Sarve bhavantu sukhinaha.

"Sarve bhavantu sukhinaha,
Sarve santu niramaya,
Sarve bhadrani pasyantu,
Ma kashchit dukha-bhag bhavet,
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi."

This is a sloka that I guess most of us (of Indian origin) know by rot. We learned it when we were kids... Most of us even know the literal meaning of it "May everyone be happy, may everyone be safe/healthy, may everyone see good (in all), may no one be sad/have sufferring, let there be peace, peace, peace..".

So far, I never paid much attention to this sloka, as I thought that it is unrealistic. I felt that it is unrealistic for most common people to pray to god for others. Just few days before the Mumbai blasts, a new understanding dawned upon me. [ May be because of the Mumbai blasts, I am inspired to write it down. ]

I feel that this is probably the most selfish (in a good sense) prayer that can ever be possible. This prayer is not just about others but ones own self! No, I am not saying it in a socialistic sense that if everyone prays for the others, then it will have a great effect. I am saying it in a perfectly capitalistic sense! I am saying that this sloka has only one aim: "the well being of ones own self!".

The sages of old times had realized that one cannot be happy, if their neighbor is unhappy / sad / unhealthy / is sufferring. The neighbors problems will spill over and will become your own problems. The neighbors sufferrings will become your own sufferrings! Directly or indirectly. Directly as in, you take direct interest in your neighbors problems and become party to it. Indirectly as in, due to neighbors inconveniences he/she will live in a manner that would cause inconveniences to you (for example, not parking his car properly, keeping his surrounding/house in a filthy manner, bringing bad elements to his house, or still worse, the neighbor psychologically getting effected and treating you the reason of his/her sufferrings.. this list is endless. You will have your own set).

The only way one can be truly happy in long term basis is if their surroundings are happy. Even if you want to live like a monk in a jungle, even then the surroundings make or break your bliss. And if you are living in the society it is directly visible.

The surroundings we are talking about cannot be just our immediate surroundings. It has to include the whole world! Because one Chengiz Khan was too greedy, Delhi had to bear the consequences. Because one Bush was insane, Iraq had to bear the burnt. Because some injustice was done to Palestines, thousands died in twin towers. [ These may not be the only reasons, but definite catalysts ].

The only way for lasting peace is that all have to be free from suffering. As long as there is suffering in the world around, you cannot be happy. As long as there is fear around you, you cannot be safe!

Please come and chant with me:

"Sarve bhavantu sukhinaha,
Sarve santu niramaya,
Sarve bhadrani pasyantu,
Ma kashchit dukha-bhag bhavet,
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi."