Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

Sanskrit and phonetics

लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु

Phonetic: Lokāḥ Samastāḥ Sukhino Bhavantu

Meaning and translation

May all beings everywhere be happy and free. More fully: may all the worlds and all the beings living in them be happy — may everyone, everywhere, be free from suffering and experience true happiness.

Tradition

This prayer comes from the Vedic tradition and reflects the core value of universal compassion found across Vedic and yogic teaching — the wish for well-being extended without boundary or exception.

Symbolism

It symbolizes the expansion of individual consciousness into universal consciousness, dissolving the barriers of the ego and aligning the practitioner with the highest ideal of non-violence (ahimsa) and universal love — wishing well for all beings, not only oneself.

Benefits of chanting

• Cultivates compassion and reduces self-centeredness
• Promotes a felt sense of connection with all life
• Generates a settled, expansive inner peace
• A gentle, positive close to any practice session

How to chant

• Repetitions: Traditionally chanted three times in succession, slowly, as a closing dedication.
• Best time: At the end of meditation, yoga, or any mantra practice session.
• Seated position: Sit calmly with a straight spine, resting attention on the heart center, breathing evenly as you let each phrase settle before the next.

Frequently asked questions

What does Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu mean?

"May all beings everywhere be happy and free" — a universal prayer for peace and happiness for all living creatures.

When is it chanted?

Commonly at the close of yoga classes, meditation sessions, and spiritual gatherings.

How many times should I chant it?

Usually three times in succession, though a single heartfelt repetition is also common.

Related

Explore more Vedic mantras, browse all mantras, or read our guide to mantras for sleep and calm.