Mantra Pushpam

Meaning:

Oṁ bhadraṁ karṇebhiḥ śṛṇuyāma devāḥ . Bhadraṁ paśyemākṣabhir-yajatrāḥ . Sthirairaiṅgais-tuṣṭuvam̐̐-sastanūbhiḥ . Vyaśema devahitaṁ yadāyuḥ . Svasti na indro vṛddhaśravāḥ . Svasti naḥ pūṣā viśvavedāḥ . Svasti nastārkṣyo ariṣṭanemiḥ . Svasti no bṛhaspatirdadhātu .. Oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ..

Oh Devas! May we hear auspicious things with our ears. Oh protectors of the sacrifice! May we see auspicious things with our eyes. May our speech and our body become strong. May we receive the divine grace throughout our life. May Indra, of great fame, bless us. May the omniscient Pushan (Surya), bless us. May Garuda, who protects us from all sides, bless us. May Brihaspati give us his blessings. Om peace, peace, peace.

Yo'pāṁ puṣpaṁ veda . Puṣpavān prajāvān paśumān bhavati .
Candramā vā apāṁ puṣpam . Puṣpavān prajāvān paśumān bhavati .
Ya evaṁ veda. Yo'pāmāyatanaṁ veda . Āyatanavān bhavati ..1..

One who knows the flower of water, becomes the possessor of flowers, people and cattle. The moon is the flower of water. Knowing this, he becomes the possessor of flowers, people and cattle. He who knows the source of water thus, attains his abode.

Agnirvā apāmāyatanam . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Yo'gnerāyatanaṁ veda . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Āpo vā agnerāyatanam . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Ya evaṁ veda. Yo'pāmāyatanaṁ veda . Āyatanavān bhavati ..2..

Fire is the source of water. Knowing this he attains his abode. He who knows the source of fire attains his abode. Water is the source of fire. Knowing this he attains his abode. He who knows the source of water thus, attains his abode.

Vāyurvā apāmāyatanam . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Yo vāyorāyatanaṁ veda . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Āpo vai vāyorāyatanam . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Ya evaṁ veda. Yo'pāmāyatanaṁ veda . Āyatanavān bhavati ..3..

Air is the source of water. Knowing this one attains his abode. He who knows the source of air attains his abode. Water is the source of air. Knowing this one attains his abode. He who knows the source of water thus, attains his abode.

Asau vai tapannapāmāyatanam . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Yo'muṣya tapata āyatanaṁ veda . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Āpo vā amuṣya tapata āyatanam . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Ya evaṁ veda. Yo'pāmāyatanaṁ veda . Āyatanavān bhavati ..4..

That scorching sun is the source of water. Knowing this one attains his abode. He who knows the source of that scorching sun attains his abode. Water is the source of that scorching sun. Knowing this one attains his abode. He who knows the source of water thus, attains his abode.

Candramā vā apāmāyatanam . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Yaścandramasa āyatanaṁ veda . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Āpo vai candramasa āyatanam . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Ya evaṁ veda. Yo'pāmāyatanaṁ veda . Āyatanavān bhavati ..5..

The moon is the source of water. Knowing this one attains his abode. He who knows the source of the moon attains his abode. Water is the source of the moon. Knowing this one attains his abode. He who knows the source of water thus, attains his abode.

Nakṣatrāṇi vā apāmāyatanam . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Yo nakṣatrāṇāmāyatanaṁ veda . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Āpo vai nakṣatrāṇāmāyatanam . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Ya evaṁ veda. Yo'pāmāyatanaṁ veda . Āyatanavān bhavati ..6..

The stars are the source of water. Knowing this one attains his abode. He who knows the source of the stars attains his abode. Water is the source of the stars. Knowing this one attains his abode. He who knows the source of water thus, attains his abode.

Parjanyo va apāmāyatanam . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Yaḥ parjanyasyāyatanaṁ veda . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Āpo vai parjanyasyāyatanam . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Ya evaṁ veda. Yo'pāmāyatanaṁ veda . Āyatanavān bhavati ..7..

The cloud is the source of water. Knowing this one attains his abode. He who knows the source of the cloud thus, attains his abode. Water is the source of the cloud. Knowing this one attains his abode. He who knows the source of water thus, attains his abode.

Saṁvatsaro vā apāmāyatanam . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Yassaṁvatsarasyāyatanaṁ veda . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Āpo vai saṁvatsarasyāyatanam . Āyatanavān bhavati .
Ya evaṁ veda. Yo'psu nāvaṁ pratiṣṭitāṁ veda . Pratyeva tiṣṭati ..8.. 

