Opening & Closing Prayer
Prayer / Prārthanā
Prārthanā means prayer. In Ashtanga yoga we pray to guru, guru paramparā and to the lord for attaining good health, stable mind and the self realization.
The chants at the beginning and end of each practice support us in setting our minds to focus on the present moment. Through regular repetition and study, an in-depth philosophical connection can be made with any mantra.
OPENING MANTRA:
The Ashtanga Yoga opening Mantra expresses respect for the teachings, and the transformative potential of the practice.
ॐ
Ōṃ
वन्दे गुरूणां चरणारविन्दे
Vande gurūṇām caraṇāravinde (I bow at the lotus feet of the Guru)
सन्दर्शितस्वात्मसुखावबोधे I
sandarśita svātma sukhāvabodhe (And behold the awakened joy of my own Soul)
नि:श्रेयसे जान्गलिकाय माने
Niśreyase jānghalikāyamāne (The ultimate refuge, the jungle doctor,)
संसार हालाहल मोहशान्त्यै II
saṁsāra hālāhala mohaśāntyai (Pacifying the poisonous delusion of repetitive existence.)
आबाहु पुरुषाकारं शंखचक्रासि धारिणम् I
Ābāhu puruṣākāraṁ śankhacakrāsi dhāriṇam (The one who has assumed the form of a man bearing a sword, discus and a conch,)
सहस्रशिरसं श्वेतं प्रणमामि पतन्जलिम् II
Sahasraśirasaṁ śvetaṁ praṇamāmi patañjaliṁ ( brilliantly luminous with a thousand snake heads, I bow to thee Lord Patanjali)
ॐ
Ōṃ
CLOSING MANTRA:
The Ashtanga Yoga Closing Mantra (also known as Mangala Mantra) wishes for peace, prosperity and happiness for all beings, which complies with the main intention of yoga practice, which is to end suffering and gain freedom.
ॐ
Ōṃ
स्वस्तिप्रजाभ्य: परिपालयन्तां
svasti prajābhyaha paripālayantām (Let prosperity be glorified)
न्यायेन मार्गेण महींमहीशाः I
nyāyena mārgeṇa mahīṁ mahīśāḥ (Let rulers rule the world with law and justice)
गो ब्राह्मणेभ्य: शुभमस्तु नित्यं
go bhrāhmaṇebhyah śubhamastu nityam (Let divinity and erudition be protected)
लोकासमस्ता सुखिनोभवन्तु II
lokāsamastā sukhino bhavantu (Let people of the whole world be happy and prosperous.)
ॐ
Ōṃ