Sham No Mitrah Sham Varunah
Sham No Mitrah Sham Varunah in English · English
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✦ Meaning
This is the celebrated Shanti Patha that opens the Shiksha Valli of the Taittiriya Upanishad (Krishna Yajurveda). It invokes the blessing of Mitra, Varuna, Aryaman, Indra, Brihaspati and Vishnu, then bows to Brahman and Vayu as the manifest Reality, vowing to speak only Rta (cosmic order) and Satya (truth). It is one of the most widely recited Vedic peace invocations, chanted before scriptural study to bless both student and teacher.
Origin & Story
Taittiriya Upanishad (Shiksha Valli), Krishna Yajurveda · Vedic tradition (Taittiriya Shakha) · Vedic period
This Shanti Patha opens the Shiksha Valli, the first section of the Taittiriya Upanishad of the Krishna Yajurveda. Before imparting the sacred knowledge, the student invokes peace from Mitra, Varuna, Aryaman, Indra, Brihaspati and the wide-striding Vishnu, then turns to Vayu and Brahman as the directly perceptible Reality, vowing to uphold truth. It is one of the most beloved and frequently recited of all the Vedic peace invocations.
✦ As told in scripture
For countless generations this invocation has begun the study of the Upanishads, and teachers say that where it is sincerely recited, the mind grows calm and the meaning of the scripture opens of its own accord. By blessing 'both me and the teacher,' it is held to weave a protective grace around the entire act of learning, so that sacred knowledge is received and transmitted in peace.
The Mantra
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Oṃ śaṃ no mitraḥ śaṃ varuṇaḥ | śaṃ no bhavatv aryamā | śaṃ na indro bṛhaspatiḥ | śaṃ no viṣṇur urukramaḥ | Namo brahmaṇe | namas te vāyo | tvam eva pratyakṣaṃ brahmāsi | tvām eva pratyakṣaṃ brahma vadiṣyāmi | ṛtaṃ vadiṣyāmi | satyaṃ vadiṣyāmi | tan mām avatu | tad vaktāram avatu | avatu mām | avatu vaktāram | Oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ||
Meaning:Om. May Mitra be blissful to us; may Varuna be blissful to us; may Aryaman be blissful to us; may Indra and Brihaspati be blissful to us; may the wide-striding Vishnu be blissful to us. Salutations to Brahman; salutations to you, O Vayu — you indeed are the perceptible Brahman. I shall declare you to be the manifest Brahman; I shall speak the cosmic order (Rta); I shall speak the truth (Satya). May That protect me; may That protect the teacher; may it protect me; may it protect the teacher. Om, peace, peace, peace.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Sham No Mitrah Sham Varunah
Invokes peace and the blessing (sham) of the great Vedic deities
A revered Shanti Patha to begin scriptural study and spiritual practice
Blesses and protects both the seeker and the teacher
Affirms the vow to speak only truth (Satya) and cosmic order (Rta)
Recognises Vayu and Brahman as the directly perceptible Reality
Settles body, mind and surroundings into threefold peace
How to Chant Sham No Mitrah Sham Varunah
Chant this Shanti Patha at the beginning of Vedic or Upanishadic study, with reverence for both the deities invoked and the teacher. Begin with 'Om' and end with 'Om Shanti Shanti Shanti,' the three repetitions praying for peace in the body, the mind, and the outer world. Recite calmly and clearly, holding the resolve to speak truth that the mantra declares.
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Read the full Sham No Mitrah Sham Varunah with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts