Shaanti, meaning "peace", is a
natural state of being. Disturbances are created either by others or us. For
example, peace already exists in a place until someone makes noise.
Therefore, peace underlies all our agitations. When
agitations end, peace is naturally experienced since it was already there.
Where there is peace, there is happiness. Therefore, every one without
exception desires peace in his/her life.
However, peace within or without seems very hard to
attain because it is covered by our own agitations. A rare few manage to remain
peaceful within even in the midst of external agitation and troubles. To invoke
peace, we chant prayers. By chanting prayers, troubles end and peace is experienced
internally, irrespective of the external disturbances. All such prayers end by
chanting shaanti thrice.
It is believed that trivaram satyam - that
which is said thrice comes true. For emphasizing a point we repeat a thing
thrice. In the court of law also, one who takes the witness stands says,
"I shall speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth".
We chant shaanti thrice to emphasise our
intense desire for peace. All obstacles, problems and sorrows originate from
three sources.
Aadhidaivika : The unseen divine forces over which
we have little or no control like earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions etc.
Aadhibhautika: The known factors around us like
accidents, human contacts, pollution, crime etc.
Aadhyaatmika : We sincerely pray to the Lord that
at least while we undertake special tasks or even in our daily lives, there are
no problems or that, problems are minimised from the three sources written
about above.
May peace alone prevail. Hence shaanti is
chanted thrice.
It is chanted aloud the first time, addressing the unseen
forces. It is chanted softer the second time, directed to our immediate
surroundings and those around, and softest the last time as it is addressed to
oneself.
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