Why do we say Shanti thrice?
Man’s life on earth is marked by many painful, unpleasant, and undesirable experiences. Sorrows, obstacles, troubles, and suffering (duhkha, tapa) are an inevitable part of life. Knowledge regarding their origin plus causes, and even categorization helps one minimize their effect, if not eradicate them. The scriptures usually call them Tapa-Traya (the three miseries).
In Sanskrit, these are referred to as, Adhi-Daivikam, Adhi-Bhautikam, and Adhyatmikam.
Three times recitation of Shanti pacifies the obstacles from these three realms.
ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्ति:॥
1) Adhi-Daivika (Divine) literally means pertaining to fate, unseen forces, and gods i.e. things that are utterly beyond our control: hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, tsunamis, etc. We have no control over these types of disturbances. So when we say the first Shanti, we are praying, “O God, may we be protected from these obstacles that are beyond our control.”
2) Adhi-Bhautika (Physical) literally means pertaining to the bhuta or living beings or the disturbances that come from the world like wild animals, snakes, or enemies. As opposed to the first category, we have some control over this second category of disturbances. So this Shanti means, “O God, may we be protected from the people and surroundings.”
3) Adhyatmika (Internal) literally means pertaining to the Atma or the body (and the mind). The third type of disturbance is the most powerful and, at the same time, the only one over which we have total control. Adhyatmikam means “disturbances stemming from the self.” Man suffers afflictions created by his own interior due to unbridled passion, due to jealousy, anger, hatred, envy, ill-will, inner restlessness, unfulfilled desire, frustration, and disappointment. The mental agony caused by worries and anxieties, attachment, and aversion, also comes under this group. This third Shanti is, therefore, the most important one, because even if we are free from outside disturbances if the inner realm is not calm we will never know peace. Once we have found inner peace, no external force can ever disturb us. So chanting this third Shanti is akin to praying, “O God, please remove all the inner obstacles.