The seasons are the source of water. Knowing this one attains his abode. He who knows the source of the seasons attains his abode. Water is the source of the seasons. Knowing this one attains his abode. He who knows the boat resting on water thus, stands well established.

Rājādhirājāya prasahyasāhine . Namo vayaṁ vaiśravaṇāya kurmahe .
Sa me kāmān kāmakāmāya mahyam . Kāmeśvaro vaiśravaṇo dadātu .
Kuberāya vaiśravaṇāya . Mahārājāya namaḥ ..9..

We offer our praise to the son of sage Vishravan, who is the king of all kings and who is the giver of all victories. May he, who has heard well, and is the lord of desires, fulfil my desires; as I have various desires. Salutations to Kubera, the one who has heard well, and who is the king of kings.

Oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ..

Om peace peace peace.

This hymn is found in the Taittiriya Aranyakam. ie. Prapathaka 22 of Chapter 1. The Shanti Mantra is found in the  beginning of the Chapter. The hymn addressed to Kubera at the end is found in Prapathaka 31 of the same. 

Notes:

The name Mantra Pushpam means a flower among Mantras. This mantra is recited while performing puja . This mantra says that water is the source of everything in this world. This mantra has both spiritual and significance. The mantra ends with a prayer to lord Kubera asking him to fulfil all our desires.

Purusha Suktam

Meaning:

Oṁ tacchaṁyorāvṛṇīmahe . Gātuṁ yajñāya . Gātuṁ yajñapataye . Daivī svastirastu naḥ . Svastir mānuṣebhyaḥ . Ūrdhvaṁ jigātu bheṣajam . Śanno astu dvipade . Śaṁ catuṣpade ..
Oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ..

We request the Supreme Lord to protect the yajna and the one who performs it. May the divine grace be upon us. May all men be blessed. May the medicinal plants grow tall. May there be peace for the two-legged and four-legged animals. Om peace, peace, peace.

Sahasraśīrṣā puruṣaḥ . Sahasrākṣas-sahasrapāt .
Sa bhūmiṁ viśvato vṛtvā . Atyatiṣṭhad-daśāṅgulam ..1..

The Purusha (Supreme Being) has a thousand heads, a thousand eyes and a thousand feet. Even after enveloping the universe from all sides, he transcends it by 10 fingers. 

Puruṣa evedam̐̐ sarvam . Yadbhūtaṁ yacca bhavyam .
Utāmṛtatvasyeśānaḥ . Yadannenātirohati ..2..

All this is Purusha. All that has been and will be is Purusha. He is also the Lord of immortality, who grows without bounds through food.

Etāvānasya mahimā . Ato jyāyām̐śca pūruṣaḥ .
Pādo'sya viśvā bhūtāni . Tripādasyāmṛtaṁ divi .. 3..

This is his greatness. Therefore he is the foremost. A quarter of him formed all the living beings, and the remaining three quarters are immortal in  heaven.

Tripādūrdhva udait puruṣaḥ . Pādo'syehābhavātpunaḥ .
Tato viśvaṅ vyakrāmat . Sāśanānaśane abhi ..4..

Three quarters of the Purusha have risen above. A quarter of him keeps on manifesting here. From that the universe was formed, along with the living and non-living .

Tasmād virāḍajāyata . Virājo adhi pūruṣaḥ .
Sa jāto atyaricyata . Paścāt bhūmimatho puraḥ ..5...

From him Virat arose. And from Virat rose Brahma. After his birth, he grew immensely, behind and in front of the earth.

Yatpuruṣeṇa haviṣā . Devā yajñamatanvata .
Vasanto asyāsīdājyam .Grīṣma idhmaḥ śaraddhaviḥ ..6..

Using Purusha as a sacrifice, the gods performed a fire sacrifice. Spring was its ghee, summer was its fuel and autumn was its oblation.

Saptāsyāsan paridhayaḥ . Trissapta samidhaḥ kṛtāḥ .
Devā yadyajñaṁ tanvānāḥ . Abadhnan puruṣaṁ paśum ..7..

The sacrificial altar had seven enclosing sticks and twenty-one fuel-sticks. The devas then performed the sacrifice by tying up Purusha, the sacrificial animal.

Taṁ yajñaṁ barhiṣi praukṣan . Puruṣaṁ jātamagrataḥ
Tena devā ayajanta . Sādhyā ṛṣayaśca ye ..8..

The Purusha, who was born before all, was placed on Kusha grass and sanctified. The gods then sacrificed him along with the Sadhyas and the sages.

Tasmādyajñāt sarvahutaḥ . Sambhṛtaṁ pṛṣadājyam .
Paśūm̐stām̐ścakre vāyavyān . Āraṇyān grāmyāśca ye ..9..

