Friday, October 17, 2014

INTRODUCING SRILALITAA SAHASRANAAMAM............


Introducing  Srilalitaa  Sahasranaamam….........

(Compilation for a discourse at Sri Ganesha Temple, Nashville, TN. USA, October 2014)

There can be no end to the introduction of the numbers of  divine names of Devi. Has she only thousand names? Who knows and who can limit? Thousand names are all that we can comprehend! Devi in her aspect of Srilalita is more widely and popularly worshiped in South India as Tripurasundari.  She is invoked in Srichakra Yantra, meditated upon by the Panchadasee-vidyaa which is the most sacred for the Goddess and worshiped by reciting Trisati or Srilalitaa Sahasranaamam, the thousand Names after the Japa. This is elucidated  in   the Sahasranaama verses 23 and 25 as follows:

Japaante keertayen-nitya-midam naama-sahasrakam |
Japa-poojyaadya-saktaschet pathennama-sahasrakam || 23 ||
Idam naamasahasram tam keertayen-nityakarmavat |
Chakraraaja- archanam devyaah japo naamnaam cha keertanam || 25 ||

Sahasra means thousand and naamah means name. The word naamam is derived from the root  mnaa in Sanskrit meaning that which serves the purpose of repetition.  It also means namyate anena iti--mind’s inclination towards an object. It is a means   by which the deity is revealed to the devotee.  Nama-sankeertanam is a technique employed in the worship of the deity, singing the glory of the deity.  When mind repeatedly recites the names with devotion the mind is focused on the deity within. While Japa (meditation) is focused on a single name as Moola mantra repeatedly, Naamaparayana is recitation of number of names usually 12, 28, 108, 300 or 1000.  While the former is for concentration the latter is for articulation. Lalitaa Sahasranaama is really a prayer for articulation like Ramayan Path or Paaraayana about which we recently talked about.  The word Japa consists of two letters Ja and Pa.   Scriptures say:  Jakaaro janmavicchedaha pakaaraa paapanaasana. Ja stands for the consequent cessation of the cycle of births and deaths; and Pa stands for the purification and redemption from all sins and sinful   propensities.

Practically every deity of Hindu Pantheon has three modes of manifestation. Moorti worship (the three dimensional form which includes Linga and Saalagraama) which can be sculpted; Yantra, a two dimensional form which can be drawn; Mantra, the sound form which can be contemplated upon.  Moorti Upaasana and Mantra are popular in Aaagama worship as Archanaa Moorti.  Yantra and Mantra are prescribed in Tantric worship. Mantra when administered by a Guru, received with reverence and repeated with faith is capable of revealing the form of deity within one’s own body and mind.  It happened to people like   Ramakrishna Parmahamsa and others. Yantra when properly drawn and installed like a deity gets charged as it were, binding the contemplated deity to itself. This has been elaborately described and explained in the discourse on Srichakra. Among the chakras Srichakra is most popular and is installed by Adi   Sankara at Kamaakshi Temple, Jonnawada, Nellore, A.P.,  Vadivudai Amman Temple, Tiruvottiyur, Tamil Nadu, Mookambika Temple at Kolluru, Karnataka;  some other famous temples are Kamakhya Temple, Pasupatinatha Temple, Nepal  and Kaamaakshi  Temple Kanchipuram. In USA, Paraaskti Temple in Pontiac, Michigan has installed Srichakra.

The names in Ashtottara (108), Trisati (300) and Sahasranama (1000) are all independent but have a common spiritual purpose of focusing on Devi as Paraasakti, Supreme energy. Lalitasahasranama(LSN) itself says recitation of single name among thousand would suffice as Vishnu Sahasra Naama(VSN) says that recitation of the name   Rama alone (Sri Rama Rameti) is enough to get the full benefit. Therefore one may select the names that appeal to one and recite. Unlike VSN the names in LSN are long and symbolism of each name needs to be understood and comprehended to make recital fruitful. LSN names are more for contemplation than recitation.
Lalita Sahasranama does not have superfluous addition of letters (g) just to complete the poetic meter and also  the   addition of “cha”  as   in  Chamakam. The names are not repeated as in VSN and are free from the flaw of repetition of the same description. So each name has its sanctity and importance. Each of the word in LSN has a distinct connotation which can be explained only by experts or Gurus.

