This set of mantraḥs from the Taitirriya Upanisad asks for the divine gift of nourishment across all aspects of our being: from basic life functions to vitality, heart to deep listening to a strong intellect and right speech, from our soul to everything necessary for a noble life. The repeated word ‘dhehi’ comes from the root dhā, an imperative meaning to wear, to bear, to support, to protect, and to nourish.
Om āyurdhehi prā॒ṇam dhe॑hi |
A॒pā॒naṃ dhe॑hi vyā॒naṃ dhe॑hi |
Caksu॑rdhehi॒ śrotra॑ṃ dhehi |
Mano॑ dhehi॒ vāca॑ṃ dhehi |
Ā॒tmāna॑ṃ dhehi prati॒ṣthāṃ dhe॑hi |
Māṃ dhe॑hi॒ mayi dhehi |