Shanti Mantra (Universal Peace) (शान्ति मन्त्र) · Vedic Hymns

§ 01

Origin & Tradition

About this mantra

The universal peace mantra: 'Om Dyauh Shantir Antariksham Shantih, Prithvi Shantir Apah Shantir, Oshadhayah Shantih, Vanaspatayah Shantih, Vishvedevah Shantir Brahma Shantih, Sarvam Shantih, Shantir Eva Shantih, Sa Ma Shantir Edhi. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.' Chanted for peace in all realms, for harmony in creation, and for the blessing of universal peace.

§ 02

The Sacred Sound

Mantra in Sanskrit

ॐ द्यौः शान्तिरन्तरिक्षं शान्तिः पृथिवी शान्तिरापः शान्तिरोषधयः शान्तिः वनस्पतयः शान्तिः विश्वेदेवाः शान्तिर्ब्रह्म शान्तिः सर्वं शान्तिः शान्तिरेव शान्तिः सा मा शान्तिरेधि । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः

Oṁ dyauḥ śāntir antarikṣaṃ śāntiḥ pṛthivī śāntir āpaḥ śāntir oṣadhayaḥ śāntiḥ vanaspatayaḥ śāntiḥ viśvedevāḥ śāntir brahma śāntiḥ sarvaṃ śāntiḥ śāntir eva śāntiḥ sā mā śāntir edhi. Oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ

§ 03

Meaning & Word Analysis

What the words convey

Om. Peace in the heavens, peace in the atmosphere, peace on earth, peace in the waters, peace in the herbs, peace in the trees, peace in all the gods, peace in Brahman, peace in everything, peace alone is peace, may that peace be with me. Om peace, peace, peace.

Oṁ

Primordial cosmic sound.

dyauḥ

Heaven, celestial realm.

śāntiḥ

Peace, tranquility.

antarikṣam

Atmosphere, intermediate space.

pṛthivī

Earth.

āpaḥ

Waters.

oṣadhayaḥ

Herbs, plants.

vanaspatayaḥ

Trees, forests.

viśvedevāḥ

All the gods (collectively).

brahma

The Absolute, Brahman.

sarvam

Everything, all.

eva

Indeed, only.

§ 05

Benefits & Purpose

Why this mantra is chanted

Universal Harmony

Invokes peace in all realms of existence.

Mental Calm

Calms the mind and reduces anxiety.

Environmental Peace

Promotes harmony in nature and surroundings.

Spiritual Upliftment

Connects the chanter with cosmic peace.

§ 06

How to Chant

Method & traditional guidance

Count

3 or 108 times

Best time

Any time, especially at dawn or dusk

Facing

East or North

Posture

Sitting comfortably, hands in prayer pose

Duration

As desired

Notes

Often chanted at the beginning or end of Vedic rituals.

§ 07

Sources

Where this mantra appears

Yajurveda

The mantra appears in the Taittirīya Saṃhitā and other recensions.

c. 1200-800 BCE

Upanishads

Similar peace invocations are found in various Upaniṣads.

c. 800-200 BCE

§ 08

Associated Deity

Mantra-devatā

ॐ

Brahman (Universal Consciousness) ब्रह्म

The mantra invokes peace from the ultimate reality.

§ 09

Related Mantras

Continue your practice

ॐ

Concluding peace chant for any ritual.

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

ॐ

Various peace invocations for specific contexts.

Shanti Patha (from Upanishads)

Shanti Mantra (Universal Peace)