The invocation to Patañjali
the chant at the beginning of Iyengar yoga classes all over the world
What is the Patañjali invocation?
You may have heard it at the beginning of a Level 2 or Level 3 class, or at the start of a workshop: a Sanskrit recitation that everyone seems to know. If you don’t know what it means, it can feel awkward to participate. Here we explain what the invocation to Patañjali entails, and what it means in Iyengar yoga.
Many Iyengar Yoga classes around the world begin with a traditional recitation: the Patañjali invocation, or invocation of Patañjali. This practice is more than just a ritual; it is a means to remind practitioners of the goals of yoga: to calm the mind and achieve unity between body and mind, and to establish the intention of the practice. But who is Patañjali, and why is this invocation a part of Iyengar yoga?
Who was Patañjali?
Patañjali is considered the founder of the yoga philosophy. Although there is little historical information about his life, and it is even unknown whether this is a single person or a collection of authors, he is placed between 200 B.C. and 450 A.D. He is best known for codifying the Yoga Sutras, 196 aphorisms in Sanskrit from which the modern practice of yoga is derived. These texts offer a systematic path to spiritual discipline and self-realization, and are considered an essential work that forms the cornerstone of many forms of yoga practiced today.
Previously, these teachings were transmitted orally. Patanjali’s writings have resonated and resonated with readers throughout the ages and have been translated and commented on many times, including by B.K.S. Iyengar in his ‘Light on the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali’.
In addition to his work in yoga, Patañjali is also associated with contributions to Indian medicine (Ayurveda) and grammar. As such, he is often revered as a symbolic universal teacher and guide who enriched both body, mind and language.
The text of the Invocation to Patañjali
Yogena cittasya padena vācām
Malam śarīrasya ca vaidyakena
Yo’pākarottam pravaram munīnām
Patañjalim prāñjalir ānato’smi
Ābāhu puruṣākāram
Śaṅkha cakrāsi dhārinam
Sahasra śirasaṃ śvetam
Praṇamāmi patañjalim
To the noblest of sages, Patanjali,
who gave us yoga for serenity of mind,
grammar for purity of speech
and medicine for the perfection of the body, I salute.
I salute before Patanjali whose upper body has a human form,
whose arms hold a conch, and disc and a sword,
who is crowned by a thousand headed cobra.
Oh incarnation of Adisesa my humble salutations to thee.
The meaning behind the words
The invocation begins with reverence for Patañjali, the sage who brought to the world three major disciplines: yoga, grammar and medicine. Each of these disciplines is seen as a path to purification—of the mind, speech and body respectively. By saying the invocation, the practitioner acknowledges Patañjali’s role in providing these valuable tools for personal growth and well-being.
The second half of the invocation describes Patañjali’s divine form. He is depicted with a human upper part and a serpentine lower part, a symbol of his transcendental nature. The conch (sankha) and disc (cakra) in his hands are symbols of protection and strength, while his thousand-headed form represents the multifaceted nature of his wisdom.
The role of the invocation in Iyengar Yoga
In invoking Patañjali, we take a moment to acknowledge and respect the ancient roots of Iyengar Yoga: the teachings that have been passed down through the ages and the teachers whose experience and wisdom we benefit from.
Beginning the class with this recitation is a way to symbolize that we are leaving our daily lives behind, letting go of our worries and surrendering ourselves to the practice of yoga. Through both a physical and auditory stimulus; we hear the sounds and feel the vibrations in our bodies. We begin to tune into ourselves in this moment of introspection and reverence. It helps to organize the thoughts and focus the mind. It connects us to the long line of teachers who have passed on their knowledge and wisdom.
In addition, the invocation helps to place the practice in a broader context. Yoga is not just a physical exercise, but a holistic approach to well-being that embraces both body and mind. By honoring and naming Patañjali, we acknowledge the roots of our practice and place ourselves in the role of the student – ready to learn.
