The desire for peace is one of the oldest and most universal human longings. In the Vedic tradition, this desire was not merely expressed — it was invoked. Shanti Mantras are sacred Sanskrit verses chanted to invite peace at every level of existence: within the body, within the mind, and across the world. They have been recited before Vedic study, during rituals, after yoga sessions, and at the close of prayer for thousands of years.
The word "Shanti" (शांति) comes from the Sanskrit root śam, meaning to be calm or to be at rest. It is not merely the absence of conflict — it refers to a deep, settled stillness that transcends circumstance. When you chant a Shanti Mantra, you are not asking for quiet. You are invoking a state of being.
This guide covers the most important Shanti Mantras — their Sanskrit lyrics, Hindi meaning, significance, how to chant them correctly, and when to use each one.
What Is a Shanti Mantra?
A Shanti Mantra is a Vedic invocation of peace drawn primarily from the Upanishads — the philosophical texts appended to the four Vedas. These mantras were traditionally chanted at the beginning and end of spiritual study sessions (adhyayana), religious rituals, and important ceremonies. Their purpose was practical: to calm the mind, remove inner and outer obstacles, and create the right inner state for learning or worship.
Nearly all Shanti Mantras share a structural feature — the word "Shanti" is repeated three times at the close: Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi. This triple repetition is deliberate. Each utterance addresses a different plane of disturbance:
| Repetition | Plane | Sanskrit Term | What It Addresses |
| First Shanti | Physical / External | Adhibhautika | Disturbances from the natural world — illness, weather, other people |
| Second Shanti | Divine / Cosmic | Adhidaivika | Disturbances from cosmic forces — planets, fate, unseen forces |
| Third Shanti | Internal / Self | Adhyatmika | Disturbances from within — the mind, ego, emotions |
Shanti Mantras are not prayers to a particular deity. They are invocations directed at the cosmos itself, acknowledging that true peace must be established at every level — not just the one we can see.
Popular Shanti Mantras
There are dozens of Shanti Mantras across the Vedic scriptures. Below are the most widely chanted — each with its complete Sanskrit text, Hindi meaning, and significance.
Om Shanti Mantra
The simplest and most universally recognized of all Shanti Mantras. "Om Shanti" has become both a greeting and a closing invocation in yoga, meditation, and spiritual gatherings worldwide.
OM SHANTI MANTRA
SANSKRIT
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः
Om Shāntiḥ Shāntiḥ Shāntiḥ
HINDI MEANING
ॐ शांति, शांति, शांति — शरीर में शांति, मन में शांति, आत्मा में शांति।
ENGLISH MEANING
Om peace, peace, peace — peace in the body, peace in the mind, peace in the soul.
"Om" represents the primordial sound of the universe — the syllable from which all creation is said to emerge. When "Om" is placed before "Shanti," it signals that the peace being invoked is not merely personal but universal. It connects the individual to the Supreme and reminds us that peace is not something to be acquired — it is our natural state, waiting to be uncovered.
In yoga classes, "Om Shanti" is used as a closing salutation. In meditation, it is used to settle the mind before going inward. In daily life, it can be spoken silently whenever you need to return to stillness.
Shanti Path Mantra (Om Dyauha Shanti Hi)
One of the most majestic Shanti Mantras — a cosmic blessing drawn from the Yajur Veda. Rather than praying for one person's peace, it invokes peace in every element of creation: sky, space, earth, water, plants, deities, and the absolute. Traditionally recited at the beginning and end of Vedic study and religious rituals.
SHANTI PATH — YAJUR VEDA
SANSKRIT
ॐ द्यौः शान्तिरन्तरिक्षं शान्तिः,
पृथिवी शान्तिरापः शान्तिरोषधयः शान्तिः।
वनस्पतयः शान्तिर्विश्वेदेवाः शान्तिर्ब्रह्म शान्तिः,
सर्वं शान्तिः, शान्तिरेव शान्तिः, सा मा शान्तिरेधि॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
Om Dyauḥ Śāntirantarikṣaṁ Śāntiḥ, Pṛthivī Śāntirāpaḥ Śāntiḥ,
Vanaspatayaḥ Śāntirvishvedevāḥ Śāntirbrahma Śāntiḥ,
Sarvaṁ Śāntiḥ, Śāntireva Śāntiḥ, Sā Mā Śāntiredhi,
Om Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ
HINDI MEANING
आकाश में शांति हो, अंतरिक्ष में शांति हो, पृथ्वी पर शांति हो, जल में शांति हो,
ओषधियों में शांति हो। वनस्पतियों में शांति हो, सभी देवताओं में शांति हो,
ब्रह्म में शांति हो, सब में शांति हो। वह शांति मुझमें स्थापित हो।
ॐ शांति, शांति, शांति।
ENGLISH MEANING
May there be peace in the sky, in outer space, on earth, in water, in plants.
