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.