What is Ashtanga Yoga?
Ashtanga Yoga is an ancient form of yoga practice that dates back thousands of years and is a practice of physical and mental discipline that is meant to purify the mind, body, and soul. It is a form of vinyasa yoga, which means that it is a flowing practice of linking postures together in a specific sequence. Ashtanga Yoga has two distinct components: the opening and closing mantras. The opening mantra serves as an invocation for practitioners to focus their minds and open their hearts, while the closing mantra is a way of expressing gratitude for the practice and expressing love and peace to the world.
Overview of Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga is a series of postures, or asanas, that are linked together in a specific sequence. The sequence begins with five warm-up exercises, followed by five standing postures, and then progresses to five seated postures, five backbends, and then five finishing postures. The practice is designed to be a holistic experience, building strength, flexibility, balance, and concentration. Ashtanga Yoga is also known for its intense physicality and is often described as a “moving meditation” due to its focus on breath, movement, and mindfulness.
The practice of Ashtanga Yoga begins and ends with a mantra. The opening mantra is traditionally chanted in Sanskrit and serves as an invocation to begin the practice. It is a prayer asking for blessings from the gods, asking for protection from harm, and invoking the divine energy of the universe. The closing mantra is also chanted in Sanskrit and serves as a way of expressing gratitude for the practice, sending love and peace out into the world. It is a way of honoring the practice and expressing appreciation for the experience.
The opening mantra of Ashtanga Yoga is “Aum Bhur Bhuvah Svah Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat” which roughly translates to “Let us meditate upon the Divine Light of the sun god (Savitur) who illuminates the three realms: Earth, Heaven, and Mid-region; may it inspire our intellect”. This mantra is chanted to invoke the power of the sun god and ask for protection from harm. The closing mantra of Ashtanga Yoga is “Pranamami Patanjalim” which roughly translates to “I bow to Patanjali”. Patanjali was an ancient sage who is credited with creating the texts that make up the foundation of Ashtanga Yoga. This closing mantra serves as a way of expressing gratitude and appreciation for the practice and sending love and peace out into the world.
The chanting of these mantras serves as an important part of the Ashtanga Yoga practice, as it helps practitioners to focus their minds and open their hearts to the practice. It also serves as a way of connecting with the divine energy of the universe and honoring the ancient traditions that have been passed down through the generations. Additionally, it provides practitioners with an opportunity to express their gratitude for the practice and send love and peace out into the world.
The Ashtanga Opening Mantra
The Ashtanga opening mantra is a prayer of gratitude to the ancient teachers of the practice. Known as the “Vande Gurunam” mantra, it is chanted at the beginning of each Ashtanga Yoga practice to honor the lineage and teachers of the practice. The opening chant consists of two parts, a prayer, and a mantra. The prayer to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, is meant to remove obstacles and bring success. The mantra expresses gratitude to the ancient teachers of yoga and creates a meditative atmosphere in the practice.
What is the Ashtanga Opening Mantra?
The Ashtanga opening mantra is made up of two parts: a prayer and a mantra. The prayer part is to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, for removing obstacles and bringing success. The latter part of the chant is a mantra expressing gratitude to the ancient teachers of yoga. It is a way to honor the lineage of the practice and to thank the teachers for their teachings. The mantra is also a way to connect to the divine energy of yoga and to create a peaceful and meditative atmosphere in the practice.
Ashtanga Opening Mantra Meaning
The Ashtanga opening mantra has two main meanings. The first is a prayer of gratitude to the ancient teachers of the practice. Chanting the mantra, pays homage to the lineage of the practice and thanks the teachers for their teachings. The second meaning is a way to connect to the divine energy of yoga and create a peaceful and meditative atmosphere in the practice.
The opening chant consists of eight lines, each with its meaning. The first line mentions “Vande Gurunam,” which translates to “I bow to all teachers”. This is a way of showing respect and appreciation for those who have come before us and shared their wisdom with us. The next line mentions “Charanaravindam,” which translates to “whose feet are like lotus petals”. This is about Lord Vishnu’s feet, which are said to be like lotus petals. The third line refers to “Divya Soundarya Lahari”, which means “Divine Sound of Beauty”. This signifies that through yoga, one can find inner beauty and peace.
The fourth line mentions “Mangalam Pranamami Patanjalim”, which translates to “I bow to Patanjali with respect”. Patanjali was a great sage who wrote the Yoga Sutras, which are still followed by practitioners today. The fifth line mentions “Bhujangaprayata Raja”, which means “the king of snakes”. This refers to Lord Shiva, who is often depicted in art as having a thousand heads and carrying a discus and a sword. The sixth line mentions “Vasishtham Devaguru”, which translates to “the divine teacher Vasishtha”. Vasishtha was an ancient sage who was known as a great leader of the earth. The seventh line mentions “Sukhavati Varada”, which translates to “the giver of joy”. This is about Lord Brahma, who is often depicted as holding a conch shell for thousands of years.
