Sukadev Bretz
Mantra-Chants from Yoga Vidya Ashram Germany. Sometimes enthusiastic, sometimes in a more meditative mood; sometimes classical, sometimes more modern. Sivananda tradition. Mantras, Kirtan, Recitations of Shlokas, Stotras, Suktams.
This recording was made live during a kirtan at Yoga Vidya Bad Meinberg in Germany. Here is the text to sing along: Sita Ram Sita Ram Ram Sita Ram Ram If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya.
“Govinda Narayana” is a Krishna kirtan: Krishna is invoked as Govinda Gopala - that is, as the Good Shepherd. He is there for all Naras that is all beings. He is Hari, radiant and luminous. In this kirtan, God is invoked as Govinda, the good shepherd; as Gopala, the protector of all beings; as Narayana, the one who is within all; and as Hari, the one who shines and is radiant, full of love. He is Ananda - he leads to joy and he is the one we can perceive and experience everywhere. Here is the text to sing along: Govinda Narayana, Gopala Narayana Govinda Gopala Narayana Hari Govinda Gopala Narayana Govinda Narayana, Gopala Narayana Hari Govinda Ananda Narayana Sai Govinda Gopala Narayana If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya.
Vani Devi sings the hymn from the “Nirvanashatakam” during a satsang at the Yoga Vidya Ashram in Bad Meinberg. You can find the complete text in the Yoga Vidya Kirtan Booklet under number 404. In the six stanzas on liberation by Jagadguru Shankaracharya, you can discover both what you are not and what your true nature is: namely, Being, Knowledge, and Bliss. The Nirvanashatakam kirtan consists of six instructive verses on freedom - or Nirvana - written by Shankara (also Sankara or Shri Shankaracharya). In each verse, Shankara explains what we are not. We are not our body, we are not our intellect, we are not our thoughts, and we are not our prana. Instead, we are Sacchidananda (i.e., Satchidananda). Only Brahman, the Absolute, is real; everything else is a temporary dream, an illusion - Maya. Lyrics: Mano-buddhy-ahankara-chittani Naham Na Cha Shrotra-jihve Na Cha Ghrana-netre / Na Cha Vyoma-bhumir Na Tejo Na Vayuh Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham // 1 // Na Cha Prana-sanjno Na Vai Pancha-vayuh Na Va Sapta-dhatur Na Va Pancha-koshah / Na Vak Pani-padau Na Chopastha-payu Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham // 2 // Na Me Dvesha-ragau Na Me Lobha-mohau Mado Naiva Me Naiva Matsarya-bhavah / Na Dharmo Na Chartho Na Kamo Na Mokshaha Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham // 3 // Na Punyam Na Papam Na Saukhyam Na Duhkham Na Mantro Na Tirtham Na Veda Na Yajnah / Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhokta Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham // 4 // Na Me Nrityu-shanka Na Me Jati-bhedaha Pita Naiva Me Naiva Mata Cha Janma / Na Bandhur Na Mitram Gurur Naiva Shishyaha Chidananda Rupah Shivoham Shivoham // 5 // Aham Nirvikalpo Nirakara-rupo Vibhutvach Cha Sarvatra Sarvendriyanam / Sada Me Samatvam Na Muktir Na Bandhaha Chidanandarupah Shivoham Shivoham // 6 //
“Jaya Shri Krishna Chaitanya” honors Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his closest disciples and companions. Jaya means “invocation of,” and Shri Krishna Chaitanya is the great founder of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. The Hare Krishna community is also part of this tradition. This mantra is also known as the Pancha-Tattwa Mantra, as it invokes the five companions of Shri Krishna Chaitanya. They are considered aspects of Chaitanya. It is recommended to always sing this kirtan first, before reciting the Maha Mantra. Swami Sivananda had great devotion to Shri Krishna Chaitanya, even though he came from a different tradition. One can first recite this mantra and then sing the Maha-Mantra—that is, the great mantra, the “Hare Rama Hare Krishna” mantra. Here you can hear a recording featuring Satyananda and Aziza from a Yoga Vidya Saturday evening satsang in Bad Meinberg on May 3, 2025. Lyrics: Jaya Shri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda / Shri Advaita Gadadhara Shrivasadi Gaurabhakta Vrinda // 1 // Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare // 2 // If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya.
“Serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realize” is a kirtan that succinctly describes the teachings of Swami Sivananda. Swami Sivananda loved to sing this kirtan. “Serve, love, give, purify, purify” refers to the various yoga practices. By practicing yoga, we purify ourselves. We also do so by working on ourselves. By serving, loving, and giving, we purify ourselves. And then “purify” and “meditate” follow naturally. Therefore, serve, love, give, purify, meditate—and then comes: realize. The more we serve, love, and give, the deeper our meditation becomes. Here you are listening to a recording featuring Kamala Devi from a Yoga Vidya Saturday evening satsang in Bad Meinberg on December 6, 2025.
