Significance of a Prayer
In the Indian tradition, every act begins with a prayer. Prayer helps in multiple ways. Just as we set the outer environment before doing anything, we need to prepare our inner environment. Prayer helps in preparing our attitude before the practice. Prayer is also a way of showing our gratitude to the higher intelligence and the lineage of Gurus (Guru Parampara) that has brought the essence of complex knowledge in simplified form for us to adopt and be benefitted.
It is beneficial to start with any of the shanti mantras (peace chants). The shanti mantras end with “Om Shanti, Shanti Shanti”. The three shanti that we chant are to experience peace and harmony in three dimensions of life.
The first dimension is nature or the divine (daivika). It is important that there is harmony in nature. Floods, earthquakes or famine can cause disruption to a happy and health yogic life. This is also a reminder of our interconnection with nature. What we may think as natural disasters are now traced to human activity. The first shanti helps us to be mindful and more responsible towards nature.
The second dimension is the society and all living beings around (bhautika). We are not an isolated entity but situated in a social context. Harmony in the neighbourhood, society and the earth at large is needed for us to be consistent in our practice. If you were in a conflict zone, your practices could be disrupted by the social situations. This shanti also connects us to our society and encourages us to do our bit to make peace with others.
The third dimension is the self (atmika). Even if there is harmony in nature and the society, there could be a lot of turbulence within. We could obstacles on our own path. It is helpful to be forgiving, compassionate and kind to oneself and at the same time not get into a loop of self-pity.
Learn a Few Shanti Mantras
~ Sahanavavatu ~
Meaning
ॐ सह नाववतु ।
सह नौ भुनक्तु ।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै ।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Om Saha Nau-Avatu |
Saha Nau Bhunaktu |
Saha Viiryam Karavaavahai |
Tejasvi Nau-Adhiitam-Astu Maa Vidvissaavahai |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
Om! May be protect us both (the teacher and the taught)
May be nourish us both
May we put our energies together
May he illumine us
Let there be no ill-feeling between us
Om! Peace Peace Peace
~ Asatoma Sadgamaya~
ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय ।
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।
मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya |
Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya |
Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
Lead us from untruth (or limited truth) to truth
Lead us from darkness to light
lead us from death to immortality
Om! Peace Peace Peace
~ Purnamada ~
ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पुर्णमुदच्यते
पूर्णश्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Om Poornama-Adah Poornnam-Idam Poornnaat-Poornnam-Udacyate
Poornnashya Poornnam-Aadaaya Poornnam-Eva-Avashissyate ||
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
Om! That is complete and this is complete
That which comes out of the complete is also complete
what remains is also complete
Om! Peace Peace Peace
