Why chant three times? We chant because we are seeking peace in our body, mind and spirit. It also makes our past, present and future tranquil. We chant Aum at the beginning of our sadhana, at the end and then Shanti.
Now there is also an explanation in the Acarya-s. An Acarya- is one who teaches by his life’s example. He is a selfless and highly learned being. He thinks of the truth of the Sastra by Yamas and Niyamas. In the study of the scriptures and trying to follow a spiritual life, one faces these three-fold miseries.
They are called adhyatmika, adibhautika and adhidaivika. Adhyatmika dukkha (sorrow) means relating to the atma and mind. It is caused by physical and mental suffering. Adhyaatmika dukha means trials and travails which effect human beings. It is that sorrow which is caused by other creatures and beings. Adhidaivika dukha means unseen forces of nature. It is how time effects one and the unseen hand of God. Sorrow and suffering are part of life, awareness regarding their origin and causes helps to reduce them. These three miseries are referred to as tapatraya (threefold suffering) in the Scriptures.
Chanting Aum, three times, we are asking for self-awareness and consciousness. This awareness leads us to ask for saving mother earth and then the universe.
Chanting Shanti three times, we are asking for
- Shanti to prevail in the three worlds (Bo, Bhuva and Suwar Loka)
- Shanti to prevail in all the gunas
- Shanti to prevail in all stages of Jagrath (wakefulness), Swapna (dreaming) and Sushupti (deep sleep).
Aim Hrim Klim