Sandhya Vandanam - Part I

(by

 Achala Bhakthan)

Prelude:

It is our belief that we have come to this world in the form of human beings and that too have taken birth in a Brahmin family.  We call ourselves as Brahmins.  Are we Brahmins?   Yes, if we follow the tenets of Vedas and teach others the Vedic principles.   If not, we are like any other living beings.  What is the greatness in following the tenets of Vedas?  Vedas are ancient and ever existing and reveals the reality to us through the direct revelations of many Seers, who have spoken in their language and now available in the form of Four Vedas, Upanishads, Itihasas, Puranas etc.   All these are giving us the principle of living, the way of leading a satwic life etc. and at the same time they also show the path to find the Reality.  All these scriptures are directing us to our origin, the Reality, Brahman, Knowledge or whatever we call it.  However, there are certain paths to tread, certain directions and principles to follow and certain rules and rituals to be observed if we have to realize the Reality.  Why all these restrictions and demands on us for this?

If you want to get something, you have to pay for it or struggle to get it by following the prescribed rules and regulations.  If you want a job, you have to agree to the terms and conditions specified by the company.  If you want to possess anything, you have to first shell out the cost of it as asked by the seller.  If you want to go to say Madras, you have to follow the route to airport, buy the ticket, sit in the aircraft and go out and search for the place you want to go in Madras.  If you want to be cured of a disease you have to take the prescribed medicine and follow the instructions given therein for desired result. Unless you make effort and follow the reules and prescriptions, you cannot achieve anything even in this mundane world.  You follow these rules and prescriptions in order to solve your worldly problem without any objection. The Vedas proclaim that ultimately, all that is in the world and the world itself is perishable and impermanent.  If you want to attain the permanent nature, the Bliss, you have to follow the rules and regulations and teachings contained in the Vedas, Upanishads etc. and practice meticulously and sincerely with intend to reach your source.  All of us know we are all going to die some time in future and therefore are not permanent.  If you want to know who you are, what is the source of this life etc., you have to go through a process of learning which is called Tapas, Meditation etc. , which is hard to practice.  The Vedas reveal the Reality and show the path to reach there with specific rules and directions, which you have to follow to obtain the desired result.  Even as human beings we have to observe certain disciplines and practices prescribed in Vedas.  Brahmins, particularly, have to learn them and teach others.  One of the practices to be followed, as a Brahmin, is performing our Nithyavruthi which includes Sandhya Vandanam regularly to not only reach our goal but also to live happily, healthly and peacefully. 

What & Why  is Sandhya Vandanam?

As human beings, we have to be thankful to Devas – the Gods or the Pancha Bhutas with which we are made of and the entire world is made of.  Even in our body the pancha bhootas are existent – Earth, Water, Fire, Ether (space) and Air.  These are having their lords as Bhoodevi, Varuna, Agni, Indra and Vayu, who are the preceptors for these panchabhootas.  As we are made up of Panchabhootas, we have to pray to these lords to give us health, peace, happiness etc. and , therefore, pray to them daily.  The duties enjoined in us towards these devas are called Deva Runam or debt to Devas.

We have taken birth due to our Parents and all forefathers, whose grace we have.  We have to be thankful to them for this life and pray to them to give us a pleasamt and useful life.  The duties enjoined towards them are called Pithru Runam or debt to forefathers..

We have been taught and guided by our gurus – Not only personal guru but everything in nature, because we have learnt many things from nature.  Ant shows us the principle of united effort, crow shows us the quality of living by sharing whatever you got,  dog shows us the loyalty principle, cow shows us the virtue of dhaanam, giving out without expecting anything.  Therefore, everything in the nature is in the form of guru.  Towards these we have a debt called Guru Runam or debt to teacher.

Every day the sun is rising, reaching the top in sky and setting.  These are called Thru Sandhyaas (Three borders).  Sandhi means joining or the midpoint of one state changing into another.  In the morning, the night is off and day is dawning.  The point at which this transformation takes place is called Pratha Sandhya.  The sun rises and comes to the top of our head and comes down.  The point at which the reverse motion takes place is called Madhyaaniikam .  In the evening, the sun sets and daylight is off and darkness sets in.  The point at which this transoformation takes place is called Sayam Sandhya.  As per the belief, the sandhi is always crucial. When one status changes into another,anything may happen due to the changes taking place in the nature in the Pancha Bhootaas..  It may be positive or negative, good or bad, harmful or beneficial according to the then condition in the nature.  We have to pray to some super power to make everything happen positively and good.  As these sandhis are due to natural changes, we have to pray to these three powers – Devas, Pithrus and Gurus – for leading us into light and give us all happiness and guide us to achieve our aim of realizing our source. It is, therefore, binding on us to pray and for this prayer each caste has their own methods.  Brahmins have their own method of praying to these agencies in the form of Thrikaala Sandhyaa Vandanam.  Praying on these three Sandhis explained above in a particular method is called Sandhya Vandanam, where we give oblations in the form of water and sit and meditate on the Moola Manthra OM and Gayathri, a discussion on which will take me to a non-ending write-up, which I do not intend here, nor am I capable of,  explaining.

