Sanskrit Words, Asana Names, Mantras and
Devotional Songs related to Yoga
Yoga – Union (original verb
Yuj is to join) Yoga is to join Atman (individual consciousness) with Param
Atman (universal consciousness)
Yogi / Siddha – One who has reached the state of Union .
Yogini – word
used for woman who has reached the state of Union
Swami – One who has mastered himself (body +
mind)
Mantra – (Mananat Trayate) One if repeated in
mind protects / saves the person
Beeja mantra – Seed syllables, which do not have any
literal meaning but create powerful vibrations of energy in mental and pranic
body.
Japa – Repetition of mantra
Guru – Dispeller of darkness, who brings
light / right knowledge to disciple
Guruvandana – Salutations to the Teacher.
Omkar – Universal sound / mantra.
Yoga Nidra – Yogic Sleep
Sadhaka – Disciple, practitioner or seeker of
yoga
Atma –Soul, individual consciousness.
Paramatma – The universal consciousness
Shiva – pure consciousness, Lord Shiva (the
master of universe), the destroyer
Shakti – pure energy, Goddess (the energy in
the universe)
Vishnu – the operator of the universe, Lord Ram
or Lord Krishna are incarnations of Vishnu
Bramha – the creator of the universe
Bramhan – true nature of consciousness
Ganesha – God of wisdom (God represented with
elephant head)
Hanuman – The god of strength and intelligence
(The monkey God)
Durga – Goddess or Cosmic mother, energy
principle, depicted as beautiful goddess with 8 hands, riding on lion, carrying
armour.
Kali – primal form of energy (violent form of
energy), often depicted as black colored, wearing rosary of skulls, blood
dripping from the tongue, having arms and thrashed head in hands.
Tantra – Tan = Tanoti + Tra = Trayati
, expansion of mind
and liberation of energy
Karma yoga – yoga of selfless action
Bhakti yoga – yoga of devotion
Jnana yoga – yoga of knowledge
Raja Yoga – ashtanga yoga or eight fold path
Hatha Yoga – yoga of balancing body and mind.
‘Ha’ means ‘Pingala Nadi’ or pranic energy on physical level and ‘Tha’ means
‘Ida Nadi’ pranic energy on mental level. Balance of physical and mental
energies is Hatha
Kundalini Yoga– Yoga of awakening of Pranic energy
(it is in dormant condition and practices of yoga awakens the energy)
Swara Yoga – Yoga of alternate nostril breathing,
yoga of Pranic energy science
Nada Yoga – Yoga of sound
Kriya yoga – yoga of various teachniques from
Tantra to lead to the higher states of awakening
Ashtanga Yoga: – The eightfold path of yoga.
I. Yama – Social ethics/discipline.
-
Ahimsa – Non
violence.
-
Satya – Truth.
-
Asteya – Non-stealing
/ non theft.
-
Brahmacharya – Celibacy,
sexual abstinence.
-
Aparigraha – Non-hoarding,
non possessiveness
II. Niyama - Self
discipline.
- Shaucha – Purity/cleanliness.
- Santosha – Contentment.
- Tapa – Austerity.
- Svadhyaya – Self study
- Ishwara
Pranidhana –Surrender
to God.
III.
Asana – Posture,
position
Sthira Sukham Aasanam ||– Steady
stable and comfortable state of the body
IV.
Pranayama – Breath
Control/ Control of the prana or vital energy, life force.
V.
Pratyahara – sense withdrawal.
VI.
Dharana – Concentration.
VII.
Dhyana – Meditation.
VIII. Samadhi – The union of individual
consciousness and universal consciousness, self realization, salvation, nirvana
- Prana – Vital energy or life energy, on
physical level Bio energy
- Nadi – psychic passage of pranic energy,
- Ida Nadi – Moon Nadi / left nostril / moon
principle controlling mental energy.
- Pingala Nadi – Sun Nadi / right nostril / sun
principle controlling pranic energy.
- Sushumna Nadi – Energy passage carrying
kundalini energy along spinal column.
- Kundalini – Pranic Energy in 3 & ½
coiled form lying dormant at the root of spine.
- Chakra – Whirlpool of pranic energy or
Vortex of pranic energy
- Mooladhar Chakra – (Root Support) Root
charka located in the perineum region
sacral plexus, related to perineal body.
- Swadhisthan Chakra – (center of self) 2nd
charka located at the tail bone or coccyx or
pelvic plexus, related to testes or overies.
