Swami Shivananda's English translation is
We meditate on the glory of the Creator;
Who has created the Universe;
Who is worthy of Worship;
Who is the embodiment of Knowledge and Light;
Who is the remover of all Sin and Ignorance;
May He enlighten our Intellect.

Alternate meaning:

The Mantra:
-----------
        AUM bhuurbhuvaH svaH AUM tat.h saviturvareNyaM
        bhargo devasya dhiimahi dhiyo yo naH prachodayAt


Summary of the Mantra:
----------------------
        O God, Thou art the Giver of Life, the Remover of pains and sorrows,
        the Bestower of happiness O Creator of the Universe, may we receive
        Thy Supreme Sin destroying light, May Thou guide our intellect in the
        right direction.

Meaning of each letter in mantra:
---------------------------------

        Aum             Brahma or Almighty God
        bhuuH           embodiment of vital spiritual energy (pran)
        bhuvaH          destroyer of sufferings
        swaH            embodiment of happiness
        tat.h           that
        savituH         bright, luminous like sun
        vareNyaM        best, choicest
        bhargo          destroyer of sins
        devasya         divine
        dhiimahi        may imbibe
        dhiyo          intellect
        yo              who
        naH             our
        prachodayaata   may inspire

The Meaning of Gayatri Mantra:
------------------------------

        Rishis have selected the words of various Mantras and arranged them in
such a way that they, not only convey some meaning but their utterance also
creates specific power. Gayatri is a Mantra which inspires righteous wisdom.
Its meaning is that the Almighty God may illuminate our intellect which may
lead us to righteous path. This is most important teaching. All the problems
of a person are solved if he/she is endowed with the gift of righteous wisdom.
Having endowed with far-sighted wisdom, a man is neither entangled in calamity
nor does he tread a wrong path. A wise man finds solution of all outstanding
problems. Only those persons find difficulty who do not know thinking correctly
and take wrong steps on account of foolishness. The worship of Gayatri Mantra
removes this deficiency. The teachings of and the powers incorporated in
Gayatri Mantra fullfil this purpose. Righteous wisdom starts emerging no sooner
Jap(recitation)  of this Mantra is performed.


This meaning is obtained from the book "The Great Science and Philosophy of
Gayatri" by Shree Ram Sharma Acharaya, Shanti Kunj Hardwaar.

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