The Ashtanga Opening Chant
One of my yoga students asked me recently if I would share more about the chants I use in class.
It took me quite a while to feel confident chanting (more than an Om or an Om śāntiḥ) in front of classes. It took longer to feel confident starting to teach some of these chants to my students. I am still learning. My pronounciation isn't perfect, but I’m getting better!
This is the Ashtanga opening chant. We chant it at the start of our Ashtanga yoga practice to offr our thanks and respect to the lineage of teachers before us, and to focus our mind.
For me, this chant embodies the idea of yoga being a path of continuous learning. Of how we are on this journey to see ourselves clearly, and yoga will give us the tools we need to achieve this. It is a way for me to connect with my teachers, current and past, and to give thanks to them for all they have taught me. And it is a way for me to show my respect for the history and traditions of yoga.
Chanting is a way to embrace the traditions and history of yoga. Traditional chants are in Sanskrit and are passed down from person to person so you might notice that different teachers use a different melody for some chants. All our voices are different, and when a group chant together the result of joining those voices is truly beautiful.
Chanting allows us to connect to our inner self, it involves controlling the breath, it requires focus and discipline.
Chanting is joyous, when we open our voice we can open our hearts. We can feel the sound wash over us and through us.
Often, we learn the chant first then over time we begin to understand the meaning behind it. This chant was the first that I learnt, and for me it will always invoke that sense of anticipation and gratitude that I feel when I step onto my yoga mat and prepare for practice.
The chant comes from two different sources. The first verse from a Hatha yoga text and the second from a prayer to Patañjali, thought to be the author of a number of Sanskrit works.
The first two lines talk of how we show respect to the gurus, bowing down to them in gratitude and respect, showing we are ready and willing to learn. These gurus who can see clearly the true self within, and teach others to see with clarity. Through this practice, we can heal ourselves, and remain steady through the challenges life throws our way.
The second part of the chant describes Patañjali. There is a lot of symbolism here such as the discus, a circle of light that represents how yoga brings the awareness to the present moment, and the sword of discrimination that can cut through the confusion in our minds.
I am not a Sanskrit scholar, I have learnt this chant and developed my understanding of it from my teachers and I know there is still much to learn.
ॐ
वन्दे गुरूणां चरणारविन्दे सन्दर्शितस्वात्मसुखावबोधे ।
निःश्रेयसे जाङ्गलिकायमाने संसारहालाहलमोहशान्त्यै ॥
आबाहुपुरुषाकारं शङ्खचक्रासिधारिणम् ।
सहस्रशिरसं श्वेतं प्रणमामि पतञ्जलिम् ॥
Oṃ
vande gurūnāṃ caraṇāravinde sandarśita-svātma-sukhāvabodhe |
niḥśreyase jāṅgalikāyamāne saṃsāra-hālāhala-moha-śāntyai ||
ābāhu-puruṣākāraṃ śaṅkha-cakrāsi-dhāriṇam |
sahasra-śirasaṃ śvetaṃ praṇamāmi patañjalim ||
I bow to the feet of my teacher, who teaches the knowledge of the Self.
He is the Jungle Physician able to dispel the poison of conditioned existence.
He takes the form of man up to the hands,
holding a conch, a discus, and a sword and having a thousand heads of white light.
Patanjali, I bow to you.
If you would like to hear this chant with correct pronounciation, or learn the chant, this is a great video.