We use many different mantras in Kundalini Yoga. In this section, we have listed some of the mantras (along with their meanings) that we commonly use in the Seaford, Frankston and Mt Eliza yoga classes. They are written closely to the way they are pronounced, to help you chant them correctly. You can also listen to the pronunciations online at the Kundalini Research Institute (KRI) or Spirit Voyage websites.
All of these mantras are in the Gurmukhi language, since Kundalini Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, was passed down to us via the Sikh tradition. Gurmukhi is different from the Sanskrit language often used in other forms of yoga. This is why we say “Sat Nam” as a greeting, rather than “Namaste”, which you might hear if you try different styles of yoga in Frankston and elsewhere.
According to Sikhs.org, Gurmukhi is used by Sikhs and others living in Punjab to represent their common spoken language, Punjabi. The characters and vowel modifiers of the language were standardised by Guru Angad, the second of the ten Sikh Gurus.
Common Kundalini Yoga mantras:
Ad Guray Nameh (A Mangala Charan Mantra)
Aad Guray Nameh, Jugaad Guray Nameh,
Sat Guray Nameh, Siree Guroo Dayv-ay Nameh
I bow to the primal wisdom. I bow to the wisdom true through the ages.
I bow to the true wisdom. I bow to the great unseen wisdom.
Ong Namo (Adi Mantra)
Ong Namo Guroo Dayv Namo
I bow to the subtle divine wisdom, the divine teacher within.
This is the mantra we use when tuning in at the beginning of every Frankston yoga class. All Kundalini Yoga classes and sessions around the world that are based on the teachings of Yogi Bhajan begin with this mantra.
Ra Ra Ra Ra Ma Ma Ma Ma
Raa Raa Raa Raa, Maa Maa Maa Maa, Saa Taa Naa Maa
Ra = sun
Ma = moon
Sa Ta Na Ma expresses the five primal sounds of the universe.
Sat Nam (Bij Mantra)
Sat Naam
Sat = truth
Nam = identity
Sa Ta Na Ma (Panj Shabd)
Saa Taa Naa Maa
Sa = infinity, totality of the cosmos
Ta = life (birth of form from the infinity)
Na = death (or transformation)
Ma = rebirth
Wahe Guru (Gurmantra)
Wha-hay Guroo
Wow! I am in ecstasy when I experience the indescribable wisdom.