Shankara Stefan & friends chant “Krishna Krishna Mahayogin” during a saturday evening satsang at Yoga Vidya in Bad Meinberg, Germany. “Krishna Krishna Mahayogin” is a traditional mantra from the Bhakti tradition and a loving invocation of Krishna, the embodiment of joy, devotion, and divine love. “Mahayogin” means “great yogi” and evokes the all-encompassing, unifying power of consciousness that Krishna embodies. In many spiritual traditions, Krishna is regarded as a symbol of love, compassion, and the divine play of life. Chanting his name is said to open the heart and strengthen the connection to inner joy. Chanting mantras together can create an atmosphere of connection, peace, and lightness. Lyrics ... Krishna Krishna Mahayogin Bhaktanam Abhayankara / Govinda Paramananda Sarvam Me Vasham Anaya // If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya.
“Om Namah Shivaya” is one of the best-known and most powerful mantras in the Indian tradition. It is dedicated to Shiva, the symbol of transformation, consciousness, stillness, and inner freedom. The Sanskrit phrase roughly translates to: “I bow to the highest consciousness within me and in the universe.” Here you can listen to a recording featuring Vallabha from a Yoga Vidya Saturday evening satsang in Bad Meinberg on March 8th, 2025. Lyrics: Om Namah Shivaya Namah Shivaya If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya.
Vani Devi chants Jay Radhe Jay Radhe Jay Shri Krishna Bolo Jay Radhe during a saturday evening satsang at Yoga Vidya in Bad Meinberg, Germany. If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya.
Madhuka sings the kirtan “Jay Bajaranga Bali.” You can find this kirtan in the Yoga Vidya Kirtan Booklet under number 212. “Jay Bajaranga Bali” invokes the power, devotion, and strength of Hanuman. It is a powerful, energizing, and joyful kirtan. It awakens the spirit and instills a sense of optimism. Jay Bajaranga Bali is a Hanuman kirtan. Here are the lyrics to sing along: Jay Bajaranga Bali Jay Bajaranga Bali Jay Hanumana Ki Jay Mahavira, Jay Hanuman Jay Gurudeva, Karo Kalyan If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya.
Group Mudita chants Shri Ram Jaya Ram at Yoga Vidya in Bad Meinberg, Germany. Here is the text to sing along: Shri Ram Jaya Ram Shri Ram Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Ram Om Shri Ram Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Ram Shri Ram Jaya Ram - this is how various kirtans begin, and many other kirtans include a verse with Shri Ram Jaya Ram. Ram stands for Rama, the highest joy. Jaya means victory, triumph. Shri means happiness, radiance, brilliance. May Rama triumph within us; may the divine blessing shine within us and through us. If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya.
Tina sings the kirtan “Narayana Hari Om.” “Narayana Hari Om” is both: a Vishnu kirtan and a Krishna kirtan. In “Narayana Hari Om,” God is invoked as the Preserver, as the one who dwells within all beings, as the one who is full of love and is the highest truth. God is the Good Shepherd. And even though God’s workings are mysterious, we can still trust in His guidance. If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya.
Katyayani sings during a saturday evening satsang at Yoga Vidya in Bad Meinberg, Germany, the kirtan “Om Dum Durgayai Namaha”. “Om Dum Durgayai Namaha” is a powerful, sacred mantra dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga. It is a Dhyana Moksha mantra and is used to seek protection, overcome obstacles, and invoke divine energy for strength and prosperity. If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya.
Suguna and Sabina are chanting Om Namah Shivaya at Yoga Vidya in Bad Meinberg, Germany. If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya. “Om Namah Shivaya” is the Panchakshara Mantra of Shiva. “Om Namah Shivaya” is a Dhyana Moksha Mantra, a mantra for meditation, a mantra that leads to liberation. “Om Namah Shivaya” means: Om – infinite sound, Namah means “homage, greeting to,” Shivaya means “to Shiva.” And Shiva means “the auspicious one,” “the benevolent one,” “the loving one.” One could also say: “Homage to cosmic love, to the consciousness that is everywhere.” “Om Namah Shivaya” can also be repeated specifically to let go, to let go of thoughts, to deepen meditation, and to go within.
Om Shakti Om is a dynamic, energetic kirtan for Shakti, the cosmic energy. In this kirtan, Shakti, the cosmic power, becomes tangible and palpable. Let yourself be carried away by the dynamics of this Om Shakti Kirtan. Performed by Sundaram & Friends at the Yoga Vidya Easter Concert 2024 More at www.sundaram.de and sundaram.de/shop/
Em Jay Ma Jay Ma Am Jay Ma Jay Ma C Jay Ma Jay Ma G Jota Ma Jay Ambe Jagadambe Jay Ambe Jay Ma composed and performed by Lisa Lilamayi A kirtan that invokes the Divine Mother as joy. Jaya Ma - may the Divine Mother triumph - yes she will triumph, in me, everywhere in the world. Ma stands for Durga, but also for all manifestations of the Divine Mother, the Devi, the feminine power.
