Spiritual significance of chanting Om Shanti

Faith Mysticism

oi-Staff

By Staff

Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 16:58

Peace is what we actually pace for in life, at all times, whatever be the objectives that we believe to attain. A conscious approach to it makes the strive spiritual. Unswerving peace is the end of all spiritual endevours. As in all religions, Hinduism pitches its practises in the pursuit of peace, the ultimate end.

The word 'Shanti' means peace. In the Vedantic view of Hinduism, the peace that one normally hankers after restlessly is inherent. Peace is the natural state of a being or the very being itself is but pure peace, much against the normal attitude as peace is like that of a product to be attained. One strives to attain peace failing to realize or recoganise one's own oneness with peace. Hence for realizing the peace, within, chanting of prayers is suggested.

Prayers in Hinduism end with chanting 'Om Shanti' thrice to dispel the troubles and agitations of life that cloud peace, the inherent nature of oneself. 'Trivaram satyam' in Hinduism according to which that which is said thrice comes true. This would also mean to emphasize a particular point. 'Om Shanti' is thus chanted thrice in order to emphasize one's desire for peace at the end of all prayers.

Mental agitations cloud peace which when dispelled, peace is experienced. This actually emphasises the fact that peace prevails before and after the disturbances. Problems and troubles arise out of unseen forces like natural calamities that we do not have any control like floods, earthquakes etc and also through known factors like accidents, crime, pollution, human contacts etc.

Hence we chant prayers to invoke God's protection when special tasks are undertaken and also in our day to day activities. We pray that may peace alone prevail which appears to be destroyed by the seeming impressions of external agitations. Hence 'Om Shanti' is chanted thrice to establish oneself in peace. The first time it is chanted loudly addressing the unseen forces, the second a little softer for the benefit of our immediate surroundings and ones around and the third it is chanted more softly directed to oneself.

The chanting of 'Om Shanti' is thus a practise prescribed in Hinduism like the numerous rituals that are pointers to peace which is the very nature of oneself.