Why do we say “shanti” three times?
Om shanti shanti shanti: why so many Hindu prayers end with “peace” said three times, and the three kinds of peace it asks for.
The 60-second answer · for ages 5–10
Many prayers end with “Om shanti, shanti, shanti.” Shanti means peace. But why say it three times? Our elders say we are asking for peace in three places: peace inside me (no worries or tummy aches), peace with everyone around me (no fights with friends or family), and peace with the world of nature (gentle weather, safe journeys). One “shanti” for my heart, one for my people, one for the whole world.
For parents · the deeper why
Many Hindu prayers, chants and classes end the same way: oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ. Śānti means peace, calm, quiet. Saying it once would already be lovely. So why three times?
Where it comes from
The ending appears in the śānti pāṭha, the “peace chants” that open the Upaniṣads. One of the best known, which begins the Kaṭha and Taittirīya Upaniṣads, is a prayer said by teacher and student together:
oṃ saha nāvavatu, saha nau bhunaktu, saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai tejasvi nāvadhītam astu, mā vidviṣāvahai oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
In our own words: “May we be protected together, nourished together, and work with energy together. May our learning shine, and may we never resent each other. Om, peace, peace, peace.”
It is a beautiful way to begin learning anything, and a lovely prayer to teach children before homework.
Three kinds of peace
As commonly taught, the three śāntis ask for freedom from three kinds of trouble. Indian philosophy names them as a set; the Sāṃkhya Kārikā, a classic text, begins with this “threefold suffering”:
- Ādhyātmika: trouble from within ourselves: illness, worry, anger, fear.
- Ādhibhautika: trouble from other beings: quarrels, unkindness, accidents.
- Ādhidaivika: trouble from the wider forces of nature: storms, floods, things beyond anyone’s control.
So the three śāntis ask for peace in the heart, peace with others, and peace with the world. Many teachers also say them with rising softness, the last one almost a whisper, as the mind settles.
Why it matters for children
Ending with peace gives children a clear way to close a prayer, a lesson or a hard day. It also teaches something quietly important: peace isn’t only about me. It includes the people around me and the world we share.
How families do it differently
- Some families chant a full śānti mantra before study or meals.
- Some end every evening prayer with “Om shanti” three times.
- Many simply say “Om shanti” as a gentle goodbye or blessing.
Try this at home
At bedtime, say “Om shanti” three times together. With each one, let your child name who or what they're wishing peace for: me, my people, the world.
Sources
- Kaṭha Upaniṣad and Taittirīya Upaniṣad, opening peace chant (śānti pāṭha) — oṃ saha nāvavatu… ending oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
- Sāṃkhya Kārikā 1 — names the threefold suffering (duḥkha-traya) that the three “shantis” are commonly linked to
- Traditional teaching — the three as ādhyātmika, ādhibhautika and ādhidaivika: from within, from other beings, from nature
Written in our own words from public-domain texts, as a simple way in. The original texts are always the best teacher. Spotted something to improve? Tell us.
Your kids might ask next
Why do we chant Om?
A-U-M: why Om begins prayers and mantras, what the Upanishads say it means, and how to share it with kids.
Why do we ring the temple bell?
Every child loves this part. Here's what the bell actually does: waking up our attention and welcoming the divine.
Why do we pray before we eat?
Why many Hindu families pause to offer their food before eating, what the Gita verse said at mealtimes means, and how families do it differently.