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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.
Terms in the Glossary
Words from this page, explained in our A–Z reference.