Hindus generally chant Om Shanti three times in various stages of life. You must have heard them, have you? Well, we bet you must agree to this but you wouldn’t determine the reason behind doing it thrice, can you? In the following excerpt, we would throw light on the significance and meaning of the Shanti Mantra.
Shanti Mantra: The Art Of Peace
Well, peace and harmony are natural to nature and man. Wherever there is peace, there is happiness. However, we do come across people who seem to have everything:- name, fame, financial stability, social stature, and good health. But the twist is that they are still not happy, content and at peace. Yes, you heard that right!
Shanti Mantra Allows Internal And External Peace
This is mainly because peace is of two types:- internal and external. Despite his apparent prosperity and success, a person may not remain at peace with himself. This means that success in the material and the physical world does not come with an assurance of peace. Hence, he yearns for it.
The Principle Of “Trivaram Satyam”
In their search for peace, rishis of yore made a fantastic discovery. They came across the principle of “Trivaram Satyam”. In other words, ‘that which is sincerely said thrice comes true’. Even in modern times, it is commonly seen that when we repeat something three times, it is to emphasise a point. That is why we repeat shanti mantra thrice. We can take examples from the modern era as well. For instance, in the court of law, a witness takes the oath saying: ‘I shall speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.’ On the contrary, in Islam, one repeats the word talaq thrice for divorce to remain effective. Apart from these, many manifestations and affirmations require one to repeat things that we dearly want.
Why Do use “Trivaram Satyam” During Puja Or Aarti?
Once the realisation of the truth in the principle of Trivaram Satyam kicks in, it’s time to go ahead. Our great masters assert that when we chant ‘Shanti’ thrice, peace will prevail over the three sources that upset the balance in our lives and affect our innate stability. Therefore, to restore peace, we chant ‘Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti . . . hi’ while concluding a puja, an arati, or some other ritual.
The Different Levels Of Chants of Om Shanti
One chants the first utterance of the word aloud, addressing the unseen forces of nature. Then the second chant is softer, in direction to our immediate surroundings and all those around us. Lastly, the third chant is the most delicate because it is meant for oneself. Because it is to re-address our past life’s karmic debts. And thereby, with chanting, we strive to regain our lost tranquillity.
