ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Om Sahana Vavatu
Om Sa-ha-na-va-va-tu, Sa-ha Nau Bhu-nak-tu, Sa-ha Veer-yam Ka-ra-va-va-hai, Te-jas-vi Na-va-dhee-tam-as-tu, Ma Vid-vi-sha-va-hai
"May we be protected together, nourished together, and work together with vigor — may we never quarrel"
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Meaning & Translation
Sanskrit
ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Transliteration
Om Sa-ha-na-va-va-tu, Sa-ha Nau Bhu-nak-tu, Sa-ha Veer-yam Ka-ra-va-va-hai, Te-jas-vi Na-va-dhee-tam-as-tu, Ma Vid-vi-sha-va-hai
Pronunciation
ohm sah-hah-NAH-vah-vah-too, sah-hah now bhoo-NAHK-too, sah-hah VEER-yum kah-rah-VAH-vah-hay, tay-JAHS-vee nah-vah-DHEE-tahm-ah-stoo, mah vid-vee-SHAH-vah-hay, ohm SHAHN-tee SHAHN-tee SHAHN-tee
Full Translation
This shanti (peace) mantra is a prayer chanted jointly by teacher and student: "May we be protected together; may we be nourished together; may we work together with great energy; may our study be luminous; may there be no discord between us. Om peace, peace, peace." It sanctifies the shared journey of learning.
Spiritual Significance
The mantra frames learning as a sacred relationship rather than a transaction — knowledge flourishes only where teacher and student are in harmony. The threefold "shanti" at the end pacifies disturbance on three levels: from nature, from other beings, and from within oneself. It is traditionally chanted before study or spiritual discourse.
Cultural Context & History
It appears as the invocation to the Katha and Taittiriya Upanishads and remains the customary opening chant of Vedanta classes and yoga teacher trainings worldwide. Deva Premal & Miten with Manose recorded it on "Mantras for Life" (2014).
Terms in the Glossary
Words from this page, explained in our A–Z reference.