Shanti Mantras
We must approach a task with the right mental attitude whenever we undertake it. This preparation will greatly enhance the chances of success in our undertaking. For similar reasons, we have many Prakaras (enclosures) in our temples. As the devotee goes around each Prakara, his concentration improves and his mind gradually gets focused on the deity he is going to worship.
The chanting of Shanti mantras, before the recitation of the Vedas helps the Rishis to focus progressively on the Vedas they intend studying. The practice is to recite the Shanti mantras before reciting holy texts such as Upanishads and Sooktas
All Veda mantras are concluded by uttering Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih.
Om is the symbol and representative of Brahman. It is uttered for securing all-round auspiciousness. Shanti refers to peace and tranquillity. Generally, the troubles that we normally face fall into three categories (also referred to as Trivida Taapa )–
- The problems are caused by us. Illnesses – physical and mental, suffered by us are examples of this kind. They are referred to as Aadhyaatmika Problems caused due to others. They are called Aadhibhautika
- Problems caused due to nature – Rain, thunder, and fire are examples of this kind. They are called Adhidaivika
- By uttering Shantih three times, we are praying for protection from them.
Let us now have a look at a few Shanti mantras.
Shanti Mantra – 1
Om Saha naavavatu, Sahanau Bhunaktu Saha Veeryam
karavaavahai,
Tejasvi Navadheetamastu Ma Vidvishavahai
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih
This is a prayer offered by both the teacher and the student at the time of the student commencing his education. The prayer is for the successful completion of the education without any obstacles or shortcomings.
This occurs as the Shanti Mantra for the Katha, Svetasvatara and the Maha Narayana Upanishads Om, May He protect us both (teacher and the taught). May He cause us both to enjoy the bliss of Mukti. May we both exist to find out the true meaning of the scriptures. May our studies be fruitful.
May we never quarrel with each other? Let there be threefold peace (Shantih, Shantih, Shantih).
Shanti Mantra – 2
Om Sham No Mitrah Sham Varunah, Sham No Bhavatvaryamaa
Sham Na Indro Brihaspatih, Sham No Vishnururukramah
Namo Brahmane, Namaste Vayo, Twameva Pratyaksham
Brahmasi, Twameva Pratyaksham Brahma Vadishyami
Ritam Vadishyami, Satyam Vadishyami
Tanmamavatu, Tadvaktaramavatu
Avatu Mam, Avatu Vaktaram
Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih
This is the Shanti Mantra for the Taittiriya Upanishad.
As already explained, at the start of creation when manifestation takes place, the primary differentiation is into Consciousness and Power (Shakti). This Shakti, in turn, differentiates further into innumerable powers corresponding to the multifarious functions that have to be performed in a manifested universe. Each power or Shakti is matched by a corresponding function of consciousness.
These Shaktis and associated consciousnesses are the Devis and Devatas of Hinduism.
This whole world of ours is governed by the play of the various Shakties. Shakties governing activities in the visible or gross world are each considered a Devata. Similarly, Shakties governing activities in the subtle world (not visible to the naked eye) are also regarded as Devatas (deities). They are referred to as Abhimani Devata (guardian spirit). Each of the Devatas in turn governed an activity in the physical world and a faculty of the human being.
For example, Aryama is considered to be the Abhimani Devata for the Sun in the physical world and the eye of the human being. Mitra is considered as the Abhimani Devata for the Day in the physical world and the Prana of the human being. The message for us is that we should learn to live with these powerful Shakties governing aspects in the world. This Shanti mantra is a prayer to the various Devatas to protect us.
The deities invoked here may be regarded as the delegates among whom the Supreme distributes some of His powers. They might be considered as manifestations of the One who lives behind them. This may also be understood from the explanation given above – that the Supreme Shakti differentiates into innumerable powers corresponding to the multifarious functions that have to be performed in a manifested universe.
Man is often considered as a Universe in epitome. Similarly, the various deities that rule over the cosmic functions are also conceived to have their corresponding rulership in the personality of the man. This has been the observation of the ancient Rishis.
Meaning of the mantra
The meaning of the verse is given below –
May Mitra, Varuna, Aryaman, Indra, Brhaspati and all pervading Vishnu be propitious to us and grant us welfare and bliss. I bow down to Brahman in loving reverence. O Vayu, I bow down to thee in adoration. Thou verily art Brahman perceptible. I shall declare (vadishyami) thou art right; Thou art the true and the good. May that Universal being Vayu preserve me. May He preserve the teacher. May Brahman protect me. May He protect my teacher.
Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih.
Mitra
He is the guardian spirit of Praanavrtti or the in-breathing and the day. He calls men to activity, sustains Earth and Sky, and beholds all with un-winking eyes.
Varuna
Governs the night and the breathing out. He is commonly associated with Mitra, and is celebrated as the king of Gods and the Lord of the Universe. In the hymns several grand attributes and functions are ascribed, such as presiding over water in the sea, upholding Heaven and Earth, possessing extraordinary power and wisdom, hating falsehood, seizing transgressors with his Paasha (noose), pardoning sin, and bestowing immortality
Aryaman
He is regarded as the regent of the Sun and Eyes. He is chief of the Pitrs.
Indra
Indra is the governor of the atmosphere and the Upper regions. He presides over the Gods. He has vanquished many demons and is considered a benefactor of the man. The Vedas praise his power and energy. He is frequently invoked. He governs the power and hands of the man.
Brhaspati
He is the God of wisdom and eloquence. For this reason, he is deemed the genius of speech and intellect. He is the deity in whom piety and religion are personified.