From that sacrifice, everything was consumed. Then ghee and curds, birds, wild animals and domestic animals were created.

Tasmādyajñāt sarvahutaḥ . Ṛcassāmāni jajñire .
Chandam̐si jajñire tasmāt . Yajus tasmādajāyata ..10..

From that sacrifice, everything was consumed. Then the Rigveda, Samaveda, various prosodical meters and Yajurveda were formed.

Tasmādaśvā ajāyatna . Ye ke cobhayādataḥ .
Gāvo ha jajñire tasmāt . Tāsmajjātā ajāvayaḥ ..11..

From that sacrifice were born horses, animals with two rows of teeth, cows, sheep and goats.

Yatpuruṣaṁ vyadadhuḥ. Katidhā vyakalpayan.
Mukhaṁ kimasya kau bāhū. Kāvūrū pādāvucyete..12..

In how many ways did the gods divide Purusha? What were his head, hands, thighs and feet called?

Brāhmaṇo'sya mukhamāsīt . Bāhū rājanyaḥ kṛtaḥ .
Ūrū tadasya yad vaiśyaḥ . Padbhyam̐ śūdro ajāyata ..13..

His face became the Brahmins. His arms became the kings. His thighs became the merchants and his feet became the labourers.

Candramā manaso jātaḥ . Cakṣoḥ sūryo ajāyata .
Mukhādindraścāgniśca . Prānādvayurajāyata ..14..

The moon was born from his mind and the sun from his eyes. Indra and Agni were born from his mouth. Vayu was born from his breath.

Nābhyā āsīdantarikṣaṁ . Śīrṣṇoḥ dyauḥ samavartata .
Padbhyāṁ bhūmirdiśaḥ śrotrāt. Tathā lokām̐ akalpayan ..15..

His navel became outer space. His head became the heavens. From his feet emerged the Earth and the directions came from his ears. Thus the three worlds were created.

Vedāhametaṁ puruṣaṁ mahāntam . Ādityavarṇaṁ tamasastu pāre .
Sarvāṇi rūpāṇi vicitya dhīraḥ . Nāmāni kṛtvābhivadan yadāste ..16..

I have known that Supreme Being who has the brilliance of the sun, who is beyond ignorance,and who, after creating and naming all forms, enters them.

Dhātā purastādyamudājahāra . Śakra pravidvān pradiśaścatasraḥ .
Tamevaṁ vidvān amṛta iha bhavati . Nānyaḥ panthā ayanāya vidyate..17..

Knowing the one whom Brahma, Indra who is well- learned and the four quarters praised in the beginning, one becomes immortal in this world. There is no other path for liberation.

Yajñena yajñamayajanta devāḥ . Tāni dharmāṇi prathamānyāsan .
Te ha nākaṁ mahimānassacante . Yatra pūrve sādhyāḥ santi devāḥ ..18..

The gods worshipped Yajna through sacrifical ceremonies. Those were the first religious acts. They attained that heaven where the Sadhyas were before.

Adbhyaḥ sambhūtaḥ pṛthivyai rasācca . Viśvakarmaṇaḥ samavartatādhi .
Tasya tvaṣṭā vidadhadrūpameti . Tatpuruṣasya viśvamājānamagre ..19..

The universe emerged from water and the essence of the earth. From the creator, Brahma emerged. The Purusha then entered the forms which that Brahma created . Thus the entire creation of was formed in the beginning.

Vedāhametaṁ puruṣaṁ mahāntam . Ādityavarṇaṁ tamasaḥ parastāt .
Tamevam vidvān amṛta iha bhavati . Nānyaḥ panthā vidyate'yanāya ..20..

I have known that Supreme Being who has the brilliance of the sun and who is beyond ignorance. Knowing him thus, one becomes immortal in this world. There is no other path for liberation.

Prajāpatiścarati garbhe antaḥ . Ajāyamāno bahudhā vijāyate .
Tasya dhīrāḥ parijānanti yonim . Marīcīnāṁ padamicchanti vedhasaḥ ..21..

Prajapati  moves inside the  womb. Though unborn, he is born in different ways. The wise know him to be the origin of the universe. Even the creators desire  the positions of the Marichis.

Yo devebhya ātapati . Yo devānāṁ purohitaḥ .
Pūrvo yo devebhyo jātaḥ . Namo rucāya brāhmaye ..22..

Salutation to the effulgent Brahman, who shines for the gods, who is the greatest among the gods and who was born before the gods.

Rucaṁ brāhmaṁ janayantaḥ . Devā agre tadabruvan .
Yastvaivaṁ brāhmaṇo vidyāt . Tasya devā asan vaśe ..23..

