At the beginning of each class we chant a Sanskrit mantra to create a peaceful environment for your practice. 

 

At the end of each class we  also chant a series of mantras to close the sacred space. The closing mantras are known as the Shanti Mantras.

 

You can find both mantras and translations below.

 

Opening Chant

 

Om saha naavavatu sahanau bhunaktu saha veeryam karavaavahai 

Tejasvi naavadheetamastu maa vidvishaavahai

Om shantih shantih shantihi

 

(May He protect us both (teacher and the taught). May He cause us both to enjoy the bliss of Mukti (liberation). May we both exert to discover the true meaning of the sacred scriptures. May our studies be fruitful. May we never quarrel with each other. Let there be peace).

 

Om shantih, shantih, shantihi

 

(Peace, peace, peace).

 

Closing Chants

 

Om Tryambakam yajaamahe sugandhim pussttivardhanam

Urvaarukamiva bandhanaan 

Mrtyormukssiiya maaamrtaat

 

(We worship the three-eyed one (Lord Shiva) who is fragrant (Spiritual Essence) and who nourishes all beings. May He severe our bondage of Samsara (Worldly Life) like a cucumber (severed from the bondage of its creeper) and thus liberate us from the fear of death, by making us realise that we are never separated from our immortal nature).

 

Om sarveshaam swastir bhavatu

Sarveshaam shantir bhavatu

Sarveshamm poornam bhavatu

Sarveshaam mangalam bhavatu

Sarve bhavantu sukhinah sarve santu niraamayah

Sarve bhadraani pashyantu maakaschit dukha bhaag bhavet

 

(Auspiciousness (swasti) be unto all; peace (shanti) be unto all; fullness (poornam) be unto all; prosperity (mangalam) be unto all.

May all be happy (sukhinah). May all be free from disabilities (niraamayah). May all look (pashyantu) to the good of others. May none suffer from sorrow (dukha)).

 

Asatomaa sadgamaya tamasomaa jyotirgamaya

Mrityormaa armitam gamaya

 

(Lead us from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, from death to immortality).

 

Om poornamadah poornamidam poornat poornamudachyate

Poornasya poornamaadaya poorname vaavashishyate

 

(That (pure consciousness) is full (perfect); this (the manifest universe of matter; of names and forms being maya) is full. This fullness has been projected from that fullness. When this fullness merges in that fullness, all that remains is fullness).

 

Om shantih, shantih, shantihi

 

(Peace, peace, peace)