Ashtanga Opening & Closing Mantras.

These traditional chants are recited at the beginning and end of an Ashtanga Yoga practice. The opening chant is an invocation to Patanjali, the sage who compiled the Yoga Sutras, expressing gratitude for the teachings of yoga. The closing chant is a universal prayer for peace and well-being.

Opening Chant

Sanskrit:

Vande Gurunam Charanaravinde

Sandarshita Svatma Sukhava Bodhe

Nih Sreyase Jangalikayamane

Samsara Halahala Mohashantyai

Abahu Purushakaram

Shankhachakrasi Dharinam

Sahasra Shirasam Shvetam

Pranamami Patanjalim

English:

I bow to the lotus feet of the great teachers,

Who reveal the knowledge of the Self, bringing happiness,

Who are like the jungle doctor (dispeller of the poison of samsara),

Pacifying the delusion caused by the poison of conditioned existence.

I bow to Patanjali,

Who has the form of a human up to the arms,

Holding a conch, discus, and sword,

With a thousand radiant, white heads.

Closing Chant

Sanskrit:

Swasti Praja Bhyah Pari Pala Yantam

Nyayena Margena Mahi Mahishah

Go Brahmanebhyah Shubhamastu Nityam

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

Om Shanti Shanti Shantih

English:

May the leaders of the earth protect it in every way by following the righteous path,

May there be goodness for those who know the Earth to be sacred,

May all beings everywhere be happy and free.

Om, peace, peace, peace.

At first, the Ashtanga mantras might seem out of place in the modern world—ancient Sanskrit verses recited in a time when most of us are rushing from one commitment to the next. Yet, when we pause to chant together, something shifts. These words, regardless of whether we fully grasp their meaning, create a sense of shared intention, linking us to a lineage of practitioners who have come before. The opening mantra sets the stage, reminding us that practice is not just about physical movement but about seeking clarity and freedom from the illusions of daily life. The closing chant, in turn, expands our awareness beyond the self, offering our efforts for the well-being of all. In a world that often feels fragmented and disconnected, these simple acts of chanting unite us—both to our inner selves and to a larger community—creating a moment of stillness, reverence, and purpose before we move into the flow of practice.