Why Do We Say ‘Shanti’ Thrice?


Shaanti, meaning “peace,” is a natural state of being. Disturbances are created either by us or others.
For example, Peace already exists in a place and then someone makes a noise. Therefore, peace underlies all our agitations.
When agitation ends, peace is naturally experienced since it's already there. Where there is peace, there is happiness.

Therefore, everyone without exception desires peace in life. However, peace within or without seems very hard to attain because our own agitations cover it.

A rare few manage to remain peaceful within even in the midst of external agitation and troubles. To invoke peace, we chant prayers.
By chanting prayers, troubles end and peace is experienced internally, irrespective of the external disturbances. All such prayers
end by chanting Shaanti thrice. Read about Prayer - An Invocation.

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Why do we say Shaanti thrice?

It is believed that Trivaram Satyam- that which is said thrice comes true. For emphasizing a point, we repeat a thing thrice.
In the court of law also, one who takes a witness stand says, “I shall speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”
We chant Shaanti thrice to emphasize our intense desire for peace.
All obstacles, problems and sorrow originate from three sources.
  • Aadhidaivika: The unseen divine forces over which we have little or no control like earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions etc.
  • Aadhibhautika: The known factors around us like accidents, human contacts, pollution, crimes etc.
  • Aadhyaatmika: Problems of our bodies and minds like diseases, anger, frustration etc.
We sincerely pray to the Lord that at least while we undertake a special task or even in our daily lives,
there are no problems or that, problems are minimized from the three sources written about above.
May peace alone prevail. Hence shaanti is chanted thrice. Read about the benefits of chanting om.

 It is chanted aloud the first time, addressing the unseen forces. It is chanted softer the second time,
directed to our immediate surroundings and those around, and softest the last time as it is addressed to oneself.

Reference: Why do we… by Swamini Vimalananda & Radhika Krishnakumar

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Comments

  1. Aroopa12 December 2023 at 13:09

    This beautiful Truth was told to me by my Mother when I was a young girl.

    ReplyDelete

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