Pitru Mantra – Om Devatabhyah Pitribhyashcha

What the mantra says

ॐ देवताभ्यः पितृभ्यश्च महायोगिभ्य एव च। नमः स्वाहायै स्वधायै नित्यमेव नमो नमः॥ — "Om, to the gods, to the ancestors, and to the great yogis; salutations to Svaha and to Svadha, always, again and again."

• Devatabhyah — to the devas;
• pitribhyah cha — and to the pitrs, the departed ancestors;
• mahayogibhyah eva cha — and to the great yogis;
• namah svahayai svadhayai — salutations to Svaha, the word with which offerings go to the gods through fire, and Svadha, the word with which offerings go to the ancestors;
• nityameva namo namah — always, salutations upon salutations.

The verse comes from Puranic passages on ancestor worship — it is associated with the story in the Markandeya Purana of Ruchi, a Prajapati who, at his ancestors' urging, praised the pitrs so that they would bless him with a family — and it is commonly recited at the beginning and end of a shraddha. It is widely called the "Pitru Gayatri", though it is a shloka rather than a mantra in Gayatri metre. The short ॐ पितृभ्यो नमः — "Om, salutations to the ancestors" — is its everyday form.

Why it is important in Pitru Paksha

During the sixteen days of Pitru Paksha, in the dark fortnight of Ashwin, the ancestors are believed to come close to their descendants to receive water, sesame and food. This verse is often recited before or after tarpan and shraddha, because it names all three to whom a householder owes debts — the gods, the ancestors and the sages — and greets both Svaha and Svadha, so that no offering goes astray.

How to use it

• With tarpan: facing south, with sacred thread on the right shoulder (apasavya), pour water mixed with black sesame from the joined palms, over the thumb side (pitru tirtha), while reciting the ancestor's name and gotra followed by this verse or "Om Pitribhyo Namah".
• Daily: many people recite it once in the morning throughout Pitru Paksha, and on every Amavasya.
• Count: 3, 11 or 108 times; there is no single rule. A lamp facing south in the evening is a common accompaniment.

For what to do and avoid in these days, see what to buy and not buy in Pitru Paksha, the Pitru Paksha katha and Pitru dosh.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Pitru Gayatri mantra?

The name most often given to the shloka "Om Devatabhyah Pitribhyashcha Mahayogibhya Eva Cha, Namah Svahayai Svadhayai Nityameva Namo Namah".

What is the meaning of "Svadha"?

Svadha is the word — and the goddess — through whom offerings reach the ancestors, as Svaha carries offerings to the gods.

When should the Pitru mantra be chanted?

Daily during Pitru Paksha, on Amavasya, on an ancestor's death anniversary (tithi), and during tarpan and shraddha.

Can women recite the Pitru mantra?

Yes. Practices around who performs formal shraddha vary by family, but anyone may recite the prayer to the ancestors.

Which direction should I face?

South, the direction of the pitrs, during tarpan and ancestor prayers.