Shlok for collaborative learning and harmonious relationships

Om saha nāvavatu।
Saha nau bhunaktu।
Saha vīryaṁ karavāvahai।
Tejasvi nāvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai।
Om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ॥

Om, may we both be protected together,
May we both be nourished together,
May we work together with great energy,
May our study be brilliant and effective,
May we not harbor ill-will toward each other.
Om, peace, peace, peace.

🕉️ Let us understand the meaning of the shlok

• Saha Nāvavatu: Saha means "together," nāvavatu means "may we be protected." This line emphasizes the importance of unity, seeking divine protection for both teacher and student, or any group working together.

• Saha Nau Bhunaktu: This part prays for nourishment. Bhunaktu means "may we enjoy" or "may we be nourished." It symbolizes nourishment on physical, mental, and spiritual levels for all involved in the learning process.

• Saha Vīryaṁ Karavāvahai: Vīryam means strength or energy. The phrase calls for working together with enthusiasm and vigor, ensuring that efforts are put forth harmoniously toward a common goal.

• Tejasvi Nāvadhītamastu: Tejasvi means brilliance or radiance, and adhītam means learning or study. This line hopes for the learning process to be illuminating and effective, resulting in wisdom and clarity.

• Mā Vidviṣāvahai: Mā means "may not," and vidviṣāvahai refers to harboring hatred or ill-will. This is a prayer for maintaining harmony and avoiding conflict or rivalry between individuals.

• Om Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ: The prayer concludes with three invocations of peace—wishing for peace within oneself, in relationships with others, and in the world at large.

This shlok is commonly recited at the beginning of classes, group activities, or learning sessions to invoke divine blessings for harmonious learning, teamwork, and peaceful cooperation.

⌚ When to chant this shlok?

• Chant this shlok before beginning any study, class, or learning session to invite focus, harmony, and effective learning.

• It is beneficial to recite when starting any collaborative work, setting a tone of mutual respect and teamwork.

• This shlok can also be used during personal meditation to reinforce the values of humility and open-mindedness.

🧩 Three easy ways to integrate this shlok in your daily lives

Pre-Study Routine: Begin each study session by chanting this shlok to cultivate focus and positivity in your learning.

Before Collaborative Work: Recite this shlok before starting group projects or meetings to promote cooperation, respect, and mutual understanding.

Daily Reflection on Relationships: Use this shlok to reflect on your interactions, reminding yourself to foster harmony, respect, and openness with others.

🙏 Benefits of daily chanting

• Enhanced Focus and Learning: Helps in creating a peaceful and conducive environment for learning.

• Mutual Respect: Reinforces the values of respect, cooperation, and harmony between individuals working or learning together.

• Increased Mental Clarity: Promotes clarity of thought, ensuring that learning and understanding are deep and meaningful.

💡 Good to know…

This shlok is part of the Taittiriya Upanishad and reflects the ancient Indian tradition of collaborative learning between teacher and student. It emphasizes not just intellectual growth but also mutual respect and emotional harmony. The invocation of peace (śāntiḥ) three times at the end symbolizes the removal of obstacles from different levels—internal (personal), external (social or environmental), and cosmic (spiritual).

💭 Take a moment to reflect…

How can you cultivate mutual respect and harmony in your relationships, especially with those from whom you learn or with whom you work?

Hari om!

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