Sandhyavandanam

S A N D H Y A    V A N D A N A M

 

 

II–What is the timing for ” Sandhya  vandana “……..

Every Brahmin has to perform  Sandhya vandanam  thrice a day.

1. Day–break  time—–rising sun……….morning  twilight

Night  meets the day… this is the 1st sandhya  kaalam

 

1. Midday…… Shortening the shadows of morning  Sun and lengthening the same

of evening Sun. Sun reaches it’s glory  enveloping the entire world , with

powerful rays &lightner…….this is 2nd sandhya kaalam

 

1. Sun set  time……Sun slowly sinking down……evening  twilight

Day  meets the night……….this is 3rd sandhya kaalam

 

These three times of Sun movement are soul–stirring . The time is

important. The worship at that time is more important.Though it may not be

possible to keep up the time of worship( performing Sandhya vandanam

on particular time—thrice  a day ), it must always be tried. This is a spiritual

exercise, depending  on time,  place,  and surroundings

 

III–Two  main  parts

 

First part is with water and the second part  is on ground. First  with Jalam ( Jala bhaagam )

and second is Nila ( land/ ground ) bhaagam

 

Other parts are preliminaries  to  lead  and to give a finish

 

Jala bhaagam :–giving ” arghyam “( throwing up in the sky with both  hands  —-handful of water ) with manthras

Nila bhaagam:–Gayathri  manthra  jabham

 

IV–Achamanam

 

Achamanam means  ” sipping” of water.  Let us see what is this

Before commencing to perform a ” karma”,  an achamanam  should be performed which also consists of two parts.

1. Sipping of water from the right-hand palmthree  times , with manthra, for each sipping.

Slowly sipping of water will give refreshing  energy. The three manthras operate as  a medicine

to cure diseases (sipping should be practised  through brahaspathi as the water should not be sucked from the palm )

 

2. Then, wiping with water with particularfingers ( 2 cheeks, 2 eyes, 2 nostrils, 2 ears, 2 shoulders,

then navel  and then crest of the head, duly reciting the 12 Naamaas of Bhagavan.  Particular fingers here  are

 

important, as these 10 fingers are directly touching the groups of nerves with the separate naamaas of Bhagavan

which give purification, clear  mind, and fresh energy  when  so  touched.   So also, the latter 2 naamaas

(Padmanabha and Damodara)—when all fingers together touch  the navel and crest of the head.

This performance  gives benefit to various nervous system  and through it  to the body and mind.

Proper  examination  of the anatomy of nerves proves that when  that portion  is touched

by a particular  finger with COLD  WATER  reciting Bhagavan Naamaa, it gives fresh energy.

 

V  Sankalpam

 

No act of any important karma  should be done without  sankalpam

This gives   psychological  and spiritual value. We commence by

invoking God’s krupa who is inspirer, director and does this act.

We stretchforth our mind through the two infinites of space & time

and determining mentally the exact place & time atwhich we are

placed. We make a solemn declaration  about our intention to

perform  this rite. By this, we produce  spiritual power which develops

many fold.

 

VI  Pranayamam

 

This means literally control or lengthening of the breath  . At one

time, the hankering of fresh oxygen to cleanse the system (circu-

-lation of blood, digestion and the like) and promote it’s vitality

 

A living being is called ” Prani”. Before taking “annam”( rice)

we dedicate five small morsels of annam purified by ghee to the

five divisions of the air inside our human body—Prana,Apana,

vyana, udana &samana  which contribute by their respective

unbelievable functions to the proper maintenance of our life

in this world. Pranayama is the essence of certain kinds of Yoga.

Pranayama is an exercise physically, mentally, psychically and

spiritually

 

Deep breathing  produces all benefits of physical exercise by

promoting circulation of blood, by purifying it, by promoting

organs  functions, toning the nervous system etc

 

 

 

 

 

 

VI; Pranayamam        (continues)

The control of breath can be got  by the control of mind and deep

attention to the exercise which recharges mental battery( most important than

any other system ) and increases  out-put energy also. Pranayama is a brilliant & time-honoured

exercise which should be given due importance by us and by our future generations, forgetting the

advertising-mania of “yoga”, because  pranayama is part & parcel  of our ” nithya karma” In this, self of man

becomes the soul  and non-self becomes the body ( sareera) of  the self.

