TRIKALA SANDHYA VANDHANAM

SANDHYAVANDANAM - PROCEDURE

 

Amongst the various karmas which the Vedic texts prescribe, falling in the section of Nitya Karma (daily rituals) for 3 varnas (castes) the Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas is the “Sandhyavandana”.

 

Currently many of the Kshatriyas and Vaishyas do not know that Upanayana Samaskara (thread ceremony) is a compulsory ritual for them also, as is Sandhyavandana thereafter. There are numerous articles on “Sandhyavandana” in the internet. I am going to be a little different and highlight to you how in this modern world this ancient science is useful and of atmost importance. “Sandhya” is the window period between end of the night and beginning of sunrise early morning, and beginning of sunset and setting in of the night in the evening time. This twilight period is an important phase which signifies either beginning of activity or cessation of activity, as are entering from one phase of the day or night respectively. And “Vandana” means paying obeisance.

You would observe that anytime we have a change in our life, like we are joining a new school, job, going for booking a new house, some important negotiations on important deals which will affect our career, family or our own future, we will have feeling of anxiety, apprehension of what will happen. So what do we do before we venture into any such activity. We pray, if not regularly at least now. Some may visit temple, keep a vow, some may conduct pooja, some may just pray without rituals. Why do we pray here? These are done for winning over that situation without any obstacles and to get success. In Kali Yuga praying has become an occasional affair when faced with problems rather than a day to day duty. Well what about day to day problems? Are we bothered about it? Yes I guess more than the specific instances which I have cited above. What are these day to day issues? Household issues, office issues, transport issues etc. “Sandhyavandhanam” gives you the power and protection on a day to day basis and for long term for emerging victorious in every situation you face in day to day life. And this twilight time is the ideal time in which “Sandhyavandana” if performed will give you the necessary impetus to take charge of the day without hurdles and have a trouble free evening and night which infact, also denotes a change in the activity cycle of person in each day. The twilight time is supposed to be filled with Sattwa gunas (positive divine vibrations) and Sandhyavandana helps to harness this and transfer it into us.

The process of “Sandhyavandana” if done properly requires around 30-40minutes of your time. What are the essential elements of this ritual.

Even though there are detailed steps, I give the gist of how Sandhyavandana is beneficial and how it offers protection. I divide “Sandhyavandana” is 3 aspects

 

1.Purification of outer and inner body.

2.Offering water Arghyam/ tarpana (libation) to the Sun in the form of Savita (The impeller and Goddess of Vedas/knowledge), the 9 planets which affect us in all ways, and the various swaroopas (forms) of Lord Vishu to satisfy them.

3.Gayatri Japa.

 

PURIFICATION: By chanting appropriate mantras we purify our outer body by sprinkling water in Sandhyavandana. We also purify our inner body by performing Achamana, ( sipping water uttering Lord Vishnu’s names). In this section we also ask for forgiveness of doing wrong/improper deeds which have been prohibited are per our Dharma Shastras. This does not mean we could do anything we want, and do Sandhya as expiation. As you invoke Goddess Savita/Gayatri during your Sandhya procedure, mind you, she is watching you. As a teacher in the school or boss in the office may forgive you for coming late once or twice, the third time you repeat the mistake you are punished. Let me give an example of this purification. You may ask isn’t a bath adequate for purifiying your body with a good branded antiseptic soap? Let’s say you have gone to a gift shop and want to buy a flower vase, one vase is shinning brightly and other is dusty, though the design of the dusty one has caught your attention, you would not even want to touch it as it is dusty. The shop keeper says I will clean the outer dust and give you, you agree and take it in hand, on closer observation you see lot of dust and a cobweb inside, you can’t take it anymore and just keep it. Similarly even if you are clean from outside using the best of soaps and body gels and deodorants and are smelling good, people may approach you but after a short while they are no more interested as you are not pure from within same like the dirty vase from within. “Sandhyavandana” gives to the opportunity to be pure in and out.

 

ARGHYAM AND TARPANA (Offering water libation): All Hindus know that our life is strongly influenced by the 9 planets. So what do we do to please them. We go to temple, organise Navagraha Homam / Pooja at home etc. When in problem we consult the astrologer, he may prescribe complicated remedies, then we are forced to find time and do it (does the real bhakti (devotion) come here? ) or it’s a forced action ? If we are practitioner of “Sandhyavandana” we satisfy the sustainer of life the Sun in the form of Savita by giving Arghyam (water libation), then the 9 planets and “Lord Vishnu” the protector of the world daily. The tarpana takes care of this most important influence of the grahas (planets) in your life. People who do this in Sandhyavandana shall in no case be affected by the malefic effects of the planets as you satisfy them daily.

