invocation to patanjali

I always start my yoga practice by chanting the invocation to Patanjali, which is essentially a prayer to honour and respect Patanjali, the Indian sage and author of the Yoga Sutras. The Sutras compiled over 2,000 years ago are the definitive text on the art of yoga. Chanting mantras is a wonderful way to start a yoga practice or meditation because the body benefits from the vibrations and the mind is solely focussed on the task.

Here is the transliterated Sanskrit and English translation of the invocation to Patanjali:

yogena cittasya padena vacam
malam sarirasya ca vaidyakena
yopakarottam pravaram muninam
patanjalim pranjaliranato’smi
abahu-purusakaram
sankha cakrasi dharinam
sahasra sirasam svetam
pranamami patanjalim
hari om
 
To the noblest of sages, Patanjali,
Who gave Yoga for serenity of mind,
Grammar for purity of speech,
and Medicine for perfection of the body, I bow,
I prostrate before Patanjali,
Whose upper body has a human form,
Whose arms hold a conch and disc,
Who is crowned by a thousand-headed cobra,
O incarnation of Adisesa,
my salutations to Thee.

While surfing the internet for audio of Patanjali’s sutras, I found this playful video:

I believe Patanjali is channelling Prashantji’s (BKS Iyengar’s son) voice. I like this video because you can hear the call and response and Prashantji enunciates beautifully.

My search for audio of Patanjali’s Sutras continues. I think Prashant Iyengar has recorded tapes which I should track down and order.

Iyengar Insight: If God is considered the seed of all knowledge, Patanjali is all knower, all wise, of all knowledge

Tagged as: invocation, Patanjali