Why do we say Shaanti thrice?

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Shaanti, meaning 'peace', is a natural state of being. Disturbances are created

either by others or us. For example, peace already exists in a place until

someone male noise. Therefore, peace underlies all our agitations. When

agitations end, peace is naturally experienced since it is already there. Where

there is peace, there is happiness. Therefore, everyone without exception

desires peace in his/her life. However, peace within or without seems very hard

to attain because it is covered by our own agitations. A rare few manage to

remain peaceful within even in the midst of external agitation and troubles. To

invoke peace, we chant prayers. By chanting prayers, troubles end and peace is

experienced internally, irrespective of the external disturbances. All such

prayers end by the chanting shaanti thrice.

 

It is believed that trivaram satyam - that which is said thrice comes true. For

emphasizing a point we repeat a thing thrice. In the court of law also, on who

takes the witness stand says, " I shall speak the truth, the whole truth and

nothing but the truth " . We chant shaanti thrice to emphasize our intense desire

for peace.

 

All obstacles, problems and sorrows originate three sources:

 

Aadhidaivika: The unseen divine forces over which we have little or no control

like earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions etc.

Aadhibautika: the known factors around us like accidents, human contacts,

pollution, crime etc.

Aadhyaatmika: Problems of our bodies and minds like diseases, anger,

frustrations etc.

 

We sincerely pray to the Lord that at least while we undertake special tasks or

even in our daily lives, there are no problems or that, problems are minimized

from the three sources written about above. May peace alone prevail. Hence

shaanti is chanted thrice.

 

It is chanted aloud the first time, addressing the unseen forces. It is chanted

softer the second time, directed to our immediate surroundings and those around,

and softest the last time as it is addressed to oneself.