Universal
Saha Navavatu — the student's prayer
ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
Oṁ saha nāv avatu, saha nau bhunaktu, saha vīryaṁ karavāvahai, tejasvi nāv adhītam astu mā vidviṣāvahai
Simple reading: Om sa-ha naa-va-va-tu, sa-ha nau bhu-nak-tu, sa-ha veer-yam ka-ra-vaa-va-hai, te-jas-vi naa-va-dhee-tam as-tu, maa vid-vi-shaa-va-hai
About this mantra
The śānti-pāṭha that teacher and student say together before study begins — five wishes, all in the dual: whatever is asked is asked for both.
Meaning
May it protect us both together; may it nourish us both; may we work together with vigour; may our study be brilliant; may we never resent one another. The candour of the last clause is what makes the prayer immortal. The tradition knew that knowledge passes between minds only across a bridge of goodwill — so the bridge is prayed for before the crossing begins.
When to recite it
The first words of a class — recited by teacher and student together before study, mentorship, or collaboration; academic years traditionally open with it.
Word by word
- सह नाववतुsaha nāv avatu
- may it protect us both together
- सह नौ भुनक्तुsaha nau bhunaktu
- may it nourish us both
- सह वीर्यं करवावहैsaha vīryaṁ karavāvahai
- may we work together with vigour
- तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तुtejasvi nāv adhītam astu
- may our study be brilliant
- मा विद्विषावहैmā vidviṣāvahai
- may we never resent one another
Source: Taittirīya Upaniṣad (śānti-pāṭha opening the Brahmānanda-vallī) and Kaṭha Upaniṣad