In India
the river Kaveri has been famous since times immemorial.
Shaanti, meaning 'peace', is a
natural state of being. Disturbances are created either by others or us. For
example, peace already exists in a place until someone male noise. Therefore,
peace underlies all our agitations. When agitations end, peace is naturally
experienced since it is already there. Where there is peace, there is happiness.
Therefore, everyone without exception desires peace in his/her life. However,
peace within or without seems very hard to attain because it is covered by our
own agitations. A rare few manage to remain peaceful within even in the midst of
external agitation and troubles. To invoke peace, we chant prayers. By chanting
prayers, troubles end and peace is experienced internally, irrespective of the
external disturbances. All such prayers end by the chanting shaanti
thrice.
It is believed that trivaram satyam
- that which is said thrice comes true. For emphasizing a point we
repeat a thing thrice. In the court of law also, on who takes the witness stand
says, "I shall speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth". We
chant shaanti thrice to emphasize our intense desire for peace.
All obstacles, problems and sorrows
originate three sources:
Aadhidaivika: The unseen
divine forces over which we have little or no control like earthquakes, floods,
volcanic eruptions etc.
Aadhibautika: the known
factors around us like accidents, human contacts, pollution, crime etc.
Aadhyaatmika: Problems of our
bodies and minds like diseases, anger, frustrations etc.
We sincerely pray to the Lord that at least
while we undertake special tasks or even in our daily lives, there are no
problems or that, problems are minimized from the three sources written about
above. May peace alone prevail. Hence shaanti is chanted
thrice.
It is chanted aloud the first time,
addressing the unseen forces. It is chanted softer the second time, directed to
our immediate surroundings and those around, and softest the last time as it is
addressed to oneself.
"OM SHAANTHI SHAANTHI SHAANTHI"
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