Sanskrit Commonly Used In Class

Pranava, or Om—is pronounced “A-U-M,” and is considered the sacred Sanskrit syllable that is said to represent the transcendental reality. Known as Pranava or “that which pervades life or runs through the prana (“breath/life-force”),” it consists of three letters: A + U + M. The pronunciation of these three letters corresponds to the trinity of:
1. Birth, Life and death
2. Creation (Brahma), Perseverance (Vishnu), and Destruction (Shiva)
3. The three states of consciousness—waking, dreaming, and deep sleep.
Because the “A” is pronounced in the front of the mouth, it represents the beginning, creation or birth. “U” is pronounced in the middle of the mouth, and thus represents life, perseverance, or sustenance. “M” is pronounced with the back of the mouth and therefore represents the end, destruction, or death. These correspond to the trinity of Brahma (creator), Visnu (preserver) and Shiva (destroyer).

While pranava represents this trinity, it also represents what can be translated as a “fourth state,” known as turiya or chatrutha. This is the experience of ultimate realty and truth that underlies and transcends the trinity, and all separation between them.

Pranava (“Aum”) is therefore placed at the beginning of most Hindu, Buddhist and Jain texts and mantras. As a yogic meditation, Aum represents the transcendence of all these things, and the subtle quality that pervades all separation, thus unifying (the literal definition of yoga) all of reality.
Namaste—is an Indian greeting or a parting phrase as well as a gesture. Taken literally, it means, “I bow to you.” The word is derived from Sanskrit namas meaning to bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, and te, “to you.”

In everyday life namaste is not consciously considered a religious gesture. However, many believe it has a spiritual basis, in recognizing a common divinity within the other person.

When greeting a peer, a namaste with the hands in front of the chest and a slight bow is considered polite. To indicate deep respect, one may place the hands in front of the forehead.

This gesture is a mudra or a well-recognized symbolic hand position in eastern religions. One hand represents the higher, spiritual nature, while the other represents the worldly self. By combining the two, the person making the gesture is attempt to rise above their differences with others, and connect themselves to the person they bow to. The bow is a symbolic bow of love and respect.
Shanti—literally means “peace.” Most mantras end with the prayer “Om shanti, shanti, shanti” and this is usually the final chant in asana class. It is mentioned three times to represent the trinities mentioned above, but also to bring peace to the body, mind and spirit as well as to oneself, others, and the entire world.
Mantras—are used to instill concentration on a particular intention that they represent. They are intended to deliver the mind from the illusion of material existence. They were originally conceived in the great Hindu scriptures known as the Vedas. Japa is the practice of repeating a mantra. Some of the mantras that I use in class are:

Guru Stotra

Om, sahanavavatu; sah nau bhunaktu
Saha viryam karavavahai;
Tejas vina-vadhitamastu; ma vidvisavahai
Om shantih, shantih, shantih.

“Om. May Brahman (the one divine Self in all) protect us both (student and teacher);
May Brahman nourish us both; may we both acquire energy (by this education);
May we never quarrel.
Om, Peace Peace, Peace.”

Om sarvesham svastir bhavatu

Sarvesham shantir bhavatu
Sharvesham purnam bhavatu
Sarvesham mangalam bhavatu

Om. May auspiciousness be unto all,
May peace be unto all
May fullness be unto all
May prosperity be unto all.

Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah

Sarve santu niramayaah
Sarve bhadrani paysantu
Ma kaschid dukha bhag bhavet

Om. May all be happy
May all be free from disabilities,
May all look to the good of others,
May none suffer from sorrow.

Asato ma sat gamaya

Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya
Mrityor ma amritam gamaya

Om. Let us be led from the unreal to the real,
From darkness to the Light
From mortality to Eterntiy.

Om. Purnamadah purnamidan

Purnat purnamudachayate
Purnasya purnamadaya
Purnamev vashsihate.

Om. That is whole. This is whole. From the whole the whole becomes manifest. From the whole when the whole is negated what remains is again the whole.
(Do not dismiss the meaning of this one easily, if you meditate deeply upon it you will find extensive meaning here.)

The Famous Sri Gayatri Mantra:

Om bhur bhuvaha svah

Tavt savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dhimahi
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat
(Rig-veda 3.62.10)

This is considered a very important and well-known mantra, often chanted silently in the mind three times a day. It translates as “Let us meditate on that worshipable effulgence of the divine sun, Savitri, Creator of the Earth, Heaven, and Ether, and who enthuses our meditation.” It is perhaps the oldest known mantra, dating back to well before the Rig Veda (1700-110BCE). It is the only mantra that is mentioned in all four Vedas.