Vishnu
He is identified with the Supreme all-pervading Reality – Parabrahman. He is often invoked with Indra. He is the chief of the Adityas. He is the guardian spirit of the feet.
The various deities attempt to thwart the efforts of an ordinary or ignorant man in gaining Self-Knowledge or realization of the Atman. These are the various tests that a man is required to undergo before he can be proven to be a worthy candidate for this knowledge.
Man who has not realized Atman is like an animal for the deities. These peace invocations are meant to win the blessings of the gods to make the course of the Sadhak smooth and easy.
Shanti Mantra – 3
Om Bhadram Karmebhih Shrunuyama Devah
Bhadram Pashyema – Akshabhir- Yajatrah
Sthirairangais – Tushtuvam – Sastanubhih
Vyashema Deavahitam Yadayuh
Swasti Na Indro Vriddhashravah
Swasti Nah Pusha Visvavedah
Swasti Nah Tarkshyo Arishtanemih
Swasti No Brhaspatirdadhatu
Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih.
Good is one thing and pleasant is quite another thing. These two, prompt entirely different courses of action from us. They also yield different end results. In life we face this choice very often. The wise having examined both distinguish one from the other. With great care the wise man selects the good to the pleasant.
The foolish driven by greed and desires opt for the pleasant. The Katha Upanishad presents a discussion on this topic in the form of a dialog between the King of Death and a young sage Nachiketa.
To enable us make wise choices as we sail through our lives, we require a firm control on our Indriyas. This mantra is a prayer seeking Divine help in choosing the right from the wrong.
Meaning of the mantra
The meaning of the mantra is given below –
Om. O worshipful ones (Devatas) may our ears hear what is auspicious. May we, who are proficient in the Yagna karmas, see what is auspicious. May we sing your praise, and live our allotted span of life in perfect health and strength.
May Indra extolled in the scriptures by ancient teachers, the all-knowing Pushan (Surya, the Sun), Tarkshya (Garuda, Lord Vishnu’s mount) who saves us from all harm, Brhaspati who protects our spiritual lustre, vouchsafe prosperity in our study of the scriptures and practice of truths contained therein.
OM Shantih, Shantih, Shantih
Shanti Mantra – 4
Om Tacham yoraavrnimahe, Gaatum yagnayaa
Gaatum Yagna pataye Daivee svastirastu nah
Svastirmaanushebhyaha Oordvam jigaatu bheshajam
Sham no astu dvipade sham chatushpade
Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih
Sages from the Vedic times treated life like a great Yagna. This is a prayer for the successful completion of this Yagna. Every created object is for this Yagna. This prayer is for the well-being of all of them.
We pray and worship the Supreme for the welfare of all. We pray for the successful completion of this Yagna. We pray for the welfare of those performing the Yagna. May the Devatas do well to us (svastih astu) and for the whole of mankind.
May the trees and plants (bheshajam) grow up to be tall (oordvam jigatu). May the welfare of bipeds (dvipade; – two-footed animals) be taken care of and they are happy. May the welfare of quadrupeds (chatushpade; four – footed animals) living with us in this world be taken care of.
Shanti Mantra – 5
Om Poornamadah Poornamidam Poornat Poornamudachyate
Poornasya Poornamadaya Poornamevavasishyate
Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih
This verse serves as the Shanti mantra for two Upanishads – the Brihadaranyaka and Isaavaasya Upanishad.
All living beings, both movable and immovable, came out of the Supreme Being. He, who sees all beings in the Supreme Self, and the Supreme Being in all beings, hates no one. Hence loving the Prakruti and other Jivas in this world is as good as loving the Supreme Being.
Adah – The Supreme Being, Brahman
Poornam – is whole; complete; Full
Idam – This Prakruti
Poornam – is whole; complete; Full
Poornath – From completeness (from Supreme Being)
Poornam – completeness (Prakruti which is complete)
Udachyate – comes-forth
Poornasya – From completeness
Poornam – completeness
Aadaya – taken away
Poornam eva – completeness alone
avasishyate – remains
When translated –
- That is whole; this is whole;
- From that whole this whole came
- From that whole, if this whole is removed
- What remains is a whole
The meaning is – The Brahman is full – complete. The whole Prakruti is also full – complete. From that Brahman, who is complete, has come this world of beings, Prakruti. However, from that full (Brahman) when this full (Prakruti) is taken out – what remains is still full.
Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih
These Shruti mantras are short and profound. Incidentally, for those who are mathematically inclined, this verse also serves as a definition for Infinity.
Shanti Mantra – 6
Asato maa sadgamaya
Tamaso maa jyotir gamaya
Mrityormaa amritangamaya
Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih
Asato maa sadgamaya – Asat refers to Unreal, non-existence, untruth, ignorance
Tamaso maa jyotir gamaya –
- Tamasaha refers to – darkness or ignorance;
- Maa refers to me ;
- Jyotihi refers to light or enlightenment;
- Gamayahameans lead me.
- The meaning of this stanza is – Lead me from the darkness of ignorance to a state of enlightenment
Mrityor maa amritam gamaya
Mrtyoha refers to – death; Maa refers to me ; Amritam means immortality; Gamayaha means lead me.
The meaning of this stanza is –
- Lead me from death to immortality
- Lead me from the unreal to the real
- Lead me from darkness to light
- Lead me from death to immortality
This is a prayer for the Sadhak whose sights are clearly set at higher levels, who is seeking enlightenment, and who wants to escape from the bondage of Samsara.
