Possibly the most over-interpreted bhajan of all time. Translations of these four words, yes, just four, into entire essays on the nature of existance, womens rights, veganism, and the duality of man. This phrase is from one of the Mangala Mantras often recited after pooja . Svasti Prajabhyam Paripalayantham Nyayeana Margena Mahim Maheesah Gobrahmanebhya Shubamsthu Nityam Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu At first glance, this would appear to read: • Samasthah - May all • Lokah - the worlds • Bhavantu - become • Sukhino - happy Or, more literally from Sanskrit • Lokah - Loka (world) • Samastha - together/combined • Sukinho - Happiness • Bhavantu - they shall Loka/Lokah is often use to mean world. However, Loka refers to all worlds and realms, the various planes of consciousness within and beyond the mind. That which appears is lokah. Bhuloka is the Earth plane, wherein embodied humans reside, the realm of physical nature. Mrityuloka - the world of people IE. Also Earth Antarloka is a world interior to the Bhuloka, and includes the astral plane and numerous other non-physical planes of consciousness. Devloka - The world of gods. Pitrilok- The world of human ancestors. Sivaloka or Brahmaloka is the most interior of the realms, the heavenly dimensions wherein reside the great mahadevas (archangels) and beyond and above and within it all, Supreme God. Samastha: Sam: prefix means well. Asu: to throw, Ta: Masculine nominative.Put together, they mean beautifully joined. Sukhino: Sukha: happy, ino: diminutive (quality of happy: happiness) In early scriptures, 'sukha' is set up in contrast to 'preya' (प्रेय) meaning a transient pleasure, whereas the pleasure of 'sukha' is the authentic state of happiness within a being that is ever lasting. Bhavantu literally translates as They Shall, however... Depending if Bhavantu is, indeed Bhava (भव), and not Bhāva (भाव).. Bhava is Worldly existence; mundane or worldly life. Bhāva is True condition or state, truth, reality. (Bhaava/Bhav) The tu suffix makes this a verb, so, an action. To become, or be, your true state. Or, if the use is Bhav (the Ultimate truth/reality), and Antu (protector) then this word means "God who is our protector". So, in the wash up, this translation seems more suitable. May all worlds be joined in becoming our true state of being, happiness. To give a little context, some yoga practitioners (I am looking at you Asthanga), erroneously point to the Rig Veda or the invocation of the Katha Upanishad as the origins of this mantra. The only written attribution of Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu, seems to be stone inscriptions from the Rulers of the Sangama Dynasty (1336 A.D.-1485 A.D.). This sloka does not appear in ANY Vedic texts. Often called the Mangala Mantra, the full text is this: Vasti Prajabhyam Paripalayantham Nyayeana Margena Mahim Maheesah Gobrahmanebhya Shubamsthu Nityam Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu • Svasti – Su: To go. Asti: existence. So be it May it be. Amen. Blessing. • Prajabhyam - All subjects (citizens) • Paripalayantham - take care of, or administer, dispense justice to • Nyayeana - Which is just • Margena - Following the path • Mahim - The Earth • Maheesah - Rulers of the country • Gobrahmanebhya - Cows of the Brahmans • Shubamsthu - Shubam: Be well. Sthu: Praise • Nityam - Always/Eternally • Lokah - Loka (world) • Samastha - together/combined • Sukinho - Happiness • Bhavantu - they shall So, with this context, the sloka now reads. May it be that the rulers of the country, and Earth, follow the path which is just for all subjects. May the cows of the Brahmins be eternally praised, and, all worlds be joined in becoming our true state of being, happiness. It was understood that if the cows of the Brahmanas are happy, everyone is also happy. Brahmanas does not mean Brahmins by birth, but the ones who know the real nature of Brahman, that is, God without form.