Top 10 Yoga Shlokas in Sanskrit with Hindi & English Meaning

The Timeless Wisdom of Yoga: 10 Sanskrit Shlokas to Guide Your Practice
Yoga, an ancient practice originating in India, transcends physical postures. It’s a holistic discipline that harmonizes the mind, body, and spirit. Central to yoga’s philosophy are Sanskrit shlokas, verses that encapsulate profound wisdom. Here, we explore 10 such shlokas, offering their English and Hindi meanings:

1. योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः (Yogaścittavṛttinirodhaḥ)
* English: Yoga is the restraint of the modifications of the mind.
* Hindi: योग चित्त की वृत्तियों को नियंत्रित करना है।
* Explanation: This foundational shloka from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras defines yoga’s essence: calming the fluctuations of the mind.
2. समत्वं योग उच्यते (Samatvaṁ yoga ucyate)
* English: Equanimity is called yoga.
* Hindi: समता को ही योग कहा जाता है।
* Explanation: This verse emphasizes the importance of balance and evenness of mind in yoga practice.
3. योगः कर्मसु कौशलम् (Yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam)
* English: Skill in action is yoga.
* Hindi: कर्मों में योग ही कुशलता है।
* Explanation: This shloka highlights that yoga is not just about physical postures, but also about performing actions with awareness and skill. It is found within the Bhagavad Gita.
4. कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। (Karmaṇyevādhikāraste mā phaleṣu kadācana.)
* English: You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your action.
* Hindi: कर्म करने में ही तेरा अधिकार है, फलों में कभी नहीं।
* Explanation: Also from the Bhagavad Gita, this emphasizes selfless action, a core principle of yogic philosophy.
5. अहिंसा परमो धर्मः (Ahiṃsā paramo dharmaḥ)
* English: Non-violence is the highest duty.
* Hindi: अहिंसा परम धर्म है।
* Explanation: This shloka underscores the importance of compassion and non-harming, both on and off the yoga mat.
6. सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः (Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ)
* English: May all be happy.
* Hindi: सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः।
* Explanation: This shanti mantra promotes universal well-being, a central aim of yoga.
7. असतो मा सद्गमय। तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय। मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय। (Asato mā sadgamaya। tamaso mā jyotirgamaya। mṛtyormā amṛtaṁ gamaya।)
* English: Lead us from untruth to truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality.
* Hindi: असतो मा सद्गमय। तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय। मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय।
* Explanation: This shanti mantra is a prayer for spiritual enlightenment.
8. शरीरमाद्यं खलु धर्मसाधनम् (śarīramādyaṁ khalu dharmasādhanam)
* English: The body is indeed the primary instrument for fulfilling dharma.
* Hindi: शरीर ही धर्म का पहला साधन है।
* Explanation: This shloka emphasizes the importance of taking care of the body as a means to achieve higher spiritual goals.
9. शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः (Śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ)
* English: Peace, peace, peace.
* Hindi: शांति, शांति, शांति।
* Explanation: This is a common ending to many prayers and yoga sessions, invoking peace on all levels.
10. तं विद्याद् दुःखसंयोगवियोगं योगसंज्ञितम्। (taṃ vidyād duḥkhasaṃyogaviyogaṃ yogasaṃjñitam)
* English: Let it be known: the severance from the union-with-pain is YOGA.
* Hindi: उसे योग जानना चाहिए, जो दुःख के संयोग से वियोग है।
* Explanation: From the Bhagavad Gita, this shloka explains yoga as the separation from the connection with pain.