- Manipura Chakra –(Jewel city) 3rd
charka located at Solar plexus, related to adrenal
glands.
- Anahata Chakra – (Unbeaten Sound) Chakra
located at cardiac plexus, related to
thymus glands.
- Vishuddha Chakra – (purification
center) Charka located at laryngeal plexus, related
to thyroid glands.
- Ajna Chakra – (Command Center )
charka located at cavernous plexus, related to
pineal gland.
- Sahasrara Chakra – (Seat of Infinite)
located along hypothalamic – pituitary axis,
related to pituitary gland.
YOGA SOPAN
Names of Postures
-
Shavasana (The Corpse pose)
-
Tadagasana (The
pond pose)
-
Sulabha Pavanamuktasana (The easy gas release pose)
-
Ardhachakrasana (The
half wheel pose)
-
Anantasana (The
pose of Lord Vishnu)
-
Vajrasana (The
thunderbolt pose)
-
Januhastasana (The
hand to knee pose)
-
Hastashirasana (The
hand to head pose)
-
Ekapad Sahajahasta Bhujangasana (Easy hand cobra pose with one leg)
-
Sahajahasta Bhujangasana (Easy hand cobra pose)
-
Makarasana (The
crocodile pose)
-
Adhvasana (The
reverse corpse pose/ the prone salutation pose)
-
Dattamudra (The
gesture of Lord Datta)
-
Swastikasana (The
auspicious pose)
-Parvatasana
(The
Mountain pose)
-Vrikshasana (The Tree pose)
-Padmasana
(The
Lotus pose)
-Dnyanmudra
(The
gesture of meditation)
-Bhramari
(The
humming bee breathing)
-
Shitali/kaki mudra
(The cooling breath/ the crow’s beak)
YOGA PRAVESH
Names of Postures
·
Suryanamaskara (Salutation to the Sun)
Suryanamaskara Mantra
OM
RHAM MITRAYA NAMAHA(Rham is the Beeja Mantra, Salute to the friend of all
OM
RHIM RAVAYE NAMAHA.( ...to the shining one)
OM
RHOUM KHAGAYA NAMAHA.(...to one who moves quickly in the sky)
The complete Mantra:
MITRA RAVI
SURYA BHANU KHAGA PUSHAN HIRANYAGARBHA
MARICHI ADITYA SAVITRU ARKA
BHASKAREBHYO NAMO NAMAHA.
- Asanas in Prone position
-
Saralahasta Bhujangasana (The straight hand cobra pose)
- Vakrahasta Bhujangasana (The bend hand cobra
pose)
- Ardha Shalabhasana (The half- locust
pose)
- Shalabhasana (The locust pose)
- Dhanurasana (The bow pose)
- Naukasana (The boat pose)
- Makarasana (The crocodile pose)
- Asanas in Supine position
- Ekapada Uttanapadasana (The one leg raised
pose)
- Dwipada Uttanapadasana (The two legs raised pose)
- Viparitakarni (The inverted pose)
- Sarvangasana (The shoulder stand
pose)
– Jalandar bandh (The
throat / chin lock)
- Matsya bandh (The fish lock)
- Ashwini Mudra (The horse gesture)
- Matsyasana (The fish pose)
- Halasana (The plough pose)
- Naukasana (The boat pose)
- Pavanmuktasana (The gas-release
pose)
- Shavasana (The corpse pose)
- Asanas in sitting position
-
Dhyana Mudra (The
meditation gesture)
- Swastikasana (The auspicious pose)
- Samasana (The balance pose)
- Padmasana (The Lotus pose)
- Baddha Padmasana (The tied lotus pose)
- Utthita Padmasana (The lifted lotus
pose)
- Parvatasana (The Mountain pose)
- Aakarna Dhanurasana (The stretched bow
pose)
- Padmasana Yogamudra (The lotus pose in a
yogic gesture)
- Vakrasana (The twisted pose)
- Ardhamatsyendrasana (The half spinal
twist)
- Sharanagata Mudra (The gesture of
surrender)
- Vajrasana (The thunderbolt
pose)
- Vajrasana Yogamudra (The thunderbolt pose
in a yogic gesture)
- Ardha Paschimottanasana (The half-Forward
bend pose)
- Paschimottanasana (The Forward bend pose)
- Asanas in standing position
- Vrikshasana (The tree pose)
- Veerasana (The warrior’s pose)
- Trikonasana (The traingle pose)
- Preparation for Pranayama - Controlling the
vital energy/ breath control.