aTo realize our nature, to get peace and happiness here we have to follow certain rules and observe certain disciplines and perform certain sadhanas. Nothing will come by itself.  You have to work for it.  Our Vedas prescribe that we should live by sharing with others, serving others, giving to others what we have and yearning to learn the Truth.  This was possible only through Tapas in Krutha Yuga, Yaga and Yajna in Threthayuga and Pooja and Archana in Dwapara Yuga.  These methods were special to these yugas, which are not possible in the present Kaliyuga.  In Kaliyuga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakthi Yoga and Rajayoga are prescribed.  These are all to achieve our goal of getting revelation of the Truth.  We, as human beings, have to first live long with good health, happiness etc. for which we have to seek the blessings of the super powers.for which Namasmarana or Japa or prayers are prescribed.  Sandhya Vandanam is coming under the category of prayers for which certain rules have to be followed and certain self-discipline has to be observed.  These are included in Sandhya Vndanam.

How to perform?:

Here, first we do Sankalpam – means a declaration by us as to what we want and what we are going to do with first praying to ganesa, the killer of obstacles and then to Parameswara the Universal god of destruction to win over obstructions and to Vishnu for sustenance.  After this sankalpa prayer, we are tryinig to caste away all our sins accumulated not only in this birth but in previous births by oblation in the form of water and pray for relief from the sins.  We then pray that Ganga may purify us and sprinkle water on us as if we take Ganga Snaanam.  All these are done by chanting appropriate Manthas.  Then finally we offer oblations with water to various forms of Vishnu who has taken various avataaraas and saved the mankind and world.  These oblations we offer with the feeling that we are offering whatever we hae in this birth unto HIM who has saved the world in previous yugas through his avataars.  We praise his power and seek blessings.

Then we sit and after sankalpam chant Gayathri Manthra repeatedly as prescribed in our sastras.  Before this, we prepare ourselves for the eligibility to receive the grace of Gayathri by doing Pranayama with the prescribed Manthra.  Before we sit for meditation, prayer etc. we have to control first our breath, then our Mind and Intellect and subdue our Ego.  Then only we will get concentration on the Manthra we will have to chant continuously for number of times prescribed.  After Pranayama, we are ready to receive the powerful grace of the God.  We chant Gayathri, which  is a Mantra to be chanted with correct meters and mathras and with proper pronounciation.  This manthra reveals the source and also its multifarious manifestations in the form of 14 lokas (planets), Bur, Buvah, Suva, Maha, Janah, Tapah, Satyam.(Higher lokas)  Athala, Vithala, Sutala, Rasatala, Mahatala, Pathala  (Lower Lokas).  The Manthra : OM  TAT SAVITHUR VARENYAM BHURGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI DHIYOYONAH: PRACHOTAYAAT.

OM  (actual pronounciation ad mathras are AUM) has to be chanted with air held and right from the nabhi.. The meaning:

That giver of Light (LIFE) which is immeasurable, permanent, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent power, That which is Superior to all and everything (Super Energy) which activates all devas in us  (limbs, Body, Mind, Intellect etc.), I pray upon for enlightening me and for guiding me  through my intellect..  OM is chanted to mean that we know THAT Super Power appeared first as Sound in the nature of OM.

 Hence, we are praying to the Super Power through this powerful manthra Gayathri.  Each manthra has its devatha or controller.  For Gayathri, the devata is Gayathri Devi and hence the name.  It is told that this is the Manthra which will save us from all sins, guard us against all calamities and destruction and guide us through the right way of living in this world.

Significance:

The Sandhya Vandanam is so important, therefore, to guard against the evils of the Thrisandhya (Union of Light and Dark etc.) and to give us all prosperity.  This is to be done as a Njithya Karma – daily ritual – and at the appropriate times, i.e. Morning before the Sunrise (When the twilight is on), in the afternoon when the Sun is exactly on top of us and in the evening before the Sun sets (exactly at the time of twilight).  KAANAATHE KONAATHE KANDU KADANAI KODU  is the proverb we are told by our elders.  First one says before seeing the Sunrise, second one means when Sun is in straight line ahead and third one means when the Sun is visible just before setting.  The three meeting points of changes in nature are so important that the Thrikala Sandhya Vandanam is prescribed.

Other religions prescribe similar prayers in these three times -  Muslims do Namaas, Christians pray in church all the three times, Parsis go to Fire temple and pray etc. etc.  This is not only for Hindus and particularly for Brahmins but in all religions, this principle is involved in different ways and practices.  Brahmins are the givers of knowledge and they should strengthen themselves to be fit enough to be the guide to others.  This is the duty of Brahmin.  Hence this particular method of preparing oneself through Nithya Karmas inclusive of Thrikala Sandhya Vandanam prescribed.