Finally, the eighth line mentions “Sarva Loka Hitaya Cha”. This translates to “for the benefit of all worlds”. This is a way of expressing our wish that all worlds be happy and that our practice helps bring peace and harmony to our planet.
The Ashtanga opening mantra is a beautiful way to honor our teachers and lineage while also connecting to the divine energy of yoga. Through this chant, we can create a peaceful and meditative atmosphere in our practice and pay homage to the ancient teachers who have shared their wisdom with us.
The Ashtanga Closing Mantra
The Ashtanga Closing Mantra is an ancient chant that is used to honor the divine energy and teachings of yoga. This mantra is chanted at the end of each Ashtanga Yoga practice as a way to express gratitude, reverence, and connection to the divine energy of yoga. The mantra is believed to create a peaceful and meditative atmosphere at the end of the practice.
What is the Ashtanga Closing Mantra?
The Ashtanga Closing Mantra is known as the “Mangala Mantra”. This Sanskrit chant is recited at the end of each practice and is a way to pay homage to the divine energy of yoga. It is a symbolic way to connect to the divine energy of the universe. The mantra is a prayer of gratitude to the divine energy of yoga, and it honors the teachings of yoga.
The mantra is composed of several lines that are repeated. The first line states, “Pranamami Patanjalim”, which means “I bow to Patanjali”. Patanjali was an ancient sage who is credited with codifying the practice of yoga. The second line of the mantra states, “Sahasra Sirsa Purusam”, which means “to the thousand-headed form of a man”. This line is a reference to the Hindu deity Vishnu, who is said to have a thousand heads.
The third line of the mantra states, “Devam Srimad Bhagavatam”, which means “to the divine sound”. This line refers to the sacred sound of mantras and chants that are used in yoga and meditation. The mantra also mentions several symbols, such as “lotus feet”, “holding a conch”, “discus and a sword” and “jungle physician”, which are all symbols that represent different aspects of yoga.
Other Ashtanga Chants
Why Chant OM in Yoga?
Chanting OM is an important part of yoga practice. It helps to create a meditative and peaceful atmosphere in the practice, as well as to connect with the divine energy of the universe. Chanting OM also helps to focus the mind, which helps to create a deeper connection to the body and the practice.
Ashtanga Yoga Mantra
The Ashtanga Yoga Mantra is a prayer of gratitude to the divine energy of yoga. It is a chant that is used to honor the ancient teachers of the practice, and to connect to the divine energy of the universe. The mantra is also a way to create a peaceful and meditative atmosphere in the practice.
Translation of Mantra
The Ashtanga Yoga Mantra is typically translated as, “I bow to the divine light within all of us.” This mantra is a way to honor the divine energy of the practice and to thank it for its teachings.
What is the purpose of singing the mantras?
The purpose of chanting mantras is to connect to the divine energy of the universe. The mantras are also used to create a meditative and peaceful atmosphere in the practice, as well as to focus the mind.
Sanskrit Pronunciation
The Ashtanga Yoga Mantra is typically pronounced as “Om Vande Gurunam Charanaravinde”. This mantra is a way to honor the ancient teachers of the practice and to connect to the divine energy of the universe.
Other Ashtanga Chants
Apart from the Ashtanga Yoga Mantra, there are several other chants and mantras associated with the practice. The most common is the Gayatri Mantra, which is traditionally used to invoke spiritual energy and wisdom. It is a powerful mantra that is said to bring healing and peace to those who chant it. Additionally, the Lotus Feet chant is a way to honor and thank the divine energy of the practice. It is a chant of gratitude for the divine guidance and wisdom that is found in the practice.
The Shanti Mantra is another chant used in the practice. It is a call for peace and harmony in the world. This chant is often used to create a peaceful and meditative atmosphere in the practice. Additionally, the Jungle Physician chant is a way to honor and thank the ancient teachers of the practice. It is a chant of gratitude for the divine guidance and wisdom that is found in the practice.
Why Chant OM in Yoga?
Chanting OM is an important part of yoga practice. It helps to create a meditative and peaceful atmosphere in the practice, as well as to connect with the divine energy of the universe. Chanting OM also helps to focus the mind, which helps to create a deeper connection to the body and the practice. Chanting OM can also be used to increase awareness and self-reflection, allowing for deeper insight into one’s thoughts and feelings.
When we chant OM, we are connecting with a universal energy that can help us to be more mindful and aware of our environment. By chanting OM we are sending out positive vibes and energy, which can help us to create a more peaceful and harmonious world. Additionally, when we chant OM we are connecting with ourselves on a deeper and spiritual level, allowing us to become more connected with our inner self and to find our inner peace.
