AṢṬĀṄGA YOGA OPENING CHANT VANDE GURŪṆĀṀ CARAṆĀRAVINDE

AṢṬĀṄGA YOGA OPENING CHANT VANDE GURŪṆĀṀ CARAṆĀRAVINDE

Astanga Yoga Mantra

Oṃ

vande gurūṇāṁ caraṇāravinde

sandarśita-svātma-sukhāvabodhe

niḥśreyase jāṅ̇galikāyamāne

saṁsāra-hālāhala-mohaśāntyai

 

ābāhu puruṣākāraṁ

śaṅ̇kha-cakrāsi-dhāriṇam

sahasra-śirasaṁ śvetam

praṇamāmi patañjalim

Oṃ

OM

I pray to the lotus feet of the supreme Guru who teaches the good knowledge, showing the way to knowing the self awakening great happiness; who is the doctor of the jungle, able to remove the poison of the ignorance of conditioned existence. To Patanjali, an incarnation of Adisesa, white in color with 1000 radiant heads (human in form below the shoulders holding a sword (discrimination), a wheel of fire (discus of light, representing infinite time), and a conch (divine sound) –   To him, I prostrate.

OM

1. History

• This chant is traditionally recited at the beginning of Aṣṭāṅga Vinyāsa Yoga practice.

• First part (vande gurūṇāṁ) is a maṅgala śloka (auspicious verse) honoring the guru paramparā (lineage of teachers).

• Second part (ābāhu-puruṣākāraṁ…) is a salutation to Sage Patañjali, who systematized Yoga philosophy in the Yoga Sūtras, and is also associated with grammar and Ayurveda.

• Popularized worldwide by Śrī K. Pattabhi Jois (Mysore Aṣṭāṅga Yoga) and his teacher Śrī T. Krishnamacharya.

2. Benefits

3. a) Spiritual

• Connects the practitioner to the guru paramparā and Patañjali, invoking blessings.

• Helps cultivate humility, gratitude, and reverence.

• Protects the practice from ego-driven distortions.

1. b) Psychological

• Serves as a mental transition from daily life to sacred practice.

• Reduces anxiety by invoking protection and guidance.

• Encourages devotional surrender, which softens inner resistance.

1. c) Practical / Yogic

• Sets an auspicious tone before asana, pranayama, or meditation.

• Enhances focus, discipline, and receptivity in practice.

• Anchors the practice in lineage and tradition.

 

4. Contraindications / Precautions

• No medical or energetic contraindications.

• For secular or non-Hindu practitioners, the imagery (serpents, divine weapons) may be seen symbolically:

  • Conch (śaṅkha): Sound of creation, communication.

  • Disc (cakra): Purity, cyclical time, clarity.

  • Sword (asi): Discernment, cutting ignorance.

  • Serpent heads: Infinite wisdom, cosmic energy (kuṇḍalinī, prāṇa).

• The key is respectful intent, not mechanical repetition.

 

5. Science of the Chant

6. a) Neuroscience

• Chanting Oṁ before and after activates parasympathetic relaxation and improves vagal tone.

• Mantra recitation creates alpha-theta brainwaves, linked with focus and reduced stress.

1. b) Psychological Science

• Beginning practice with reverence acts as ritual priming, enhancing commitment and mindfulness.

• Guru remembrance develops gratitude, which improves learning receptivity and emotional well-being.

1. c) Symbolic Science

• Patañjali’s three symbols (conch, discus, sword) represent faculties necessary for yoga:

  • Communication of truth.

  • Clear intellect and time awareness.

  • Discernment to destroy ignorance.

• Serpent imagery connects to energy channels (nāḍīs, kuṇḍalinī) and the spinal column.

1. d) Social Science

• Collective chanting synchronizes voices and breathing, creating social coherence and a sense of shared sacred space.

 In summary:
This chant blends guru invocation and Patañjali salutation, rooting yoga practice in tradition and reverence. Its etymology highlights bowing to teachers, self-realization, and the destruction of delusion. Its benefits include spiritual grounding, psychological preparation, and social harmony. It has no contraindications, and modern science supports its effects on stress reduction, focus, and collective unity.