Sacred text · Hindu practice

Saha Navavatu

May the divine protect us both, sustain us both; may we work together with vigour; may our study be radiant; may we not dispute with one another

ॐ सह नाववतु सह नौ भुनक्तु सह वीर्यं करवावहै तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः

Oṃ saha nāv avatu saha nau bhunaktu saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai tejasvi nāv adhītam astu mā vidviṣāvahai Oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ

A peace invocation for teacher and student before study. It asks for their protection, nourishment, shared effort and fruitful learning, and closes with a wish that they not become hostile to one another.

Source: Taittirīya Upaniṣad, śānti mantra

The count shown here is Japa's suggestion, not a rule of the tradition. Follow the form and number you were taught.

Not counted on beads

How many times

Japa suggests three times a day. Follow the number you were taught.

Japa counts this one without a mala: a plain daily number rather than a ring of beads, with the words kept in view while you say them. Counting is unlimited and free.

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What the words say

Nau and āvahai are dual forms — 'us two', 'may we two'. Saha, together, opens three of the four lines. Tejasvi nāv adhītam astu: may what we two have studied be full of light. Mā vidviṣāvahai: may we two not come to hate one another — the last request, and not an obvious one to end a prayer about learning with.

Where it comes from

The śānti mantra of the Taittirīya Upaniṣad, where it opens the Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda recension's second and third sections. It is used far beyond that text as a general opening for study.

How it is practised

Said aloud together at the start of a class or a session of study, teacher and student. The threefold śāntiḥ closes it.

References

Taittirīya Upaniṣad, śānti mantra (Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda)

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