Universal
Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः । सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत् ॥
Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ sarve santu nirāmayāḥ, sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu mā kaścid duḥkha-bhāg bhavet
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
About this mantra
The universal blessing — happiness, health, and goodness asked not for oneself but for every being without exception.
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: not only may all be well, but may no one, anywhere, be the exception.
When to recite it
Closes pujas and gatherings; recited on birthdays and new years for all beings, quietly 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