If you are wondering why and what you are chanting during a yoga class and are a little hesitant about chanting correctly, here is some information on basic mantras and their translations to help you be more at ease.
It was discovered long ago that repetition of sound affects the consciousness. The word Mantra is a Sanskrit word combining the two syllables: man, meaning mind, and tra, meaning deliverance. A mantra is a pure sound-vibration intended to deliver the mind from illusion and material inclinations. Chanting is the process of repeating a mantra. The Mantra's purpose is to assist your mind to focus when it is scattered. By chanting mantras, one is able to produce a spiritual effect which is associated with the physical sensation of the vibration the chant produces. Thus when the mantra is chanted the effect is felt. This is an easy way to obtain peace of mind, but takes much practice. Chanting mantras is also used to make the intent of the mantra a physical reality. Energy naturally follows intent and thus the chanting of a mantra will eventually lead to the physical manifestation of the mantra.
Om (pronounced AUM)
Translation: Primal vibration or sound of the universe.
Purpose:
It is an affirmation of the Divine Presence that is the universe.
(traditionally chanted at the beginning and the end of a class)
Chanting Om soothes the mind and brings about a higher state of consciousness.
Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu
Translation:
May all beings everywhere be happy and free.
Purpose:
May the entire world be happy and free.
Om
Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi
Translation:
Peace, Peace, Peace
Purpose:
Let peace be to all.
Gate, Gate,
Paragate,
Parasamgate Bodhi, Swaha!
Translation:
Gone, gone,
gone beyond,
completely gone beyond,
To that I offer myself.
Purpose:
This mantra calms all suffering.
It is traditionally chanted 3 times.
OM
Namah Shivaya Gurave
Saccidananda Murtaye
Nisprapancaya Shantaya
Niralambaya Tejase
OM
Translation:
This is the opening Anusara Yoga Invocation which translates to:
I offer my self to the Light, the Auspicious One, who is the True Teacher within and without,
Who assumes the forms of Reality, Consciousness, and Bliss,
Who is never absent and is full of peace,
Independent in existence, the vital essence of illumination.
Om Bhuh, Bhuvaha, Swaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo Yonaha Prachodayat
Translation:
O self-effolgent light that has given birth to all the lokas, who is worthy of worship
and appears throught the orbit of the sun, illumine our intellect.
Purpose: This mantra is universally considered the essence of all mantras, for all spiritual powers and potencies are contained within it. It is recognized as supreme for achieving enlightenment. This powerful mantra invokes the spiritual planes - and, were applicable the associated physical chakras.