शं नो मित्रः शं वरुणः — Word-by-Word Meaning
शं नो मित्रः शं वरुणः
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
शम्
śam
may there be peace / blessing / well-being
नः
naḥ
to us, for us
मित्रः
mitraḥ
Mitra (the friendly deity of day, harmony and breath)
वरुणः
varuṇaḥ
Varuna (deity of cosmic order, waters and the night)
अर्यमा
aryamā
Aryaman (the solar deity of nobility, the eye)
इन्द्रः बृहस्पतिः
indraḥ bṛhaspatiḥ
Indra (strength) and Brihaspati (wisdom, lord of prayer)
विष्णुः उरुक्रमः
viṣṇuḥ urukramaḥ
Vishnu of wide strides (who measured the worlds)
नमः ब्रह्मणे
namaḥ brahmaṇe
salutations to Brahman (the Supreme Reality)
नमः ते वायो
namaḥ te vāyo
salutations to you, O Vayu (the cosmic wind / life-breath)
त्वम् एव प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्म असि
tvam eva pratyakṣaṃ brahma asi
you alone are the perceptible (manifest) Brahman
ऋतं वदिष्यामि
ṛtaṃ vadiṣyāmi
I shall speak the cosmic order (the right)
सत्यं वदिष्यामि
satyaṃ vadiṣyāmi
I shall speak the truth
तत् माम् अवतु
tat mām avatu
may That (Brahman) protect me
तत् वक्तारम् अवतु
tat vaktāram avatu
may That protect the teacher (the speaker)
अवतु माम्
avatu mām
may it protect me
अवतु वक्तारम्
avatu vaktāram
may it protect the teacher
शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः
śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
peace, peace, peace (in body, mind and surroundings)
Complete Translation
ॐ। मित्र हमारे लिए कल्याणकारी हों; वरुण हमारे लिए कल्याणकारी हों; अर्यमा हमारे लिए कल्याणकारी हों; इन्द्र और बृहस्पति हमारे लिए कल्याणकारी हों; उरुक्रम विष्णु हमारे लिए कल्याणकारी हों। ब्रह्म को नमस्कार; हे वायु, आपको नमस्कार — आप ही प्रत्यक्ष ब्रह्म हैं। मैं आपको ही प्रत्यक्ष ब्रह्म कहूँगा; मैं ऋत बोलूँगा; मैं सत्य बोलूँगा। वह (ब्रह्म) मेरी रक्षा करे; वह वक्ता (गुरु) की रक्षा करे; वह मेरी रक्षा करे; वह वक्ता की रक्षा करे। ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः।
Origin & History
Source: Taittiriya Upanishad (Shiksha Valli), Krishna Yajurveda
Author: Vedic tradition (Taittiriya Shakha)
Period: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Sham No Mitrah Sham Varunah' mean?▼
It means 'May Mitra be blissful (peaceful) to us; may Varuna be blissful to us.' The full verse asks Mitra, Varuna, Aryaman, Indra, Brihaspati and Vishnu to bless us, and salutes Brahman and Vayu as the manifest Supreme Reality.
Which scripture is this Shanti Patha from?▼
It is the opening peace invocation (Shanti Mantra) of the Shiksha Valli, the first chapter of the Taittiriya Upanishad, which belongs to the Krishna (Black) Yajurveda. Its root deity-praise echoes Rigvedic invocations of Mitra and Varuna.
Why does it say 'I shall speak Rta and Satya'?▼
The student vows to speak Rta (the cosmic, eternal order) and Satya (truth in word and deed). This vow of truthfulness is the proper attitude for one approaching sacred knowledge, and it invites the protection of Brahman upon both student and teacher.
When is this mantra chanted?▼
It is traditionally recited before studying the Taittiriya Upanishad and other scriptures, and is widely used as a general Shanti Patha to begin spiritual study, discourses and practice.
Ready to start chanting?
See Benefits & How to Chant →