Invocation to Patanjali

Chanting transforms the yoga experience by grounding students intradition, enhancing both personal and communal awareness, and guiding thepractitioner inward toward reflection and deeper connection.

Who Was Patanjali and When Were the Yoga Sūtras Written?

The YogaSūtras, traditionally attributed to the sage Patanjali *, were likelycompiled sometime between 100 BCE and 400 CE. Scholars continue to debate boththe precise timeline and who wrote them. Rather than a single historicalfigure, “Patanjali” may represent a lineage or school of thought, preservingand systematizing much older oral teachings that were already well establishedwithin Indian philosophical traditions.

In theIyengar Yoga tradition, however, Patanjali is honored for morethan just compiling history, but as a divine incarnation of Adiśeṣa, thecosmic serpent on whom Lord Vishnu rests, Patanjali isoften depicted as a semi-divine being: human from the waist up, with aserpent’s tail below, sheltered by a seven-hooded cobra. He holds symbolicobjects representing wisdom, protection, and continuity of knowledge.

Thissymbol directly inspires the Invocation to Patanjali, chanted at the beginningof Iyengar Yoga classes. The chant honors Patanjali as the sage who perfectedyoga (mind), grammar (speech), and medicine (body). Sometimes referred to asthe “three Patanjalis.” In this way, Patanjali becomes a core symbolic figurefor a holistic path, integrating clarity of mind, precision of language, andhealth of the body.

Not One, but Possibly Three Patanjalis

Ancienttradition often blends multiple figures into a single revered sage. Besidesthe Patanjali of the Yoga Sūtras, other historical figures named Patanjaliwrote on Sanskrit grammar and Ayurveda. In traditional belief, one great sagereached perfection in body, mind, and speech.

Modern scholars generally see them as different peoplewith the same name, later brought together through respect and myth. Thisreflects how Indian traditions value the passing on of wisdom more thanfocusing on individual lives.

**What Are the Yoga Sūtras?**

The YogaSūtras consist of 196 concise Sanskrit aphorisms, organized into four chapters(pādas). Together, they present an integrated system of yogic practice centeredon the eightfold path (aṣṭāṅga yoga), which includes:

Ethical restraints (yama)
Observances (niyama)
Posture (āsana)
Breath regulation (prāṇāyāma)
Withdrawal of the senses (pratyāhāra)
Concentration (dhāraṇā)
Meditation (dhyāna)
Absorption (samādhi)

Very different from modern studio yoga, the YogaSūtras are mainly a guide for training the mind, offering practical ways todevelop clarity, stability, and inner freedom.

Their Timeless Goal

At theircore, the Yoga Sūtras provide a clear and systematic approach to quietinghabitual mental patterns through ethical living, disciplined practice, andmeditation.
The ultimate aim is liberation from suffering (kaivalya). Theirrelevance has endured for centuries, inspiring countless teachers,practitioners, and translators across cultures and generations.

The Importance of Chanting to Patanjali in Iyengar Yoga

InIyengar Yoga, chanting the Invocation to Patanjali before class serves severalessential purposes that enrich the practice:

Honoring Tradition: Chanting pays respect to Patanjali, grounding practitioners in the historical and philosophical roots of yoga.
Enhancing Focus and Intention: The act of chanting centers the mind and clarifies intention, creating a purposeful beginning to practice.
Cultivating Mindfulness: Chanting reduces mental noise, encourages present-moment awareness, and fosters a calm, receptive state.
Creating a Sacred Space: As a ritual, chanting marks the transition from daily life into practice, inviting reverence and attention.
Fostering Community: In group settings, chanting unifies participants, strengthening collective energy and mutual support.
Invoking Positive Energy: The vibrations of sound evoke specific emotional and mental states, aligning practitioners more deeply with their intentions.

Finalthougths

I findthat chanting before class, even if it’s just the sound of "Aum,"helps create a moment of separation from the outside world and prepares me forpractice.

Itfacilitates going inward and quieting my breath. Additionally, chanting withothers is a beautiful experience; the vibrations of the sound resonate deeply.We not only tune into ourselves but also connect with the energy of the roomand the people around us.

However,not everyone enjoys chanting, or practices it at all, and that is completelyokay. We can have personal mantras that we keep to ourselves and don’t sharewith others. We may chant Aum silently, just for ourselves, or choose not to chant atall. No mantras, just the breath. Whatever works for you as an individual andsupports your personal practice is valid.

*The word Patanjali means ‘fallen into folded hands’, from ‘pat’, tofall, and ‘anjali’, hands folded in reverence.

Lise is the founder of vayamyoga in Bern, Switzerland.She is a dedicated yoga practitioner and a certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor(Level 1).

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