic verse.
Traditional Significance
The Gāyatrī is among the best-known verses of the Vedic tradition. It is addressed to Savitṛ, the sun, and in many traditions it is tied to daily twilight worship (sandhyā-vandana). In some communities it is first taught at the sacred-thread ceremony (upanayana).
The verse itself asks for guidance of the mind (dhiyaḥ). Many people also recite it simply as a daily prayer; that is a matter of personal devotion rather than something the text itself prescribes.
Traditional Practice
Traditionally the verse is recited at the junctions of the day, at dawn, noon and dusk, often facing the sun. Repeating it a set number of times, such as 108 on a rosary (mala), is a custom of practice, not a requirement of the text.
Traditions differ on who recites it formally and how. Those who wish to take it up as a formal discipline usually learn it from a teacher.