LSN is found in Brhamanda Purana in its Uttarakanda. It is presumed to have been delivered by Hayagreeva, Horse-necked    human incarnation of Vishnu sacred to Vaishnava followers. The eight Goddesses of Srichakra Vaasini, Kaamesee, Modinee, Vimalaa, Arunaa, Jayinee, Sarvesee and Kaulinee known as Vagdevatas close to the Mother are said to have eulogized LSN stationed in the eight sided figure Ashtaara called Sarva-roga-hara Chakra. Mother Goddess is presumed to have revealed her mysteries and power to them only and they in turn have revealed that to us in the thousand names. They too seem to have selected a thousand out of the infinite number of names to help devotees to quickly realize the benefits who in turn has given the option to devotees at least to recite one name repeatedly.

Just like VSN, though most of the names have the characteristic feminine ending, there are also names which have masculine and neuter ending. This shows the Divinity as Power is Pure Bliss and has no figure whatever. This is like Parabrahman in Vedanta concept.  That is why she is often addressed as Paraasakti. The entire 1000 names are taken as Maalaa Mantra or garland of Mantras. But they are classified several ways by various authors. One classification by Paribhaasha-sesha groups them to ten each containing 100 names—1) Sri Maata; 2) Mani-poo-ranaantar-uditaa; 3) Sadgati-pradaa; 4) Hree-kaaree; 5) Vividhaakaaraa; 6) Gudaanna—preetimaanasaa;  7) Dur-andolita-dirghaakshaa; 8) Desa-kaala-Paricchinaa; 9) Pushtaa; 10) Naada-roopinee. Of the fifty one letters of the Sanskrit Alphabet only 32 have been selected in selecting the first letter of the thousand names. Among the vowels the first five and am have been chosen. It is believed only letters which are divinities are chosen called Maatrikas and the rest which are harmful have not been chosen to help the devotees. But this does not sound alright as all letters of the Sanskrit alphabet are alike and Maatrikas. Probably those letters left out are hard to pronounce or hard to start a name with which one could end in wrong pronunciation. In the LSN she is described as Maatrikaa-varna-roopinee (577) and Varnaroopinee (850) which means all letters. Even Vagdevatas are grouped among all the letters.  Narayansookta describes Brahman or Naarayana as:   sa indrah sa aksharah --he is Indra; he is letter.

LSN has three parts or chapters--Introductory, Middle part of thousand names and the Last part of LSN Pathanaphalasruti- benefit derived from chanting LSN, like VSN seem to be added later. Phalasruti of VSN is  not found in Mahabharata. From the literary point of view the author for both LSN and VNS is Vedavyaasa as all Puraanas are attributed to his authorship. The actual text of LSN is in the form of couplets in the Anushtup meter retaining the names only in the nominative case.   Each line contains one or more names and the thousand names are in an unbroken garland form of 183 couplets. The last line announces:  “thus the 1000 names of Srilalitaadevi are uttered--Evam Srilalitaadevyaah naamnaam sahasrakam jaguh || “

LSN in couplet form called stotra is good for recitation as paatha but not convenient as worship format for offering flower, leaf or vermilion (called archana or worshipful offer) while chanting each name individually as in temple or home worship. So when the names are used in worship, these names are taken out individually. These are called naamaavalis and not stotras. This process started with Vishnu-Sahasranaamaavali. For every Sahasranaamastotra or Ashtottara-sata-stotram for a particular deity we have today Sahasranaamaavali or Ashtottara Satanaamaavali or simply called Ashtottaram. Each name in Stotra which is in nominative case is converted to dative case with “Om” as prefix and “Namah” as suffix as shown below:

The first line of first sloka of LSN reads as follows: “Srimaataa sri mahaaraajnee srimat simhaasaneswaree”. There are three names in this which is split as follows in archana form:      1) Om Srimaatre   namah; 2) Om Srisimharaajinyai namah; 3) Om Srimat Simhaasanesvaryai  namah 

