From the figures who populate Bhakti (devotional) chanting to the names of asana, we meet a pantheon of Gods and God-like creatures, human and non-human, throughout our yoga practice. These colorful figures can entertain and delight with their stories and exploits, and yet for many of us, they can also inspire deep devotion and encouragement to transform. As we practice in the presence of the Hindu deities, we begin to understand that these are not simply mythical beings with superpowers who appear in art, music, and stories from times and places far away from the here and now. As we explore further, we see that each of them represents aspects of ourselves—aspects we can choose to cultivate through the practice of yoga, on and off the mat. Here are a few of the deities who move and inspire me in my chanting, my asana practice, and throughout my daily life.
The power of chanting
The meditative practice of calling to the divine through call and response chanting creates a bridge between the individual and the eternal, opening the heart and welcoming the spirit. By singing these prayers we unite our voices and join in a stream of consciousness and devotion that has been flowing for centuries.
In the classes I offer, mantra in the form of kirtan has been a powerful unifying force. A simple reminder that we are not as separate as we think we are. When we offer the vibration that starts in our center into the hum of our community, we directly give and receive the divine essence.
My album with DJ Drez, Echoes of Devotion, is an exploration of mantra and rhythm. Several of the chants below are on the album.
Gayatri Mantra
Om bhur bhuva swaha
Tat savitur varēnyam
Bhargo devasya dhimahi
Dhiyo yo naf prachodayāt
Om. Earth. Atmosphere. Heaven. May we focus our awareness on the alluring radiance of the rising sun, the Vivifier; may it inspire our thoughts and meditations.
Guru Mantra
Gurur brahmā gurur vishnur
Gurur devo maheshvara
Guruh sākshāt param brahma
Tasmai shrī gurave namaha
The teacher is the creator. The teacher is the sustainer. The teacher is the great Lord Shiva. The teacher is the absolute before my very eyes. To that sacred teacher, reverence.
Hari Om
om hari om hari om hari om
sharanam gaņesha (x4)
om gaṃ ganapataye namaha (x4)
Andandoham
sacchārānanda-parapūrnam
shivo’ham mmmm shivo’ham
nityānanda-svarūpam
shivo’ham mmmm shivo’ham
ānando’ham ānando’ham, ānando’ham ānando’ham (x2)
Totally full with the bliss of conduct that is aligned with my true nature.
My real nature is Divine. My essence is eternal joy
My real nature is always contented with what is.
gaņesha gāyatrī:
oṃ ekadantāya vidmahe
vakratuṇḍāya dhīmahi
tanno dantī prachodayāt
Yes. May we come to know the One-tusked Lord;
may we meditate on He with the curving trunk;
may that tusked one, Gaṇesh, impel us forward [on our path].
sāmbā sadā shiva
sāmbā sadā shiva
sāmbā sadā shiva, jai jai om
jai mātā, Jai Mātā
jai shrī mātā jai jai mā
Eternal Shiva, conjoined with the Mother
twa meva
twameva mātā cha pitā twameva
twameva bandhush cha sakhā twameva
twameva vidyā dravinam twameva
twameva sarva mama deva-deva
You alone are my mother and my father,
You alone are my friend and my beloved companion,
You alone are my knowledge and my wealth,
O Supreme Lord, you alone are everything for me.
śrī guru invocation
guru brahmā guru vishnu guru devo maheshvaraha
guru sākshāt param brahma tasmai shrī-guruve namaha
Creation is a teacher; stasis is a teacher; dissolution is a teacher. The teacher is Brahmā, Vishnu, and the great god Shiva. The teacher is the Absolute before your very eyes. To that auspicious and revered teacher, reverence.