May there be peace in trees, among all gods, in Brahman, in everything.
May peace, only peace, prevail. May that peace be established within me.
Om peace, peace, peace.
What makes this mantra remarkable is its breadth. It begins with the cosmos — sky, space, earth, water, plants — before arriving at the self. The understanding is that lasting inner peace is only possible when peace is first acknowledged in the world around us.
Asato Ma Sadgamaya
One of the most beloved mantras in the Vedic tradition, drawn from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. A prayer for guidance — from illusion to truth, from darkness to light, from the fear of death to the knowledge of immortality.
ASATO MA — BRIHADARANYAKA UPANISHAD
SANSKRIT
ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय।
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय।
मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
Om Asato Mā Sadgamaya, Tamaso Mā Jyotirgamaya,
Mṛtyormā Amṛtaṁ Gamaya, Om Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ
HINDI MEANING
हे प्रभु, मुझे असत्य से सत्य की ओर ले जाओ।
अंधकार से प्रकाश की ओर ले जाओ।
मृत्यु के भय से अमरत्व की ओर ले जाओ।
ॐ शांति, शांति, शांति।
ENGLISH MEANING
Lead me from the unreal to the real.
Lead me from darkness to light.
Lead me from the fear of death to the knowledge of immortality.
Om peace, peace, peace.
Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
This mantra from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is a universal prayer for the wellbeing of all living beings. It is one of the most widely known mantras in India, often chanted in group prayers and at the close of religious gatherings.
SARVE BHAVANTU SUKHINAH
SANSKRIT
सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः। सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु। मा कश्चिद् दुःखभाग्भवेत्॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaḥ, Sarve Santu Nirāmayāḥ,
Sarve Bhadrāṇi Paśyantu, Mā Kaścid Duḥkhabhāgbhavet,
Om Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ
HINDI MEANING
सभी सुखी हों। सभी रोगमुक्त हों।
सभी शुभ देखें। कोई भी दुःख का भागी न हो।
ॐ शांति, शांति, शांति।
ENGLISH MEANING
May all be happy. May all be free from illness.
May all see what is auspicious. May no one suffer.
Om peace, peace, peace.
Navgrah Shanti Mantra
The Navgrah Shanti Mantra is chanted to seek the blessings of the nine planetary deities — Sun (Surya), Moon (Chandra), Mars (Mangal), Mercury (Budh), Jupiter (Guru), Venus (Shukra), Saturn (Shani), Rahu, and Ketu. In Vedic astrology, these nine planets govern different aspects of human life. The mantra is recited to reduce malefic planetary effects and invite their combined grace.
NAVGRAH SHANTI MANTRA
SANSKRIT
ॐ ब्रह्मा मुरारिस्त्रिपुरान्तकारी,
भानुः शशी भूमिसुतो बुधश्च।
गुरुश्च शुक्रः शनिराहुकेतवः,
कुर्वन्तु सर्वे मम सुप्रभातम्॥
Om Brahmā Murāristripurāntakārī, Bhānuḥ Śaśī Bhūmisuto Budhaśca,
Guruśca Śukraḥ Śanirāhuketavaḥ, Kurvantu Sarve Mama Suprabhātam
HINDI MEANING
ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, शिव, सूर्य, चंद्र, मंगल, बुध, गुरु, शुक्र, शनि, राहु और केतु —
ये सभी मेरी सुबह को शुभ और मंगलमय बनाएं।
ENGLISH MEANING
May Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury,
Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu bless my morning and make my day auspicious.
