Tachcham Yoravrinimahe — Word-by-Word Meaning
तच्छं योरावृणीमहे
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
तत्
tat
that
शम्
śam
happiness, well-being, that which cures and brings peace
योः
yoḥ
that which removes / wards off disease and evil
आ वृणीमहे
ā vṛṇīmahe
we choose, we pray for, we invoke
गातुम्
gātum
right path, free progress, success
यज्ञाय
yajñāya
for the sacrifice (the yajna)
यज्ञपतये
yajñapataye
for the lord / performer of the sacrifice
दैवी स्वस्तिः
daivī svastiḥ
divine well-being, blessing from the gods
अस्तु नः
astu naḥ
may it be to us, may we have
स्वस्तिः मानुषेभ्यः
svastiḥ mānuṣebhyaḥ
well-being for (all) human beings
ऊर्ध्वम्
ūrdhvam
upward, high, ever rising
जिगातु
jigātu
may it advance, may it prevail, may it go forth
भेषजम्
bheṣajam
medicine, healing, remedy
शम् नः अस्तु द्विपदे
śam naḥ astu dvipade
may there be well-being for our bipeds (human beings)
शम् चतुष्पदे
śam catuṣpade
well-being for the quadrupeds (animals, cattle)
शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः
śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
peace, peace, peace
Complete Translation
Om. We pray for that which is healing and which wards off all suffering. May there be a clear path and success for the sacrifice, and for the lord of the sacrifice. May divine well-being be ours, and well-being to all humankind. May the healing power rise ever upward (and prevail). May there be well-being to our bipeds (human beings) and well-being to our quadrupeds (animals). Om, peace, peace, peace.
Origin & History
Source: Rigveda / Shukla Yajurveda (Shanti Patha)
Author: Vedic tradition
Period: Vedic period
This peace invocation gathers Vedic verses found in the Rigveda and the Shukla Yajurveda into a single Shanti Patha. Beginning with a prayer for healing (sham and yoh) and the unobstructed success of the sacrifice, it widens into a benediction for divine well-being, for all humankind, for the upward triumph of healing power, and finally for the peace of both bipeds and quadrupeds — humans and animals together. Its all-embracing scope has made it one of the most cherished Vedic peace chants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Tachcham Yoravrinimahe' mean?▼
It means 'We pray for that which is healing and which removes suffering.' The invocation then asks for the success of the sacrifice, divine and human well-being, the rising of healing power, and peace for both human beings and animals.
Why does the mantra mention bipeds and quadrupeds?▼
The phrase 'Sham no astu dvipade, sham chatushpade' prays for the well-being of two-legged beings (human beings) and four-legged beings (animals and cattle). This embraces the welfare of the entire living world, not just humanity.
Where is this Shanti Patha from?▼
Its verses are drawn from the Rigveda and the Shukla Yajurveda (it appears among the peace invocations associated with the Yajurvedic tradition). It is one of the most widely used Vedic peace chants.
When is this mantra chanted?▼
It is recited as a Shanti Patha — especially at the conclusion of yajnas, homas and prayers, and in invocations for healing, harmony and the welfare of all creatures.
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