 

 

VII:  Prokshana

 

Prokshana means ” sprinkling” of water. Where…? how… ?

Adiyen will now explain

 

Taking  water with  the tips of  the  fingers  of the right-hand

from the vessal and sprinkling  it duly reciting manthra for each such sprinkling

over  the head.  These manthras praise the water . Our sages, rishis, ancestors

understood and realized the uncomparable importance of  using the water with it’s value and virtues

Such process of sprinkling water in small particles over oneself(head)

gives concentration  of mind, duly purifying the mind and sareera (body )

The two prokshanams  with the intervening ” achamana” duly reciting

relevant manthra purify not only water but also  mind and sareera , which gives such a

qualification to the performer to do the next  part of this nithya karma i.e. Arghyam

 

VIII:  Arghyam

 

Arghya refers to something divine (sacrosanct) offered with both hands

to the SUN-GOD .

Prakrutham Srimath Paravakkottai Andavan ( Srirangam) , in the book,

” Yajur Vedeeya Sandhyavandana Bashyam ” says:–

Some “Rakshasas” through their “Thapas” (penance) got ” varam”

( boon) from Brahma and  obtained  strength and skill. They become haughty  and they

are fighting  with Sun-God daily. Water thrown up duly reciting ” Gayathri Manthra”  become transferred

into a powerful weapon ( Vajra ayudha of Indra ) and chases/scares/ drives out the asuras to an island

called “Mandeharuna”, who attack the Sun-God

interfering His duties  and blocking such duties

Thus, Asuras are driven out daily by this performance  of offering

” Arghya”  , because they are coming again and again  voluntarily to fight with Sun-God

 

H.H. further says that to weed out the “papa” ( sin) accrued through this

 

 

act by us , we come around us clockwise reciting  3 Vyahruthis ( Om bhoor bhuvas suva:)and meditating

Sun-God as ” Brahmam” with the manthra ” Asavaadhitya brahma”

 

This is  the kind of worshipful offering of water to the Sun-God

He is the light of lights, vitality, and intelligence. Such  offering of Arghya brings direct

relationship  with Surya Narayana  for the receipt, preservation  of vital forces ,

as Sun-God is also the God of waters. This offering of arghya  prepares  the performer

to make him fit and holy for performing the next nithya-karma -Jabha of Gayathri manthra

 

Kala–atita–prayschitta–arghya

 

This ” arghya”  is given by way of atonement/expiation , if “arghya”

is not offered at the prescribed time. This prayas-chitta  arghyam also drives rakshasas

though offered late

 

Then, Tharppanam

Duly performing ” achamanam” again, water is offered through

the fore-fingers( water will flow from right-hand palm to all the fingers downwards)

to Sriman Narayana ,  reciting His 12 namas, each ofwhich refers a distinct aspect of GOD-

Sriman Narayana(i.e. Kesavam tharppayami, Narayanan tharppayami….)

 

If we say in a nut-shell, Sandhyavandanam begins with

1. Achamanam
2. Pranayamam
3. Sankalpam
4. Prokshanam
5. Nyasam( Sooryasyeth yanuvagasya  agnirishi: devi Gayathri chandha:

suryo devatha      abham prachane viniyoka:) then take water

 

Suryascha mamunyuscha………..Take water duly reciting this

1. Again, Achamanam
2. Prokshanam
3. Pranayamam

 

Then Arghyam

If necessary,  kala-atita-prayaschitta    arghyam

Then ” Tharppanam”

 

Till this, Sandhyavandana Nithya karma is performed  with water ( Jala-bhagam)

 

 

Sandhya vandanam–

——————————

Nila / ground bhagam

 

 

Hitherto .jalabhaga karma

Now, this nithya karma shifts to the ground ( bhoomi)

 

As said already, adiyen’s intention is to tell the enormous benefits that derive

when we perform Sandhyavandana and not to give word-by-word meanings to the manthras .

