Chanting

There's a long tradition in India of saluting the teacher or evoking divine power through a mantra to open a practice. Such a preamble helps the student to steady her resolve and to remind her of the goal of the work, which is always self-liberation. It also serves to signal the student's intent to humbly offer the upcoming practice as a sacrifice to the divine, which is the source of all true wisdom.

SAHA NAVAVATU

saha na vavatu                                May both of us together be protected

saha nau bhunaktu                        May both of us together be nourished

saha viryam karavavahai               May we work together uniting our strength for the good of all humanity

tejasvi navidhi tamastu                 May our learning be luminous and purposeful

ma vidvisavahai                             May we not hate of dispute with each other

om shanti shanti shanty                May there be peace, peace, peace

MANI BHRATPHANA   (Salutation to your Practice Space) 

mani bhratphana

sahastra vighrit avishvam

bahra mandalaya (a)nantaya nagarajaya

namaha

Salutations to the king of the Nagas,

To the infinite, to the bearer of the mandala,

Who spreads out the universe with thousands of

hooded heads, set with blazing, effulgent jewels.

GAYATRI MANTRA

Om Bhur Bhuva Svaha

Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi

Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat

The Gayatri is the universal prayer, which asks for a clear intellect so that the truth may be reflected in without distortion.  It appeals to the highest wisdom, to the brilliance of the cosmos to illumine an understanding of our true nature.  The Gayatri inspires wisdom. 

Gayatri à     ganat (or gayanath) = “that which is sung”

                        trayate = “that which delivers”

Therefore: Gayatri is the song of deliverance.

SVASTI PRAJABHYAH– Closing Prayer

svasti prajabhyah paripalayantam (swas ti praj a bya paree pal eye un tum)
nyayena margena mahim mahasah (nye yeana mar gayna ma haym ma hey sha)
gobrahmanebhyah subhmastu nityam (go bram a ney bha shu bha mas tu nit yam)
loka samasta sukhino bavantu (loka samasta sukhino bavantu)

May all of humankind be happy and well.
May the great noble lords protect the earth in every way by the path of just virtue.
May there be perpetual joy for those who know the real nature of things.
May all the worlds be happy and free.

Chanting Glossary:

The precise definition of some common terms.

Chant, chanting:Chant is often used interchangeably with the Sanskrit word mantra; chanting is also used loosely to indicate either the repetition of a mantra (japa) or the singing of devotional songs (kirtana).

Mantra: Literally an "instrument (tra) of thought (man)," defined variously in English as a prayer, hymn or song of praise, sacred formula, incantation, or charm. A mantra may be meaningful or unintelligible, and may consist of a single letter, a word, or a complete sentence.

Japa: Literally "muttering, whispering," usually in reference to the repetition of mantras.

Kirtana (Often referred to as "kirtan;" also called bhajana, "worshipping"): Kirtan is one of the practices of devotional yoga (bhakti-yoga) and consists of singing songs in praise of the deity, usually accompanied by drums and other musical instruments. Literally translated as "mentioning, repeating, saying," usually translated as "chanting." 

Invocation: A mantra-like prayer usually spoken at the beginning of a ritual or formal practice session to solemnize the occasion.