Shanti

Shanti is a Sanskrit word meaning peace, tranquility, or calm. It is used in many Indian languages to denote internal serenity and outer harmony. The term appears in religious and philosophical contexts and derives from the Sanskrit root sham, related to quietness and stillness.

In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, Shanti is invoked as a goal and a virtue. It features in prayers, mantras, and ritual texts, including the Shanti Path, a concluding invocation that seeks peace for all beings. In everyday usage, Om Shanti Shanti Shanti is a common refrain in temples, ashrams, and devotional music.

As a given name, Shanti is widely used in India and among the Indian diaspora. It is used for both women and men in some communities, and appears in literature, film, and popular culture as a personal name.

There are landmarks and institutions that carry the name Shanti, reflecting the association with peace. One notable example is the Shanti Stupa in Leh, Ladakh, a white-domed peace pagoda built to symbolize harmony among peoples.

In modern usage, Shanti also appears in titles of works or in place names and organizations that emphasize peace and well-being.