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shanti

Peace or tranquility, especially inner peace invoked in Hindu prayer and meditation.

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Where does the word "shanti" come from? It comes from Sanskrit shanti, and was adopted directly into English (19th-20th c.).

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Where does the word "shanti" come from? It comes from Sanskrit shanti, and was adopted directly into English (19th-20th c.).

Shanti’s story begins in Sanskrit: shanti meant “peace, tranquility.” From a root meaning 'to calm, soothe'. It reached English by 19th-20th c. as shanti. Adopted in English through the study and recitation of Hindu scripture. Today, shanti means peace or tranquility, especially inner peace invoked in Hindu prayer and meditation.

  1. Stage 1 · Sanskrit · ancient shanti "peace, tranquility", from a root meaning 'to calm, soothe'.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 19th-20th c. shanti "peace, especially inner peace invoked in prayer", adopted in English through the study and recitation of Hindu scripture.

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