Shanti Mantras - "Peace Mantras"

A shanti mantra may be chanted at the beginning or the end of a class or a Veda chant. For example, each Upanishad has an associated shanti mantra.

To bring peace, shanti is repeated three times at the end of the mantra. Why three times? Because there are three sources of disturbance to peace:
	Coming from our own body and mind. For freedom from this source of disturbance we chant the first "shanti".
	Coming from the earth, from anything elemental or material outside of ourselves. This includes the environment -- everything from the physical environment (such as the weather or climate) to the political environment. For freedom from this source of disturbance we again chant "shanti".
	Coming from beyond the earth, such as from spiritual factors, including our own karma. For freedom from this source of disturbance we chant a final "shanti".

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"Shanti Mantras Chant with Sree Aswath"

We made this audio CD for you to learn to chant six shanti mantras, just as you would learn in class.

To begin with, Sree Aswath chants a short phrase slowly then you chant it twice, along with the class. You can follow along with the text, given in Sanskrit and in English letters. Or you can just repeat by hearing.

As you become more proficient, you will be ready for the next step of chanting longer phrases more rapidly, again with two repetitions. Then when you become comfortable with this, you are ready to chant along with the class in unison.

Sample audio available - Veda Chant Sample

Out of many shanti mantras, Sree Aswath selected these six as especially suitable for students beginning to learn Veda chant. We chant these at the start of each class. It is inspiring that the young children who come to class with their parents soon join in perfectly and with gusto!

"Shanti Mantras Chant with Sree Aswath" is an excellent choice for beginning to learn Veda chant. There is some overlap of content since Bhadram Karnebhihi is the shanti mantra for Ganapati Atharvasirsham, Prunamadah is the shanti mantra for Ishavsya Upanishad and Sahanavavatu is the shanti mantra for Kena Upanishad. Teaching is at beginner, intermediate and final levels. The final versions are presented first on this CD, chanted in unison by the class. There is a booklet included, with the text in Sanskrit (Devnagari) and in English letters.

"Let us be together...", is a short mantra which is widely used. Its wording has universal appeal. It is often chanted in unison before a meal. It is the shanti mantra for numerous upanishads including:

It is also highly suitable for the beginning and ending of a class or workshop since it expresses the need for accord between teacher and student and says, "May our studies be brilliant!"

is found within Part 1 of the Taittiriiya Upanishad. It extolls the place of "OM" ("AMEN") and the value of knowledge and intellect. "Of immortal knowledge, O Lord, the bearer may I be..."

is from Rig Veda, the oldest of the Vedas. It is the shanti mantra for Aitareya Upanishad. It expresses a fervent dedication to knowledge and study. "O Self-Effugent One, Your Brilliant Self to me reveal..." It ends with a heartfelt prayer for protection -- for the self and even more so for the teacher.

is from the Sama Veda, the Veda of Hymns. It begins with basic things, "May you make vigorous my limbs..." It concludes with the highest of visions: "That which in the Atman is delighted and the from-Upanishad true-dharmas, may they in me be, may they in me be."

is the mantra which Sree Aswath recommends chanting at the beginning of each day, asking that on this day we might hear what is auspicious and see what is auspicious. It is the shanti mantra for

is a short mantra, yet conveys in simple language great philosophical depths. "Out of the Whole, the Whole becomes manifest..." This beloved and widely-known mantra serves as the shanti mantra for

The booklet accompanying this audio CD includes the text of the mantras in Sanskrit and in English letters as well as a fresh English translation of each mantra. (The excerpts above are from this new translation.) This is a "literal" translation, which means that word order sometimes deliberately departs from usual English word order. This is done to highlight the meaning of the Sanskrit words themselves, which are straight-forward and powerful.

See larger picture of cover and back of the booklet.