In the beginning, the gods, creating the essence of Brahman, told it: "The gods will be under the control of the Brahman who knows you thus."

Hrīśca te lakṣmīśca patnyau . Ahorātre pārśve .
Nakṣatrāṇi rūpam . Aśvinau vyāttam .
Iṣṭaṁ maniṣāṇa . Amuṁ maniṣāṇa . Sarvaṁ maniṣāṇa ..24.. 

Modesty and wealth are your consorts. Day and night are your sides. The stars are your beauty. The Ashvins are your opened jaws. Grant us our desires. Grant us happiness. Grant us everything.

Oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ..
Om peace, peace, peace.

This hymn is found in the Taittiriya Aranyakam. ie. Prapathakas 12 and 13 of Chapter 3. 

The Shanti Mantra is found in the  beginning of the Chapter.  

Notes:

The Purusha Suktam is a hymn unto the Cosmic Being, known as Purusha. The text is made up of two parts: Ch. 3 Pr. 12 of the Taittiriya Aranyakam called the Purva Narayana, and Ch. 3 Pr. 12 called the Uttara Narayana. The Purva Narayana gives a short introduction about the Purusha and describes the process of creation. The Uttara Narayana talks about the role of the Purusha in creation. The hymn ends with a prayer to the Purusha asking him to fulfill all desires and grant happiness.

Gayatri Ghanapatha

Meaning:

Oṁ bhū oṁ bhuvaḥ om̐̐ suvaḥ oṁ mahaḥ oṁ janaḥ oṁ tapaḥ om̐̐ satyam .

Seven vyahritis( invocations to the seven worlds)

Oṁ tat saviturvareṇ(i)yaṁ bhargo devasya dhīmahi .
Dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt ..

May we attain the most excellent splendour of the Sun god Savitr, who inspires us (to reach that goal).

om āpojyotīraso'mṛtaṁ brahma bhūrbhuvassuvarom ..

Om is water, light, taste, immortality, Brahman, the earth, the netherworld, and the heavens.

This hymn is found in the Taittiriya Aranyakam. ie. Prapathaka 35 of Chapter 10.

Pathakrama:

Oṁ tat savitus-savitus tat tat savitur vareṇyaṁ vareṇyam̐̐ savitus-tat tat savitur-vareṇyam .
Savitur-vareṇyaṁ vareṇyam̐̐ savitus-savitur vareṇyaṁ bhargo bhargo vareṇyam̐̐ savitus-savitur vareṇyaṁ bhargaḥ .
Vareṇyaṁ bhargo bhargo vareṇyaṁ vareṇyaṁ bhargo devasya devasya bhargo vareṇyaṁ vareṇyaṁ bhargo devasya .
Bhargo devasya devasya bhargo bhargo devasya dhīmahi dhīmahi devasya bhargo bhargo devasya dhīmahi .
Devasya dhīmahi dhīmahi devasya devasya dhīmahi . dhīmahi iti dhīmahi .
Dhiyo yo yo dhiyo dhiyo yo no no yo dhiyo dhiyo yo naḥ .
Yo no no yo yo naḥ pracodayāt pracodayāt no yo yo naḥ pracodayāt .
Naḥ pracodayāt pracodayāt no naḥ pracodayāt .. Pracodayat iti pracodayāt ..

Notes:

The Proper Gayatri mantra is found in Rigveda Mandala 3 Chapter 62.10. This Version of Gayatri contains the seven vyahritis before it and the 'apojyoti' verse after it. Chanting this mantra gives many positive benefits. This rendering is rendered in the Ghanapatha method.

About Ghanapatha: 

  The oral tradition of the Vedas consists of several pathas, or methods of chanting the Vedas. This tradition of Vedic chanting is considered the oldest unbroken oral tradition in existence. These different pathas ensured that the texts would be kept unaltered by comparing the different recited versions. There are eleven ways of chanting the Vedas: Samhita, Pada, Krama, Jata, Mala, Shikha, Rekha, Dhwaja, Danda, Ratha, and Ghana.

  The simplest of these pathas is reading the verses as is or Samhita patha. The next form was Pada patha. In this patha, the verses are split up into words, dissolving internal . The next form is Krama patha which involves reading two words at a time. These three were called Prakritipathas i.e. natural pathas, since the word order is maintained.

  The next eight pathas were called Vikritipathas i.e. complex pathas. For giving examples of their sequences, let a sentence in Pada patha be: a, b, c, ... y, z.

The simplest of these is Jata patha. The words are first recited in their original order, then repeated in the reverse order, and finally repeated again in the original order. The sequence is: ab ba ab, bc cb bc, cd dc cd, de ed de, ...
The Shikha patha is Jata patha with three words in each cycle: abc cba abc, bcd dcb bcd, cde edc cde, ...
The Dhwaja patha is slightly more complex. It involves a sequence of words being recited by pairing the first two and last two words. The sentence in Dhwaja patha would be: ab yz, bc xy, cd wx, ... xy bc, yz ab. 


