Otherwise known as the teaching mantra, Om Sahana Vavatu is believed to unite teacher and student through the protection of the Divine. It can be used to help clear any negative energy between teacher and student, allowing them to enter the process of learning in harmony.
Om Sahana Vavatu (Sanskrit: ॐ सह नाववतु) is the name of an ancient Sanskrit mantra, commonly recited as a devotional prayer before sacred Hindu scriptures are studied.
Originally found in the Krishna Yajurveda Taittiriya Upanishad (2.2.2), it is often chanted at the start of a school class or at the beginning of a yoga practice.
The name of this mantra is derived from several Sanskrit terms. Om is considered to be the primal sound of the universe and a symbol of universal consciousness or the Divine. Saha means “together,” nau, means “both” and avatu can be translated as “may he protect.”
As such, this mantra calls upon protection from divine universal consciousness. Additionally, it is considered to be a shanti mantra, otherwise known as a chant or prayer for peace.
The Om Sahana Vavatu mantra should be chanted by teacher and student together at the start of a class or practice, as a means of calling upon divine blessings for whatever is to be studied. In order to enhance the power of this mantra, it should be repeated in full at least three times.
Om Sahana Vavatu – In sanskrit with meaning
ॐ सह नाववतु
Om Saha Navavatu
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih
ॐ सह नाववतु ।
सह नौ भुनक्तु ।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै ।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Om Saha Naav[au]-Avatu |
Saha Nau Bhunaktu |
Saha Viiryam Karavaavahai |
Tejasvi Naav[au]-Adhiitam-Astu Maa Vidvissaavahai |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantihi ||
Meaning:
Om, May the Guru and the disciple be One on the path of study together,
Together guru and disciple enjoy studies,
Together, the Guru and the disciple should do the work of study with deep concentration,
Let what we study be full of genius;
May it not give rise to enmity because of ignorance,
Om, Peace, Peace, Peace
Om Sahana Vavatu comes from Krishna Yajurveda Taittiriya Upanishad. This shloka is one of the most popular Shanti Mantras and is recited at the beginning of any study or learning. It is widely used in many schools and educational institutions, seeking for Divine Blessings and wishing to create a good environment for learning.
