The Yoga Upanga Dhyana Mantra is a meditative invocation associated with the Yoga tradition, particularly the system codified by Maharshi Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. The term 'Upanga' denotes a subsidiary or auxiliary limb, indicating that this mantra supports the practice of the eight limbs (ashtanga) of yoga. While the exact textual origin of this specific mantra is not explicitly found in the Yoga Sutras themselves, it is derived from the broader tradition of dhyana (meditation) mantras used in yogic practice. The mantra is often chanted to invoke the grace of Patanjali, who is revered as the compiler of the Yoga Sutras and an incarnation of Adishesha, the serpent of wisdom.
According to the Yoga Sutras (1.2), 'Yogash chitta vritti nirodhah' — yoga is the cessation of the modifications of the mind. This mantra aids in that cessation by focusing the mind on the form and teachings of Patanjali. The beej-akshara (seed syllable) 'Om' is typically prefixed, as Om is considered the primordial sound representing the ultimate reality (Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.27: 'Tasya vachakah pranavah'). The mantra's phonemes are designed to resonate with the subtle energies of the chakras, promoting mental clarity and spiritual insight.
Traditional purposes include deepening one's understanding of the eight limbs (yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, samadhi), enhancing meditation practice, and attaining the wisdom of Patanjali. It is recommended to chant this mantra during the Brahma muhurta (pre-dawn hours) or before a yoga session, with a count of 108 repetitions using a rudraksha or crystal mala. The setting should be a clean, quiet space with a picture or statue of Patanjali. No specific cautions are noted, but practitioners should approach with reverence and a sincere desire for self-realization.
The mantra is also referenced in later texts such as the Yoga Upanishads, which elaborate on the meditative aspects of yoga.
Om, the meditation mantra for the auxiliary limbs of yoga.
The mantra begins with the seed-syllable 'Oṁ', which is the pranava beej, representing the ultimate reality and the sound of creation. It is not a compound beej-mantra.