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Svadhyaya (study, memorization, and recitation of the revealed scriptures) is an important part of SRV sangha life. Students are encouraged to memorize all seven peace chants in both Sanskrit and English and recite them daily. Contemplating their meanings is a sure way to vitalize one's daily meditation practice. Lord Buddha stated, "The rust of monasteries is non-recitation of the scriptures; the rust of households is lack of spiritual self-effort." Thus we have found memorization of these profound and beautiful chants to be a joyous austerity conducive to endless inspiration. Om Shanti.

 

1. Peace Invocation from the Yajur Veda

Om sahana vavatu sahanau bhunaktu
saha viryam karavavahai tejasvi navadhitamastu
ma vidvishavahai ~ Om shantih shantih shantih

May Brahman protect us. May Brahman sustain us.
May Brahman illumine our thinking process.
May we not find fault with each other, with our teachers or with the world,
and may what we study become a source of inspiration to us eternally. Om peace, peace, peace.


2. Peace Invocation from the Rig Veda

Om dyauhu shantih antariksham shantih prithivi shantih apaha shantih
oshadayah shantih vanashpatayah shantih vishvedevah shantih
brahma shantih sarvam shantih shantir eva shantih sa ma shantir edhi
~ Om shantih shantih shantih

There is peace in the sky, there is peace on earth.
There is peace in the heavans, there is peace in this world.
There is peace in the waters, there is peace on land.
There is peace within the plants, animals, flowers, insects and herbs.
There is peace with men, and peace with women and children.
There is peace with the Gods and peace with the Goddesses.
May this all-pervading peace enter into us and permeate us
to the very core of our beings. Om peace, peace, peace.


3. Peace Invocation from the Atharva Veda

Om bhadram karnebhih shrinuyama devah bhadram pashyema-akshabhiryajatrah
sthirair angais tushtuvamsas-tanubhir vyashema devahitam yadayuhuh
svasti ne indro vrddhashravah svasti nah pusha vishvadevah
svasti nas tarkshyo arishta nemih svasti no brihaspatir dadhatu
~ Om shantih shantih shantih

O Gods, may we hear with our ears what is auspicious.
May we see with our eyes what is auspicious. While praising the Gods with perfect health may we enjoy a life that is beneficial to ourselves and to others. Om peace, peace, peace.


4. Peace Invocation from the Rig Veda Samhita

Om tacchnaio ra vrini mahe gatum yajnaya gatum yaynapataye
daivi svastirastu nahah svastir manuse bhyah urdvamjigatu bhesajam
sang no astu dvipade sang chatushpate ~ Om shantih shantih shantih

May we chant in praise of sacrifice and sing in praise of the Lord of sacrifice.
May divine blessings be upon us. May peace be unto the whole human race.
May healing, well being and prosperity abide among us. Om peace, peace, peace.


5. Peace Invocation from the Yajur Veda

Om purnamadah purnamidam purnat purnamudachyate
purnasya purnamadaya purnamevavashisyate ~ Om shantih shantih shantih

 

What is visible is the infinite. What is invisible is also the infinite.
Out of the Infinite Being the finite has come, yet being infinite,
only infinite remains. Om peace, peace, peace.


6. Peace Invocation from the Yajur Veda

Om sham no mitrah sham varunah sham no bhavatvaryama sham no indro brhaspatih
sham no vishnururukramah namo brahmane namaste vayo tvameva pratyaksham brahmasi
tvameva pratyaksham brahma vadishyami rtam vadishyami satyam vadishyami tanmamavatu
tadvaktaramavatu avatu mam avatu vaktaram ~ Om shantih shantih shantih

May all the Gods be propitious to us and grant us earthly welfare and spiritual bliss.
Salutations to Vishnu, God with form! Salutations to Brahman, the formless Reality!
Salutations to Vayu, the perceptible Brahman! Thou art what is real, what is true, what is beneficial.
Therefore protect me, and protect my teacher.
Protect guru, dharma and sangha forevermore. Om peace, peace, peace.


7. Peace Invocation from Keno Upanishad

Om apyayantu mamangani vak pranashcakshuh
shrotramatho balamindriyani cha sarvani sarvam brahmaupanishadam maham brahma
nirakuryam ma ma brahma nirakaroda-nirakara-namastva-nirakaranam me astu
tadatmani nirate ya upanishatsu dharmaste mayi shantu te mayi shantu
~ Om shantih shantih shantih

O supreme One, grace my limbs with strength.
May my speech, vital force, eyes, ears and all my senses expand in capacity.
The Upanishads rightly declare that all existence is Brahman.
Therefore, may I never deny Brahman and may Brahman never deny me.
Let there be no rejection of Brahman by me, ever.
May all the virtues cited in the Upanishads reside within me,
I who am devoted to the Atman. Om peace, peace, peace.

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