Two esoteric Shanthi Mantras

Two esoteric Shanthi Mantras

Introduction

There are 108 upanishads, out of which 10 are considered “major upanishads” and other 98 are considered minor.

In Vedic tradition, there are numerous shanthi-mantras which are chanted before reciting Vedic texts and also before initiating any action be it worldly or spiritual.

Chanting shanti mantra is primarily a “positive mental affirmation”. At a physical level it enables calmness to spread & composure brought in the action to be performed. At a psychological level, it turns our mind inwards and elevates our awareness. At a spiritual level, the deities of Veda are invoked and they move our consciousness closer to universal consciousness.

Shanti mantras recited before major Upanishads are very famous and are frequently chanted. For example, “Oṃ saha nāv avatu saha nau bhunaktu” is one of the famous shanti mantra attached to Taittiriya and Katha Upanishad. 

Apart from the shanti mantra attached to these major upanaishads, there are many others which are equally prominent for spiritual process.

Vedic Tribe is happy to bring you two such other shanthi mantras which hold wonderful spiritual treasure within them. Our intention is to create enough curiosity in you to study vedic literature and adopt them in your day-to-day life.

All the best

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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1. “Asato ma sad gamaya” from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

“Brihadaranyaka Upanishad” as the name suggests is the biggest upanishad in size. 

“Prana” is the vital force behind both our body and the cosmos (pindanda / brahmanda). It is the “guru” for all consciousness within the bounds of creation!

“Prana” is also called pavamana and soma.

The upanishad, while meditating upon “prana”, suggests making an elevated chant known as “pavamana abhyaroha”.

This chant is “asato ma sad gamaya, tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, mrtyor mamrtam gamaya”

It is a prayer to move from non-existence to existence; unreal to real; and from recurring death to eternity.

This shanthi mantra (especially when chanted in group) creates a tangible aura which results in physical wellbeing. It also enables a mental affirmation to move from negativity to positivity. Finally it invokes “prana” - the guru of all consciousness present in all of us as the vital life force.

We encourage you to chant this shanthi mantra daily along with others. Chant with as many people as possible and enjoy its fruits.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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2. “dyauḥ śāntir antarikṣaṃ śāntiḥ” from Yajurveda

Yajurveda apparently is highly ritualistic. However, it shows exponential philosophical, mystical & spiritual aspects to those who approach it from the right direction.

In its samhita section, it contains one of the most esoteric shanthi mantras:

oṃ dyauḥ śāntir antarikṣaṃ śāntiḥ;

pṛthivī śāntir āpaḥ śāntir oṣadhayaḥ śāntiḥ;

vanaspatayaḥ śāntir viśvedevāḥ śāntir brahma śāntiḥ;

sarvaṃ śāntiḥ śāntir eva śāntiḥ sā mā śāntir edhi;

oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ;

Apparently it seems to seek peace in the heavens, space, earth, water, vegetation, herbs, all deities, brahman and everything else.

Upanishad is not only seeking peace outside, it is also seeking peace inside all of us; because all those stated in the mantra are present outside as well as inside all of us. Harnessing the power of spoken words, the upanishad seeks to bring peace to both physical & spiritual realms.

It also acts as mental affirmation moving from negative psychology to positive psychology.

At the highest intensity, it is invoking the very source of the entire cosmos so that our consciousness moves closer that cosmic consciousness.

We encourage you to chant this shanthi mantra daily along with others. Chant with as many people as possible and enjoy its fruits.

Vedic Tribe is very happy to have brought you these two shanthi mantras which are generally not chanted alongside upanishads. Our intention is to create enough curiosity in you so that you adopt our Vedic lifestyle and enjoy its fruits.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe