Yoga Mantras

                                                                                 
Opening Mantras
Tuning in the Mind
At the beginning of each yoga class, in order to raise the room's energy as well as to relax, focus and uplift our mind, we recite some mantras. These mantras come from the ancient, sacred sanskrit language of Sanskrit. Through their repetition we invoke the spiritual powers of the following deities: Ganesha, Subramanya, Saraswati, the Guru, and Durga Devi.

• The Ganesha mantras are recited at the beginning of any undertaking and give the energy to start something and to overcome obstacles of all kinds - internal and external
• The Subramanya mantras give us the energy to sustain our efforts and practice and to overcome the lower tendencies of our mind: laziness, jealousy etc.
• Through Her mantras, the goddess Saraswati bestows knowledge and helps us tap into the deep reservoir of spiritual knowledge as we practice.
• It is an ancient and pivotal tradition in yoga to invoke our Guru and the lineage of all masters who came before us at the beginning of the practice. Invoking their blessings will help connect with the vibrant spiritual experiences that they have achieved. This is the primary reason why yoga is so alive after having been transmitted from teacher to student for several millenia. At the Advaita Yoga Ashrama, we invoke the two great masters: Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnu-devananda.
• Last, but not least, is the prayer to Durga, the Divine Mother, who represents the ultimate power (shakti) of the universe.

Dhyana Slokas
These mantras are called Dhyana Slokas (meditation verses) or Gajananam for short.
Om. Om. Om.
Gajananam Bhutaganadi Sevitam
Kapitta Jambu Phala Sara Bhakshitam
Uma Sutam Shokavinasha Karanam
Namami Vigneshvara Pada Pankajam
Shadananam Kunkuma Raktavarnam
Mahamatim Divya Mayura Vahanam
Rudrasya Sunum Surasainya Natham
Guham Sadaham Sharanam Prapadye
Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara Dhavala
Ya Shubra Vastravrita
Ya Vina Varadanda mantita Kara
Ya Sveta Padmasana
Ya Brahmaachyuta Sankara Prabhitibhir
Devai Sada Pujita
Sa Mam Patu Sarasvati Bhagavati
Nishyesha Jatyapaha
Om Namah Sivaya Gurave
Sat Chid Ananda Murtaye
Nisprapanchaya Shantaya
Sivanandaya Te Namaha
Sri Vishnu Devanandaya Te Namaha
Om Sarva Mangala Mangalye
Shive Sarvatha Sadhike
Sharanye Tryambake Gauri
Naraayani Namostute
Naraayani Namostute
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih

Sound file
We have now added a recording of these mantras to allow the readers to learn them better or chant along:

Closing Mantras
Tuning in the Mind
At the end of a yoga class, to keep with us the energy and blessings acquired through the practice, we repeat some mantras. They are:

• The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, also known as "Om Tryambakam" for short, is the great mantra that asks Lord Siva for immortality. Lord Siva has conquered Lord Yama, the Lord of Death, and can therefore bestow immortality to the devotees of his choice. This mantra also brings protection from disease, accidents, etc. Very healing. We repeat it three times.
• Peace mantras. Then come the mantras through which we wish happiness, peace, and other blessings to all beings in the creation. This develops selflessness in our hearts and spreads peace vibrations in the mental world.
• Last come vedantic mantras which help us connect with the divine wisdom.
• At the very end we express our gratitude to our gurus by praising them.

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Om. Om. Om.
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat (repeat 3 times)
Om Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu
Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu
Sarvesham Purnam Bhavatu
Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu
Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
Sarve Santu Niramayaah
Sarve Bhadrani Pasyantu
Ma Kaschid-Dukha-Bhag-Bhavet
Asato Ma Sat Gamaya
Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityor Mamritam Gamaya
Om Purnamadah Purnamidam
Purnat Purnamudachyate
Purnasya Purnamadaya
Purnameva Vashishyate
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih
Om Peace Peace Peace
Om Bolo Sat Guru Sivananda Maharaj Ji Ki! JAYA!
Om Bolo Sri Vishnu Devananda Maharaj Ji Ki! JAYA!

Sound file 

We have now added a recording of these mantras to allow the readers to learn them better or chant along:

In the next coming posts we will see the importance of 'AUM' and the procedure for chanting aum mantra.