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.