- Puraka - Inhaling
- Rechaka - Exhaling
-
Kumbhaka–
Breath retention
- Abhyantara Kumbhaka – Breath retention
after inhaling. - Bahya Kumbhaka – Breath
retention after exhaling.
- Pranava Mudra – The gesture used
for Pranayama.
YOGA
PARICHAY (Part I)
Names of Postures
- Asanas with Suryanamaskara
-
Janubhalasana (The Forward bend in
standing pose)
-
Ardhabhujangasana (The half-cobra pose)
-
Hastapadasana (The plank pose)
-
Ashtangasana (8 body parts pose)
-
Bhujangasana (The cobra pose)
-
Adhomukh Shavasana (The downward dog
pose)
Asanas in Prone position
-
Niralamba
Bhujangasana (Cobra
pose without support)
-
Niralamba
Shalabhasana (Locust
pose without support)
-
Dhanurasana (The bow pose)
-
Naukasana (The boat pose)
Asanas in supine pose
-
Sarvangasana (The shoulder stand
pose)
-
Matsyasana ( The Fish pose)
-
Halasana (The plough pose)
-
Vistrutapada Halasana
(The
plough pose with spread out legs)
-
Karnapeedanasana (The knee to ear
pose)
-
Ardha Chakrasana (The half wheel pose)
-
Chakrasana (The wheel pose)
Asanas in sitting pose
-
Padmasana (The Lotus pose)
-
Siddhasana ( The perfect pose)
-
Ardhamatsyendrasana (The half spinal
twist )
-
Simhasana (The Lion pose)
-
Kukkutasana (The cockerel pose)
-
Garbhasana (The Foetus pose)
-
Padangushtasana (The single toe
balancing pose)
-
Merudandasana (The spinal column
pose)
-
Utkatasana (The balancing on
both toes pose)
-
Tolangulasana (The weighing scale
pose)
-
Ekapadahastasana (The hands to foot
pose)
-
Ugrasana (The ferocious pose)
-
Paschimottanasana (The back stretching
pose)
-
Ardhapadmabandhasana (The half lotus-leg
stretch pose)
-
Hansasana (The swan pose)
-
Ekapadashirasana (The one leg to head
pose)
Asanas in Standing pose
-
Shirshasana (The head stand pose)
-
Parivarta Trikonasana
(The
inverted triangle pose)
-
Ekapadahastasana (The hands to foot
pose)
-
Ugrasana (The ferocious pose)
-
Sankatasana (The difficult pose)
-
Garudasana (The Eagle pose)
-
Mridanga Bandh (The drum pose)
Bandha
-
Jalandar Bandha (The throat lock/the
chin lock)
-
Uddiyana Bandha (The abdominal lock)
-
Mool Bandha (The root/anus lock)
Shuddhikriyas (The cleansing
techniques) or Shatkarmas (6
techniques)
Neti
– Cleansing
of nasal passage,
Dhouti
- Cleansing
of alimentary canal,
Basti –
Enima,
Nouli – Abdominal massage,
Kapalbhati
–
Frontal brain cleansing,
Trataka
– Concentrated
gazing
-
Jalaneti (Cleansing of Nasal
passage with water)
-
Kapalabhati (Cleansing of lungs
& wind pipe)
-
Agnisar (Churning digestive
fire technique)
-
Vamandhouti (Cleansing of stomach
and esophagus)
-
Nasagra Drishti – Nose tip gazing
(Trataka-concentrated gazing)
Pranayama
-
Nadishuddhi Pranayama
– The
psychic network purification.
-
Ujjayi Pranayama – The psychic breath.
-
Bhramari Pranayama – The humming bee
breath.
SANSKRIT
VERSES FOR RECITATION
- Symbol of the supreme energy.
Mantras for daily practice -
Morning
Mantras -
Mahamrityunjaya mantra (11
times) : For increasing self healing
quality of Body and Mind, protecting from negativities of death and pain.
Urvarukamiva bandhanat
mrityormukshiya mamritat ll
Meaning – I
offer my regards to Lord Shiva, please give me best of Health (physical, mental
and spiritual). Free me from all the bondages and give me immortality by saving
from untimely death.
