Guru Beej Mantra: Meaning and How to Chant

Meaning of the Guru beej mantra

• ॐ (Om) is the primordial sound with which most Vedic mantras begin.
• ग्रां ग्रीं ग्रौं (Graam Greem Graum) are beej (seed) syllables. They are not translated word for word; tradition treats them as the sound-form of Jupiter's energy, and सः (sah) seals the invocation.
• गुरवे नमः (Gurave Namah) means "salutations to Guru".

Why the Guru mantra is chanted

Guru, or Brihaspati, is the teacher of the gods and the most benevolent planet in Vedic astrology. His beej mantra is traditionally chanted for wisdom, good teachers and guidance, success in studies, children, a happy marriage and steady prosperity.

Guru verse from the Navagraha Stotra

This verse to Guru comes from the Navagraha Stotra attributed to the sage Vyasa. Many people recite it before or after the beej mantra.

How the Guru mantra is traditionally chanted

• Day: begin on a Thursday, the day of Jupiter.
• Count: the commonly cited total is 19,000 repetitions, about 176 rounds of a 108-bead mala, usually spread over many days.
• Daily practice: many people simply chant one round of 108 every day, or every Thursday.
• Chant after bathing, in a clean and quiet place, with your attention on the sound.

Thursday is its day. Many chant it in the morning wearing yellow and offer turmeric, chana dal or yellow flowers; respecting teachers and elders is considered part of the practice.

Guru mantra and your Mulank

In numerology Jupiter rules the number 3: Mulank 3, for people born on 3, 12, 21 and 30 of any month, and Bhagyank 3. People with these numbers often chant the Guru mantra to strengthen the planet's good qualities.

Also traditionally recited for Jupiter: Navagraha Stotram.

See also

• Mulank 3
• Bhagyank 3
• Navagraha Stotram

Mantras and chalisas are a matter of faith and tradition, and practices differ between families and teachers. Nothing here replaces medical, legal or financial advice.