Chanting mantras at the beginning and the end of the practice
establishes a space for gratitude, intention and sacredness to blossom;
making the effort all the more potent.
ASHTANGA MANTRA
Opening prayer
OM
VANDE GURUNAM CARANARAVINDE
I bow to the lotus feet of the gurus
SANDARSHITA SWATMA SUKHAVA BODE
Who point the way to the joy of pure being
NIH SHREYASE JANGALIKAYAMANE
Acting like the jungle medicine man
SAMSARA HALAHALA MOHASHANTYAI
Able to remove the poison of conditioned existence
ABAHU PURUSAKARAM
In the form of a man up to his arms
SHANKHACHAKRASI DHARINAM
Holding a conch shell, a wheel and a sword
SAHASRA SHIRASAM SWETAM
With a thousand radiant, white heads
PRANAMAMI PATANJALIM
I prostrate before the sage Patanjali
OM
MANGALA MANTRA
Closing prayer
OM
SWASTIPRAJABYAHAH PARIPALAYANTAM
May the well-being of all people be protected
NYAHYENAMARGHENA MAHIMMAHISHAHA
By the powerful and mighty leaders with law and justice
GOBRAHMANEBHYAH SHUBHAMASTUNITYAM
May good success be with all the cows (divinity) and scholars
LOKAHSAMASTA SUKHINOBHAVANTU
May all the worlds be happy and pleasant
OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTIHI
Om peace peace peace
