Om Gram Greem Graum Sah Gurave Namah – Brihaspati (Guru) Mantra

Who Brihaspati is

Brihaspati is the planet Jupiter and the guru of the devas — which is why, in jyotish, he is simply called Guru. In the Rigveda he is the lord of prayer (brahmanaspati), and in the Puranas the son of the sage Angira and the priest of Indra's court. His Navagraha Stotra verse, given above, describes him as "the guru of gods and rishis, shining like gold, the embodiment of wisdom, lord of the three worlds". His day is Thursday (Guruvar, Brihaspativar) and his colour yellow.

In a chart, Guru is the great benefic: the karaka of knowledge, teachers, children, dharma, wisdom, wealth and, for women in traditional jyotish, the husband. A strong Jupiter is associated with good judgment and a sense of meaning; a weak or afflicted one with poor guidance, delays in marriage or children, and money that comes and goes.

The two mantras

• Naam mantra — ॐ बृं बृहस्पतये नमः (Om Brim Brihaspataye Namah): "Om, Brim, salutations to Brihaspati". Brim is his seed syllable, from the first sound of his name. This is the short daily mantra.
• Beej (tantrokta) mantra — ॐ ग्रां ग्रीं ग्रौं सः गुरवे नमः (Om Gram Greem Graum Sah Gurave Namah): the three-syllable beej of "Guru", followed by sah and the salutation. This is the one prescribed for a formal Guru anushthan.

The two are often confused online; both are genuine, but they are used differently. The naam mantra suits anyone's daily practice; the beej mantra is chanted with a count and a sankalpa.

How to chant

1. Begin on a Thursday in shukla paksha, after bathing, preferably in yellow or cream clothes.
2. Sit facing north-east or east. A turmeric or chandan mala is traditional for Guru; a rudraksha mala kept for japa also works.
3. Offer yellow flowers, a lamp of ghee, chana dal and jaggery or a yellow sweet; recite the pranam shloka once.
4. Chant at least one mala (108). For the full traditional anushthan of the beej mantra the total is 19,000, divided evenly over the days you choose.
5. Close by offering the japa to Brihaspati, and on Thursday give something yellow — chana dal, turmeric, bananas, a yellow cloth — or help a teacher or a student.

Benefits traditionally associated with it

These are jyotish beliefs, not guaranteed outcomes.

• Clarity, learning and success in study, teaching, law, counselling and advisory work.
• Traditionally recommended when Jupiter is weak, combust or debilitated (in Capricorn), during a difficult Guru mahadasha, or in Guru Chandal dosh.
• Associated with marriage and children, especially in a woman's chart, and with steady, honest wealth.
• Respect for teachers and elders — which is also the easiest Guru "remedy" of all.

Brihaspati (Guru) Gayatri mantra

ॐ आंगिरसाय विद्महे दण्डायुधाय धीमहि। तन्नः जीवः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Angirasaya Vidmahe Dandayudhaya Dhimahi, Tannah Jivah Prachodayat.

"May we know the son of Angiras; may we meditate on him whose weapon is the staff; may Jiva inspire us." Brihaspati is the son of the rishi Angiras, and Jiva, "life", is his name in jyotish texts. The staff is the teacher's danda, not a warrior's weapon. The Guru Gayatri is printed in more than one form. Two others in use are Om Suracharyaya Vidmahe Surashreshthaya Dhimahi, Tanno Guruh Prachodayat ("the teacher of the gods, the best of the gods") and Om Vrishabhadhvajaya Vidmahe Ghrinihastaya Dhimahi, Tanno Guruh Prachodayat. All three address the same graha; if your family uses one, keep to it.

All nine graha mantras, with their days and counts, are on one page: Navgrah Mantra.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Guru (Brihaspati) Gayatri mantra?

The form given by the main references is ॐ आंगिरसाय विद्महे दण्डायुधाय धीमहि। तन्नः जीवः प्रचोदयात्॥ (Om Angirasaya Vidmahe Dandayudhaya Dhimahi, Tannah Jivah Prachodayat). Other forms are also in use; see the section above.

What is the beej mantra of Brihaspati?

ॐ ग्रां ग्रीं ग्रौं सः गुरवे नमः (Om Gram Greem Graum Sah Gurave Namah). The shorter naam mantra is ॐ बृं बृहस्पतये नमः.

How many times should the Guru mantra be chanted?

Daily, one mala of 108. A formal anushthan of the beej mantra is traditionally 19,000 in total.

Which day is best for the Brihaspati mantra?

Thursday, starting on one in shukla paksha. Morning after bathing is the usual time.

Is Guru the same as Brihaspati?

Yes. In jyotish Jupiter is called Guru because Brihaspati is the guru of the devas. Shukra is the guru of the daityas — a different graha with a different mantra.

Should I wear a yellow sapphire with this mantra?

Only after a qualified astrologer has checked your chart. The mantra carries no such risk and can be chanted by anyone.

Can women chant the Brihaspati mantra?

Yes. Thursday Brihaspati vrat and its mantras are, in fact, especially popular among women.