Original text
ॐ द्यौः शान्तिरन्तरिक्षँ शान्तिः पृथिवी शान्तिरापः शान्तिरोषधयः शान्तिः । वनस्पतयः शान्तिर्विश्वे देवाः शान्तिर्ब्रह्म शान्तिः सर्वँ शान्तिः शान्तिरेव शान्तिः सा मा शान्तिरेधि ॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Transliteration
Om dyauh shantir antariksham shantih prithivi shantir apah shantir oshadhayah shantih. Vanaspatayah shantir vishve devah shantir brahma shantih sarvam shantih shantir eva shantih sa ma shantir edhi. Om shantih shantih shantih.
Where it comes from
This is the Shanti Path of the Shukla Yajurveda (Vajasaneyi Samhita 36.17), the peace mantra that closes havans, griha pravesh, weddings, the sacred thread ceremony and many pujas. When a priest finishes a ritual with a long, slow "Om Shantih Shantih Shantih," this is usually the verse that came just before it.
You will see antariksham written as अन्तरिक्षँ and sarvam as सर्वँ, with the moon-shaped sign (chandrabindu). That is how the Yajurveda text marks a nasal sound, and it is pronounced as a soft nasal "m."
What it asks for
The mantra moves outward through the whole of creation, asking for peace in each part, and then comes back to the person praying:
- Dyauh shantih: may there be peace in the heavens.
- Antariksham shantih: peace in the space between earth and sky.
- Prithivi shantih: peace on the earth.
- Apah shantih: peace in the waters.
- Oshadhayah shantih: peace in the healing herbs.
- Vanaspatayah shantih: peace in the trees and plants.
- Vishve devah shantih: peace among all the gods.
- Brahma shantih: peace in Brahman, the ultimate reality.
- Sarvam shantih: peace in everything.
- Shantir eva shantih: peace itself, may it be peace.
- Sa ma shantir edhi: may that peace come to me.
The order is the point. You do not ask for your own peace first. You ask for it in the sky, the water and the plants, and only at the end, sa ma shantir edhi, for it to come to you as well. Read today, it is also one of the oldest ecological prayers in any tradition.
Why "shanti" three times
The closing Om Shantih Shantih Shantih is traditionally explained as peace from the three kinds of suffering: adhyatmika (from within one's own body and mind), adhibhautika (from other beings and the world around) and adhidaivika (from forces beyond control, such as storms and disasters). It is the same ending used for the Upanishadic peace prayers like Om Purnamadah and Om Saha Navavatu.
When to recite it
- At the end of havan, puja, katha or any Vedic ceremony.
- At the end of a meditation or yoga session.
- At a griha pravesh, after the havan, for peace in the new home.
- In schools and gatherings, as a closing prayer.
Frequently asked questions
Which Veda is the Shanti Path from?
The Shukla Yajurveda, Vajasaneyi Samhita 36.17.
What does "Sa Ma Shantir Edhi" mean?
"May that peace come to me." After asking for peace in all of creation, the prayer finally asks for it to reach the person praying.
Why is shanti said three times?
For peace from the three kinds of suffering: within oneself, from other beings, and from natural or divine forces beyond one's control.
When is the Shanti Path recited?
At the end of havans, pujas, weddings, griha pravesh and other ceremonies, and at the close of meditation or yoga.
How is "अन्तरिक्षँ" pronounced?
The chandrabindu marks a nasal sound, so it is said "antariksham" with a soft nasal ending. "Sarvam" is the same.
Can anyone recite this Vedic mantra?
Yes. It is widely recited by everyone at the end of pujas, in schools and in yoga classes. Some strict Vedic traditions keep svara (accent) chanting for trained reciters, but ordinary recitation is open to all.
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