Chanting - Kirtan - Mantras
Chanting or reciting Sanskrit prayers serves as a way to help us tune to an external expression of the divine force that lies within. It's a way to practice self-surrender and allows us to become an appropriate vessel to receive, without the ego getting in the way. When we chanting in Sanskrit we honor the tradition of yoga and all the teachers that helped to clear this path for us today. Chanting can even be considered a way to warm up the lungs, regulating the breath for the practice.
Chanting is a way of putting ourselves in the right mental-emotional space before proceeding with a spiritual study or practice.
Opening Mantra
Om
Vande gurunam charanavinde
Sandarsita svatmasukhava bodhe
Nishreyase jangalikayamane
Samsara halahala mohashantyai
Abahu purusakaram
Shankachakrasi dharinam
Sahasra sirasam svetam
Pranamami Patanjalim
Om
Om
I bow to the lotus feet of the Guru, the lineage and all the masters that have kept the traditions alive.
The awakening bliss of one’s own Self revealed.
The practice acting like a jungle Medicine Man.
Pacifying delusion, the poison of Samsara (cycle of death and rebirth)
Taking the form of man and serpent
Wearing a conch (symbolising divine sound), a wheel (symbolising infinite time) and a sword (symbolising discrimination or cutting through confusion)
With 1000 snow-white snake heads.
I bow down to Patanjali.
Om
Closing Mantra
Om
Swasthi prajabhya paripalayantam
Nyayena margena mahim mahisaha
Go Brahmanebhya subhamastu nityam
Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi
Om
May there be happiness for all people
May the rulers righteously rule the earth
May there be perpetual joy and welfare for the animals and wise
May all beings be happy and prosperous
Om Peace, Peace, Peace