Shanti Mantras

[Kali_Upasaka 1]

The Shanti Mantras or "Peace Mantras" are Hindu prayers for peace (Shanti) from the Vedas. Generally they are recited at the beginning and end of religious rituals and discourses.

 

Shanti Mantras are found in Upanishads, where they are invoked in the beginning of some topics of Upanishads. They are supposed to calm the mind of reciter and environment around him/her. Reciting them is also believed to be removing any obstacles for the task being started.

 

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and Ishavasya Upanishad

 

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम् पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते |

पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ||

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ||

 

Oum poorNamadaH poorNamidam poorNaat poorNamudachyate,

poorNasya poorNamaadaaya poorNamevaavaSiShyate,

Oum SaantiH, SaantiH, SaantiH.

 

That is Absolute, This is Absolute, Absolute arises out of Absolute, If Absolute is taken away from Absolute, Absolute remains OM Peace, Peace, Peace.

 

Taittiriya Upanishad

 

ॐ शं नो मित्रः शं वरुणः । शं नो भवत्वर्यमा ।

शं न इन्द्रो ब्रिहस्पतिः । शं नो विष्णुरुरुक्रमः ।

नमो ब्रह्मणे । नमस्ते वायो । त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं भ्रह्मासि ।

त्वामेव प्रत्यक्षम् ब्रह्म वदिष्यामि ।

ॠतं वदिष्यामि । सत्यं वदिष्यामि ।

तन्मामवतु । तद्वक्तारमवतु । अवतु माम् । अवतु वक्तारम् ।

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

 

Om sham no mitra sham varunah, sham no bhavatvaryamaa,

Sham na indro brihaspatih, sham no vishnururu kramah,

Namo brahmane, namaste vaayo, tvameva pratyaksham brahmaasi,

Tvaameva pratyaksham brahma vadishyaami,

Ritam vadishyaami, satyam vadishyaami,

Tan maam avatu, tad vaktaaram avatu, avatu maam, avatu vaktaaram,

Om shaantih shaantih shaantih

 

OM may Mitra do good to us, may Varuna do good to us, may Aryama do good to us, may Indra do good to us, may Brihaspati do good to us, may Vishnu-who has vast coverage-do good to us, (I) Salute O Brahma!, salutes to you O Vayu!, Only you (Vayu) are the visible Brahman. I say Only you (Vayu) are the visible Brahman, I say rta ( divine law ), I say truth, may that (truth) protect me, may that (truth) protect teacher, may it protect me, may it protect teacher, OM Peace, Peace, Peace.