  The sequence of Ghanapatha is as follows: ab ba abc cba abc, bc cb bcd dcb bcd, cd dc cde ecd cde,.... The density of this patha has given it the name 'ghana'(dense). This is considered the most difficult patha to master and also the best among the pathas. This is because every word except the first two and last two words appear thirteen times in a Ghanapatha method. Since the order of the words does not matter much in Sanskrit, chanting a mantra in Ghanapatha is equivalent to chanting the Mantra thirteen times.

Durga Suktam

Meaning:

Jātavedase sunavāma soma marātīyato nidahāti vedaḥ .
Sa naḥ parṣadati durgāṇi viśvā nāveva sindhuṃ duritātyagniḥ ..1..

We offer oblations of Soma unto Agni. May he burn those who are against us. May that Agni lead us beyond all difficulties, like a boatman takes his boat across a river. 

Tāmagnivarṇāṃ tapasā jvalantīṃ vairocanīṃ karmaphaleṣu juṣṭām .
Durgāṃ devīm̐̐ śaraṇamahaṃ prapadye sutarasi tarase namaḥ ..2..

I take refuge in that Goddess, who has the lusture of fire, who is radiant due to her penance, who gives the fruits of all actions, and who is difficult to obtain. O Durga, we bow to you who are skilled in making us cross all difficulties.

Agne tvaṃ pārayā navyo asmān svastibhirati durgāṇi viśvā .
Pūśca pṛthvī bahulā na urvī bhavā tokāya tanayāya śaṃyoḥ ..3..

Oh Agni! You are worthy of all praise. Lead us safely beyond all difficulties. May our land and our earth be abundant. Bless our children and their children with happiness.

Viśvāni no durgahā jātavedaḥ sindhunna nāvā duritātiparṣi .
Agne atrivanmanasā gṛṇāno'smākaṃ bodhyavitā tanūnām ..4..

O Destroyer of all difficulties! Rescue us from difficulties, just as one crosses a river by means of a boat. O Agni! Protect our bodies vigilantly like Atri (who is concerned with the welfare of all beings).

Pṛtanā jitam̐̐ sahamānamugramagnim̐̐ huvema paramāthsadhasthāt .
Sa naḥ parṣadati durgāṇi viśvā kṣāmaddevo atiduritātyagniḥ ..5..

We invoke Agni from the highest assembly , who charges and vanquishes his enemies and is fearsome. May that Agni protect us and lead us beyond all that is transient, all difficulties, and all sins. 

Pratnoṣi kamīḍyo adhvareṣu sanācca hotā navyaśca sathsi .
Svāñcāgne tanuvaṃ piprayasvāsmabhyaṃ ca saubhagamāyajasva ..6..

O Agni! You who are adored in sacrifices multiply our joy. You are present in the sacrifices and are always laudable. Grant us happiness thinking of us as your own body. Bring us good fortune from all corners.

Gobhirjuṣṭamayujo niṣiktaṃ tavendra viṣṇoranusañcarema .
Nākasya pṛṣṭhamabhi saṃvasāno vaiṣṇavīṃ loka iha mādayantām ..7..

O all-pervading Indra who is unattached ! We shall follow you blessed with cattle and happiness. May those who live in the upper reach of the heavens bless me with the world of Vishnu in this life.

Oṃ kātyāyanāya vidmahe kanyakumāri dhīmahi .
tanno durgiḥ pracodayāt ..8..

We perceive the daughter of Katyayana; we meditate on that young virgin.
May that Durga inspire us (to reach that goal).

Oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ..
Om peace peace peace.

This hymn is found in the Taittiriya Aranyakam. ie. Prapathaka 2 of Chapter 10.The Gayatri at the end of the hymn is found in Prapathaka 1.7 of the same. 

Notes:

The Chapter 10 of the Taittiriya Aranyakam is also referred to as Mahanarayana Upanishad. The word "Durga" means difficulty. The hymn is addressed mostly to Agni, with verses 2 and 8 addressed to Goddess Durga and verse 7 addressed to Indra. Agni is requested to help us overcome all the obstacles that we face in our lives. Chanting of this hymn removes all difficulties in one's life.

Shanti Mantra 1

Meaning:

Oṁ saha nāvavatu . Saha nau bhunaktu . Saha vīryaṁ karavāvahai . Tejasvināvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai.

Oṁ śantiḥ śantiḥ śantiḥ ..1..