Time Factor:;

The Sastras prescribe times to be observed for the thrikala Sandhya Vandanam with some objective or purpose.  It must have some beneficial effect.  First appearance is always good and helpful.  We have to guard against evils and seek good when a thing happens.  Therefore, we have to prepare and seek the guidance prior to the happening.  Once the effect is already on, you cannot change it.  You want some money from your father.  When will you ask him? Early morning before his mind is occupied with other tensions, isn’t it?  You want some food.  When will you ask your mother?  By noon.  If you ask before, the food is not ready and if you ask after lunch, the food would been fully consumed.  There will be nothing to give.  So, at noon you have to ask for it exactly at noon.  At night when will you ask your father for permission to do anything?  Just before he goes to sleep.  After he sleeps you cannot seek.  Hence, before he sleeps.  This is the normal way we seek something from elders.  Also if you do not eat when hungry, but later, what will happen?  Till then you will suffer with hunger and when you eat, you will get gas formation and acidity etc and will suffer.  How long can you hold nature’ call?  If you do not attend, it will create some kidney or bladder problem in course of time.  Hence, observing time frame is most important even in day-to-day life.

Similarly, When Sun rises, he is soft, less hot and pleasant and before he starts flowing down we should ask so that he can include our wish in the blessings that he sends.  At noon, before the sun changes his direction from top towards down, so that the effect will be always positive.  Once he starts downward journey the effect also goes down.   In the evening, before the Sun disappears, you have to ask him what you want or give your oblations so that he will accept it before disappearing.  This is the reason why time is prescribed for Thrikala Sandhya Vandanam and why it is important to observe strictly the time frame..

Effect for doing without a time frame:

Now if you do Sandhayavandanam fully with concentration and correctly but not within the time frame, the effect for your perfection will be there but because of the delay, the full effect may not be there.  However, there will be effect and blessings – though in a small measure – even if you do it beyond the prescribed time.  In to-day’s condition, it is not possible to observe the time frame.  However, we should perform even outside the time-frame so that we will have the discipline of performing the bounden duty and get whatever little effect that is in store.    Can you forego food if you are not able to take in time?  How long?  What will happen?  You will lose your appetite and ultimately your health.  Therefore, it is always better to perform late than never.  This will avoid the negative effect and will bring whatever little benefit available by performing late.

Direction:

The rules prescribe that the Sandhya Vandanams should be done facing some specific directions for certain mantras.  In the morning you sit facing East because naturally Sun rises in East and hence you have to face him while praying.  In the after noon he has not crossed over the upper horizon and is still in the morning horizon. Therefore, you can face East for Madhyannikam.  Some people sit facing North.  This is because Sun is in the Middle – neither East nor West.  Hence they consider North as the Centre point.  Well, I am not quite clear here.  In the evening, the Sun sets at West and you have to face him to pray. Here again some people face north while doing japa while arkyam is given facing west.  This is because, even if Sun is at West by the time we do Arkyam, He would probably have set when we do japa.  Hence, they may be of the opinion that North is common and always good for Gayathri Japam..  As far as I am concerned, I always face East, East and West , whatever be the time of performance.

During the Japam, after Gayathri chanting, we get up and pray – first facing East  “MITHRASYA CHARSHANEER DHRUTHAH”(Morning), Aasathyena Rajasa” (Noon),  IMAM ME VARUNA” (Evening), then facing South YAMAYA DHARMA RAAJAAYA” and then facing north “RUTHAGUM SATHYAM:” and then facing the original direction (East or West as the case may be), ‘NAMASSAVITHRE JAGADEGA CHAKSHUSHE”.  The idea in facing different sides is to pray to the corresponding Gods.  East and West you can understand it is to the Sun, South it is to the Yama Dharma to protect us and to the North to Ganapathy to cut asunder the obstacles. Also North is the seat of Siva, who is the Iswara to the world.  We naturally pray to him for all prosperity.  When you go deep into the meaning, we will be able to understand more on the purpose. 

Conclusion:

By performing Sandhya Vandanam, we are seeking relief from the sins committed, knowingly or unknowingly from morning till night, pray for guidance to lead a noble life and to give us strength to follow our scriptures for which the Sun That which illumines the entire universe may glow through me and enlighten my limbs so that I can perform without hindrance my bounden duties.    It is not necessary to know the meaning of each manthra in order to get the desired result.  If we follow the meters and swaras properly and chant the manthras, we will get the effect without knowing the meaning.  But, if one studies the meaning and performs, the satisfaction one gets will be doubled or manifold.  The importance of performing Sandhya Vandanam need not be overstressed as it is part of us just like our other daily duties.  For non Brahmins and people of other religions also therea re prayers prescribed for different times, since the effect of sandhi is common and everyone should be guarded against ill-effects. 

OM SANTHI; SANTHI; SANTHI: