Peace Mantra – Universal Prayer
The “Sahanavavatu mantra” is one of the shaanti (peace) mantras which has its origins in the Taittiriya Upanisad. This mantra is often used as a “universal” prayer, to send the message of peace and prosperity. The mantra may also be used to invoke God’s blessings for harmony amongst teacher(s) and student(s).
AUM saha navavatu, saha nau bhunaktu
Saha veeryam karvaavahai
Tejasvi naa vadhita mastu
maa vid vishaava hai
AUM shaantih, shaantih, shaantih.
Meaning of the Sahanavavatu Mantra
Let us together (-saha) be protected (-na vavatu) and let us together be nourished (-bhunaktu) by God’s blessings.
Let us together join our mental forces in strength (-veeryam) for the benefit of humanity (-karvaa vahai).
Let our efforts at learning be luminous (-tejasvi) and filled with joy, and endowed with the force of purpose (-vadhita mastu).
Let us never (-maa) be poisoned (-vishaa) with the seeds of hatred for anyone. Let there be peace and serenity (-shaantih) in all the three universes.
This mantra highlights the nature of the teacher-student relationship that produces ideal results for the student. The transference of mental, spiritual and intellectual energies from the teacher to the student can be achieved through a mutually nourishing relationship which is based on (mutual) respect, joy (of giving and receiving), and absence of malice or negative thoughts.
The transliterated version of the Sahanavavatu mantra is now presented. This transliteration is based on itrans.
AUM sah nAvavatu sah nau bhunaktu
sah vIry.n karvAvahai.
tejasvi nAvadhItamastu
mA vidviShAvahai..
AUM shAntiH shAntiH shAntiH..
Sanskrit Version of the Sahanavavatu Mantra
The Sanskrit version of the Sahanavavatu mantra, as produced from the itrans transliteration given above, is
