Shanti Mantra - Om Saha Navavatu
oṃ saha nāvavatu | saha nau bhunaktu | saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai | tejasvi nāvadhītamastu | mā vidviṣāvahai | oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ||
Om! May He protect us both. May He nourish us both. May we work together with great energy. May our study be brilliant. May we not hate each other. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
oṃ saha nāvavatu | saha nau bhunaktu | saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai | tejasvi nāvadhītamastu | mā vidviṣāvahai | oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ||
Om! May He protect us both. May He nourish us both. May we work together with great energy. May our study be brilliant. May we not hate each other. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
Word by Word
Meaning
The “Om Saha Navavatu” Shanti Mantra is from the Taittiriya Upanishad. It is recited by both teacher and student at the beginning and end of a study session. This mantra is a prayer for harmony, cooperation, and mutual growth between guru and disciple.
Complete meaning: “Om! May He (Brahman) protect us both together. May He nourish us both together. May we both work together with great energy. May our study be brilliant and effective. May we not hate each other. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.”
Benefits
- Knowledge acquisition: Grants concentration and success in studies
- Teacher-student harmony: Enhances goodwill between guru and disciple
- Mental peace: Peace from all three types of suffering (divine, physical, spiritual)
- Intellectual growth: Increases the capacity to absorb knowledge
- Negativity removal: Freedom from jealousy and hatred
How to Chant
- Recite this mantra at the beginning of any study or learning session
- Both teacher and student should chant this mantra together
- Include it in morning prayers
- This mantra holds special significance on Guru Purnima
- “Shanti” is said three times - for peace from the three types of suffering (adhibhautika, adhidaivika, adhyatmika)