 

GAYATRI JAPA (Gayatri Chanting): The most important part for increasing the Tejas (inner brilliance) of the person. It is like charging up your daily battery. This few lines are not enough for writing about the greatness of Gayatri Japa but I shall make a brief attempt. After few sets Surya Namaskara (prostrations to the Sun God) which itself is a form of exercise (no need for expensive gyms) to keep your body fit, pranayama (controlled breathing) is practised to get your body to the normal and cleanse it from toxins accumulated, and then with necessary mantras you invoke Goddess Gayatri in your heart and meditate upon her. In the ancient times people used to practice 10,000, 3000 japas per day. Few still do 1008 per Sandhya. But recommendation for Kali yuga ( the modern age we are in), we should atleast perform 108 Japas in morning, 32 in afternoon and 64 in evening during Sandhyavandana. If we cannot perform Sandhya 3 times (afternoon ritual is called Madhyanikam) we should at least do it once in a day. The Gayatri Mantra is proven as the most powerful mantra of the world confers benefits beyond imagination. Its increases your spiritual aura and increasing your positive energies and drives away the negative energies. Those who practice Gayatri Japa are known to have great positive influence on all spheres of their life. All I can say is a non-practitioner of Gayatri Japa exposes himself as a dimly lit 40 watt bulb. While the person who does regular “Sandhyavandana” and Gayatri Japa shines like an incandescent light equalling many Suns.

 

It is also mentioned in Vedic texts clearly that any ritual performed whether it be Pooja, Shrardha or Tarpana ceremony without doing Sandhyavandana is a waste. It doesn’t yield any results which is seen actually. Many people perform expensive pooja which finally don’t yield any results and then they start playing the blame game.

There are ample examples with me of people in deep trouble not practicing any karmas (rituals) which are ordained and once they start “Sandhyavandana” all their problems ease with improvement in all spheres of their life. The only problem in Kali Yuga is people seek God and rituals only when they are in problems. Please share this article on you page so that people come to know the Mahima of Sandhyavanadana. People interested to know more about Sandhyavandana and its practice can contact me at vedaghosham@gmail.com

 

Sandhyadevyai Namaha !!!

SANDHYA VANDHANAM IMPORTANCE

DO YOU REALLY LOVE YOUR CHILDREN ?

 

I am sure your instantaneous answer is a “Yes.” But this article will help you to introspect if you truly love your children.

 

  The creation of earth is described in the Purusha Sooktam, how the 4 varnas, Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras came from Lord Maha Vishnu’s body for upholding of Sanatana Dharma. Once the creation was done, duties were assigned to each Varna, and Vedas by itself and preservation of Vedas was handed over to the Brahmanas, though 2 other Varnas also learnt Vedas in the ancient times, but the duty of preserving and teaching it till posterity was with Brahmanas. Rules were explained and Veda Mata Gayatri was handed over to the Brahmanas for regular spiritual gain. Lord said “Look here O choosen one !, I am handing over the most precious effulgent Gayatri Veda Mata to you. I expect you to keep her satisfied with your prayers to her every day, through your Nithya karma like Sandhyavandana and Gayatri Japa, and you can be assured she will take care of you in all aspects. Do you commit to me that you will take care of this rarest of rare asset, the Veda Mata Gayatri Devi and impart her knowledge to eligible people? Will you pray to by chanting Vedas and performing Sandhyavandana?

  Our ancestors from whose lineage we have come gave a Vachan (promise) by uttering the word “Baaddam” which means certainly/definitely/sure we will. The Lord thus termed us as “Shevadhi” (treasurer/protector) and becoming more than happy and confident of the promise we gave, handed over the effulgent Veda Mata Gayatri to us and disappeared. Giving a promise and keeping it played a big role during earlier times. Remember Lord Rama went to “Vanavas”(forest life) for 14 years because his father had given a Vachan to Kaikeeyi. Our ancestors’, generations over generations kept this promise, they had committed and they did not go back on the commitment given to the Supreme Creator. At the Upanayana Samaskara of the Son, each father used to say, “O my Son, I am going to pass on the most effulgent Gayatri Devi and her knowledge to you, our ancestors have given a promise to keep her alive by daily invocation and worship, now since you are becoming a Dwija (twice born) with me and after me you will have to keep the promise and preserve her and pass her divine knowledge to your progeny. Will you my Son?

