Why do we say three times Om Shanti Shanti Shanti?

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August 3,
2019

The Shanti mantra which is a peace-chant that is recited at the end of a

class or a traditional ceremony. Most yoga classes conclude by reciting
by the Shanti mantra three times. It lends a hand to us to let go of
earthly feelings and realize the divine within and outside us.

Origin of Shanti mantra

The word ‘Shanti’ originated in the ancient Vedas and Upanishads. It is a Sanskrit remark
derived from the root verb ‘Sham’ which is an implication of ‘to be at peace’. Shanti, or
inner peace, come to pass when the mind has consented to do away with both
selfishness and loathing.

Meaning of Shanti Mantra

Shanti means nothing but the state of being in complete peace. It denotes calmness,
peace, everlasting contentment, fulfilment, satisfaction, or stillness. The Shanti mantra
continued three times to convey peace to the three territories of survival. These are the
physical territory, the cosmological kingdom and the fundamental dominion of life.

An old saying states that ‘trivaram sat yam’, anything said thrice becomes factual. To
support emphasizing a point, we reiterate an expression three times. Similarly, we
repeat the word Shanti thrice to highlight our powerful yearning for harmony.

The reason for chanting Shanti mantra thrice

There is a lot of significance associated with reciting the Shanti mantra for three
repetitions. Our primal scriptures enlighten us that the single and most important
purpose of existence is to do away with three kinds of obstructions or to get rid of three
types of distress.

This three-fold suffering, although is not defined. It is believed to represent the following
three reasons for anguish:

‘Adhidaivika’–A symbol of the suffering of divine origin

‘Adhibhautika’–Instigation by the physical and material beings
‘Adhyatmika’–Misery created by ourselves in the form of illnesses, mental
disturbances, negative emotions, etc.

Adhidaivika
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The expression “daivika” is synonymous with “divine source”. This refers to the torment
owing to heavenly sources. These are the causes of which we have mixed powers. Such
sufferings comprise natural catastrophes like floods, earthquakes, tornados, volcanic
eruptions, plagues, tsunamis and similar disasters. This can lead to the considerable
devastation of life and possessions.

Adhibhautika
The remark ‘bhautika’ results from the word ‘bhuta’ which means all the beings that are
alive. It can also stand for any entity, living or lifeless things. As a result, Adhibhautika
refers to anguish sourced by other organisms. Examples may suffer from the pain
caused by an accident, pollution, misdeeds, human, animals, and bugs and so on. These
kinds of torment need not be just physical; Any pain caused mentally from verbal
mistreatment is also a form of this agony.

Adhyatmika
The expression ‘atmika’ refers to ‘self-infliction’. This suffering is mostly the harmful and
enduring affliction that we impose on ourselves. Self-Inflicted suffering refers to physical
problems where we face health-related issues.

They can also inflict mental or emotional misery where we keep clutching on to useless
and negative emotions like fury, covetousness, greediness, detestation and so on.
Therefore, the motive for reciting the expression ‘Shanti’ three times at the last part of
any class or some ritualistic prayer is to implore for tranquillity in the countenance of
each one the three foundations of these sufferings.

The science behind the Shanti Mantra

Contemporary science articulates that repetition is the key to our memory. Three are the
bare smallest amount of repetitions essential to stamp an object in the reminiscence of
an individual. This makes the repetition of the Shanti mantra further noteworthy.

Shanti mantra in human culture

Humans go through agony because we permit our pessimistic ego to take over our
rational ability. The distress that has not so far drawn closer ought to be avoided. Also, it
usually causes the misery because of lack of wisdom and it is up to us to get rid of it
through the regular practice of yoga and the recitation of the Shanti mantra helps.

Shanti mantra as a lifestyle

We should become skilled at knowing how to nurture peace in our lives. All that we want
in our everyday life is for peace alone to reign. Reciting of the Shanti mantra three times
is recommended. The audible chant on the first occasion helps to tackle the concealed
forces in this universe.
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We intend the second less audible recitation for our surroundings that need attention
and also for persons in the region. We concentrate the final and the quietest Shanti
mantra on the wellbeing of self.

Benefits of the Shanti mantra

Spiritual Benefits of chanting Shanti thrice

Shanti mantra is tuned thrice to counterbalance the effects of the three forces which are
divine, from the surroundings, physical or self-inflicted. Repeating it three times is a
request to the universe seeking its sanction and fortification from these harmful forces.

A spiritual aspirant can chant Shanti in the longing for the incidence of the state of affairs
contributing to divine instruction. The Shanti mantra can be recited for serenity in a pearl
of all-purpose wisdom.

When chanting “Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti”, we lay down the arms of the diminutive self
to the superior self. The uttering of the word ‘Shanti’ three times is to ward off the
predicaments that come about on the pathway to wisdom.

Once we recite the

magical mantra
three times, you
become more
peaceful, go into a
timeless state
where the
realization of “I am
Peace” takes place.
This cannot be
possible when we
keep expectations.
The mind should be
able to accept any
result and be
without any
expectation. The
three peace words are a request to the unparalleled supremacy to provide peace to our
hearts for the exploration of wisdom and understanding.

The incantation prayers finishing with the three chants of Shanti while uttered sincerely
and faithfully chanted put in order an appropriate psychological environment for
spiritual learning and reflection.

Physical and Mental Benefits of chanting Shanti thrice

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Peace is an innate segment in every meticulous instant until and unless an outside
commotion upsets it. On the occasion when inner turbulence is dealt with appropriately,
peace is achieved by that individual. Hence, chanting the expression of Shanti three
times can help to bring about peace both internally and externally.

There is one supplementary constituent to the three-fold repetition of “Shanti,” and that
is nothing but the stillness that follows each one reiteration. This silence is a delegate of
the spot on and absolute peace. To have the right self-assurance in every circumstance
in life is the consciousness attained from the mantra.

Only at the time when there is Shanti all around us, we live in peace. This is the
comprehension specified to us by the prehistoric wise people. Such an uncomplicated
perception solves excellent physical condition, accomplishments, and prosperity.

Peace lies beneath all our agitations. When such pessimistic thoughts get stopped, peace
can be experienced given that it was previously present. Anywhere there is peace, there
is cheerfulness. Each one of us with no exception wishes for peace in life. And the Shanti
gives us peace, which is a natural state of being.

Chanting Shanti
Shanti Shanti three
times, the individual
attempts to discover
and accomplish
peace of body, the
stillness of mind and
tranquillity of the
spirit inside. By doing
so, every single one
of the turbulences in
this out of ordinary
world automatically
conquers the peace.

Our aggressive or
distrustful reaction to
others is the main basis of internal chaos, and the development of peace facilitates us to
be further kind-hearted and less hasty. A peaceful mind becomes cleansed of the
hallucination, dislike, and covetous propensities that disfigure our outlook of the globe
and stop us from familiarizing true contentment.

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