Lately in my meditations, this prayer had been on my lips:
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
Perhaps you’ve heard it recited in a yoga class?
Essentially, when we utter these words, it means:
May all beings be happy.
May all beings know peace.
May all beings be free from suffering.
And that includes us.
For we cannot wish something for another without receiving it for ourselves as well.
So why do we say this prayer in Sanskrit rather than in English, or in another language?
Firstly, you don’t have to.
Words in every language have power. All that really matters is your intention.
If you are focused and truly believe what you are saying, and you want it for all of humanity, that is what matters.
However, Sanskrit is a holy language that has been around for thousands of years.
It is said that the Rishi, the keeper of all knowledge, the ancient sages, could hear the vibrations of everything in nature. They made these sounds into phrases, which we refer to as prayers or mantra. These Sanskrit phrases birth creation into existence.
This is why the sounds are all so potent. They are power sounds because we are literally transforming energy into form.
Therein lies the power of using Sanskrit.
In every moment of every day, we create our existence. We usually forget this, but we really do have this power because we are part of God.
Invoking Sanskrit mantra is a way to harness that power, and create a world we want to envision.
We are the light workers, the holders of love. And our prayers are needed more right now than ever.
So join me. Let our voices radiate our prayers of love, of healing, of peace out into the world.
Let us invoke these prayers for ourselves as well as for all sentient beings anywhere and everywhere.
Take your power and stand for love.
If you want to hear this prayer spoken – here's a great clip of Deva Premal on YouTube.
If (like me) you’re fascinated with the meaning of the separate Sanskrit phrases, I found this breakdown on jivamukti.com.
lokah: location, realm, all universes existing now
samastah: all beings sharing that same location
sukhino: centered in happiness and joy, free from suffering
bhav: the divine mood or state of unified existence
antu: may it be so, it must be so (antu used as an ending here transforms this mantra into a powerful pledge)
AND if you want to connect more, join me on Tuesdays 6pm PST / 9pm EST for LOVE’S REFUGE.
We meditate together then talk about how we are sharing that love in the world. All are welcome. It’s FREE. Here’s the link.