Volumes can be written on the first letter word Mystic Om the very first sound that emerged when Brahma manifested in the phenomenal Context (naada-braahmam). The expression denotes the absolute Brahaman-(Om tad Brahma). No religious worship, ritual or activity begins without first uttering the  mystic word Om like homa (sacrifice), japa (sacred chanting ), poojaa (worship), prayaschitta (expiations), Dhyaana(Meditation), Sandhyavandana (daily ritual), samskaara (sacrament) etc. To be very effective words are packed between two Oms—“Om bhoorbhuvasxsuvar Om” Hreem is the seed syllable in Taantric rituals as the taantric equivalent of Vedic Om, yet hreem is not used while  performing Ashtottara Sata  or Sahasnaama worship. The terminal sound in m in hreem has bindu anuswara along with the crescent moon or half-moon period as in Om which are present only when articulated, and not when written. The complex seed Om is identified with Brahman and hreem with Mother Goddess, whose presence and power are sought to be packed into the Mantra.  Maatrkosa   says it is Om that contributes to the stability to the Mantra and makes it effective—Omkaaro vartulastaaro mantraadyah pranavo dhruvah. At the end the lips are not closed as is with   normal am (period) and the sound somewhat lengthened to show its transcendental nature or Tureeya Avastha (fourth Phase)

Om is a composite of a, u, ma which symbolizes several triads—Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu, Siva; The three Vedas—Rig, Yajus, Saama; The three worlds—Bhooh (Earth), Bhuvah (Mid region), Suvah (Heaven); the three effulgence, Agni (fire), Soma(moon),  Soorya (sun)-the three eyes of Siva; the three states of existence—wakeful, dream, deep sleep: the three conditions of Consciousness—antahprajna, bahirprjna and ghanaprajna; three kinds of Power—Icchaasakti, Kriyaasakti, Jnaanasakti; The three genders—Pullinga, Streelinga and Nishkalaalinga and others. All things in the universe are pervade by Om. According to Brihat-parasara Smriti without Om no sound can be uttered and nothing can be communicated.

The names chanted in the Sahasranaama are descriptive of the various manifestations,   glory and beauty of Mother Goddess. The thousand names show unity and continuity, the oneness of Supreme Principle with no second, pervading the universe and transcending it. This form has no gender or sex, attribute or character and is hailed as Nirguna and Nishkala.  In other words it is   Brahman alone.  This is what the Om added to the name signifies. Om is added only in the beginning in Sahasranaama. While chanting the names slight pause is made after each name after each namah.  Namah means paying obeisance. It is the termination of each mantra like the Om which is the beginning. Without Om at the beginning would fail to be a mantra and makes the mere name ineffective.

Before starting the Sahasranama Japa it is customary to do Sankalpa  resolution and  it is also customary to announce the  name of the deity, the seer (the author) of the mantra and the meter(chhandas) in which the mantra occurs.  For LSN the deity is Lalitaa also referred as Lalitaamba, Lalitaa Paraabhattaarika, Lalitaa-tripurasundari.  As regards the seer, the eight Vaagdevatas headed by Vasinee are mentioned.  The meter in which this composition of  Maalaa Mantra  or LSN stotram appears is given Anushtup, same as VSN. In fact all Sahasranama slokas seems to have the same meter started by Valmiki in his Adikavya Ramayana whose soka (grief) turned to Sloka (couplet). It is customary to symbolically place the three details Devataa, Rishi and Chhandas on the parts of the body. This is done by touching the heart announcing the name of the deity, touching the head and announcing the name of the Seer or rishi and touching the tongue or mouth announcing the meter or Chhandas (prosody). This is to remind the Goddess is in one’s heart, the seer is the preceptor and so must be held on the top of the head (Gururbrahma—preceptor is Brahman) and to remind the meter has to be articulated. It is a common sight to observe lips of the devotee are moving while silent chanting or meditating even though no voice is heard. The purpose of chanting thousand names of Lalita is to lead a good life reaping the full benefit of all the four Purusharthas (aspirations of human life)--Dharma (virtue), Artha (prosperity), Kaama (pleasures) and Moksha (liberation devoid of Moha). Moksha consists of two words Moha+Kshya=Moksha, that is to attain a status when one does not feel the need for any desire other than merging with   Paraasakti.

REFERENCES:
1.  Krisnayya Setty & Sons, Sri Lalita Sahasranaama, Bengaluru, India.
2. Swami Chinmayananda, Thousands names to the All Pervading, Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Mumbai, India.
3. Anna, Soundaryalaharee, Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai, India.
4. Ramachadra Rao, S.K., Srividya Kosa, Sri Satguru Publications,   Delhi, India.


