Om Sahana Vavatu

In our first class last Monday I started the class out with a chant intended to set the tone for our yoga studies together. This is meant to make it clear that we are fellow explorers… that I am merely establishing and holding a space for us to explore yoga together. Several of you asked if I could make the chant available for you to look at next time we do it. So… here it is… in the Devanagari (the Sanskrit characters) as well as our more familiar latin alphabet and an English translation. I will make downloadable PDF for you as well so you can have a print out if you like!

Without further ado then:

ॐ सह नाववतु ।
सह नौ भुनक्तु ।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै ।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Om Saha Naav[au]-Avatu |
Saha Nau Bhunaktu |
Saha Viiryam Karavaavahai |
Tejasvi Naav[au]-Adhiitam-Astu Maa Vidvissaavahai |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

Together may we both be protected.
Together may we both be nourished.
Together may we work with great energy.
Together may our study be brilliant and effective.
May we not hate or dispute with each other.
Om. Peace, peace, peace.
(translation by Richard Freeman)

And… here is a beautiful rendition of it by Deva Premal: