Why Shanti: Shanti: Shanti: - three times repeated?

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ॐ शान्ति: शान्ति: शान्ति:
The question that sometimes gets asked is – why is shanti chanted three times? Is
there any significance to it?
Here is a brief explanation as to why we chant shanti three times.
Our ancient scriptures tell us that one of the main objectives of life is to remove three
kinds of obstacles or to eliminate three kinds of suffering.
In the Samkhya system of philosophy (Samkhya Pravachana Sutram), the very first
sutra states:
"Permanent and complete elimination of the three-fold suffering is the supreme purpose
of life".
"अथ त्रिविधदुःखात्यन्त नििृतत्तुः अत्यन्त परुषाथथुः" (1.1)
Even though the three-fold suffering is not explicitly defined in the sutra, every
commentator takes it to mean the following three forms of suffering:
 Adhidaivika (of divine origin)
 Adhibhautika (originated in the physical, material beings)
 Adhyatmika (created by ourselves)
Adhidaivika
The word "daivika" means "of divine origin". Adhidaivika refers to the suffering due to
divine causes, causes that we have no control over. These include natural disasters like
floods, tornados, tsunamis, earthquakes, plagues, fires and the like.
Adhibhautika
The word ‘bhautika’ is derived from ‘bhuta’ which means all beings. It can also mean
any entity, living or non-living. For example, even a stone can be termed a bhuta. So
Adhibhautika refers to suffering caused by other beings. In the Samkhya system, these
are classified as – other human, domestic animals, wild animals, reptiles etc., insects,
mosquitoes, bugs, cockroaches etc. For example, suffering can be caused by someone

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physically hitting you or hurting you through verbal abuse. Similarly, suffering can be
caused by a snake or a scorpion bite, you may have sleepless nights due to mosquito
bites, you could be attacked by a domestic or a wild animal etc.
Adhyatmika
The word ‘atmika’ means ‘self-inflicted’. Adhyatmika suffering is the most damaging
and long-lasting suffering as we inflict it on ourselves. This could be physical, mental, or
emotional suffering. We cause physical suffering on ourselves by, for example,
overeating, not taking care of our health etc. Most of the suffering is caused by mental
reasons. We suffer when we carry negative emotions – anger, hatred, jealousy, greed
etc.
Patanjali, in the Yoga Sutras, provides an excellent explanation of the suffering, its
causes and the remedy. He describes five kinds of kleshas (sufferings) which are all
caused by our ignorance of not knowing our true identity. We suffer because we allow
our negative ego (ahamkara) to take over our intellectual capabilities.
Patanjali also tells us that suffering that has not yet come can and must be avoided –
हेयं दुःखं अिागतम् (sutra 2.16). Patanjali, in subsequent sutras, goes on to explain that
the suffering is caused by ignorance and it is up to us to eliminate this ignorance
through the practice of the eight limbs of yoga.
So, the reason we recite the word ‘shanti’ three times at the end of any ritualistic prayer
is to pray for peace in the face of all the three sources of suffering described above.
ॐ शान्ति: शान्ति: शान्ति: