Bharat Devotion

Embroidered artwork for The Shanti Mantra for Mutual Protection and Harmony: Embroidered Om symbol above a brass diya, marigolds and a temple spire at sunrise

The Shanti Mantra for Mutual Protection and Harmony

The Upanishadic peace prayer 'Saha navavatu': teacher and student ask together for protection, nourishment, vigour and freedom from hatred.

Verses

Om Saha Naavavatu Saha Nau Bhunaktu Saha Veeryam Karavaavahai Tejasvi Naavadheetamastu Maa Vidvishaavahai Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih

Om. May He protect us both together. May He nourish us both together. May we work together with great vigor. May our study be brilliant and fruitful. May we not hate or oppose each other. Om. Peace, peace, peace.

Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)

Auspicious Day

Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)

Best Time (Muhurta)

Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)

Sacred Offerings

Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering

Spiritual Benefits (Phalashruti)

Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home

Background

This peace chant is recited by teacher and student together before study. In the Krishna Yajurveda it stands at the head of the Taittiriya Upanishad's Brahmananda Valli (2.1) and Bhrigu Valli (3.1) and is repeated at the end of the Brahmananda Valli. The Katha Upanishad, another Krishna Yajurveda text, is framed by the same words, the closing form being numbered 2.3.19 in Shankara's commentary edition.

Did You Know?

Two Upanishads

The same words open the Brahmananda Valli and Bhrigu Valli of the Taittiriya Upanishad and frame the Katha Upanishad, both of the Krishna Yajurveda, so a learner meets this prayer again at the start of each study.

Word by Word

Saha navavatu, may He protect us both; saha nau bhunaktu, may He nourish us both; saha viryam karavavahai, may we work with vigour together; tejasvi navadhitam astu, may our study be radiant; ma vidvishavahai, may we never hate each other.

A Prayer for Two

Nau and the verb endings in -avahai are dual forms. The prayer is spoken by two people, teacher and disciple, asking that learning be shared and that no resentment arise between them.

Threefold Peace

Shantih is chanted three times to quiet obstacles that come from oneself, from other beings, and from nature or the divine.

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Connected Teachings

The same teaching, echoed across traditions

HinduismAsato Ma: The Invocation from Darkness to Light HinduismMay All Be Happy: A Universal Prayer for Peace HinduismGayatri Mantra HinduismMandukya Upanishad