Shanti mantra: 6 peace mantras with meaning
The Shanti mantras for peace: Om Dyauh Shanti, Om Saha Navavatu, Om Purnamadah, Asato Ma Sadgamaya and more, in Devanagari with transliteration and meaning.
A Shanti mantra is a prayer for peace that ends with "Om Shanti Shanti Shantih". The best known are Om Saha Navavatu, Om Purnamadah, Asato Ma Sadgamaya and the Shanti Path ("Om Dyauh Shantih"), all from the Vedas and Upanishads. They are chanted at the start or end of study, puja, yoga and ceremonies, and at home whenever you want a calmer mind and a calmer house.
Shanti is said three times for a reason. Traditionally the three are for peace from troubles within ourselves, from the world around us, and from forces beyond our control.
Six Shanti mantras
Shanti Path (Om Dyauh Shantih)
ॐ द्यौः शान्तिर् अन्तरिक्षं शान्तिः। पृथिवी शान्तिर् आपः शान्तिर् औषधयः शान्तिः। Om Dyauh Shantir Antariksham Shantih, Prithivi Shantir Aapah Shantir Aushadhayah Shantih
"Peace to the sky, peace to the space between, peace to the earth, to the waters, to the healing plants." From the Shukla Yajurveda, it goes on to ask for peace for the trees, for all the gods, for everything, and finally "may that peace come to me". It is the Shanti Path chanted at the close of most Hindu ceremonies. Listen on Mahakatha.
Om Saha Navavatu
ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥ Om Saha Navavatu, Saha Nau Bhunaktu, Saha Viryam Karavavahai, Tejasvi Navadhitamastu, Ma Vidvishavahai, Om Shantih Shantih Shantih
"May we be protected together, nourished together, may we work together with strength. May our learning be bright, and may there be no ill will between us." From the Taittiriya and Katha Upanishads, chanted by teacher and student before study, and today at the start of many yoga classes. Listen on Mahakatha.
Om Purnamadah
ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः Om Purnamadah Purnamidam, Purnat Purnamudachyate, Purnasya Purnamadaya, Purnamevavashishyate, Om Shantih Shantih Shantih
"That is whole, this is whole. From the whole, the whole arises. Take the whole from the whole, and the whole remains." The opening of the Isha Upanishad. It is chanted for calm in emotional turmoil, a reminder that nothing essential is lost. Listen on Mahakatha.
Asato Ma Sadgamaya
असतो मा सद्गमय। तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय। मृत्योर्मा अमृतम्गमय। ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥ Asato Ma Sadgamaya, Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya, Mrityor Ma Amritamgamaya, Om Shantih Shantih Shantih
"Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, from death to immortality." From the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, one of the most loved prayers in India, chanted for clarity and freedom from fear. Listen on Mahakatha.
Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu
सर्वेषां स्वस्तिर्भवतु। सर्वेषां शान्तिर्भवतु। सर्वेषां पूर्णं भवतु। सर्वेषां मङ्गलं भवतु। ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥ Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu, Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu, Sarvesham Purnam Bhavatu, Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu, Om Shantih Shantih Shantih
"May there be well-being in all, peace in all, fullness in all, auspiciousness in all." A simple, beautiful prayer for everyone, chanted for hope and well-being for all. Listen on Mahakatha.
Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः । सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत् । Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah, Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, Ma Kashchid Duhkha Bhag Bhavet
"May all be happy, may all be free from illness, may all see what is good, may no one suffer." Often chanted at the close of yoga or puja, for love, compassion and peace. Listen on Mahakatha.
Shanti mantras for the home
For peace in a house, the tradition is simple:
- Choose a regular time, such as after the evening lamp is lit.
- Gather whoever is home, even if it is just you. Sit together quietly for a moment.
- Chant one Shanti mantra three times. The Shanti Path or Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu are good for a family because they ask for peace for everyone, not just ourselves.
- End with "Om Shanti Shanti Shantih" and a minute of silence.
Leaving peaceful chanting playing softly at home is also a long tradition. Mahakatha Radio plays Shanti mantras, Om chants and Shiva mantras like these, day and night, free and without ads. For long, quiet Om, see Om meditation music.
For a personal practice, see mantras for meditation and mantras for sleep. If worry is heavy right now, our page on mantras for anxiety may help. Mantras support calm; they are not a replacement for a doctor or therapist when you need one.
If someone you love needs peace, you can offer a prayer for them. It is read aloud on air at 7:00 am or 7:00 pm India time, followed by a mantra chosen for them.
Questions people ask
What are the Shanti mantras?
Shanti mantras are Vedic and Upanishadic prayers for peace that end with "Om Shanti Shanti Shantih". The best known are Om Saha Navavatu, Om Purnamadah, Asato Ma Sadgamaya and the Shanti Path, Om Dyauh Shantih.
What are the 10 Shanti mantras?
Each Upanishad traditionally opens with the Shanti mantra of its Veda, so lists of "ten" usually follow the ten principal Upanishads, with some mantras shared between them. Om Saha Navavatu, Om Purnamadah and Asato Ma Sadgamaya are among them. Six of the most widely chanted are on this page.
What is the mantra for Om Shanti?
"Om Shanti Shanti Shantih" is itself the closing of every Shanti mantra. Chanted on its own it is a short prayer for peace, three times over: within, around and beyond us.
What is the mantra for shanti in a house?
The Shanti Path (Om Dyauh Shantih) and Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu are traditionally chanted for peace in a home, ideally together as a family, at a regular time such as evening lamp-lighting.
What are the 7 most powerful mantras?
Lists vary, but most include Om, the Gayatri Mantra, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, Om Namah Shivaya, Om Gan Ganapataye Namah, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya and the Hare Krishna mantra. For peace, add a Shanti mantra.
Why is Shanti said three times?
Traditionally, for peace from three kinds of trouble: those that arise within us, those that come from the world and other beings, and those that come from nature and forces beyond our control.