May both of us be protected. May both of us enjoy together. May we both perform heroic deeds. May we become brilliant. May we never hate each other. Om peace, peace, peace.

Oṁ gaṇānāṁ tvā gaṇapatim̐̐ havāmahe kavim kavīnāmupamaśravastamam . 

Jyeṣṭharājaṁ brahmaṇāṁ brahmaṇaspata ā  naḥ śṛṇvannūtibhissīdasādanam. 

Oṁ mahāgaṇapataye namaḥ ..2..

O the leader of the ganas, who is learned and the foremost among the learned, who is  the eldest of the elders, who is  Brahman, and the embodiment of Brahman; we offer our oblations unto you. Please come to us by Listening to our Prayers and be Present in the Seat of this Sacred Sacrificial Altar. Om salutation to the great Ganapati.

Oṁ śaṁ no mitraḥ śaṁ varuṇaḥ . Śaṁ no bhavatvaryamā . Śaṁ na indro brihaspatiḥ . Śaṁ no viṣṇururukramaḥ . Namo brahmaṇe . Namaste vāyo . Tvameva pratyakṣaṃ bhrahmāsi . Tvāmeva pratyakṣam brahma vadiṣyāmi . Ṛtaṃ vadiṣyāmi . Satyaṃ vadiṣyāmi . Tanmāmavatu . Tadvaktāramavatu . Avatu mām . Avatu vaktāram .

Oṁ śantiḥ śantiḥ śantiḥ ..3..

May Mitra and Varuna be auspicious to us. May Aryama be auspicious  to us. May Indra and Brihaspati be auspicious to us. May Vishnu who took long steps be auspicious to us.  Salutation to Brahman. Salutation to you, O wind! You are the visible Brahman. I shall declare you alone as the visible Brahman. I shall speak right. I shall speak truth. May he protect me. May he protect the speaker. May he protect me. May he protect the speaker. Om, peace, peace, peace.

Oṁ pūrṇamadaḥ pūrṇamidam pūrṇāt pūrṇamudacyate .

Pūrṇasya pūrṇamādāya pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate . 

Oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ..4..

That is infinite, and this is infinite. This infinite emerges from that infinite. After taking this infinitude out of that infinite, that still remains as infinite. Om, peace, peace, peace.

Notes:

• The first Shanti Mantra is the opening hymn of chapter 10. The speakers wish that they enjoy and grow together. 
• The next Mantra is addressed to Ganesha and is found in Rigveda Mandala 2 Chapter 23 Verse 1.
• The second Shanti Mantra is the opening hymn of chapter 7. The speaker says that he will speak the truth. He requests that truth to protect him.
• The last Shanti Mantra is the invocation of Ishavasya Upanishad i.e. Chapter 40 of the Vajasaneyi Samhita of Shukla Yajurveda. This Mantra explains the nature of the Prakriti(universe)-referred to as "this"-and Purusha(conciousness)-referred to as "that". It is mostly used as a concluding Shanti Mantra.

Medha Suktam

Meaning:

Oṁ yaśchandasāmṛṣabho viśvarūpaḥ . Chandobhyo'dhyamṛtātsambabhuva . Sa mendro medhayā spṛṇotu . Amṛtasya deva dhāraṇo bhūyāsam . Śarīraṁ me vicarṣaṇam . Jihvā me madhumattamā . Karṇābhyāṁ bhūriviśruvam . Brahmaṇaḥ kośo'si medhayā pihitaḥ . Śrutaṁ me gopāya . 

Oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ..

May the universal form, exalted among the Vedas and born of the essence of the Vedas, bless me with wisdom. May I be blessed with the nectar of immortality. May my body become active. May my tongue speak sweetly. May my ears hear everything well. You are the repository of Brahman, and are hidden by the intellect. May my memory protect me. Om peace, peace, peace.

Medhā devī juṣamānā na āgād-viśvācī bhadrā sumanasyamāna .
Tvayā juṣṭā nudamānā durūktān bṛhadvadema vidathe suvīraḥ ..1..

O goddess of wisdom! You are pleased, all-pervading and have a peaceful mind. Bless us so that we may give up bad speech and speak well in an assembly like heroes.

Tvayā juṣṭa ṛṣirbhavati devi tvayā brahmāgataśrīruta tvayā .
Tvayā juṣṭaścitraṁ vindate vasu sā no juṣasva draviṇo na medhe ..2..

O goddess! Blessed by you one becomes a sage; like Brahma. Blessed by you one attains prosperity. Blessed by you one attains many treasures. Bless us with that wealth of intelligence.

Medhāṁ ma indro dadātu medhāṁ devī sarasvatī .
Medhāṁ me aśvinavavubhavadhattaṁ puṣkarasrajā ..3..