Hagit Noam sings the Ganesha Gayatri Mantra and Om Gam Ganapataye Namah. Let yourself be enchanted by Hagit's wonderful singing! She is a specialist in early music and interprets well-known mantras in an inspiring way. Hagit regularly gives seminars and concerts at Yoga Vidya. Om Tat-purushaya Vidmahe Vakra-tundaya Dhimahi / Tan No Dantih Prachodayat // followed by the Ganesha Mantra Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha (number 699 under Ganesha in the kirtan booklet) Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha. If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya.
Radhe Radhe Radhe Bolo Bm A Bm Radhe Radhe Radhe Bolo D A Bm Radhe Govinda Bolo Bm A D A Radhe Radhe Radhe Bolo Bm A Bm Radhe Govinda Bolo Shiva Shiva Shiva Bolo Shiva Shankara Bolo Vishnu Vishnu Vishnu Bolo Vishnu Narayana Bolo Performed by Ishwara: vocals & guitar Prashanti: vocals & cajonito This is a particularly dynamic, energetic kirtan. When you sing or listen to this kirtan, you will be filled with joy, energy, confidence, and courage.
New yoga teachers from Bamberg and Bayreuth in Germany are chanting the Shri Nrisimha Mahamantra during a saturday evening satsang at Yoga Vidya in Bad Meinberg, Germany. Here are the lyrics to sing along: Ugram Viram Maha-vishnum 'Jvalantam Sarvato-mukham / Nri-sinham Bhishanam Bhadram 'Nrityu-nrityum Namany Aham // 1 // Namas Te Nara-sinhaya 'Prahlada-hlada-dayine / Hiranya-kashipor Vaksah- 'Shila-tanka-nakhalaye // 2 // Ito Nri-sinhah Parato Nri-sinho 'Yato Yato Yami Tato Nri-sinhah / Bahir Nri-sinho Hridaye Nri-sinho 'Nri-sinham Adim Sharanam Prapadye // 3 // Narasimha is the lion god. Narasimha is an incarnation of Vishnu. Vishnu takes on various forms to restore dharma, the divine order. And Narasimha is one of them. Narasimha means half human, half lion. Simha means lion, Nara means human. Narasimha, the man-lion, or sometimes simply Nrisimha, the human lion or the lion-like man. Man-lion, lion-man is how it is translated. This kirtan consists of three verses and invokes this lion power. If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya.
Group Mudita perform the kirtan Jago Ma Jago Ma at Yoga Vidya in Bad Meinberg, Germany. The kirtan uses a simple but powerful repetition: the word “Jago” (wake up), combined with “Ma” (mother), invokes the divine mother in collective singing. Jago Jago Ma, Jago Jago Ma Shankari Ma (... further invocations ...) The sound is cyclical—ranging from a calm, meditative mood to an uplifting, communal energy. This dynamic allows for both individual listening and communal singing and chanting in a circle. Jago means “awaken/wake up.” In spiritual songs, this can mean: Awaken inwardly, open your heart, recognize divine reality. Ma stands for “mother” — here in the sense of a divine, universal mother, often associated with the feminine power of the universe. In many mantras and bhajans, “Ma” is used as an address to the divine mother. Shankari Ma refers to a form of this Divine Mother — a loving, protective, and awakening power. In kirtan, she is invoked to grant protection, awareness, and blessings. In the tradition of such bhajans and kirtans, the call “Jago Ma” often symbolizes awakening — whether spiritual, emotional, or as an awareness of the divine presence within us. If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya.
Vallabha chants Shri Ram Jaya Ram at Yoga Vidya in Bad Meinberg, Germany. Shri Ram Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Ram Shri Ram Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Ram Sita Ram Sita Ram If you are interested in seminars with music, you can find here seminars on mantra and music. For more kirtan and Mantra vocal recordings click here. For more information on Yoga, meditation and Ayurveda can be found on the internet pages of Yoga Vidya. The kirtan “Shri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Sita Ram” expresses in various ways how one can see God and what relationship one can have with God. In this kirtan, Rama is particularly revered, so it is a Rama kirtan. Rama is worshipped as Ram, and Ram is both the short form of Rama, as it is in Hindi, but Ram is also the bija mantra of Rama, bija, the seed mantra. Rama is Shri, Shri means “blissful” and “respect.” When Shri precedes a name, it is always an expression of respect and at the same time of closeness. "Shri Ram. Oh Rama, I feel close to you and I worship you. Jaya Ram. May your principles triumph. The entire mantra means: I am abundance, fulfillment from the transcendent. I am supreme consciousness, great abundance, beyond all that is movable and immovable. I am Shiva, pure consciousness, my nature is eternal joy. I am bliss, cosmic bliss.