[This discourse material is a compilation from the reference above    as well as other sources for a prepared lecture for delivering at Vedanta Class of Sri Ganeha Temple which is gratefully acknowledged. I do not claim anything as original though I have included my explanations and comments elaborately suitably editing. Anybody is free to download partly or fully this discourse, modify and redistribute this as well as other  discourses from the blog Hindu Reflections <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for spreading the wisdom of Vedas and scriptures further.  These  lectures are  posted on the blog for the benefit of those who are not able to attend my lectures personally due to personal reasons or due to not living in Nashville or able to go through the various sources as I have done.]


Saturday, October 11, 2014

PROLOGUE TO SANDHYAVANDANAM RITUALS OF HINDUS


Prologue to Sandhyavandanam Rituals of Hindus

(Compilation for a discourse by N.R. Srinivasan, Nashville, TN, USA, October 2014)

Sandhyavandanam is a Nityakarma (daily ritual) prescribed by Hindu Sastras to all who have undergone Upanayana Samskaram and who are called Dwijas. It is Karmayoga, Bhaktiyoga and Jnaanayoga combined says Jagadguru Chndrasekharananda.  It unites the three paths of Karma, devotion and Knowledge.

Sandhyavandana ritual procedures as is practiced to-day and earlier described in my 3 discourses are not found in Vedas or Upanishads as such. But all the important mantras contained in them are found in various Upanishads and particularly in Mahanarayana Upanishad which is otherwise known as Yajniki Upanishad as it contains almost all ritual mantras used in Hindu worship. Also Kesavaadi Tarapana, Japa and Achamana are based on Paanchaatra Doctrine of Bhaagavata Tradition which has found favor with all later sectarian traditions like Bhagavadgeeta. Some of these Veda and Puranic sources are given below:

There are references in the Veda  in  Second Prasna, Second Anuvaka of Taittareeya Aranyaka (Yajur Veda)  explaining procedures of worship by  offering "Arghya" (water in the palms of both hands being  thrown up), at the time of sunrise and sunset, meditating on Aditya (Sun).
Eesaavasya upanishad of Shukla Yajurveda also refers to Sun worship as above at sun rise and sunset in mantras 15 and 16.

Chandogya upanishad says Aditya is Brahmapurusha and one may meditate upon Sun alone as Brahman.  It also    explains the importance of meditation of Sun or Aditya at sunrise   and sunset. Chapter 3, Section 12 of this Upanishad explains meditation of Aditya through Gayatri Sadrisyaanuroopa Vidya. It also explains that the sun in the horizon outside and the sun element inside us are one and the same and there is no difference and the identity should be kept in mind while meditating with the help of Gayatri Mantra. This is the meaning of "Asavadityoe Brahma" recited during Sandyavandanam there by meaning Brahman is within all of us.

Several mantras contained in Mahaanaaraayana Upanishad (MNU) formed the basis for Sandhyaavanadana  Prayer  Mantras   without making any reference to Upanayana ritual,   compiled by Smritis  later where these mantras along with Gayatree mantra are inducted during Upanayana—Aaachamana mantra (sipping water for purification);Invocation of Gayatree (Aayaatu); Three types of Pranaayaama (Gayatree) Mantras and Upasthaana Mantra of Gayatree (Farewell to Gayatree). MNU also says the Supreme Power of Vishnu is signified by the names Rik, Yajus and Saaman; this trinity burns all sins and that resides resplendent in the Sun who should be meditated upon as Brahman.

Taittariya samhitha says: agnih poorvaoopam adityah uttara roopam--Agni is Suryadeva’s first part; Aditya is his later part. For morning Surya is the presiding deity; for night, Agni is the presiding deity (as prescribed in Sandhyavandana ritual)
Agnirjyotiragniswaahaa iti saayam juhoti sooryojyotisoorya swaahaa iti pratariti
Saayankaala is moksharoopa. When a man gets moksha, he gets into Saayam sandhya philosophy   and gets the real knowledge (Jnaana).  Therefore, Saayam Sandhya (evening prayer) is equally very important and has profound basis.
Sage Agasthya explains to Sri Rama, the merits of worshipping Aditya in Valmiki Ramayana Yuddhakanda. Aditya protects everyone, helps them in their duties, gives luster, removes ignorance and provides happiness. He is friend of water and resides in every living being.