Shanti Mantra Lyrics & Meaning — Quick Reference
Use this table as a daily reference. All key Shanti Mantras, their opening lines, and core meanings at a glance.
| Mantra | Opening Line (Sanskrit) | Hindi Meaning | Primary Purpose |
| Om Shanti | ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः | शरीर, मन और आत्मा में शांति हो | Universal peace; closing meditation |
| Shanti Path | ॐ द्यौः शान्तिरन्तरिक्षम्... | सृष्टि के सभी तत्वों में शांति हो | Cosmic peace; Vedic rituals |
| Asato Ma | ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय | असत्य से सत्य की ओर ले जाओ | Seeking truth; spiritual study |
| Sarve Bhavantu | सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः | सभी सुखी हों, सभी निरोगी हों | Wellbeing of all beings |
| Navgrah Shanti | ॐ ब्रह्मा मुरारिस्त्रिपुरान्तकारी | नवग्रहों का आशीर्वाद मांगना | Planetary blessings; morning prayer |
| Purnamadah | ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदम् | ब्रह्म पूर्ण है, सृष्टि भी पूर्ण है | Inner completeness; Isha Upanishad |
Shanti Mantra in Hindi
Shanti Mantras are composed in Sanskrit, but their meaning is most widely understood through Hindi. For devotees across India, hearing or reading the mantra in Hindi deepens the emotional connection to what is being chanted. Below is the Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah mantra — one of the most searched — presented in all three layers:
SARVE BHAVANTU — FULL TEXT IN SANSKRIT, HINDI & ENGLISH
SANSKRIT
सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः। सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु। मा कश्चिद् दुःखभाग्भवेत्॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah. Sarve Santu Niraamayaah.
Sarve Bhadraani Pashyantu. Maa Kashchid Dukh Bhaag Bhavet.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.
HINDI PRONUNCIATION & MEANING
उच्चारण: Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah. Sarve Santu Niraamayaah.
Sarve Bhadraani Pashyantu. Maa Kashchid Dukh Bhaag Bhavet.
अर्थ: सभी सुखी हों। सभी रोगमुक्त हों।
सभी शुभ देखें। कोई भी दुःख का भागी न हो।
ॐ शांति, शांति, शांति।
ENGLISH MEANING
May all be happy. May all be free from disease.
May all see what is auspicious. May none suffer.
Om peace, peace, peace.
When chanting in Hindi or following the Sanskrit text through Hindi, focus on the meaning of each line rather than just the sound. The Vedic tradition holds that a mantra is most powerful when the mind understands what it is invoking — a practice called arthabodha.
Types of Shanti Mantras
There are many Shanti Mantras across the Vedic scriptures, each serving a distinct purpose. Here is a comparison of the most important ones:
| Mantra | Source | Key Focus | When Chanted |
| Om Shanti | Upanishads | Personal & universal peace | Meditation, yoga, greetings |
| Shanti Path (Dyauha) | Yajur Veda | Peace in all elements of creation | Start/end of Vedic rituals |
| Sarve Bhavantu | Brihadaranyaka Upanishad | Wellbeing of all living beings | Group prayers, gatherings |
| Asato Ma | Brihadaranyaka Upanishad | From ignorance to truth/light | Before spiritual study |
| Navgrah Shanti | Jyotish/Vedic tradition | Planetary blessings | Navgrah puja, mornings |
| Udaka Shanti | Rigveda | Purification through consecrated water | Weddings, Griha Pravesh, rites |
| Dasha Shanti | Ten Upanishads | Complete peace across all planes | Vedic ceremonies (sequence of 10) |
About Udaka Shanti Mantras: "Udaka" means water. These are mantras from the Rigveda chanted over water to consecrate it for purification purposes. The water is then used during sacred ceremonies such as weddings (Vivah), housewarmings (Griha Pravesh), and birth rites. The Udaka Shanti ritual is believed to purify the environment and protect all present from negative influences.
How to Chant Shanti Mantra
Chanting a Shanti Mantra is a practice, not a performance. The goal is not perfect pronunciation from the first day — it is sincere, regular engagement with the meaning of the words. Here is how to begin:
1. Choose a peaceful place and time
Early morning — ideally between 4 AM and 6 AM (brahma muhurta) — is considered most conducive for mantra chanting. The mind is naturally calmer and distractions are minimal. A clean, dedicated corner of your home works well. Outdoors near nature is equally good.
2. Sit comfortably with a straight spine
Sit cross-legged on the floor (sukhasana or padmasana) or upright in a chair with your feet flat on the ground. Rest your hands on your knees, palms facing upward or in a mudra of your choice. Avoid lying down — the body associates horizontal positions with sleep, not alertness.
