Saha Nāv Avatu: The Teacher-and-Student Peace Chant

Written and reviewed by The Kriya Yogi · Updated 19 September 2026

oṃ saha nāv avatu / saha nau bhunaktu / saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai / tejasvi nāv adhītam astu mā vidviṣāvahai / oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ

May we be protected together; may we be nourished together; may we work vigorously together; may our study be full of light; may we not quarrel.

Source: Taittiriya Upanishad 2.1 (Krishna Yajur Veda)
Tradition: Upanishadic
Traditional use: A peace invocation recited by teacher and student before study.
Repetition: Recited once before study or practice.

In short

From the Taittiriya Upanishad (Krishna Yajur Veda), used as an opening śānti pāṭha.
Every clause is dual or plural — it is a request made jointly by teacher and student.
The last line is 'may we not quarrel', which tells you what the tradition expected to go wrong.
*Tejasvi nāv adhītam astu* asks that the study itself be luminous, not that the student be clever.

Where it comes from

This is one of the śānti pāṭhas — peace invocations — attached to the Upanishads of the Krishna Yajur Veda, best known from the Taittiriya Upanishad. It is recited before study, by teacher and student together.

Why the grammar matters

Read the endings: nau, karavāvahai, vidviṣāvahai — all dual. Nothing here is asked for one person. Protection together, nourishment together, effort together, and then the final clause, mā vidviṣāvahai: may we not fall out with each other. A tradition that puts that line in its opening prayer has clearly seen teaching relationships go wrong.

How it is used

Once, before study or practice, usually followed by oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ — the triple peace that closes most invocations. It is not counted japa and needs no mala.

If you study on your own, the dual form still works: it names the relationship between whoever is teaching — a book, a teacher, a lineage — and whoever is learning.

Questions & answers

+ When is saha nav avatu chanted?

Before study or practice, traditionally by teacher and student together. It is an opening invocation, not a counted mantra.

+ Why does it end with 'may we not quarrel'?

Because the prayer is about the relationship, not just the subject. The tradition treats good will between teacher and student as a condition for study going well.

Mantra recitation is a contemplative practice, not a treatment for any condition. Nothing here should be read as medical advice.