Why this inspired us
Few verses wish for peace so completely: in the sky, in the space between, on the earth and in the waters. We kept its rhythm almost exactly.
Explore a verse
Yajur Veda 36.17
The reference printed on your card, and the idea behind it.
In its original context
The Yajur Veda is the book of words spoken during ceremonies. This verse comes from its "white" branch, from a chapter made up mostly of prayers for peace, and it is among the most widely recited verses from any of the Vedas.
It works like a slow map of the world. It wishes peace to the sky, then to the space between sky and earth, then to the earth, the waters, the plants, and the trees. Then it widens to every power in the universe, to the deepest reality behind everything, and finally to everything at once. Then it does something unusual: it asks that peace itself be at peace. And only at the very end does it turn to the speaker: may that peace come to me.
The order matters. The speaker asks for their own peace last, after the whole world has been wished well. That is part of why the verse is still spoken at the end of ceremonies, gatherings and readings, usually closing with the word "peace" said three times.
Something to think about
Can there be peace in one place if it is missing from another?
Our cards carry original, contemporary words inspired by ancient passages. They are not translations.
The Letterbox
Little letters, occasionally.
New cards, first looks and the odd kind word. Never more than we'd want to receive ourselves.