Vande Gurunam : Ashtanga Yoga Opening Chant
Vande Gurunam Ashtanga Yoga Mantra: A Deep Dive into Reverence and Transformation
Yoga is not just a physical practice but a spiritual journey that connects the mind, body, and soul. Among the many powerful mantras in the yogic tradition, the Vande Gurunam Ashtanga Yoga mantra holds a special place. Recited at the beginning of Ashtanga yoga practice, this mantra serves as a moment of reflection, offering respect and gratitude toward the spiritual teachers (gurus) who guide practitioners on their journey. It is a sacred invocation that not only marks the beginning of a practice but also deepens the connection with the ancient wisdom of yoga.
Ashtanga Yoga Opening Chant
The Ashtanga yoga opening chant is composed of two chants and is traditionally recited before starting the practice of Ashtanga yoga. It is composed of a chant from the Yoga Taravali, by Adi Shankaracharya and followed by a traditional chant invoking Patanjali. The ashtanga yoga opening chant, creates a profound sense of reverence for the path of yoga.
Ashtanga Yoga Opening Chant:
OM
Vande Gurunam Charanaravinde
Sandarashita Svatmasukhavabodhe
Nishreyase Jangalikayamane
Samsara Halahala Mohashantyai
Abahu Purushakaram
Shankhachakrasi Dharinam
Sahasra Shirasam Shvetam
Pranamami Patanjalim
OM
Breaking Down the Mantra: Meaning and Significance
1. Vande Gurunam Charanaravinde
•Translation: “I bow to the lotus feet of the Gurus.”
•Significance: This phrase acknowledges the teachers of yoga, both human and divine, and offers a deep bow of respect to their guidance. The “lotus feet” symbolize purity and enlightenment, suggesting that the guru’s teachings help the practitioner achieve clarity and wisdom. The lotus represents the unfolding of spiritual knowledge, and bowing to the feet symbolizes reverence for the wisdom that dispels ignorance.
2. Sandarashita Svatmasukhavabodhe
•Translation: “Who reveal the true self, bringing the joy of inner realization.”
•Significance: The teacher’s guidance brings awareness of the true self, or Atman, which is beyond the mind. This line acknowledges the guru’s role in awakening the practitioner to their inner peace and joy, beyond the external world. It is a recognition of the transformative power of the guru’s wisdom, which reveals the happiness that comes from self-realization.
3. Nishreyase Jangalikayamane
•Translation: “Leading to liberation and spiritual freedom.”
•Significance: The guru’s teachings are the path to liberation, guiding the student toward moksha (spiritual freedom) from the cycle of birth and death (samsara). The word Jangali refers to a jungle, and the guru’s teachings are likened to the skilled guidance of a healer navigating through this wilderness to the freedom and peace of spiritual realization.
4. Samsara Halahala Mohashantyai
•Translation: “To destroy the poison of the confusion and delusion of the world.”
•Significance: The mantra acknowledges the guru as one who dispels the moha (delusion) and samsara (cycle of birth and death). Illusion can be compared to a poison, keeping us trapped in suffering. The guru’s teachings act as an antidote, clearing the confusion that clouds our minds and bringing clarity and peace.
The Patanjali Invocation
After the Vande Gurunam mantra, the invocation to Patanjali is recited. This part of the mantra acknowledges Patanjali, the legendary sage who is credited with compiling the Yoga Sutras, the foundational text for yoga philosophy. The invocation to Patanjali is a gesture of reverence for his contributions to the spiritual and philosophical aspects of yoga.
Abahu Purushakaram
•Translation: “He who has the form of a human, with the upper body of a man.”
•Significance: This refers to the representation of Patanjali as a divine being who manifests in human form. In depictions, Patanjali often appears as half-man, half-serpent, symbolizing the balance between the physical and spiritual realms. The human form acknowledges his connection to humanity and his role in making spiritual teachings accessible to all.
Shankhachakrasi Dharinam
•Translation: “Holding the conch, the disc.”
•Significance: The shankha (conch shell), chakra (discus) and asi (sword) are traditional symbols of divine knowledge, power, and spiritual authority. The conch represents the sound of creation and the call to awaken the soul, while the discus, represents time and the sword signifies the ability to cut through ignorance. Patanjali is depicted with these symbols, illustrating his role as a teacher who dispels ignorance and guides practitioners toward spiritual awakening.
Sahasra Shirasam Shvetam
•Translation: “With a thousand radiant white heads.”
•Significance: This line refers to the depiction of Patanjali as a being with a thousand heads, often represented as a serpent. The symbolism of the thousand heads signifies vast knowledge and infinite wisdom, as well as the ability to reach the highest state of consciousness. The color white symbolizes purity and enlightenment, showing that Patanjali’s wisdom is pure and undiluted.
Pranamami Patanjalim
•Translation: “I offer my salutations to Patanjali.”
•Significance: This final line expresses reverence and devotion to Patanjali, acknowledging his unparalleled contribution to the spiritual and yogic path. It is a prayerful offering of respect for his teachings, which have guided countless practitioners on the path of yoga. By invoking Patanjali, practitioners honor the wisdom he imparted through the Yoga Sutras, which continue to serve as the cornerstone of yogic philosophy.
Conclusion: The Power of the Vande Gurunam and Patanjali Invocation
The Vande Gurunam mantra, along with the Patanjali Invocation, is a sacred chant that connects practitioners to the deep wisdom of the yoga tradition. By beginning yoga practice with these mantras, practitioners establish a spiritual foundation that prepares the body, mind, and spirit for the practice of Ashtanga yoga.
The Vande Gurunam mantra reminds us of the importance of honoring the teachers (gurus) who guide us, not just in the practice of yoga but in the larger journey of life. It is a recognition that yoga is more than just a physical discipline; it is a pathway to self-realization, spiritual freedom, and liberation from ignorance.
The invocation of Patanjali further reinforces the connection to the ancient wisdom of yoga, offering reverence for the sage who codified the principles of yoga in his Yoga Sutras. Together, these mantras inspire humility, gratitude, and the realization that yoga is not just an individual journey but one that is deeply intertwined with the wisdom of those who have walked the path before us.
By reciting these mantras, we cultivate a deeper connection to the practice, honor the lineage of teachers, and open ourselves to the transformative power of yoga, helping us transcend the limitations of the mind and body to experience true inner peace and awakening.
If you’d like to embark on the journey to the true self and learn the practice of Ashtanga yoga, including the Ashtanga yoga opening chant. You’re welcome to attend one of Caroline Klebl’s upcoming yoga teacher trainings in-person or online.