Ashtanga Vinyasa Opening Mantra
Ashtanga Vinyasa Opening Mantra

Ashtanga Vinyasa Opening Mantra

Ashtanga Vinyasa Opening Mantra Lyrics, Meaning, Benefits, Download

Learn everything about this Yoga chant that helps tune out negative influences
 
 
Yoga mantras are used to bolster your intention of meditation. When coupled with yoga poses, yoga mantras help you raise consciousness by unifying the mind, body, and breath.
The Ashtanga Vinyasa Opening mantra is a short mantra used as a gratitude towards yogic teachers (gurus). It is an acknowledgment of surrender to the process of yoga and to one's self.
The Ashtanga Vinyasa Opening Mantra is part of the Ancient Yoga Mantras for De-Stress album.
 

Lyrics of the Mantra

Verse 1:
|| Om
Vande Gurunam Charanaravinde
Sandarshita Svaatma Sukhaava Bodhe
Nih Shreyase Jangalikaayamaane
Samsaara Haalaahala Mohashantyai ||
 
Verse 2:
|| Aabaahu Purushakaaram
Shankhachakraasi Dhaarinam
Sahasra Shirasam Shvetam
Pranamaami Patanjalim
Om ||
 

Meaning of the Mantra

Verse 1:
|| Om
Vande Gurunam Charanaravinde
Sandarshita Svaatma Sukhaava Bodhe
Nih Shreyase Jangalikaayamaane
Samsaara Haalaahala Mohashantyai ||
-
Meaning:
I bow at the lotus feet of the Guru,
Who reveals the path to awakening joy in my inner self,
Who is beyond comparison, the natural healer,
Who eradicates all delusion.
 
Verse 2:
|| Aabaahu Purushakaaram
Shankhachakraasi Dhaarinam
Sahasra Shirasam Shvetam
Pranamaami Patanjalim
Om ||
-
Meaning:
Who took human form,
Bearing a conch, a chakra, and a sword,
And a thousand heads,
To that divine Patanjali, I bow.
 
For a more thorough explanation of the mantra, look below:
Vande Gurunam Charanaravinde : I bow to the lotus feet of the Supreme Guru
Sandarshita Svatma Sukava Bodhe : which awaken insight into the happiness of pure Being
Nih Sreyase Jangalikayamane : which are the refuge, the jungle physician
Samsara Halahala Mohashantyai : which eliminates the delusion caused by the poisonous herb of Samsara (conditioned existence)
Abahu Purushakaram : I prostrate before the sage Patanjali
Shankhacakrsi Dharinam : who has thousands of radiant, white heads (as the divine serpent, Ananta)
Sahasra Sirasam Svetam : and who has, as far as his arms, assumed the form of a man
Pranamami Patanjalim : holding a conch shell (divine sound), a wheel (discus of light or infinite time), and a sword (discrimination).
 

Variations of the Mantra

You may call this chant the Vande Gurunam mantra. This shloka retains a uniform mantra meaning.
The Ashtanga Vinyasa opening mantra is commonly known and recited with the specific verses mentioned.
Alternate names for this mantra might include the Ashtanga Yoga Opening Mantra, Patanjali Invocation, or Prayer to Patanjali.
These names reflect the purpose of the mantra, which is to honor the lineage of yoga teachers and seek guidance from Patanjali, the sage associated with the Yoga Sutras.
 

Preview Ashtanga Vinyasa Opening Mantra

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Benefits of the Mantra

The Ashtanga Vinyasa Opening Mantra holds several benefits for the mind of both the chanter and the listener.
Listening to this energizing Yoga mantra along with meditation helps you in the following ways.
 
Benefit 1 - Deepens devotion
The mantra instills a deep sense of devotion to yourself and helps you access peace of mind
 
Benefit 2 - Slows down thoughts
This chant can help calm a hectic mind
 
Benefit 3 - Tunes out distractions
With this mantra, you can tune out your external distractions
 

History of the Mantra

Ashtanga yoga is also known as the Eight-limb yoga. Here, the eight limbs represent eight principles:
1. Yama, meaning moral codes
2. Niyama, meaning self-purification
3. Asana, meaning posture
4. Pranayama, meaning breath control or breathwork
5. Pratyahara, meaning sense-control
6. Dhyana, meaning meditation
7. Dharana, meaning concentration
8. Samadhi, meaning contemplation or, in some interpretations, salvation
Vinyasa is the movement of the body and breath that effectively cleanses the mind and body. Every movement is carried out in one breath.
The Ashtanga Vinyasa Opening mantra is a verse that explains the benefits of yoga practice. It conditions the mind to be receptive to the gifts yoga has to offer.
Yoga practitioners chant or listen to this mantra at the beginning of their yoga session. It primes them to be focused on their meditation and practice.