The Gayatri Mantra (11
times): For increasing creative energy for Body and Mind, increasing pranic
energy.
Meaning - We
meditate on the adorable sun of spiritual energy. May it inspire our higher
intelligence.
Durga Namavali (3 times)– For protection from downfall and
ensuring constant evolution.
Durga Durgartishamani DurgaPadminivarani ||
Durgamachhedini Durgasadhani
Durganashini ||
Durgatoddharini Durganihantri
Durgamapahaa ||
Durgamadnyanada DurgadaityaLokaDavanala ||
Durgama Durgamaloka
Durgamatmaswaroopini ||
Durgamargaprada Durgamavidya
Durgamashrita ||
DurgamaDnyanaSansthana Durgamadhyanabhasini ||
Durgamoho Durgamaga
Durgamarthaswaroopini ||
DurgamaSuraSanhantri DurgamaYudhdharini ||
Durgamangi Durgamatha
Durgamya Durgameshwari ||
DurgaBhima DurgaBhama
Durgabha Durgadarini ||
Initial prayer (while starting asana
class)
Guruvandana – Salutations to Guru
Gurur Brahma Gurur
Vishnuh Gurur Devo Maheshwarah l
Guruh Sakshat Parabrahma
tasmaie shri (Gurave namah)3 ll
-
Guru
is the creator (Brahma), Guru is Operator (Vishnu), Guru is Destroyer
(Maheshwara), Guru is supreme consciousness, I am offering my regards to Guru.
Final prayer (while ending asana class)
Salutations to the Cosmic Mother /
Mother nature -
Durge smruta harsi
bheetim, ashesha jantoho l
Swasthaiee smruta
matimateeva shubhandadasi ll
Daridrya dukkha bhaya
harinee ka tvadanya l
Sarvopakar karanaya
sadardra chitta ll
Sarva mangal mangalye
shive sarvartha sadhike l
Sharanye tryambake Gauri
Narayani Namostute ll
-
O
Goddess Durga (Cosmic Mother)! Those who pray you, are free from fear. Thou
impart wisdom to those who contemplate you. Thou shower thy love and affection
upon all beings. Who else would free us from the bondages of poverty, sorrow
and fear.
-
O
Goddess of beauty and creation! Your auspicious presence fills the universe
with divinity and your kindness fulfills all our wishes. O Goddess of three
eyes, we surrender to you and offer our salutations.
-
May
there be peace peace peace!...
Prayer for Universal Peace –
Tamaso
ma jyotirgamaya l
Mrityorma
amritam gamaya ll
-
Let
the truth destroy untruth
-
Let
the light destroy darkness
-
Let
the immortality destroy mortality or death
Sarvesham
Swastirbhavatu l
Sarvesham
shantirbhavatu l
Sarvesham
mangalam bhavatu l
Sarvesham
poornam bhavatu ll
-
May
all become auspicious
-
May
all attain peace.
-
May
all attain joy.
-
May
all become complete / reach the state of completeness.
Loka
samasta sukhino bhavantu l
Loka
samasta sukhino bhavantu l
Naham
karta hariri karta l
Harihi
kartahi kevalam ll
-
Let
everybody be happy.
-
Let
everybody be happy.
-
I
am not the creator.
-
God
/ pure consciousness is doing everything.
Prayer of Omkar –
Omkaram
bindu sanyuktam nityam dhyanti yoginah ||
Kamadam
mokshadam chaiva, omkaraya namo namaha ||
- The Yoga aspirants meditate regularly on
the Onkara, which is a communion of a
bindu, i.e. a dot point and a sound.
Salutations to the Onkara, which
satiates the
worldly desires and enables liberation.
BHAJANS (Devotional Songs)
Song of
Lord Rama -
Shri Rama Jaya Rama, Jaya Jaya Rama
Song of
Lord Krishna -
Govind Bolo Hari Gopal Bolo
Radha Raman Hari Gopal bolo
Song of
Lord Rama -
Rama Laxman Janaki, Jai Bolo Hanumanki
Song of
Goddess Durga (Cosmic Mother)-
Amba prameshwari akhilandeshwari,
adi para shakti palaya maa
Shri bhuvaneshwari, raja rajeshwari,
chamundeshwari palaya maa
Song of
Lord Krishna -
Narayana Narayana shri Vyankateshwara
Narayana – 2
Narayana Narayana Narayana Narayana – 2
Song
of Lord Shiva -