शांति मंत्र
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti — Peace Mantras with Meaning
Shanti Mantra (शांति मंत्र) are Vedic hymns that invoke peace — for the individual, the community, and the entire universe. These ancient Sanskrit prayers conclude with 'Om Shanti Shanti Shanti' to bring peace to the three realms: body, mind, and spirit. They are from the Upanishads and Vedas and are chanted at the beginning and end of spiritual practice.
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥ ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः। सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः। सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु। मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत्॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
असतो मा सद्गमय। तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय। मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय। ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
ॐ द्यौः शान्तिरन्तरिक्षं शान्तिः। पृथिवी शान्तिरापः शान्तिः। ओषधयः शान्तिः। वनस्पतयः शान्तिः। विश्वेदेवाः शान्तिः। ब्रह्म शान्तिः। सर्वं शान्तिः। शान्तिरेव शान्तिः। सा मा शान्तिरेधि॥
ॐ सह नाववतु। सह नौ भुनक्तु। सह वीर्यं करवावहै। तेजस्विनावधीतमस्तु। मा विद्विषावहै॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
Shanti is repeated three times to invoke peace at three levels: Adhidaivic (disturbances from nature/cosmic forces), Adhibhautic (from other beings), and Adhyatmic (from within oneself — illness, stress, mental agitation).
'Asato Ma Sadgamaya' is from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28). It means 'Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, from death to immortality.' It is one of the most beautiful and profound Vedic prayers.
'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah' means 'May all beings be happy, may all be free from illness, may all see what is auspicious, may none suffer.' It is the universal prayer for the welfare of all beings.