Three kinds of obstacles are there. There is adhithamic, obstacles to study and to the ultimate realization. The people who disturb you or cause anxiety to you may impact upon your study. And then finally, natural causes, whatever it is, cyclones or COVID or whatever it is,. let nature also be propitious unto us. So this is the meaning of the peace chant.
Swami Sarvapriyananda teaches the Katha Upanishad, which is one of the most popular Upanishads. The scripture concerns the story of a young man who goes to the house of death to find out what happens after death. The reply describes the nature of reality and the meaning of life.