Ancient Hymns for Peace - A Universal Song

by Robert Wilkinson

I ran across these surfing the web, and thought them so beautiful that I decided to post them. These are ancient hymns from the Vedas, the Holy Books of India whose origins are lost in the mists of time. One is "May all possess happiness. May all be healthy. May all see beauty. May there be good fortune and no misery anywhere. May there be peace everywhere." What's not to like? Try to sound out the syllables, and you may be pleasantly surprised at what you feel. Aum Shiva Shanti!

From the Sai Baba website come these gems from the Vedas:

VEDIC CHANTS

Aum Poornamadah Poornamidam

Poornaath Poornam Udachyathe

Poornasya Poornamaadaaya

Poornameva Vasishyathe.

Meaning: God is perfect (infinite). This Universe is also perfect (infinite). If perfection (infinity) is taken from anything perfect (infinite) what remains is still perfect (infinite). Let there be peace, peace, peace.

Aum Bhadram Karnebhihi Srunuyaama Devaaha

Bhadram Pashyemaa Kshibhirya Jatraaha

Sthirai Rangai Stushtuvaamsa Stanoobhihi

Vyashema Devahitam Yadaayuhu

Aum Shanti Shanti Shantihi

Meaning: Aum Hey Devaas, who are in the form of light, let our ears hear all good things. Hey worshippable Devas, let our eyes see good and holy things. May we spend this life given to us by God in continued prayers to You with a strong body, sound in health.

Sarve Sukhinah Santhu

Sarve Santhu Niraamayaah

Sarve Bhadraani Pashyantu

Maa Kaschid Dukhabhaag Bhavet

Aum Shanti Shanti Shantihi

Meaning: May all possess happiness. May all be healthy (free from all diseases). May all see beauty. May there be good fortune and no misery anywhere. May there be peace everywhere.

Asatoma Sadgamaya

Thamaso Maa Jyothir Gamaya

Mrithyor Maa Amrutham Gamaya

Aum Shanti Shanti Shantihi

Meaning: Lead me from the unreal to the real. Lead me from darkness to light. Lead me from death to immortality. May there be peace everywhere.

Saanti Mantra (Prayer for Peace)

Aum Dyauh Saantir Antareeksham Saantih

Prithvi Saantir Aapah Saantihr Osadhayah Saantih

Vanaspatayah Saantir Visvedevaah Saantih Brahma Saantih

Sarvam Saantih Saantih Reva Saantihi.

Meaning: May there be peace in heaven. May there be peace in the sky. May there be peace on earth. May there be peace in the water. May there be peace in the plants. May there be peace in the trees. May there be peace in the Gods. May there be peace in Brahman. May there be peace in all. May that peace, real peace, be mine.

Aum Saha Naavavathu Sahanau Bhunaktu

Saha Veeryam Kara Vaavahai

Tejasvi Naavadheetamastu Maa Vidwishaavahai

Aum Shantih Shantih Shantihi

Meaning: May the Lord protect us both, may He nourish us both, may we work together with great vigor (divine strength). May we both acquire brilliance of our intellect through our studies, may we not hate each other. Let there be peace, peace, peace.

Visvasaanti Praarthana (Prayer for Universal Peace)

Aum Shamno Mitra Sham Varunaha

Shamno Bhavatvaryama

Shamna Indro Bruhaspatih

Shamno Vishnu Rurukramaha

Namo Brahmane

Namaste Vaayo

Tvameva Pratyaksham Brahmaasi

Tvaameva Pratyaksham Brahma Vadisyaami

Rutam Vadisyaami

Tanmaamavatu

Tad Vaktaaramavatu

Avatu Maam

Aum Shanti Shanti Shantihi

Meaning: May the sun God Mitra and other Vedic Gods - Varuna, Aryamaa, Indra, Brihaspati and the all pervading Maha Vishnu and all the Devatas shower their Blessings upon us. Salutations to Brahma. Salutations to Vaayu. You are the personfication of Brahma. I shall proclaim thee as Brahma. I shall always abide by Dharma (righteousness). I shall always speak the truth. May that protect us all. Aum Peace, peace, peace.

If you want a little more of the teachings of this living Saint and miracle worker, here are a few of his teachings, also from the website:

There is only one religion, the religion of Love;

There is only one language, the language of the Heart;

There is only one caste, the caste of Humanity;

There is only one law, the law of Karma;

There is only one God, He is Omnipresent.

Start the Day with Love;

Spend the Day with Love;

Fill the Day with Love;

End the Day with Love;

This is the way to God.

Love in thought is Truth;

Love in action is Right Conduct;

Love in understanding is Peace;

Love in feeling is Non-Violence.

You cannot see Me, but I am the Light you see by.

You cannot hear Me, but I am the Sound you hear by.

You cannot know Me, but I am the Truth by which you live.

Comments

[Aditya]

Hi Robert, Thank you for sharing these phrases. I have said all of them aloud and am feeling at peace. I also am aware of another sense trying to activate itself. Its good to be at peace and have love in all our actions. That makes us happy and content.

I will record these mantras in my voice and copy onto my phone so i can hear them and say them aloud when I need to.

Namaskarams

[Gloria]

Hi Robert, Thank you for sharing these phrases. These words just stir a sense of warmth from the pit of stomach and tickle my soul.
Time have been weird as I am coming to terms with letting go of a reality that is/was more or less no longer while having this "newly acquired" FAITH, or this new sense of TRUST in the unknown....does any of this make sense to you?

It feels like I have been living on the wrong side of the mirror until now... it's all so familiar but not quite so.... but I feel like I have "come home" to the right side and everything feels right.

Anyway, hope all is well with you and I am thrilled to have stumbled upon this wonderful website of yours. I have just started reading your articles and I am working my way down the list.

Again, thanks for the phrases. With all the newness and strangeness, along comes some degree of anxiety and restlessness from time to time... these words brought a dose of calmness and peace which rest nicely within

Sincerely,
Gloria

[abacus]

i am not much for sai baba as there are always tales one hears about new age gurus, but the prayers ring true and makes me beleive even more in the strange ways of god and how he may reach us regardless of the medium. aum shanti shanti shanti