Opening Yoga Chant VANDE GURUNAM
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 awakens
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 (bow) before the sage Patanjali
who has thousands of radiant, white heads (as divinity, Ananta [limitless, eternal, infinite])
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
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Why we do it.
The Opening Chant 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. The recitation of this mantra cleanses the energy of the space we have chosen to practice yoga, as well as preparing the mind, body and emotions for the forthcoming Ashtanga sequence.
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