Shanti Mantra

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The Shanti Mantras or "Peace Mantras" are Hindu prayer for peace (Shanti). Generally they are recited at the beginning and end of religious discourse and ceremonies.

Shanti Mantra's are found in Upanishads, where they are invoked in the beginning of some topics of Upanishads. They are supposed to calm the mind of reciter and environment around him/her. Reciting them is also believed to be removing any obstacles for the task being started.

Shanti Mantra's always end with three utterances of word "Shanti" which means "Peace". Reason for uttering three times is for calming and removing obstacles in three realms which are "Physical" or Adhi-Bhautika, "Devine" or Adhi-Daivika and "Internal" or Adhyaatmika

According to scriptures of Hinduism sources of obstacles and troubles are in these three realms.

Physical or Adhi-Bhautika realm can be source of troubles/obstacles coming from external world, such as from wild animals, people, natural calamities etc.

Devine or Adhi-Daivika realm can be source of troubles/obstacles coming from extra-sensory world of spirits, ghosts, deities, demigods/angels etc.

Internal or Adhyaatmika realm is source of troubles/obstacles arising out of ones own body and mind, such as pain, diseases, laziness, absent-mindedness etc.

These are called "Tapa-Traya" or three classes of troubles. When Shanti Mantras are recited, obstacles from these realms are believed to be pacified.

[edit] List of Shanti Mantras

Following is one of the famous Shanti Mantra's. It is found in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and Chandogya Upanishad.

 Poornamadah Poornamidam Poornat Poornamudachyate,
  Poornasya Poornamaadaya Poornamevavashishyate,
  Om Shantihi, Shantihi, Shantihi

Meaning: That is Absolute, This is Absolute, Absolute arises out of Absolute, If Absolute is taken away from Absolute, Absolute remains OM Peace, Peace, Peace.