THE IMPORTANCE OF CHANTING OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI AT THE END OF MANTRA CHANTING

The Traditional Vedic Understanding of the Triple Invocation of Peace

Introduction

In the Vedic tradition, the concluding recitation of \"Om Shanti Shanti Shanti\" is not merely a formal ending to a mantra, prayer, puja, yajna, or spiritual practice. It is a profound invocation intended to stabilize, protect, and assimilate the spiritual energies generated during the practice. The chanting of \"Shanti\" three times represents a deliberate request for peace and removal of obstacles across multiple dimensions of existence. It is therefore regarded as one of the most important concluding elements of Vedic worship.

The Meaning of \"Om\"

The syllable Om (Aum) is regarded as the primordial cosmic vibration from which all creation emerges. It symbolizes the Supreme Reality, the Absolute Consciousness, and the underlying unity of existence. By preceding the invocation of peace with Om, the practitioner aligns the prayer for peace with the universal source of all harmony and order.

Thus, the expression begins not merely as a wish for peace, but as a request for peace grounded in the cosmic intelligence represented by Om.

Why \"Shanti\" Is Repeated Three Times

The triple repetition of Shanti is one of the most distinctive features of Vedic liturgy. The repetition is not for emphasis alone. Rather, it corresponds to the removal of three categories of disturbances that can obstruct the fulfillment of any spiritual effort, worldly objective, or sacred intention.

The threefold invocation recognizes that obstacles may arise from the external world, from unseen cosmic influences, or from one\'s own mind and body. By chanting Shanti three times, the practitioner seeks peace and harmony in all three domains simultaneously.

The First Shanti: Removal of Cosmic and Divine Disturbances

The first Shanti is traditionally directed toward disturbances arising from higher cosmic forces, often referred to as Adhidaivika obstacles.

These include influences beyond ordinary human control such as planetary disturbances, natural calamities, collective karmic conditions, adverse environmental circumstances, and unseen cosmic factors that may interfere with the successful fruition of a spiritual endeavor.

When the first Shanti is uttered, the practitioner seeks divine harmony and alignment with the larger cosmic order. It is an appeal for favorable conditions from the universe itself.

The Second Shanti: Removal of External and Environmental Disturbances

The second Shanti is directed toward Adhibhautika obstacles, which arise from the external world and other living beings.

These disturbances may include conflicts with people, social opposition, misunderstandings, hostile influences, accidents, environmental disruptions, and difficulties encountered through interaction with the material world.

The second Shanti therefore seeks peaceful relationships with society, nature, circumstances, and all forms of external existence. It establishes harmony between the practitioner and the surrounding environment.

The Third Shanti: Removal of Internal Disturbances

The third Shanti is directed toward Adhyatmika obstacles, the disturbances arising from within oneself.

These include:

• Anxiety
• Fear
• Doubt
• Anger
• Emotional instability
• Mental restlessness
• Physical suffering
• Inner conflict

Many spiritual traditions recognize that the greatest obstacle to success often lies within the practitioner rather than outside. The third Shanti seeks the calming of the mind, balancing of emotions, purification of thought, and establishment of inner tranquility.

Without this inner peace, even favorable external circumstances may fail to produce fulfillment.

The Role of Shanti in Purpose-Specific Mantra Practice

When a mantra is chanted for a specific purpose—such as health, career advancement, marriage, fertility, wealth, examination success, or spiritual attainment—the practitioner accumulates a particular energetic and psychological focus throughout the japa.

The concluding \"Om Shanti Shanti Shanti\" acts as a harmonizing seal upon the practice. It prevents agitation, emotional excess, anxiety about results, and attachment to immediate outcomes. It allows the fruits of the practice to mature naturally under peaceful conditions.

In this sense, the Shanti invocation is not separate from the main mantra; it completes and stabilizes the intention behind the mantra.

The Spiritual Function of Shanti as an Energetic Seal

Many traditional teachers describe the triple Shanti as a spiritual seal that preserves the subtle effects generated during prayer.

Just as a ritual concludes with an offering, a blessing, or a formal completion, the triple Shanti serves to contain and protect the spiritual momentum generated by the practice.

Without a peaceful conclusion, the mind may immediately return to worry, fear, or agitation, thereby dissipating the mental focus cultivated during the chanting session. The invocation of peace helps maintain the elevated state created by the mantra.

Shanti and the Principle of Non-Attachment

A central principle of Vedic spirituality is that actions should be performed sincerely while relinquishing excessive attachment to outcomes.