May Indra give me intelligence. May goddess Saraswati give me intelligence. May the two Ashwins, who wear garlands of lotuses, give me intelligence.

Apsarāsu ca yā medhā gandharveṣu ca yanmanaḥ .
Daivīṁ medhā sarasvatī sā māṁ medhā surabhirjuṣhatam̐̐ svāhā ..4..

May Saraswati, who is fragrant, bless me with the divine intelligence which is the wisdom of the Apsaras and the mind of the Gandharvas.

Ā māṁ medhā surabhirviśvarūpā hiraṇyavarṇā jagatī jagamyā .
Ūrjasvatī payasā pinvamānā sā māṁ medhā supratīkā juṣantām ..5..

May that Saraswati, who is intelligence personified, who is fragrant, who is all pervading, who has a golden complexion, who is the earth, who is accessible to all, who is full of vigour, who is overflowing with the nectar of knowledge, and who is beautiful; come to me and bless me with intelligence.

Mayi medhāṁ mayi prajāṁ mayyagnistejo dadātu .
Mayi medhāṁ mayi prajāṁ mayīndra indriyaṁ dadātu .
Mayi medhāṁ mayi prajāṁ mayi sūryo bhrājo dadātu ..6..

May Agni give me intelligence, people and vigour. May Indra give me intelligence, people and bodily power. May Surya give me intelligence, people and brilliance.

Oṁ haṁsa haṁsāya vidmahe paramahaṁsāya dhīmahi .
Tanno haṁsaḥ pracodayāt ..7..

We perceive the Hamsa that is the soul; we meditate on that Hamsa that is the supreme being.

May that Hamsa inspire us (to reach that goal).

Oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ..

Om peace, peace, peace.

This hymn is found in the Taittiriya Aranyakam of the Krishna Yajurveda. 
The Shanti Mantram preceding the hymn is found in Prapathaka 4 of Chapter 7. 
The hymn itself is composed of Prapathakas 41-44 of Chapter 10.

Notes:

The given version is found in the Taittiriya Aranyakam. Other hymns, also called Medha Suktam can be found in Rigveda and Atharvaveda. This prayer is addressed to the Goddess of learning, Saraswati. It asks her to bless us so that we may become wise. Chanting this hymn daily improves memory, intelligence, grasping power and speaking capacity. 

Sri Suktam

Meaning:

Hiraṇyavarṇāṁ hariṇīṁ su̲varṇarajata̲srajām .

Candrāṁ hiraṇmayīṁ lakṣmīṁ jātavedo ma āvaha ..1..

O Agni! Invoke that Lakshmi, who shines like gold, who destroys all sins, who wears silver and gold ornaments, who is like the moon, and who is golden-hued. 

Tām ma āvaha jātavedo lakṣmīm anapagāminīm .

Yasyāṁ hiraṇyaṁ vindeyaṁ gāmaśvaṁ puruṣānaham ..2.. 

O Agni! Invoke that Lakshmi who never leaves, by whose grace I have obtained gold, cows, horses, and friends.

Aśvapūrvāṁ rathamadhyāṁ hastinādaprabodhinīm .

Śriyaṁ devīmupahvaye śrīrmā devīrjuṣatām ..3..

I invoke Lakshmi who is seated in a chariot driven by horses and whose appearance is heralded by the sound of elephants. May she be pleased with me.

Kāṁ sosmitāṁ hiraṇyaprākārām ārdrāṁ jvalantīṁ tṛptāṁ tarpayantīm .

Padme sthitāṁ padmavarṇāṁ tāmihopahvaye śriyam ..4..

I invoke Lakshmi who is ever smiling, who is surrounded by a golden fort, who is full of mercy, who is ever shining, who makes her devotees happy, who sits on the lotus, and who has the colour of the lotus. 

Candrāṁ prabhāsāṁ yaśasā jvalantīṁ śriyaṁ loke devajuṣṭāmudārām .

Tāṁ padminīmīṁ śaraṇamahaṁ prapadye'lakṣmīrme naśyatāṁ tvāṁ vṛṇe ..5..

I seek refuge in that lotus-born Lakshmi who shines like the moon due to her glory, who is noble and who is worshipped by the Devas. May Alakshmi be destroyed by your grace.

Ādityavarṇe tapaso’dhijāto vanaspatistava vṛkṣo’tha bilvaḥ .

Tasya phalāni tapasā nudantu māyāntarāyāśca bāhyā alakṣmīḥ ..6..

O Goddess who shines like sun! By your great penance the Bilva tree was created. Let its fruits full of knowledge remove the ignorance within, and all ill-fortune without.

