It is traditional that these mantras are recited at the beginning and end of your Ashtanga practice. The opening mantra is often chanted in a call and response manner, where the teacher in the class will call out a line and then everyone else will repeat that line back together. This is a great way to learn the pronunciation and meter of the mantras.
The mantras are displayed below in their traditional Sanskrit along with an English translation and a video of my teacher, Joey Miles reciting the chants.
Opening Mantra
The opening mantra is a reminder of the deeper purpose of yoga practice and an expression of gratitude to the Indian sage Patanjali who compiled the Yoga Sutras.
Sanskrit
ōṃ
vandē gurūṇāṃ caraṇāravindē
sandarśita-svātma-sukhāvabōdhē
niḥśrēyasē jāṅgalikāyamānē
saṃsāra-hālāhala-mōhaśāntyai
ābāhu puruṣākāraṃ
śaṅkha-cakrāsi-dhāriṇam
sahasra-śirasaṃ śvētaṃ
praṇamāmi patañjalim
ōṃ
English translation
Om
I bow to the lotus feet of Gurus
The awakening happiness of one’s own Self-revealed,
Beyond better, acting like the Jungle physician,
Pacifying delusion, the poison of Samsara.
Taking the form of a man to the shoulders,
Holding a conch, a discus, and a sword,
One thousand heads white,
To Patanjali, I salute.
Om
Closing mantra
The closing mantra is an ancient prayer for peace, asking for happiness and peace to all beings and that the leaders of the world be guided on a righteous path.
Sanskrit
ōṃ
svasti prajābhyaḥ paripālayantāṁ
nyāyena mārgeṇa mahīṁ mahīśāḥ
gobrāmaṇebhyaḥ śubhamastu nityaṁ
lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu
ōṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
English translation
Om
May all beings be well.
May the leaders of the Earth protect in every way by keeping to the right path.
May there be goodness for all those who know the Earth to be sacred.
May all beings be happy.
Om peace, peace, peace