Universal
Saha Navavatu — the student's prayer
ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
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
Oṁ saha nāv avatu, saha nau bhunaktu, saha vīryaṁ karavāvahai, tejasvi nāv adhītam astu mā vidviṣāvahai
About this mantra
The śānti-pāṭha that teacher and student say together before study begins: five wishes, all in the dual, so 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.
Learn it by heart
Say the first line until it comes without reading, then add the next line and say both, until the whole mantra comes on its own.
Line 1 of 4
ॐ सह नाववतु ।
Oṁ saha nāv avatu, saha nau bhunaktu, saha vīryaṁ karavāvahai, tejasvi nāv adhītam astu mā vidviṣāvahai
0not said yet
Aim for eleven before the next line. Move on when the line comes without reading.
Progress stays on this device.
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