The chanting of \"Om Shanti Shanti Shanti\" encourages this attitude. It shifts the practitioner\'s consciousness from striving and expectation to surrender and trust.

After offering one\'s effort through mantra, the invocation of peace symbolizes acceptance of divine timing and divine wisdom regarding the manifestation of results.

The Psychological Significance of Triple Peace

From a psychological perspective, the triple repetition creates a gradual descent into calmness.

The first Shanti relaxes awareness of external uncertainty.

The second Shanti softens concerns regarding relationships and circumstances.

The third Shanti settles the mind itself.

This progressive movement from outer to inner peace helps integrate the emotional and mental effects of spiritual practice, making the practitioner more receptive to clarity, resilience, and wisdom.

The Highest Meaning of Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

At its deepest level, \"Om Shanti Shanti Shanti\" is not merely a prayer for the absence of problems. It is an invocation of harmony between the individual self, the world, and the Divine.

The triple peace acknowledges that true fulfillment arises when cosmic forces, worldly circumstances, and inner consciousness all move into balance.

For this reason, the Vedic tradition places great importance on ending prayers, mantras, Upanishadic recitations, yajnas, and spiritual disciplines with:

ॐशान्तिःशान्तिःशान्तिः

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

—an invocation for complete peace in the heavens, peace in the world, and peace within oneself.

 

HOW MANY TIMES SHOULD \"OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI\" BE CHANTED FOR THE BEST RESULTS OF THE MAIN MANTRA?

Traditional Vedic Guidance

The Standard Rule

In traditional Vedic practice, \"Om Shanti Shanti Shanti\" is generally chanted once at the conclusion of the entire mantra session, not after every repetition of the main mantra.

For example:

• Main Mantra → 108 repetitions
• Then:

ॐशान्तिःशान्तिःशान्तिः

(once)

This is the most common and orthodox practice.

For Purpose-Specific Mantra Sadhana

When chanting a mantra for:

• Health
• Hormonal balance
• Marriage
• Career
• Wealth
• UPSC success
• Childbirth
• Spiritual growth

the recommended structure is:

Step 1

Invoke Ganesha (optional)

Step 2

Chant the main mantra

• 108 times
• 216 times
• 324 times
• 1008 times

according to your capacity.

Step 3

Conclude with:

ॐशान्तिःशान्तिःशान्तिः

3 times

This is often considered ideal because the practitioner consciously invokes peace in all three dimensions.

Why Three Repetitions of the Entire Formula?

Many traditional teachers recommend:

First Recitation

ॐशान्तिःशान्तिःशान्तिः

For cosmic obstacles (Adhidaivika).

Second Recitation

ॐशान्तिःशान्तिःशान्तिः

For external obstacles (Adhibhautika).

Third Recitation

ॐशान्तिःशान्तिःशान्तिः

For internal obstacles (Adhyatmika).

Thus the entire phrase is recited three times.

For Intensive Sadhana

During a dedicated 40-day or 108-day sadhana:

Main Mantra

108 times daily

followed by

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

9 times

This is considered a powerful stabilizing practice.

The number 9 is traditionally associated with completion and totality.

For Healing and Health-Related Mantras

For health, hormonal balance, fertility, digestive recovery, or emotional healing:

Main Mantra

108 repetitions

followed by

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

11 repetitions

The intention is to establish deep physical, emotional, and energetic equilibrium.

For Very High-Powered Mantra Anushthana

If performing:

• 10,000+
• 24,000+
• 125,000+

japa counts,

many practitioners conclude with:

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

21 times

This is regarded as a strong energetic sealing of the practice.

The Most Balanced Recommendation

For most people practicing daily:

Main Mantra

108 repetitions

Then

ॐशान्तिःशान्तिःशान्तिः

3 repetitions

This provides a balance between traditional authenticity, practicality, and spiritual completeness.

Traditional Closing Formula

After completing the main mantra, chant:

ॐशान्तिःशान्तिःशान्तिः।
ॐशान्तिःशान्तिःशान्तिः।
ॐशान्तिःशान्तिःशान्तिः॥

Then sit silently for 1–3 minutes and allow the effects of the mantra to settle before resuming normal activities.

This method is widely regarded as one of the most effective ways to conclude purpose-specific mantra practice while invoking peace, stability, and unobstructed manifestation of the mantra\'s intended benefits.

 

The Decoder
MAYYANK MANAV
(The MITian)

 

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