The Sanskrit mantra
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu means, “May all beings everywhere be happy and free”. It is a universal prayer for peace, happiness, and well-being for all living things.
Breakdown of the Sanskrit words
The meaning of the mantra can be understood by looking at the components individually:
Lokah: Refers to the “universe,” “world,” or all realms of existence, not just Earth.
Samastah: All living beings inhabiting those realms.
Sukhino: Happiness, joy, or centered in ease and free from suffering.
Bhavantu: “May it be so” or “let it be”.
Deeper meaning and significance
Beyond a simple wish for peace, the mantra encourages practitioners to act in ways that contribute to the happiness and freedom of all beings. It serves as a reminder of our interconnectedness and suggests that individual happiness is linked to the well-being of the whole world.
It is often chanted during yoga, meditation, or at the end of devotional ceremonies to:
Promote global well-being and compassion.
Serve as a pledge that our own actions, thoughts, and words will contribute to universal happiness and freedom.
Photo by Ben Vaughn on Unsplash