3. Settle the breath before beginning
Take three slow, deep breaths — inhaling through the nose, exhaling through the nose. Allow each exhalation to be slightly longer than the inhalation. This is not a breathing exercise; it is simply a signal to the nervous system that you are transitioning into a receptive state.
4. Chant clearly, slowly, and with meaning
Recite the mantra aloud or in a soft whisper. Do not rush. Attend each syllable. More importantly, hold the meaning of the words in your mind as you chant — this is what the Vedic tradition calls arthabodha (understanding the meaning), which amplifies the effect of the chanting.
5. Repeat a set number of times
Traditional practice suggests repeating a mantra 3, 11, 21, or 108 times. For beginners, 3 or 11 repetitions are ideal. A japa mala (a 108-bead rosary) can help you count without breaking concentration. The number matters less than the quality of attention you bring to each repetition.
6. Rest in silence after chanting
Do not immediately get up. Sit quietly for one to three minutes after completing your practice. This silence is not empty — it is the space into which the mantra has opened. Many practitioners find that this post-chanting stillness is the most valuable part of the practice.
Benefits of Shanti Mantra
The benefits of Shanti Mantra practice are the natural outcomes of a disciplined practice of focused attention, breath regulation, and intention-setting — combined with the vibrational quality of Sanskrit sound.
| Benefit | How It Works |
| Calms the mind | Regular chanting reduces mental restlessness. The repetitive rhythm gently draws the mind away from anxious thought patterns toward stillness. |
| Deepens meditation | Chanting Om Shanti before meditation prepares the mind to go inward. It acts as a transition ritual, signaling the shift from ordinary awareness to meditative attention. |
| Removes obstacles | Traditionally chanted before important tasks — rituals, study, ceremonies — to remove physical, divine, and internal disturbances before they can arise. |
| Creates a harmonious environment | Sanskrit sound vibrations are believed to purify the space in which they are chanted. Regular chanting at home can shift the atmosphere in subtle but perceptible ways. |
| Builds a spiritual routine | A consistent daily chanting practice, even just five minutes each morning, anchors the day in awareness and deepens one's connection with inner stillness over time. |
| Cultivates compassion | Mantras like Sarve Bhavantu — wishing happiness for all beings — actively cultivate goodwill toward others, which over time reshapes how we interact with the world. |
When Should You Chant Shanti Mantras?
Shanti Mantras are flexible. There is no single prescribed moment — though some occasions are more traditional than others:
| Time / Occasion | Recommended Mantra | Why It Works Here |
| Morning, upon waking | Navgrah Shanti or Om Shanti | Sets a peaceful intention for the day; aligns with brahma muhurta |
| Before meditation | Om Shanti or Asato Ma | Prepares the mind; creates a clear inner space for inward attention |
| Before/after yoga | Om Shanti (×3) | Standard closing in most yoga traditions; closes the practice with intention |
| Before Vedic study or important work | Shanti Path or Asato Ma | Traditional invocation to remove obstacles before learning or significant tasks |
| During puja or religious ceremony | Shanti Path or Dasha Shanti | Part of the standard ritual framework in Vedic ceremonies |
| During anxious or difficult moments | Om Shanti (×3, silently) | Even three silent repetitions can interrupt anxious thought and restore calm |
| Group prayers or community gathering | Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah | Universal in scope; appropriate when praying for the wellbeing of a community |
Conclusion
Shanti Mantras offer a simple yet profound way to bring the mind back to peace, awareness, and stillness. Rooted in the Vedic tradition, these chants are not only words to be recited but practices that invite us to pause, listen, and connect more deeply with ourselves and the world around us.
Whether you begin with a simple Om Shanti Shanti Shantih or gradually learn a longer Shanti Path, approach the practice with attention to pronunciation, meaning, and awareness. The depth of a mantra unfolds through regular practice and a genuine understanding of what we are chanting.
At Nirvana Yoga School, we encourage students to experience these traditional practices not simply as techniques, but as part of a deeper journey into yoga, meditation, mantra, and self-awareness. Even a few minutes of sincere chanting can become a meaningful part of your daily practice.
Start with one mantra. Learn it properly. Understand its meaning. Then return to it regularly and allow the practice to deepen naturally.
For devotional and informational purposes. Sanskrit texts are based on traditional Vedic scriptures and Upanishadic sources.