असतो मा सद्गमय | तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय | मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ||
Asato Ma Sad Gamaya
Asato Ma Sad Gamaya | Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya | Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya ||
Listen & Chant Along
Listen & chant along — performed by Tina Malia
"Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light"
Meaning & Translation
Sanskrit
असतो मा सद्गमय | तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय | मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ||
Transliteration
Asato Ma Sad Gamaya | Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya | Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya ||
Pronunciation
ah-SAH-toh mah sahd-GAH-mah-yah | tah-MAH-soh mah jyoh-TEER-gah-mah-yah | mrit-YOR-mah ah-MREE-tahm GAH-mah-yah
Full Translation
Lead me from the unreal to the real; lead me from darkness to light; lead me from death to immortality. A prayer for the soul's journey toward truth, awareness, and the eternal.
Spiritual Significance
Known as the Pavamana Mantra, it is a prayer for inner transformation — moving from illusion to clarity, ignorance to wisdom, and fear of death to the realization of the deathless Self. It frames spiritual practice as a gentle being-led rather than striving.
Cultural Context & History
This verse comes from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, among the oldest of the Upanishads. Its universal, non-sectarian message has made it a favorite opening or closing chant in yoga classes and interfaith gatherings worldwide.
Traditionally Accompanied By
For Leaders
Chords and structure for leading this chant on harmonium or guitar — transcribed from the linked recording. New to leading? Read our guide to leading kirtan →
Original key
Em
Tempo & feel
Gentle prayer pace (~50 bpm pulse); one petition per breath
Chord Chart
Strumming & rhythm (4/4)
D = downstrum, U = upstrum, · = let it ring. one warm downstrum per bar; let it ring under the whole petition.
Call & Response Structure
Three petitions, three near-identical phrases: each starts and ends on Em, with Am coloring the first and third lines and D lifting the middle "toward the light" line. Sung as unison prayer rather than call-and-response.
Terms in the Glossary
Words from this page, explained in our A–Z reference.