Invocation: Katha Upanishad

(Shanti-Path- also known as Peace Chant)

Prayer Mantra:

Saha na vavatu

Saha nau bhunak-tu

Saha viryam kara-vavahai

Tejasvi-na-vadhita-mastu

Ma vidvisha-vahai

Om Shantih Shantih Shantih

Meaning:

May Brahman (Lord, the Indefinable) protect us (the teacher and the student).

May Brahman enable us to share the benefits of the learning equally.

May we be equally strong to grasp the meaning of the learning.

May the learning be equally fruitful to us

May we never be jealous of each other.

Om Peace (for oneself) Peace (for the environment) Peace (for the rest of the beings)

Thought:

This is a prayer mantra that is traditionally recited before taking up any group studies. Pursuit of knowledge has been given extremely high priority in Vedanta/ Hindu scriptures. Freedom of thinking is at the bedrock of Hindu tradition. In Gayatri Mantra, for example, the striver (devotee) asks for knowledge, and nothing else. The present Peace chant elucidates the environment that is favorable for the transmission of knowledge. Whether it is a secular teaching in a college or spiritual teaching in a monastery, both the teacher and the students have to cultivate humility to create an environment where knowledge can flow unhindered. Here both the teacher and the students pray that such conditions are granted (by the Lord).

This prayer mantra can be recited at home by parents and children together before any study session.