  The child innocently asks the father “Oh Pitah (father) ! What will I get in return?” Vedas clearly answer the query. It is also a part of Sandhyavandana mantras we chant daily. Father says, “My Son by worshipping Gayatri you can be assured of Ojas (Vigour), Sahas (confidence/boldness), balam (strength), brajas (radiance), vishwam (the world ) aayu (long life)”. The son playfully asked the father if I don’t follow this Pitah what will happen? The father says, my son “Do not even think of that as you shall lose your, lustre, power, vigour, vitality, confidence, victory and will be inflicted with disease and hurdles which in turn will shorten your life. The son satisfied with the answers promises his father he will follow his fathers’ instruction unto his last breath.

Now remember since we are called “Shevadhi”, treasurer of the Veda Mata, we earn merits by doing Nithya karmas. These Punya (merits) are added on a daily basis on our account. It is like a savings bank account. As we continue doing all the Nithya Karmas recommended by Dharma Shastras our account balance of Punyas increases. This account balance helps in achieving all our tasks successfully. For example if I want a fridge I need money in the bank which will help me to achieve my desire. Similarly if we want to get a job we desire our Nithya karma account Punya will come into play here as, when we give an interview our inner effulgence/brilliance/confidence influences the hirer to take us apart from other things. This capability comes from Nithya Karma alone. All tasks which we undertake are accomplished because we have the power of these merits with us. Our merits can be used for social cause. If we do our Nithya karmas regularly, if we wish for some person that good should happen, good will happen.

We still hear our parents or for that matter us telling and discussing on various occasions that my grandfather/grandmother/great grandfather/great grandmother we very healthy, had a long life, they were disease free. Many say my grandfather/grandmother never visited the hospital or took a single tablet in life. Do you know why? They were doing their Nithya Karmas and their bank balance of punya karmas were good.

 

Now interesting is to note that an accumulated punya balance earned by Nithya karma can last for 3 generation only, which means that you don’t do any nithya karmas but upto your great grandfather was doing all the nithya karmas you will get a trickle of the balance punya left in the account as your grandfather and father have used up some. You get this legacy/bank balance of punyas from them therefore even if currently are not doing any Nithya karmas and all is good, it is the residual or balance of the punyas in your ancestral account. But beware, if for 3 generations no nithya karma has been performed and as the account balance of punyas come near zero, the problems start. Introspect now if are now in a problem which means your balance is over, what will happen to your children ? Are you the type of parent who not only doesn’t perform any karma but also do not insist your child to perform the Karmas ? Cannot you sit with your child and perform the Nithya karma like Sandhyavandana, Gayatri Japa and a small lighting of a lamp in front of God daily and chant 2-3 slokas. You have all the time in the world to watch TV, go for movies, go for dinner, but no time for the treasure which has been given to us as a responsibility by the creator. It’s said Veda Mata waits for daily invocation in a Dwijas house but goes back disappointed if you do not perform anytime. All the non-believers of Vedic karmas …beware your ancestral account balance will end at any time.

 

Some symptoms of the punya account balance of your ancestors nearing exhaustion are as follows for you and in your children.

1. Lack of confidence and motivation

2. Frequent health problem

3. Excessive sleepiness and tiredness

4. Lack of concentration in studies

5. Lack of strength

6. Unwilling to take any new task

7. Even if any task taken, hurdles everywhere

8. Failures in various spheres

Now as a parent tell me “Do you want to see your children happy?”. If yes, you will have to explain them these compulsory duties, you have to motivate them, you have to check if they are doing it for sure and correctly (like you check homework from school), you have to find them a Guru who will teach him at least the basic karmas, we have to be strict with them on these non-negotiable. Like there are traffic rules, like there are school codes of conduct. Do not leave your children to live a life or misery by not making Nithya karma rules mandatory. There is no use of doing an upanayana if after it there is no plan to continue Sandhyavandana and Samidhadana.

 

As a parent lead by example, if you are not doing these Nithya Karmas start immediately. If a “Shevadhi” will not take care of Gayatri Mata, who will ? Nithya Karma is a compulsory duty not a choice by will…..

 

Share it if you can perceive the importance and seriousness of the message so that this important message spreads across and people, and your children don’t continue to lead a life of misery in future. Veda Ghosham is a place to learn Sandhyavandanam, Brahmayagyam, Samidhadana, aachara as per Dharma Shastram and other Nitya karma. People who already are doing Sandhyavandanam also join us to know the perfect procedure as per Dharma Shastram. Most of our students are working executives and students. If you want to know our activities please contact us or Visit our page to read more articles on our Dharma Shastras on VEDA Ghosham

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