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
ōṃ vandē gurūṇāṃ caraṇāravindē
sandarśita-svātma-sukhāvabōdhē
niḥśrēyasē jāṅgalikāyamānē
saṃsāra-hālāhala-mōhaśāntyai
ābāhu puruṣākāraṃ
śaṅkha-cakrāsi-dhāriṇam
sahasra-śirasaṃ śvētaṃ
praṇamāmi patañjalim ōṃ
oṃ 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 petals snow-white snake heads.
I bow down to Patanjali oṃ
Closing Mantra
ōṃ svasti prajābhyaḥ paripālayantāṁ
nyāyena mārgeṇa mahīṁ mahīśāḥ
gobrāmaṇebhyaḥ śubhamastu nityaṁ
lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu
ōṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
oṃ 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
oṃ Peace, Peace, Peace
Peace Prayers
oṃ pūrṇamadaḥ pūrṇamidaṃ pūrṇāt pūrṇamudacyate
pūrṇasya pūrṇamādāya pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate
oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
oṃ. Wholeness is That, Wholeness is This. From the Whole, the Whole comes forth.
Removing the Whole from the Whole, the Whole remains.
oṃ, peace, peace, peace.
oṃ asato mā sadgamaya
tamaso mā jyotirgamaya
mṛtyormā amṛtaṃ gamaya
oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
oṃ, Lead me from the unreal to the real,
Lead me from darkness to light,
Lead me from death to immortality.
oṃ, May peace be, may peace be, may peace be.
oṃ saha nāvavatu
saha nau bhunaktu
saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai
tejasvi nāvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai
oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
oṃ. May He (the Lord) protect us both (the teacher and the student). May He nourish us both (with Knowledge). May we work together with energy and vigour. May our study be enlightening and not give rise to any misunderstanding. oṃ, peace, peace, peace.
oṃ sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ
sarve santu nirāmayāḥ
sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu
mā kaścid duḥkha bhāgbhavet
oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
oṃ, May all beings be happy, may all be free from illness, may all witness auspiciousness, may no one suffer from sorrow. oṃ, peace, peace, peace.
Karāgre Vasate Lakṣmīḥ
Karamadhye Sarasvatī
Karamūle Tu Govindaḥ
Prabhāte Karadarśanam॥
At the fingertips reside Goddess Lakshmi
(wealth, prosperity, and abundance)
In the palm resides Goddess Saraswati
(knowledge, art, and wisdom)
At the base of the hand (near the wrist) resides Lord Govinda (Lord Vishnu)
(that which sustains and protects)
I contemplate seeing these divine forces in my hand, early morning.
Importance of this chant:
🙏 Ownership of Actions: It reminds you that your hands are tools to create wealth, learn wisdom, and do good work.
🙏 Mindfulness: Looking at your hands first thing in the morning helps center your focus and start the day with a positive, grounded mindset
How to Practice:
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Stay in bed: Sit up straight in your bed before starting your day.
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Look at your palms: Gently rub your hands together, cup them open in front of your face like a book, and gaze at your palms.
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Recite the verse: Chant the shloka slowly three times with focus and gratitude
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Set an intention: Take a quiet moment of silence after chanting to set a positive intention for your actions before stepping out of bed