Mantras
By The Yoga Loft Last updated
In short
We chant three mantras at The Yoga Loft: Om Sahana Vavatu, a peace mantra before class; the Ashtanga opening mantra, which gives thanks to the lineage of teachers and the sage Patanjali; and the Ashtanga closing mantra, which offers the practice to the wellbeing of all. The words and translations of all three are below.
Watch
Om Sahana Vavatu, line by line
The peace mantra we chant before class, each line with its translation.
47 seconds, no sound needed
Teaching mantra: Om Sahana Vavatu
Chanting this mantra before the start of class creates healthy energy between teacher and student in the process of learning (practising yoga) together, full of enthusiasm and harmony. It is a Shanti mantra, a mantra for peace.
Om Sahana Vavatu: Om, may we all be protected.
Sahanau Bhunaktu: May we all be nourished.
Saha Viryam Karavavahai: May we work together with great energy.
Tejasvi Navaditamastu: May our studies be enlightening.
Ma Vidishavahai: May there be no ill feeling between us.
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi: Om, peace (within), peace (with each other), peace (universal).
The words to chant
Om Sahana Vavatu
Sahanau Bhunaktu
Saha Viryam Karavavahai
Tejasvi Navaditamastu
Ma Vidishavahai
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi
Ashtanga yoga opening mantra
The opening prayer is a blessing of gratitude offered to the lineage of teachers and their students, who have enabled this ancient practice to survive through thousands of years so that we can experience its benefits today. Reciting this mantra cleanses the energy of the space we have chosen to practise yoga in, and prepares the mind, body and emotions for the Ashtanga sequence to come.
Watch a full Led Primary Series class with John Scott, which opens and closes with the Ashtanga mantras:
The words to chant
Om
Vande Gurunam Charanaravinde
Sandarshita Svatma Sukava Bodhe
Nih Sreyase Jangalikayamane
Samsara Halahala Mohashantyai
Abahu Purushakaram
Shankhacakrsi Dharinam
Sahasra Sirasam Svetam
Pranamami Patanjalim
Om
Translation
Om. I bow to the lotus feet of the Supreme Guru, which awaken insight into the happiness of pure Being, which are the refuge, the jungle physician, which eliminate the delusion caused by the poisonous herb of Samsara (conditioned existence). I prostrate before the sage Patanjali, who has thousands of radiant, white heads (as the divine serpent, Ananta) and who has, as far as his arms, assumed the form of a man holding a conch shell (divine sound), a wheel (discus of light or infinite time) and a sword (discrimination). Om.
Ashtanga yoga closing mantra
The closing mantra brings the practice to a peaceful end, sealing in the work done and offering the efforts of our yoga practice to improve the state of the world.
The words to chant
Om
Svasthi Praja Bhyaha Pari Pala Yantam
Nya Yena Margena Mahim Mahishaha
Go Brahmanebhyaha Shubamastu Nityam
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi
Translation
May the rulers of the earth keep to the path of virtue, for protecting the welfare of all generations. May the religious, and all peoples, be forever blessed. May all beings everywhere be happy and free. Om, peace, peace, perfect peace.