Upaitu māṁ devasakhaḥ kīrtiśca maṇinā saha .

Prādurbhūto'smi rāṣṭre'smin kīrtimṛddhiṁ dadātu me ..7..

May the god of wealth Kubera, the friend of the Devas; come to me with jewels-for I am born in this country, showered with your grace-and give me fame and fulfillment.

Kṣutpipāsāmalāṁ jyeṣṭhāmalakṣmīṁ nāśayāmyaham .

Abhūtimasamṛddhiṁ ca sarvāṁ nirṇuda me gṛhāt ..8..

I will destroy hunger, thirst and impurity associated with your elder sister Alakshmi by your grace; please drive away wretchedness and ill-fortune from my house.

Gandhadvārāṁ durādharṣāṁ nityapuṣṭāṁ karīṣiṇīm .

Īśvarīm̐̐ sarvabhūtānāṁ tāmihopahvaye śriyam ..9..

I invoke that Lakshmi who is the source of all fragrance, who is difficult to approach, who is always full, who gives prosperity wherever she goes, and who is the goddess of all beings.

Manasaḥ kāmamākūtiṁ vācaḥ satyamaśīmahi .

Paśūnāṁ rūpamannasya mayi śrīḥ śrayatāṁ yaśaḥ ..10..

May goddess Lakshmi forever bless me with fulfillment of my wishes and desires, truth in speech, and plenty of cattle, beauty and food.

Kardamena prajā bhūtā mayi sambhava kardama .

Śriyaṁ vāsaya me kule mātaraṁ padmamālinīm ..11..

As earth creates mankind; similarly, O Kardama! Stay with me, and bring your mother; who wears a lotus garland to live with my family.

Āpaḥ sṛjantu snigdhāni ciklīta vasa me gṛhe .

Ni ca devīṁ mātaraṁ śriyaṁ vāsaya me kule ..12..

As water creates beauty in all things by its presence; similarly, O Chiklita! Stay with me, and bring your mother to live with my family.

Ārdrāṁ puṣkariṇīṁ puṣṭiṁ piṅgalāṁ padmamālinīm .

Candrāṁ hiraṇmayīṁ lakṣmīṁ jātavedo ma āvaha ..13..

O Agni! Invoke that Lakshmi who is like the moisture of a lotus pond that nourishes, who has a golden hue, who wears lotus garlands, and who has the golden radiance of the moon.

Ārdrāṁ yaḥ kariṇīṁ yaṣṭiṁ suvarṇāṁ hemamālinīm .

Sūryāṁ hiraṇmayīṁ lakṣmīṁ jātavedo ma āvaha ..14..

O Agni! Invoke that Lakshmi who is like the moisture (figuratively representing Energy) which supports all activity, who wears golden necklaces, and who has the golden brilliance of the sun.

Tāṁ ma āvaha jātavedo lakṣmīm anapagāminīm .

Yasyāṁ hiraṇyaṁ prabhūtaṁ gāvo dāsyo'śvānvindeyaṁ puruṣānaham ..15..

O Agni! Invoke that Lakshmi who never leaves, by whose grace I will obtain plenty of gold, cows, servants, horses, and friends.

Sarva maṅgala māṅgalye śive sarvārtha sādhike .

Śaraṇye tryambake devi nārāyaṇi namo'stute ..16..

Salutations you, O Goddess Narayani, who is the most auspicious among the auspicious, who is forever peaceful, who grants all boons, who gives refuge to all and who has three eyes.

Ōm mahādevyai ca vidmahe viṣṇupatnī ca dhīmahi .

Tanno lakṣmīḥ pracodayāt ..17..

We perceive the great goddess; we meditate on the consort of Vishnu.

May that Lakshmi inspire us (to reach that goal).

Ōm dhanurdharāyai vidmahe sarvasiddhyai ca dhīmahi .

Tanno dharā pracodayāt ..17a..

We perceive the one who holds a bow; we meditate on the one who has accomplished everything. May that Lakshmi who sustains all inspire us (to reach that goal).

Ōṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ..

Om peace, peace, peace.

This hymn is found in the Rigveda Khilani (appendices to the Rigveda) Chapter 3. The hymn is composed of verses 1-15, verse 30, and verse 26 from chapter 6 of Adhyaya 2. The Gayatri 17a is from the Bhu Suktam. This is an extra.

Notes:

This is the short version of the Sri Suktam, the full one being the whole of the chapter 6. The first few verses are addressed to the God of fire, Agni, asking him to invoke Lakshmi; the hymns in the middle are addressed to Goddess Lakshmi herself and the hymns toward the end are again addressed to Agni. Chanting the Sri Suktam-especially on Fridays-brings peace, wealth and prosperity.