Garuda Puraana states that   asuras (evil forces) called Mandeha, who reside in an island called  Aruna  are trying to destroy Surya   at daybreak and sunset. The water oblation thrown upwards during Arghyam ritual   serves as a weapon to destroy them. 

The philosophical significance behind this story of Garuda Purana is worth examining even if we do not believe in the story.   Mandeha   means, man+ deha or mind + body which are clouding the Sun of resplendent Aatman (Self) in us.   Gayatri Mantra purifies us by this offering so that the inner light can be perceived by us. Also, the performer, after the Arghya ritual says, 'asaavaadityo brahma, brahmaiva ahamasmi" (the sun is verily the Brahman; Brahman is myself). In the Advaita sense, Arghyam is a reminder of the Brahman in us and Arghya is  its honoring by the offer of mantra and water.

Astra and Sastra are the two types of weapons described in Dhanurveda employed to kill enemies.  One who performs Sandhyavandana as Dwija (that includes, Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas) have the duty of discharging astras every day to destroy Asuras or the evil forces besieging mankind. Astra means that which is discharged, hurled or thrown. Arghya is a ritual in which water is thrown to drive away or destroy the demons or evil forces that have taken hold of the minds of people. This is what the story in Garuda Puraana signifies. 


A critical experiment with water by   Mr. Masaru Emoto of Japan is interesting. He took a glass of water and spoke 'thank you' to it. He then freezed the water. When he magnified the crystallized water, he was amazed to see symmetric patterns. Curious, he then cursed a glass of water with   "I hate you" and crystallized it. This time the magnified image of crystals were ugly and random. He then used Tibetan Sutras and the resulting image was of a beautiful pattern. Someone should study similar effects of Arghya mantras. Holy water in Hanuman temple is used to drive away diseases and fear in children, a common scene!


Lord Krishna who was known as Nandakumara, son of Nanda who was a Sudra was invested with the sacred thread at twelve as we learn from Bhagavata.  Progressively Sandhyavandana ritual became restrictive and now it is mostly restricted to male Brahmins by birth alone. Gayatree Japa is also restricted to men only by orthodox school of thought today. They say women benefit from the men performing the Japa. Also they say  when the three Varnas practice Gayatri-japa all other Jatis (castes and sub-castes) enjoy the benefit flowing from it.  It is also interesting to note that girls in orthodox Nambudri families undergo Upanayana Samskara even to-day. In Vedic days we hear of many renowned lady Vedic Scholars. Vedic teachers irrespective of their birth caste or sex were revered for their knowledge and excellence contrary to the modern compartmentalization. Vexed by orthodox and conservative views, many ladies pursuing Bhaktimarga   regularly recite equivalent of Sanskrit Vedas, Tamil Nalaayara Divyaprbhandam by Azhwars which are not prohibited like Vedas for ladies.  It is also interesting to note that Nammazhwar who is a Sudra was Guru of Orthodox Brahmin Ramanuja and was an authority on Vedas.

Gaayatree Japa and Arghya (water oblation) offering are the most important rites of Sandhyavandanam. Gaayantam traayate yasmaat Gayatree ityabhideeyate”—whosoever sings Gaayatree is protected say the Saastras. This mantra is the most powerful of all the mantras employed in prayers with the added Om. It has twenty-four letters of three feet (paadas) of each eight letters and is called Tripaada  Gaayatree. Each foot is the essence of a Veda—Rigveda, Samaveda and Yajurveda. Atharvaveda has its own Gaayatree and people undergo second Upanayana to receive the Atharvaveda Mantra.

Sandhyavandanam is the obeisance directed to Sun God at the meeting of the stars and sun in the twilight periods of mornings (sun rise), evenings (sunset) and at noon when Sun is at his peak on the horizon as visualized by us. Sun does not move but earth moves.   Twilight is sacred iHinduism.   It is also called Go-dhuli-vela or cow dust time. Many rituals including Sandhyavandanam and Puja are performed at twilight hour. Eating of food is not advised during this time. Sometimes it is referred to as Asura-sandhyaa vela. It is believed that Asuras  (evil forces) are active during these hours. One of the avatars of Lord VishnuNarasimha is closely associated with Twilight period. According to Hindu Scriptures a daemonic king Hiranyakashipu performed penance and obtained a boon from Brahma not to be killed during day  or night times and neither by human nor animal. As Godhulivela or twilight is not regarded as day or night, Lord Vishnu ended the life of Hiranyakasipu  during these hours.

