Lord Skanda, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is one of South India’s most revered deities. The Skanda Gayatri mantra is dedicated to him. It is widely chanted for protection, inner peace, and a harmonious married life.
Popularly called by the names Muruga, Shanmukha, Subrahmanya, and Kartikeya, he is revered as the supreme commander of the celestial armies and is accorded the title Devasenapati.
He wields the Shakti Vel, a sacred spear, which vanquishes external enemies while also giving us the energy and inner strength to pierce ignorance and negative thoughts.
When chanted with devotion, the Skanda Gayatri and related Kartikeya Mantras invoke his protection and strength, dispelling evil and negative influences.
Skanda Gayatri Mantra in Sanskrit and IAST Translation with Meaning
ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे
महासेनाय धीमहि
तन्नो स्कन्दः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Om Tatpuruṣāya Vidmahe
Mahāsenāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Skandaḥ Prachodayāt ॥
Om, we seek to know the supreme being (Lord Skanda), and we meditate on the one who leads the great celestial army. May that Lord Skanda enlighten us.
Om = The primordial sound
Tatpurushaya = To that supreme being (referring to Lord Skanda)
Vidmahe = We are seeking to know
Mahasenaya = the one who leads a great celestial army
Dhimahi = We contemplate upon you
Tanno = To us
Skanda = O Lord Skanda!
Prachodayat = may you enlighten us
Other Variants of Skanda Gayatri Mantra
ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे
शिखिध्वजाय धीमहि
तन्नो स्कन्दः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Oṃ Tatpuruṣāya Vidmahe
Śikhidhvajāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Skandaḥ Pracodayāt ॥
We meditate on the supreme being Lord Skanda, and we contemplate him, the one whose flag bears the peacock as a symbol on it. May that Lord Skanda enlighten us.
ॐ महासेनाय विद्महे
षडाननाय धीमहि
तन्नो स्कन्दः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Oṃ Mahāsenāya Vidmahe
Ṣaḍānanāya Dhīmahi
Tanno Skandaḥ Pracodayāt ॥
We contemplate the commander of the great celestial army, the one with the six faces. May that Lord Skanda guide our intellect.
Benefits of Recitation of Skanda Gayatri Mantra
Skanda Gayatri is one of the ancient and powerful mantras that invokes the grace of Lord Skanda. Regular recitation of this divine mantra is known to offer the following benefits:
- Blesses one with a harmonious married life
- Helps overcome fear, negative thoughts, and illness
- Bestows courage and strength to the devotee
- Great Mantra for deep Meditation and self-realisation
- Helps connect us with Skanda’s energy and further attain Moksha.
How to Practice the Mantra
Devotees can practice the recitation of the Skanda Gayatri Mantra by following a few simple steps:
- Recite the mantra during any of the auspicious sandhya times (sunrise, noon, or sunset)
- Take a bath and wear clean clothes to observe purity and sanctity before starting
- Take a deep and slow breath to calm your mind and focus on an idol of Lord Skanda, or the picture; simply remember his presence
- Use a Japamala with 108 beads to count your recitations
- Before the recitation, do pranayama, offer your salutations to Lord Skanda, Lord Shiva and Devi by reciting the Dhyana Shlokas with a calm mind before ending the practice
Mantra shastras prescribe a Japa count of 2.5 Lakh repetitions for Mantra Siddhi alongside adhering to the Sadhana rules. Devotees often complete the total Japa within a Mandala period (40 days).
The Mantra Siddhi process involves many procedures such as asanapuja, nyasas, japa, homa, etc. But to worship the Lord Skanda as a part of your daily puja, one can recite this Skanda Gayatri mantra 108 times or 16 times daily.
