The Sanskrit mantra “Saha nāvavatu” is a traditional invocation from the Taittiriya Upanishad (part of the Krishna Yajurveda) and is often chanted at the beginning of study sessions between teacher and student. It is a Shanti Mantra (peace chant) that seeks protection, harmony, and mutual growth in knowledge.

Full Mantra in Sanskrit:

सह नाववतु।
सह नौ भुनक्तु।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै।
तेजस्विनावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Transliteration:

Saha nāvavatu
Saha nau bhunaktu
Saha vīryaṁ karavāvahai
Tejasvināvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai
Om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ

Meaning in English:
• Saha nāvavatu – May both of us (teacher and student) be protected together.
• Saha nau bhunaktu – May we be nourished together.
• Saha vīryam karavāvahai – May we work together with great energy and strength.
• Tejasvināvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai – May our learning be filled with light and brilliance, and may there be no hatred or ill-will between us.
• Om Shantiḥ, Shantiḥ, Shantiḥ – May there be peace (in body, mind, and spirit or in the three realms—physical, divine, and internal).