Dawn, Midday and Dusk are hours of tranquility. At dawn all living beings including humans wake up and the mind is serene. At dusk all must be restful after day’s work. At noon sun is at its zenith and people remain at home, relaxed and rest for a while. During these hours we must meditate on Gayatri, Savitri and Saraswati says Jagadguru Chandrasekharananda Saraswati.  In the morning the dominant presence is that of Vishnu, at noon that of Brahma and at sundown of Siva. So we must meditate on Gayatri in the morning as Vishnu, at noon as Brahma and at dusk as Siva.

Traditionally Gaayatree is the name given to That Deity in the forenoon, Saavitree in the mid-day and Sarasvatee in the evening.  Gayatree is explained as that which protects the person who recites it from the various sins—(Gaayantam traayate iti  Gaayatree). The midday deity is called Saavitree because it represents Savitar who illumines the creation. The evening deity is called Sarasvatee because it represents the world in its aspect of speech. Whatever way it may be viewed the Supreme is worshiped through the Gaayatree Mantra. Traditionally Soorya,  worshiped in Sandhyaavandana is  interpreted   to denote the Supreme Being  by the Sun. Even the word Raatri is interpreted to denote the Supreme Being—ra means to give and trai means to protect. It means the protector of the Universe who confers the Purushaarthas (aspirations) to the devotees.


Gayatree is also known as Saavitree and Sarasvatee.  The Supreme Being as the in-dweller and impeller of all creations is known as Savitar and hence the passage  in praise  of him is called Saavitree. The Vedas are represented as a lake or Saras which gives the waters of life and hence the Gaayatree, as the essence of the Vedas, is called Sarasvatee. These two terms magnify Gaayatree as the object  of worship.

Hindu Saastras enjoin that Nityakarmas like Sandhyavandana should be performed at specified time.  
If such Karmas are performed otherwise, although they may   not cause injury they certainly will not be efficacious. Therefore you will find in Sandhyavandana mantra a provision made for any such time lapses: kaalaateeta praayaschittaartham tureeya arghyapradhaanam”- fourth water oblation for the late performance not sticking to observed time. This late observance should not be made into a regular habit. It is thus obvious Sandhyavandanam has to be done at appropriate time in the mornings, mid-days and evenings.

Let us now examine what these auspicious hours are for offering water oblation to Sun God:
In Tamil there is a Siddhar’s  (Sanyaasi)  recitation: “Kaanaamal Konaamal Kandu kodu”
The above statement means: “Perform morning prayer of Sandhyaavandanam  before seeing the Sun, Maadhyahneekam (Mid-day Prayer)  when the Sun is right above the head and Evening Prayer  when the Sun is still not set”.

Day based on Trigunas:

Morning   Sandhyavandana     and evening Sandhyavandana   are timed at sandhi kaala, the meeting of day and night.

When Easwara created this world, whole day was divided into 3 parts.

Satvaguna: Morning 4 AM to 8 AM. Afternoon 4 PM., and night 8 PM., totaling 8 hours is Satvaguna

Rajoguna: Morning 8 AM to afternoon 4 PM., again 8 hours

Tamoguna: Night 8PM to morning 4 AM-- 8 hours

For us, the sleep state is the most relaxing part. But it happens whn  Tamoguna time prevails. In order to come out of Tamoguna, morning Sandhyavandana is prescribed between 4am to 8am(Ushaakala) when one chants Gayatreemantra, one gets the benefit of the mantra to overcome Tamoguna.
It is still better to do after the Satvaguna time to at least give medium results. Thus Sandhyavandana practiced 3 times during day time helps in overcoming the effects of Rajo and Tamogunas and increase the Satva content.

The right time to perform Sandhya Vandanam:

What is the apt time for doing Sandhyavandanam? The name "Sandhya" means the meeting time of Day with night or night with day which is just before   sunrise and sunset.  At dawn stars disappear from our view and Sun appears which we call Arunodaya. At Dusk the sun disappears and Stars appear.

