Vande Gurunam : Ashtanga Yoga Mantra

Vande Gurunam: Understanding the Ashtanga Yoga Mantra

The Vande Gurunam mantra is an integral part of the practice of Ashtanga Yoga, a discipline founded by the renowned yogi Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. This powerful mantra holds deep significance and is recited at the beginning of an Ashtanga yoga practice, marking a sacred transition from the external world into the focused practice of yoga. In this article, we explore the meaning, history, and importance of the Vande Gurunam Ashtanga Yoga mantra.

What is the Vande Gurunam Mantra?

The Vande Gurunam mantra is a traditional Sanskrit prayer that honors the teachers, or “gurus,” who guide practitioners on their spiritual journey. The term “Vande” translates to “I bow to” or “I offer my respects,” while “Gurunam” refers to the “gurus” or “teachers” in the yogic tradition. The mantra is recited as a form of gratitude and reverence towards the lineage of teachers that have passed down knowledge and wisdom.

The Ashtanga Yoga Mantra consists of two chants and begins and ends with an OM. OM is the mantra of Ishvara(supreme consciousness) and should be chanted while the mind rests on its full significance.

OM

vande gurunam charanaravinde
sandarashita svatmasukhavabodhe
nishreyase jangalikayamane
samsara halahala mohashantyai

abahu purushakaram
shankhachakrasi dharinam
sahasra shirasam shvetam
pranamami patanjalim

OM

1st Chant: Source: Yoga Taravalli by Adi Shankaracharya

I worship the guru’s lotus feet
awakening the happiness of the self revealed beyond comparison, acting like the jungle physician to pacify delusion from the poison of conditioned existence.

Translation from Yoga Mala by
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

2nd Chant: Source: Traditional

Translation:
I invoke the sage Patanjali, who has thousands of radiant white heads . He assumes the form of a man until the arms, which hold a conch shell, a chakra(or wheel) and a sword.