A mantra is a sacred verse or sound. Recited or chanted in Sanskrit, it symbolically conveys the spiritual dimension of yoga. The word-by-word translations and commentaries will offer you a conscious and profound access to yoga philosophy.

Source texts and Sanskrit

The most popular (mantra) consists of only letters: O-M! Yet there are numerous mantras which symbolize the spiritual background of Yoga. Traditionally, we open and close our Ashtanga practice with a mantra. Here you will find the most important mantras in their original Sanskrit writing as well as the word-by-word translation.

Mantra
Ashtanga Yoga Mantra Ashtanga Yoga Mantra

The Ashtanga Yoga Mantra opening the practice

The opening mantra that starts every Ashtanga practice is a profound part of the tradition. In chanting it, we salute this ancient tradition and Patanjali.

Mantra
Mangala Mantra Mangala Mantra

Mangala Mantra –The closing mantra of the Ashtanga practice, which focuses on striving for peace.

With this traditional mantra of peace, we close every Ashtanga practice. The energy we created throughout the practice is sent into the world in form of love, light, and peace.

Mantra
Bhadram-Shanti-Mantra Bhadram-Shanti-Mantra

Bhadram-Shanti-Mantra

Pattabhi-Jois’s favorite mantra is the Bhadram-Shanti-Mantra. With this mantra we spiritually focus on the Ashtanga practice in general and on the Surya Namaskaras in particular.

Mantra
Sahanavavatu Sahanavavatu

Sahanavavatu - the teacher and student mantra

This Mantra is at the beginning of the Katha Upanishad. It reminds teacher and student to dive in the process of learning together full of enthusiasm and with harmony.

Mantra
Purnamada Mantra Purnamada Mantra

Purnamada - Das Mantra der Fülle

Dieses Mantra ist das Shanti Pada der Isha Upanishad, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad und der Paingala Upanishad. Es bereitet uns auf den Inhalt der Upanishad vor und ist in sich bereits tiefe Erfahrung der Vedanta Lehre.

Mantra
Mahamrityum Jaya Mantra Mahamrityum Jaya Mantra

Mahamrityum Jaya Mantra - Der die große Unsterblichkeit meisternde Vers

Dieses Mantra stammt aus der Rig Veda Samhita (7.59.12). Es richtet sich an den in der vedischen Zeit verehrten "Rudra", den späteren Shiva, der für Veränderung und Übergänge steht. Neben dem Gayatri Mantra zählt es zu den wichtigsten Mantren der Dieses Mantra stammt aus der Rig Veda Samhita (7.59.12). Es richtet sich an den in der vedischen Zeit verehrten "Rudra", den späteren Shiva, der für Veränderung und Übergänge steht. Neben dem Gayatri Mantra zählt es zu den wichtigsten Mantren der Vedischen Tradition.

Mantra
Nagarajaya Namah Nagarajaya Namah

The Ananta Mantra, Adoration of Ananta, King of the Nagas

Krishnamacharya provided each of his students with their own personal mantra to be used at the start of each practice. BKS Iyengar honours Patanjali with these words and passes this mantra on to his students.

Mantra
Patanjali Mantra Patanjali Mantra

Paying homage to Patanjali

Krishnamacharya provided each of his students with their own personal mantra to be used at the start of each practice. TKV Desikachar honours Patanjali with these words and passes on the mantra on to his students.

Mantra
Gayatri Mantra Gayatri Mantra

Gayatri Mantra – Bowing to Surya – the sun

Through the popular and ancient mantra of light, the Gayatri mantra from the Vedas, we bow to Surya – the sun – and ask for enlightenment.

Mantra

Gayatri Mantra – Bowing to Surya – the sun

Through the popular and ancient mantra of light, the Gayatri mantra from the Vedas, we bow to Surya – the sun – and ask for enlightenment.

Mantra
Brahmarpanam Mantra Brahmarpanam Mantra

Brahmarpanam Mantra - Ein Tischgebet

Dieses Mantra stammt aus der Bhagavadgita (4.24), es hat sich als Tischgebet etabliert. Denn es erinnert uns stets daran, dass unsere Nahrung und wir Teil des Absoluten sind.

Mantra
Rudra Kshetra Mantra Rudra Kshetra Mantra

Rudra Kṣetra Mantra - Verehrung an Siva

Dieses Mantra steht am Beginn der Śiva-Sūtra-Vimarśinī von Kṣemarāja. Es beginnt mit einer Verehrung an Śiva und führt dann das Prinzip der kosmischen Schwingung (Spanda) und der nondualen, alles umfassenden Polarität ein. Dieses Mantra steht am Beginn der Śiva-Sūtra-Vimarśinī von Kṣemarāja. Es beginnt mit einer Verehrung an Śiva und führt dann das Prinzip der kosmischen Schwingung (Spanda) und der nondualen, alles umfassenden Polarität ein.