Universal
Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः । सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत् ॥
Simple reading
Sar-ve bha-van-tu su-khi-nah, sar-ve san-tu ni-raa-ma-yaah, sar-ve bhad-raa-ni pash-yan-tu, maa kash-chid duh-kha-bhaag bha-vet
Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ sarve santu nirāmayāḥ, sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu mā kaścid duḥkha-bhāg bhavet
About this mantra
The universal blessing: happiness, health, and goodness asked for every being without exception, rather than for oneself.
Meaning
May all be happy; may all be free of illness; may all see what is auspicious; may no one have a share in sorrow. Three clauses say 'all' and the fourth says 'no one'; the prayer refuses to draw the circle smaller. Its last line does the deepest work. It is not enough that all be well; no one, anywhere, is to be the exception.
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 2
सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः ।
Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ sarve santu nirāmayāḥ, sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu mā kaścid duḥkha-bhāg bhavet
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
Closes pujas and gatherings; recited on birthdays and new years for all beings, softly in hospital corridors, and wherever goodwill needs widening.
Word by word
- सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनःsarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ
- may all be happy
- सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाःsarve santu nirāmayāḥ
- may all be free of illness
- सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तुsarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu
- may all see what is auspicious
- मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत्mā kaścid duḥkha-bhāg bhavet
- may no one share in sorrow
Source: Traditional maṅgala verse; often printed with the Upaniṣadic śānti-pāṭhas, but it is not found in any Upaniṣad