bhavantu

Bhavantu is a Sanskrit word that appears in various Indian languages and spiritual traditions. Its root, "bhu," signifies "to be," "to exist," or "to become." As a verb, bhavantu is the third-person plural imperative form of the verb "bhuva," meaning "may it be," "let it be," or "may they be." This phrasing is commonly used in prayers, mantras, and blessings to invoke auspiciousness or well-being.

The most well-known instance of bhavantu is found in the Shanti Mantra, a peace invocation often recited at the beginning or end of religious or philosophical texts. A common rendering of this mantra includes "Om, saha navavatu, saha nau bhunaktu, saha viryam karavavahai, tejasvi navadhitamastu, ma vidvishavahai, Om shanti shanti shanti," where the concept of "let it be" or "may it be" is implied or directly translated in related passages. In this context, bhavantu signifies a collective wish for peace, protection, and prosperity for all beings.

Beyond the Shanti Mantra, the word bhavantu can be found in diverse contexts within Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It serves as a concluding phrase in blessings, expressing a hope or desire for a particular outcome or state of being to manifest. The precise meaning can vary slightly depending on the specific tradition and the context in which it is used, but the overarching sense of a positive aspiration or wish remains consistent.