Mantra Moment - Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

Often used as a conclusion to prayers, this beautiful mantra is a simple refrain that ripples out an energy of peace and compassion for all. 

Knowing how every sound in the Sanskrit language has a specific vibration, I've learned that the correct pronunciation is a vital part of getting the full experience of a mantra. So with that in mind, let's look at the meaning of each word and how to say it.

Lokāh - worlds

Samastāh - all

Sukhino - happy

Bhavantu - may become

 

So the translation of this mantra is often something like:

 

May all beings, in all worlds, be happy and free

 

So how to pronounce it with the right emphasis on the right syllables? Here are some tips for refinement.

 

Lokāh - the 'o' in Sanskrit is a combination vowel, so is always an elongated vowel sound, meaning it should take 2 counts. It's like the 'o' in phone. The 'ā' is also a long vowel sound, sometimes written 'aa' in English. It's similar to the 'ar' sound we have, as in the word car. Ther 'h' should actually be written with a dot below (difficult to do on a keyboard. The 'h' with a dot is called 'visarga, it's like an exhale, a discharge of energy and we make this sound as an echo of the last vowel. So, 'ah', making the word, lokahah.

Samastāh - the first 2 'a' vowels are short, as in the word cat. The 'ā' with a line over is that elongated vowel sound again. So this is vocalised for 2 counts, whereas the first 'a' sounds are 1 count. Again. the 'h' is the anusvara sound, so we echo the last vowel, samastahah.

Sukhino - the 'u' is also an elongated vowel sound, so again, 2 counts for this. The 'kh' is an aspirated sound, meaning to put more breath into that 'k' and it's a hard 'k', as in kick. The 'i' is a short vowel sound, so 1 count. The 'o' is the same as before, an elongated vowel.

Bhavantu - 'Bh' is aspirated like the 'kh' above. Both 'a' sounds are short vowels, so 1 count. The 'u' however is another combination vowel, like the 'o', so it's said for 2 counts and it's like the 'oo' sound in English in the word 'too'.

 

The origins of this mantra are a little hazy. It seems to be derived from a Sanskrit sloka (a song of praise) and popularised by the founders of the Jivamukti yoga movement, Shannon Gannon and David Life. They tell how it was given to them by their guru Swami Nirmalananda. It has become a much-loved mantra in yoga circles worldwide because it speaks to the philosophy of living a compassionate and spiritual life. 

This mantra reminds us of the sanctity of all life, wishing the same for all beings as we would wish for ourselves. It reminds us to remember how we are all the same sentient consciousness and invites us to cherish the precepts of freedom and harmonious living. 

 

Have you tried this mantra? What are your experiences with it?

If you'd like to learn more about Sanskrit pronunciation, you can learn more about the course I did here. I have a discount code for you if you want to continue your learning - get in touch if you'd like to receive that!

Happy Chanting

Sarah x