bhadram-karnebhihshanti-mantramundaka-upanishadrigveda

Bhadram Karnebhih (May We Hear What is Auspicious)

भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम in English · English

🕉️ vedic·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 At the beginning of study, worship, or any auspicious undertaking; morning·📜 Rig Veda 1.89.8; Shanti Mantra of the Mundaka and other Upanishads

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Bhadram Karnebhih is one of the most beloved Vedic Shanti (peace) mantras, a prayer of the Rig Veda that opens several Upanishads, including the Mundaka. It asks the gods that we may hear only what is auspicious, see only what is good, and with healthy, steady bodies live out the full span of life ordained for us, spending it in their praise. Concluding with 'Om Shanti Shanti Shanti', it is chanted at the beginning of sacred study and worship for harmony and well-being.

Origin & Story

Rig Veda 1.89.8; Shanti Mantra of the Mundaka and other Upanishads · Traditional (Vedic) · Vedic

Bhadram Karnebhih is an ancient prayer of the Rig Veda that came to serve as a Shanti Path, a peace invocation, at the threshold of sacred study. It opens the Mundaka Upanishad and is recited in the Atharva and Rig Veda traditions before the reading of scripture. In it the worshippers, addressing the bright gods, pray that their ears may hear and their eyes behold only what is auspicious, that their bodies remain firm and healthy, and that they may live out the full lifespan granted by the gods, spending it in praise of the Divine. The threefold 'Shanti' that closes it invokes peace at every level of existence.

✦ As told in scripture

It is held that to begin study or worship with this invocation purifies and harmonizes the atmosphere, so that the seeker's senses, mind and body are attuned to the auspicious; the threefold peace it pronounces is believed to ward off the three kinds of affliction — those from within, from other beings, and from the forces of nature.

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The Mantra

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oṁ bhadraṁ karṇebhiḥ śṛṇuyāma devāḥ bhadraṁ paśyemākṣabhir yajatrāḥ sthirair aṅgais tuṣṭuvāṁsas tanūbhiḥ vyaśema devahitaṁ yad āyuḥ oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ

Meaning:Om. O gods, may we hear what is auspicious with our ears; O worshipful ones, may we see what is auspicious with our eyes. With firm limbs and sound bodies, praising you, may we enjoy the full span of life allotted by the gods. Om peace, peace, peace.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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bhadram🔊That which is auspicious, good, blessed, beneficial

karṇebhiḥ🔊With the ears

śṛṇuyāma🔊May we hear

devāḥ🔊O gods, O shining ones

paśyema🔊May we see, may we behold

akṣabhiḥ🔊With the eyes

yajatrāḥ🔊O worshipful ones, O adorable gods worthy of sacrifice

sthirair aṅgaiḥ🔊With firm, steady limbs

tuṣṭuvāṁsaḥ tanūbhiḥ🔊Praising (the gods) with our bodies; offering praise with sound bodies

vyaśema🔊May we enjoy, may we attain, may we spend (our life)

devahitaṁ yat āyuḥ🔊The lifespan that is allotted/beneficial as ordained by the gods

śāntiḥ🔊Peace (chanted three times for peace in body, mind and spirit, and from all sources of disturbance)

Benefits of Chanting भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम

✦

A classic Vedic peace invocation (shanti mantra) recited before sacred study, worship and undertakings.

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Prays for the senses to be turned toward the auspicious — hearing and seeing only what is good and uplifting.

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Invokes health, strength and a sound body to live out one's full, divinely ordained lifespan.

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Cultivates an attitude of devotion, using one's life and faculties in the praise and service of the Divine.

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Brings harmony and peace at the three levels invoked by 'Shanti Shanti Shanti' — within, around and from above.

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Sets a serene, sattvic frame of mind at the start of spiritual practice and learning.

How to Chant भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम

Repetitions3times

Best TimeAt the beginning of study, worship, or any auspicious undertaking; morning

FaceEast or North

Begin with 'Om' and recite the verse calmly and clearly, as a collective prayer (it uses 'we', not 'I'), wishing well-being for all who study and worship together. Reflect on its requests: to hear and see only the auspicious, to keep a healthy body, and to spend a full life in the praise of the Divine. Close with 'Om Shanti Shanti Shanti', uttering the three 'shantis' slowly for peace in body, mind and surroundings. It is traditionally chanted before reading scripture.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

It means 'May we hear what is auspicious with our ears, O gods'. The full prayer asks that we may hear and see only what is good, enjoy health and a full lifespan, and spend our life praising the gods, ending with 'Om Shanti Shanti Shanti'.

It is a Vedic hymn from the Rig Veda (1.89.8) and serves as the Shanti Mantra (peace invocation) opening several Upanishads, most famously the Mundaka Upanishad. It is associated with the Atharva Veda and Rig Veda Shanti Paths.

It is chanted as a peace invocation at the start of scriptural study, worship, yajnas and auspicious occasions, to create a harmonious and sacred atmosphere. It is recited collectively, praying for the well-being of all present.

Vedic peace mantras are prayers for the welfare of all, not just oneself. By saying 'may we hear, may we see, may we enjoy', the seeker includes the whole community, expressing the Vedic spirit of universal well-being and shared spiritual aspiration.