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.
- Day–break time—–rising sun……….morning twilight
Night meets the day… this is the 1st sandhya kaalam
- 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
- 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.
- 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 )
- 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
- Achamanam
- Pranayamam
- Sankalpam
- Prokshanam
- Nyasam( Sooryasyeth yanuvagasya agnirishi: devi Gayathri chandha:
suryo devatha abham prachane viniyoka:) then take water
Suryascha mamunyuscha………..Take water duly reciting this
- Again, Achamanam
- Prokshanam
- 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
- Pranavam
- Vyahrities
3.Manthram
Pranavam…..Head of the Veda
single syllable in three parts
- whole Universe
- it’s creation
- preservation & destruction
though differently interpreted by Sages
at different times. But, it is comprehensive
and mere sound.When we pronounce, it
gives transcendental bliss
- 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”
- 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 ”
- Sandhyaheena: achuchi: nithyam anarha: sarvakarmasu |
yath anyath guruthe karma na thasya palabakbaveth ||
- 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