Shanti Suktas

Various Upanishads & Vedas • Verse 1

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Shanti Suktas

The Shanti Suktas are peace invocations that traditionally open and close Vedic study. They invoke peace (śānti) at all levels of existence, personal, communal, cosmic, and beyond. These prayers have been recited for millennia to create a sacred atmosphere for learning and to extend blessings to all beings.

Used in: Opening Vedic study, Closing Vedic study, Meditation sessions, Yoga classes, Prayers and pujas, Peace ceremonies, Daily practice

Verse 1Famous

beginner

ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

oṃ saha nāvavatu | saha nau bhunaktu | saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai | tejasvi nāvadhītam astu mā vidviṣāvahai | oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ||

“Om. May we both be protected. May we both be nourished. May we work together with great energy. May our study be brilliant and effective. May we not hate each other. Om, peace, peace, peace.”

What This Means:

This prayer is recited together by teacher and student before study. It asks for mutual protection, nourishment, and energy. It prays that learning be powerful (tejasvī) and that no hatred arise between teacher and student. The three "śāntiḥ" invoke peace.

Going Deeper:

The dual forms ("nau" = both of us, "āvahai" = let us both) emphasize that learning is relationship. Knowledge flows when teacher and student are unified. "Mā vidviṣāvahai" (may we not hate) addresses the ego conflicts that can arise in teaching.

How To Apply This:

Before any learning or collaboration, invoke protection and harmony. Recognize that education is mutual, teachers learn from students too. Guard against ego and competition in knowledge exchange.

Key Sanskrit Terms:

nau= both of usbhunaktu= may nourish, may enjoyvīrya= vigor, energy, strengthtejasvī= brilliant, powerfulśānti= peace

#teacher-student#mutual learning#protection#peace

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All 10 verses of the Shanti Suktas

Shanti Suktas

Various Upanishads & Vedas • Verse 1

1 / 10

Shanti Suktas

Used in: Opening Vedic study, Closing Vedic study, Meditation sessions, Yoga classes, Prayers and pujas, Peace ceremonies, Daily practice

Verse 1Famous

beginner

oṃ saha nāvavatu | saha nau bhunaktu | saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai | tejasvi nāvadhītam astu mā vidviṣāvahai | oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ||

“Om. May we both be protected. May we both be nourished. May we work together with great energy. May our study be brilliant and effective. May we not hate each other. Om, peace, peace, peace.”

What This Means:

Going Deeper:

How To Apply This:

Before any learning or collaboration, invoke protection and harmony. Recognize that education is mutual, teachers learn from students too. Guard against ego and competition in knowledge exchange.

Key Sanskrit Terms:

nau= both of usbhunaktu= may nourish, may enjoyvīrya= vigor, energy, strengthtejasvī= brilliant, powerfulśānti= peace

#teacher-student#mutual learning#protection#peace

← Back to All Vedic Hymns