As the name suggests, Shanti Mantra is recited to attain inner as well as outer peace. It calms the mind of the individual who recites it and also makes his/her surroundings pleasant and peaceful.
Peace is a state of mind that can be achieved by getting rid of the anxieties that develop from the uncertainty of the events that unfold around us. It comes to you when you learn to let go of the things that create problems in your life. By clinging to things that do not make a difference in the long run, you will find it very difficult to maintain peace and harmony in your life.
Chanting Shanti Mantra is said to bring peace on the physical, emotional and spiritual level. It brings peace to the universe and calms the senses of the reciter. This mantra is chanted before a Hindu ritual to bring cosmic peace to the entire world.
The origins of the Shanti Mantra can be found in the ancient Vedic texts such as the Upanishads. According to them, every soul that has entered the human world is in search of peace and therefore, the Shanti Mantra acts as a medium of achieving peace. By chanting the mantra with a pure heart and utmost devotion, you get transported to a state of meditation that brings peace to your mind, body and soul and helps you lead a blissful life.
The best time to chant the Shanti Mantra is the early morning hours (6am - 8am). It is beneficial to meditate for some time before starting the chanting as it may infuse positivity in your being and relax your mind and body.
The term Shanti is often chanted three times at the end of a Shanti Mantra. This is not done to emphasise upon the term but to pacify the three types of disturbances that create hindrances in the smooth functioning of life. These three categories of disturbances are:
Adhi-daivikam - The natural disasters that are created by God such as tsunami, hurricanes etc. These disturbances are beyond any human control and hamper our mental peace.
Adhi-bhautikam - The problems that are created by the world around us such as family discord, arguments with neighbours, etc. that trouble us deeply. These disturbances can be controlled to some extent by ignoring the petty matters that interrupt our peaceful existence.
Adhyatmikam - These are the most powerful disturbances that stem from our own selves and are completely in our control. By developing patience and will power, we can get rid of these disturbances and lead a happy and peaceful life.
Thus, the three-times usage of the word ‘Shanti’ is to pacify the disturbances created by God/nature, the world we live in, and our inner self. By chanting the Shanti Mantra with immense faith and devotion, you can get rid of these interruptions and achieve complete peace.
“Om Dyauh Shaantir-Antarikssam Shaantih
Prthivii Shaantir-Aapah Shaantir-Ossadhayah Shaantih |
Vanaspatayah Shaantir-Vishve-Devaah Shaantir-Brahma Shaantih
Sarvam Shaantih Shaantireva Shaantih Saa Maa Shaantir-Edhi |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||”
Shanti Mantra in Sanskrit
“ॐ द्यौः शान्तिरन्तरिक्षं शान्तिः
पृथिवी शान्तिरापः शान्तिरोषधयः शान्तिः ।
वनस्पतयः शान्तिर्विश्वेदेवाः शान्तिर्ब्रह्म शान्तिः
सर्वं शान्तिः शान्तिरेव शान्तिः सा मा शान्तिरेधि ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥”
This mantra is recited to attain universal peace. It is also used for meditation and is therefore known as the Shanti Paath Mantra. By chanting this mantra one prays to the divine cosmic powers to bestow peace upon every entity in the universe - be it the sky, the earth, trees, the herbs - it brings peace to everyone. The mantra literally translates as:
“Let peace be upon the immense sky that covers us and the vast ethereal space that fills the universe,
Let peace rule over the entire earth, the water bodies and all the forests with its trees, herbs and creepers,
Let peace be upon the endless universe that holds us,
Let peace be upon the Divine Power that defines our fates and the Brahma who led to our creation,
Let peace be upon every particle that forms a part of this wide universe,
Om, bestow peace upon all beings, bestow peace upon the world, bestow peace upon me.”
Benefit of Shanti Mantra
Chanting Shanti Mantra invokes the Supreme Power to bestow peace upon the entire mankind. It promotes unity as we seek peace not just for ourselves but for every entity that forms a part of the universe and this brings us closer to our fellow human beings as well as the vast nature that surrounds us.
The other benefits of Shanti Mantra are:
By reciting the Shanti Mantra, you can clean your aura and infuse positivity into your being in order to get rid of the negativities of your mind, body and soul.
It can remove the obstacles that hinder your path to success.
It makes you more compassionate towards the other living beings and helps you develop a humanitarian attitude.
Shanti Mantra can help you get rid of the stress that creates numerous troubles in your life and elevates your spiritual level.
Regular chanting of this mantra can provide relaxation to the mind, rejuvenation to the body and solace to the soul.
It helps one lead a life filled with happiness, contentment and peace.
