What is the Invocation to Patanjali, and why do we chant it before class?

INVOCATION TO PATAÑJALI

Patañjali is considered to be the incarnation of Adishesha, the cobra, which is the seat for the Lord Vishnu. Three major texts are attributed to Patañjali, giving three different sciences to humankind: speech (grammar), medicine (ayurveda), and yoga (for consciousness).

The compilation of the Yoga Sutras, a collection of 196 aphorisms presenting yoga as an art, science, and philosophy, is considered Patañjali’s final and ultimate volume. BKS Iyengar writes, “in the Yoga Sutras [Patañjali] described the ways of overcoming the afflictions of the body and the fluctuations of the mind: the obstacles of spiritual development” (Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali, p.1). The following verse is chanted in Iyengar yoga classes all over the world. Geeta Iyengar points out, “We chant so that at the very beginning the feeling of sanctification comes from inside, with the feeling of surrendering oneself, because nothing can be learned in this world unless you have the humility to learn.” People of all religious, spiritual, and nontheistic paths use this chant and find it useful. It centers us, prepares us for learning, attunes our senses, unifies a group, and acknowledges the lineage of yoga.

As Om is a sacred syllable representing all of creation as well as the creator. BKS Iyengar writes, “This sound is divine: it stands in praise of divine fulfillment” (Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali, p.18).

INVOCATION TO PATAÑJALI

Sanskrit: "yogena cittasya padena vàcàm"

English: "yoga for bringing quietness of mind, grammar for eliciting effectiveness of speech"

Sanskrit, "malam sarãrasya ca vaidya kena"

English, "and the healing arts for removing the ailments of the body"

Sanskrit, "yopàkarottam pravara§ munãnàm"

English, "let me go near the one who has given these things to us"

Sanskrit, "patañjalim prànjalirànato’smi"

English, "with folded hands I bow to Patanjali"

Sanskrit, "àbàhu puruùàkàram"

English, "whose upper body has a human form"

Sanskrit, "sankha chakràsi dhàrinam"

English, "bearing the conch and the discus"

Sanskrit, "sahasra Shirasam shvetam"

English, "adorned with the cobra of 1000 heads"

Sanskrit, "pranamàmi patañjalim"

English, "I bow down before Patanjali

Ending :"hari-om"

Source: Iyengar Yoga Silent Dance Center Website

Practice with this YouTube video which has the Sanskrit and English translations so you can chant along and know what you are chanting about!