Having this in mind, adiyen proceeds further , requesting all of you, to ignore

the paragraph commenced as “if we say in a nut-shell…….” in the last part

 

Preparation for Gayatri manthra jabha:-

 

This is in three parts

1. Pranavam
2. Vyahrities

3.Manthram

 

Pranavam…..Head of the Veda

single syllable in three parts

1. whole Universe
2. it’s creation
3. preservation & destruction

 

though differently interpreted by Sages

at different times. But, it is comprehensive

and mere sound.When we pronounce, it

gives transcendental bliss

2. Vyahrities…….Comprehensive realisation of the entire Universe

”         ………seven… but in Gayatri manthra, 3 vyahrities are used. Seven

Sages are responsible for these seven vyahrities.

Chandas/metres… seven . Presiding Deities are also seven

The above are followed by “pranayama”

3. Manthram…….Then, invocation of Gayatri Maathaa

She is the spirit of the Universe, having all potency and

transcendent, resplendence etc

This Manthra is in four parts

First consisting of three vyahrities—to bring before the

performer the whole Universe in all it’s parts in a

complete shape

Second, third, & four are 3 lines which give meaning thus;

 

 

 

 

 

” Which “Tejas” awake the sleeping ‘janendriyas”

and conduct them , which upasana “tejas”

responsible for the entire Universe as ” Soorya”,

that “tejas ” of Soorya is meditated

( It is practically not easy to give meaning to this richest and vibrant manthra

But this is an childish attempt forwhich adiyen begs your pardon )

 

This conveys our obeisance to that Divine which kindles our spiritual intelligence and

enhance it further and further, when we do “jabham” 108/1008 times during every

three Sandhyavandana performances everyday

 

This is a kind of spiritual exercise , when practiced, adds countless molecules in our spiritual

activities and intelligence. Repeated performance of jabha adds our spiritual power correlating us

and effecting wonderful organic relationship between us and Divine God and bring more and more

unbelievable anugraha on the performer

 

Such of this spiritual faculty in us increases spiritual potency and prepares us supreme in intelligence,

understanding, & provides us spiritual control over others besides giving vitality, beauty, intellect,

strength, power etc etc

 

 

Then udvasana….

 

Gayatri has the reference to SUN-GOD, the source of light, the origin of fire ,eye of the Universe etc

 

Soorya-darshan…..

Here, it is necessary to tell about ” Soorya-darshan ” during the performance of

” Madyahnikam”. This ” darshan” when observed strictly according to the instructions, will give clear eye-sight

throughout one’s life, without any eye-disease. There is specific manthra to this

 

Sattvika-tyaga…..

 

Every karma should be done without attachment. At the beginning of each karma,

” Sattvika-tyaga” should be done. There are elobarate meanings to this ” Sattvika-tyaga” But,

in a very short line,it can be said thus;–

This “karma” has been commenced for the happiness/joy ( preethi) of Sriman Narayanan

and at the end of the ” karma “it has to be said that

this karma has been completed for the happiness of Sriman Narayanan .

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the following slokas, we complete this work on ” Sandhyavandanam ”

 

1. Sandhyaheena: achuchi: nithyam anarha: sarvakarmasu |

yath anyath guruthe karma na thasya palabakbaveth ||

 

 

2. sruthi: smruthi:mamyva ajjaa ya: thaam ullangya varthththe |

ajjaachchethi mama drohi mathbakthospi na vaishnava:

 

3.Prathassanthyam sa nakshatram madyamam snanakarmani |

sadhithyam pachchimam sanththyam upaseetha yathavithi |\

 

Submission

 

Adiyen is not well-versed in ” Sastras”, giving ” vyakyanams”,

duly analyzing , interpreting such of these works. But, great desire/ craze/ craving (induced by Sri U.Ve . Muralidhar Rangaswami) forced adiyen to “sip” a drop of

samudra of ” Khseera” like a cat on the banks of ” Ksheera Samudra” and to tell the extraordinary sweetness of ” Sandhyavandana” to all of you.

There will be certainly deficiency in this forwhich adiyen prays your forgiveness

 

Adiyen’s request is that every Brahmin should perform thrikala

sandhyavandanam everyday. Once it is commenced , then, there will be no going back by the brahmins and they will search for meanings/details/ bashyams with a desire to know/understand more and more about this nithya karma and subsequently they will handle the torch of carrying these to their next generations

 

Sarvam Sree Hayagreeva Preeyatham