Previous Year Question

The earliest source of the famous Gayatri Mantra is the Rig Veda. It occurs in Mandala 3, Sukta 62, Mantra 10, that is, Rig Veda 3.62.10.

Its original Rigvedic verse is—

“Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi,
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.”

The mantra is dedicated to the Vedic deity Savitr. It meditates upon the divine radiance and prays that the intellect may be inspired and illuminated. Therefore, it is also known as the Savitri Mantra.

Traditionally, Vishvamitra is regarded as the Rishi associated with this mantra. Since the mantra is composed in the Gayatri metre, it came to be popularly known as the Gayatri Mantra. The Gayatri metre normally consists of three padas, with eight syllables in each pada.

An important distinction is that in its commonly recited form today, “Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah” is prefixed to the mantra. However, the original verse of Rig Veda 3.62.10 begins with “Tat Savitur Varenyam…”. In later Vedic and religious tradition, the expanded recitation with Om and the Vyahritis became customary.

The Bhagavad Gita and Manusmriti are much later texts than the Rig Veda, whereas the question asks for the earliest occurrence of the mantra. Therefore, the correct answer is the Rig Veda.