Shanti Mantra - Peace invocation

This is the text of the invocation we chant together at the beginning of each yoga class. Even if you prefer not to chant it out loud, get acquainted with it's meaning and honour it in your practice.

Namaste
Susan

Om Saha Naavavatu

Om. May God protect each of us

Saha Nau Bhunaktu

May he accept and nourish us

Saha Veeryam Karavavahai

May our work be of mutual benefit

(veeryam = work together with great vigour)

Tejas vinavadhee tamastu

Let our learning shine brightly, and spread out around us

Ma Vidvishavahai

Let there be no discord amongst us

Om Shanti Shanti Shantih

Om Peace Peace Peace

The prayer comes from the peace invocations (Shanti Path) of the Upanishads, which are ancient Indian scriptures which form the basis for a spiritual practice which aspires to inner peace. It emphasises the importance of a fruitful relationship between the teacher and the students.

The invocation of Shanti (peace) at the end of the Mantra (prayer) refers to the desire to overcome the misery from three sources:

1) from a higher power or destiny;

2) from the material world surrounding us (group consciousness); and

3) from the internal world or individual consciousness