Mantra Chanting
Home > Physical Fitness > Yoga > Mantra Chanting
An effective yoga session always begins and ends with mantra chanting.
Importance of Mantra chanting before yoga session: A mantra is chanted at the beginning of a yoga session to bring the energy inwards, to focus and be in the present, to be away from worries and stress for some time, and to generate positive energy.
Importance of Mantra chanting after yoga session: A mantra is chanted at the end of a yoga session to pay gratitude to God for being able to practice yoga that day, for all the beautiful things and the beautiful people around us, and pray to God for keeping everyone healthy and happy.
Posture before chanting the mantra:
Sit in any meditative posture like padmasana, ardh padmasana, sukhana or vajrasana
Make dhyan mudra with your palms ie join the tip of the index finger with the tip of the thumb and other fingers curved
Place the palms on the thighs and above the knees
Sit straight and chin parallel to the ground
Close your eyes
-- Chant Mantra --
Posture after chanting the mantra:
Bring your palms near the chest in pranam mudra
Rub your palms and generate energy
Cup the soft portion of the palms on your eyes and then rub the palms on your entire body
Gently open your eyes
The Patanjali Invocation mantra
Om
Yogena Chittasya Padena Vacham
Malam Sharirasya Cha Vaidyakena
Yopakarottam pravaram muninam
Patanjalim pranjali ranatosmi
Abahu purushakaram
Shankha chakrasi dharinam
Sahasra shirasam svetam
Pranamami Patanjalim
Om
The Patanjali Invocation mantra, a commentary by Raja Bhoj on the Yoga Sutras, is written in Bhoja Vritti text. This mantra is chanted at the beginning of a yoga session to invoke the powers of sage Patanjali, who is believed to be an incarnation of Adisesha, a serpent with a thousand heads. Patanjali is depicted as a half-human and half-serpent figure.
Meaning of the Patanjali Invocation mantra -
Sage Patanjali gave the science of yoga to remove the impurities of the mind, to purify words and speech through grammar, and to remove the impurities of the body through medicine.
I bow with folded hands to Lord Patanjali, who resembles a half-human and a half-serpent with a thousand white heads, holding a conch shell (shankha) and a discus (chakra).
Gayatri Mantra
Om Bhur Bhuva Svah
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat
The origin of the Gayatri Mantra is found in Rig Veda. It is dedicated to Lord Sun(Savitr) and is attributed to Rishi Vishvamitra, who is also one of the authors of Rig Veda.
Meaning of Gayatri Mantra -
We meditate upon the Supreme Lord, the adorable sun, whose divine light illuminates physical, mental, and spiritual realms. May this divine light illuminate our intellect.
Shanti Mantra - Sarve Bhavantu Sukinah
Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukinah
Sarve Santu Niraamayah
Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu
Maa Kaschid Dukha Bhaag Bhavet
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih
This mantra also known as the universal mantra, is believed to be from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.
Meaning of Shanti Mantra -
May all be happy
May all be free from illness
May all see auspiciousness
May no one suffer
May there be peace, peace, peace
Pavamana Mantra
Om Asto Maa Sad Gamaya
Tamaso Maa Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityor Maa Amritam Gamaya
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih
The origin of this mantra is from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. Pavamana means being purified, strained.
Meaning of Pavman Mantra -
From falsehood, lead me to truth
From darkness, lead me to light
From death, lead me to immortality
May there be peace, peace, peace
Shanti Mantra - Om Poornamadah Poornamidam
Om Poornam-adah Poornam-idam
Poornat-Poornam-udachyate
Poorn-asya Poornam-aadaya Poornam-eva-vashishyate
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih
The origin of this mantra is from Ishavasya Upanishad. This is a powerful mantra with a deep meaning that God and His creation are one and You are part of Him always.
Meaning of Shanti Mantra -
That is complete, This is complete.
From that Poornam or God, this Poornam or you come.
From That, This added or separated, That remains complete.
May there be peace, peace, peace