Sahana Vavatu

Sahana Vavatu

ॐ सह नाववतु ।
सह नौ भुनक्तु ।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै ।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

oṃ saha nāvavatu .
saha nau bhunaktu .
saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai .
tejasvi nāvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai .
oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ..

May he (the Lord) protect both of us. May he nourish both of us (with knowledge). May both of us make effort for the capacity (for knowledge to take place). May what is studied by us, be brilliantly clear. Let not have any misunderstanding. Let there be freedom from three possible obstacles (the forces over which we have no control, adhidaivika; from the beings around us, adhibhautika; or from factors centred on ourselves, adhyatmika.)

Description

Note: Shanti mantra from Taittiriya, Katha Upanishad and Shvetashvatara Upanishads.

Excerpt from the book ‘Prayer Guide’ by Swami Dayananda Saraswati
Sa ha navavatu. Sah ha nau avatu. Sah means Isvara, the Lord. So, may the Lord ha, definitely, indeed, avatu, protect and bless, nau, both of us. The word ‘om’ is also derived from the same root as avatu, the root av. Av is used in the sense of protecting. Om means the one who protects being a source of blessing. Thus the Lord’s name is om. You can also say he is the one who sustains everything. May that Lord bless both of us, teacher and student.

Sa ha nau bhunaktu. Sah, that Lord, ha, definitely, indeed, bhunaktu, nourish, nau, both of us. The root bhuj in the verb bhunaktu is also in the sense of protection. It does not mean eating here; in that case, the verb would have a different ending, the atmane-pada ending. The sense here is only of nourishing. May he nourish both of us with knowledge. May the Lord indeed, ignoring all my omissions and commissions, being blind to them, bless us and nourish us both. Both, student and teacher, seek Bhagavan’s blessing.

Saha viryam karavavahai. Saha, together, karavavahai (may we) exert for virya, samarthya (capacity to gain knowledge). Whatever is required to gain this knowledge, may we make an effort for that. On the part of a student the capacity consists of certain conditions, commitment, sraddha, background knowledge, the power of retention and recollection. The teacher also needs commitment, health, time and so on. May we both enjoy the respective required qualifications.
Tejasvinavadhitam astu: tejasvi nau adhitam astu. Whatever sastra is studied, adhitam, by both of us, communicated by one and gained by the other, let it not remain mere words; astu, let it be tejasvi, meaningful, nau, for us. Tejas means brilliance. Let the understanding not be vague, but brilliant like the sun that is not obscured by the clouds. You cannot miss the sun even when the clouds are there. It is not like inference in which you infer the presence of the sun upon seeing the silver lining of the clouds. The sastra is not a matter for inference. It is ‘I’ and has to be understood very clearly. Therefore, let what is studied be brilliantly clear, free from any vagueness, much less error.

Ma vidvisavahai: A dvesha is any kind of dislike or misunderstanding. May we not be subject to this misunderstanding. Let nothing come in between us so that this communication is complete.

Om santih santih santih: We chant santi three times. There are not three types of santi. There is only one santi, but there are three types of problems that can deny santi. Let there be freedom from those problems. Let problems not arise from the forces over which we have no control, adhidaivika; from the beings around us, adhibhautika; or from factors centred on ourselves, adhyatmika. The first set of problems comes from sources over which we have no control whatsoever, like cyclone. We can only protect ourselves from it. Let there not be obstacles from such sources over which we have no control. That is one santi. The second source of asanti is any kind of disturbance from the external world, political, social or domestic which is an obstruction to our pursuit. We pray for santi from these obstacles that we do not want to have. The third santi is to take care of problems centred on oneself. There can be physical problems, like an inability to sit comfortably for some time, physiological problems like indigestion, and so on. The mind itself can pose a problem.

I pray that all the three capacities, physical, deha; physiological, prana; and mental, manah, be available to me in a manner that is conducive to my pursuit of this knowledge, vidya. In chanting these three santis, I pray for freedom from these three possible obstructions.

Sahana Vavatu – Meaning, Benefits & Spiritual Significance

Sahana Vavatu is a sacred Vedic mantra that is part of the Shanti (peace) prayers. It is widely recited in Hindu tradition before starting studies, meditation, or spiritual learning. This powerful mantra is a prayer for harmony, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence between teacher and student, as well as among all human beings. It carries the essence of unity, patience, and collective growth.

The meaning of Sahana Vavatu is deeply spiritual. “Saha” means together, “Na” refers to us, and “Vavatu” means may it protect or bless. Together, it expresses the prayer “May we be protected together.” It also includes wishes for knowledge, understanding, and harmony between individuals who share learning and life experiences. This mantra teaches that true wisdom grows in an environment of peace and cooperation.

One of the main benefits of Sahana Vavatu is improved mental peace. When a person recites or reflects on this mantra, it helps calm the mind and reduce inner conflict. It creates a sense of safety and emotional balance, allowing individuals to focus better on learning and self-development. This peaceful mindset is especially helpful in academic and spiritual growth.

Another important benefit is better relationships and understanding. Sahana Vavatu promotes the idea of living and learning together with respect and patience. It reduces ego clashes and misunderstandings between people. When practiced regularly, it helps develop qualities like tolerance, kindness, and cooperation, which are essential for healthy relationships in both personal and professional life.

From a spiritual point of view, this mantra represents unity and shared progress. It reminds us that knowledge and wisdom should be gained collectively, not individually. Sahana Vavatu encourages humility and openness to learning from others. It also strengthens the bond between teacher and student, making the learning process more meaningful and respectful.

This mantra is also beneficial for emotional stability. In daily life, people often face stress, confusion, and disagreements. Reciting Sahana Vavatu helps reduce negative emotions and promotes a calm and balanced mindset. It encourages individuals to respond with patience instead of reacting with anger, leading to better emotional control and clarity of thought.

Practicing this mantra is very simple and does not require any special rituals. It is usually chanted at the beginning of study sessions, prayers, or meditation. A quiet environment and a focused mind are enough to experience its calming effect. Sahana Vavatu becomes more powerful when recited with sincerity and awareness of its meaning.

In conclusion, Sahana Vavatu is a beautiful Vedic mantra that promotes peace, unity, and mutual understanding. It teaches the importance of learning together with harmony and respect. By practicing this mantra regularly, one can develop inner peace, better concentration, and stronger relationships, leading to a more balanced and meaningful life.