What follows is the Sanskrit, transliteration, and English translation of the Ashtanga Yoga opening mantra, followed by a more detailed explanation of what the mantra means beyond the literal, and why we take the time to chant before we practice. OPENING MANTRA ॐ वन्दे गुरूणां चरणारविन्दे सन्दर्शित स्वात्म सुखाव बोधे । निःश्रेयसे जङ्गलिकायमाने संसार हालाहल मोहशांत्यै ॥ आबाहु पुरुषाकारं शंखचक्रासि धारिणम् । सहस्र शिरसं श्वेतं प्रणमामि पतञ्जलिम् ॥ ॐ auṁ vande gurūṇāṁ caraṇ