Ashtanga Yoga Mantra
The Ashtanga Yoga Mantra is a prayer of gratitude to the divine energy of yoga. It is a chant that is used to honor the ancient teachers of the practice, and to connect to the divine energy of the universe. The mantra is also a way to create a peaceful and meditative atmosphere in the practice. The mantra consists of various Sanskrit words, including Om Vande Gurunam Charanaravinde, Pranamami Patanjalim, Buddhir Jnana Saksatkara, Svatma Sukhavabodhe, Nirvisesha Sunyavadi, Pasyantu Mam Shanti.
Translation of Mantra
The Ashtanga Yoga Mantra is typically translated as, “I bow to the divine light within all of us.” This mantra is a way to honor the divine energy of the practice and to thank it for its teachings. The words in this mantra represent various aspects of yoga, such as divine grace, knowledge, inner peace, liberation, and enlightenment. Additionally, some translations of this mantra include references to holding a conch shell, thousands of years of history, discus and a sword, the form of a man with thousand heads, bowing to lotus feet, leaders of the earth, and invoking divine sound.
What is the purpose of singing the mantras?
The purpose of chanting mantras is to connect to the divine energy of the universe. The mantras are also used to create a meditative and peaceful atmosphere in the practice, as well as to focus the mind. Additionally, mantras can help us to become more mindful and aware of our environment and our thoughts. Through chanting mantras we can also become more connected with ourselves on a deeper and spiritual level, allowing us to find our inner peace. Chanting mantras can also help us to cultivate positive energy within ourselves, which can then be used to create a more peaceful and harmonious world.
Sanskrit Pronunciation
The Ashtanga Yoga Mantra is typically pronounced as “Om Vande Gurunam Charanaravinde”. This mantra is a way to honor the ancient teachers of the practice and to connect to the divine energy of the universe. The pronunciation of this mantra consists of various Sanskrit syllables that represent aspects such as divine grace, knowledge, inner peace, liberation, and enlightenment. Additionally, some translations include references to holding a conch shell, thousands of years of history, discus and a sword, the form of a man with thousand heads, bowing to lotus feet, leaders of the earth, and invoking divine sound.
Ashtanga Opening and Closing Chants
The Ashtanga opening and closing chants are a way to honor the lineage of yoga practice and to thank the teachers for their teachings. The Vande Gurunam Mantra is the Ashtanga opening chant. It is a prayer of gratitude to the ancient teachers of the practice and is a way to honor the lineage of the practice and thank the teachers for their teachings. The Mangala Mantra is the Ashtanga closing chant. It is a prayer of gratitude to the divine energy of yoga and is a way to honor the divine energy of the practice and thank it for its teachings.
Vande Gurunam Mantra
The Vande Gurunam Mantra is an invocation to the great teachers of the practice of yoga. It is a prayer of gratitude that honors their wisdom and knowledge. The chant begins with honoring the lotus feet of those great teachers and acknowledging the divine sound that emanates from them. It then calls upon the form of a man with a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, a thousand feet, and holding a conch, discus, and a sword. The chant then goes on to ask that the divine power of those teachers and their teachings be known over thousands of years and for them to lead the world to peace and prosperity.
Mangala Mantra
The Mangala Mantra is a prayer of gratitude to the divine energy of yoga and is a way to honor the divine energy of the practice and thank it for its teachings. The chant begins with an invocation to the great teachers, who are referred to as the “jungle physician”, and asks that their teachings bring peace to all living beings. It then calls upon the earth to be sacred and for all the worlds to be happy, healthy, and prosperous. Finally, it asks that the divine energy protect all living beings and that it bring peace and prosperity to all.
Ashtanga Meaning
Ashtanga Yoga is an ancient form of yoga that dates back thousands of years. It is a practice of physical and mental discipline that is intended to purify the mind, body, and soul. Ashtanga Yoga is a form of vinyasa yoga, which means that it is a flowing practice of linking postures together in a specific sequence. The practice includes both physical poses as well as breathing exercises, meditation, and chanting. The goal of this practice is to bring balance and harmony to the body, mind, and soul. Through this practice, practitioners can gain greater clarity and insight into their lives, as well as improved physical health.
Conclusion
The Ashtanga Closing Mantra is a powerful prayer that honors the divine energy of yoga. It is a chant that is used to connect to the divine energy of the universe and promote a peaceful and meditative atmosphere in the practice. The mantra helps to invoke a sense of reverence and gratitude for the practice of yoga, and its words are a reminder to hold our heads high and bow to the lotus feet of the divine. Other elements of the mantra include honoring the leaders of the earth, holding a conch, discus, and sword, and invoking the power of the thousand-headed jungle physician. All of these elements come together to make the Ashtanga Closing Mantra a powerful invocation of peace, protection, and well-being for all.
