Ashtanga Yoga Mantras

Ashtanga Yoga Mantras

Continuing with the topic of mantras , let's look at the mantras of Ashtanga Yoga

The tradition of Ashtanga Yoga suggests two main mantras. One is recited by the teacher and practitioners at the beginning of the practice, the other - at the end. The teacher takes the samasthiti position (samasthiti from Sanskrit means sama ""sama"" - ""straight"", ""even"", ""unchanging"", sthiti ""sthiti"" - means ""standing position"", ""upright position""), folds his palms in kara-mudra at chest level (palms in namaste), closes his eyes. Students should take the same body position. The first and last lines of ""OM"" are pronounced by everyone together at the same time, and then the teacher reads the mantra line by line, and the students repeat after him.

In the led class format, the lesson begins with the recitation of the introductory mantra. In the Mysore class format, the mantra is also recited by everyone together when the teacher calls for the ""Samasthiti"" position at the beginning of the practice. If the student's practice time does not coincide with the opening mantra time, then one can recite the mantra independently before starting one's practice.

So, the opening mantra:

Sanskrit

om
vande gurūṇāṃ caraṇāravinde

sandarśita svātma sukhāvabodhe ।

niḥśreyase jāṅgalikāyamāne

saṃsara hālāhala mohaśāntyai ॥

ābāhu puruśākāraṃ

śaṅkhacakrāsi dhāriṇam ।

sahasra śirsamaṃ śvetamaṃ

praṇamāmi patañjalim ॥

om
Pronunciation

Om
Vande gurunam caranaravinde

Sandarshita swatma sukhavabodhe

Nishriyase jangalikayamane

Samsara halahala mohashantyay(ti)

Abahu purushakaram

Shandha chakrasi dharinam

Sahastra sirosam shvetam

Pronamami Patanjali

Om

Literal translation

Om
I fall at the lotus feet of the teachers,
Who revealed to me the good knowledge of the atman (soul).
Who have attained the highest good, like forest healers,
Who neutralize the deadly poison of the illusions
of Samsaric (worldly) existence.
From the shoulders in the form of a man,
Holding in his hands a sea shell,
A discus and a sword,
The thousand-headed and enlightened
Patanjali, I bow down.
Om

The mantra expresses deep respect to the teachers who have good knowledge, whose wisdom heals, removes ignorance and shows the path to health and knowledge of the highest essence.

At the end of the led class, the final mantra is chanted all together, the practitioners repeat after the teacher line by line. In the Mysore class, the student, having completed his practice, assumes the position of samasthiti and pronounces it independently.

The final shanti mantra looks like this:
Om svasti prajābhyaḥ paripālayantām ।

nyāyena mārgeṇa mahīṃ mahīśāḥ ।

go-brāhmaṇebhyaś śubham astu nityam ।

lokās samastā sukhino bhavantu ।।

Om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
Om Svasti prajabyaha paripalayantam

nyaena margena mahi mahishaha

gobramanibyaha shubamastu nityam

lokaha samastaha sukhino bavantu

Om shanti shanti shantihi

May goodness protect and guide the generations.
May rulers rule with justice.
May cows, Brahmins and humans be
in perpetual prosperity.
May there be happiness throughout the world.

Om, peace, peace, peace.

The mantra at the end of the practice is designed to improve the state of this world. Through it, the energy, knowledge and experience received are directed to fill the earth with peace, mutual understanding and piety. The last verse is especially heartfelt. It is widely known in India and reflects the tolerance of Hindus to all people regardless of nationality and religion.

Its words express gratitude to the teachers for passing on knowledge that changes life for the better and frees from suffering. The second shloka is dedicated to Rishi Patanjali in his mystical form (incarnation), who left a valuable legacy of yoga.

Perhaps a literal translation is not enough to penetrate the deep meaning of these mantras the first time. This takes time, studying ancient texts, understanding philosophy. Correct pronunciation of Sanskrit is also important, the effect of the mantra will only increase. Therefore, it is important to listen to the pronunciation from a bearer of the tradition or take a few lessons from a Sanskrit teacher.

Regularly pronounce the mantra and it will reveal itself to you.
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