May we evolve and be nourished together;
May we work conjointly with great energy,
May our study be vigorous and effective;
May we not mutually dispute
Om ! Peace! Peace! Peace!
With these verses of Shanti mantra (peace mantra) from Katu Upanishad, a guru and disciple put their intention to grow together spiritually and evolve in harmony and accordance. The “guru” can be understood in a wide sense to embrace any source of true knowledge (knowledge of the self). In this sense, Life is the greatest teacher.
Call it Life or Nature or the Universe… All this diversity of living beings, objects and thoughts; the different expressions of existence around us; play a direct role in our path to create individual experience (through objects and by transcending them), which is the only reliable source of vidya (knowledge).
This integral system, a tiny part of which is humanity, deserves from us attention and care. Growing together with Life means perceiving ourselves as a part if a whole: allowing our growth to be helpful both for us and all the living beings around us. May we nourish together… Support one another… The myth of supremacy of mankind over earth falls. We seize to be selfish consumer of everything around and start being a cell in a large body called universe. Cells that grow in a selfish way, not in accordance with the whole body are diseased cells.
The beauty of Life manifests only for those who live as a part of a whole – those who on the level of mind and experience know that Nature is the greatest guru and are open to listen to its whispers echoing in their hearts.
The text of the Mantra in Sanskrit:
ऊं सहना ववतु
सहनौ भुनक्तु
सहविर्यम् करवावहे
तेजस्विना वधीतम् अस्तु
मा विद विशावहै
ऊं शांति शांति शांति
Om Sahana Vavatu Sahanau Bhunaktu
Sahaveeryam Karavavahai
Tejas Vinavati Tamastuma vidhwishavahai
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi
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