Ajyotisho darsanat sandhi, jyotisho bhanutare-- Sandhi is the time when the sun and the stars are together visible. The practical thing therefore will be to start:
i) In the morning start Sandhyavandana  before sunrise, give Arghyam during sunrise and finish just after sunrise.
ii) In the evening, begin before sunset, give Arghyam during sunset and finish later.

For those who cannot cope up with their timings, Shastra says for praatha (morning) Sandhyavandhana:

Uttama tarakopeta madhyama lupta taraka | Adhama urya sahita prata: sandhya tridha mana

Praatah  sandhyaavandanam (Morning Prayer): when the stars are visible, yet before full Sun rise, it is called Uttama (first grade.); Madhyama is, (middle grade) when doing without the visibility of stars; and Adhama (least grade when Sun is visible) i.e. after full sun rise of the day.
Similarly: Uttama suryasahita maddhyama anudita taraka |Adhma tarakopeta sayam Sandhyaa-tridhaa-mata 

Saayam  Sandhyavandanam (evening Prayer): it is Uttama i.e. perfect to do while the sun is still shining; Madhyama when doing before stars are visible; Adhama after the stars are fully visible.

The morning and evening Sandhis (meeting points) are more ideal since, practically, a person's stomach will be empty at both sunrise and sunset, when a person takes his meals systematically and punctually every day.  An empty stomach is achieved after four hours of a solid meal. An empty stomach is a prerequisite for Sandhyavandanam since there are at least three sets of Praanayama (controlling of Vital forces totaling 15 in one full routine. A loaded stomach will interfere with Praanayama greatly resulting in indigestion, sleepiness etc. Even the Madhyahneekam (noon) routine is done with an empty stomach before the meal. 

Sandhyaavandana is to be performed holding one’s breath. If we do this all evil forces will be destroyed. But in practice what we do is to hold our nose with one finger. The sastras do not say “naasikaam aayamya” but Praanaan aayamya” It means instead of merely holding the nose, control the vital forces, the Praana (five vital forces or vital breath).
I have not come across references to  Sandhyavandana Rites and Rituals  or Upakarma Sacrament   as is in vogue to-day  in Vedas or Upanishads. Perhaps  these have been progressively introduced by later by  Smritis  based on Brahmopasana, Adityopasana and Gayatree Upaasana found in various Upanishads,  worship of Elemental deities  like Prithvee, Aapah , Agni etc. and also compartmentalized by orthodoxy of Caste-system.

Sankalpa, Aachamana, Praanaayaama, Kesavaadi Japa, Gayatree Japa, Gayatree Arghya, Kesavaadi tarpana and Abhivaadana seem to be the essentials in Sandhyavandana. Despite various traditions, Vaaishnava, Saiva, Smaarta and Sakta, Achamana and Kesavaadi Japa and Tarpana are followed by all traditions in spite of being directed to Chaturvimsati concept of Pancharatra Vaishnavism. Arghya is pouring water upwards directed to Sun in the morning and afternoon  prayers facing east  employing Gaayatree mantra and facing North directed to Agni in the evening prayers. Arghya is always to Gayatree and employs first two paadas (2 steps of 8 syllables) of Praanaayaama mantra of 3 steps of 24 syllables. Kesvaadi Japa and Kesavaaadi Tarpana (water oblation to please the Lord; Tarpana means to satisfy)   restricts itself mostly to twelve names of Vishnu out of twenty- four classical forms of Vishnu.  These twelve names are also used to sanctify twelve parts of the body with Kesavaaadi mantra and to energize.  The twenty-four classical forms of Vishnu correspond to twenty-four syllables of Praanaayaama Gayatree mantra. (Please refer to my discourse on Vishnu in Pancharatra Concept). Very orthodox Srivaishnavas employ all the twenty-four names of Vishnu along with the 24 names of their spouses during Sandhyavandana.  It is also interesting to note that warriors in Mahabharata War performed Arghyapradhaana with dust (soil) as water source was not available in the battle-field.

According to Pancharatra doctrine, each of the four Vyuhas or primary emanatory forms of Vishnu bring forth three other forms, which are regarded as Vyuhaantara or secondary and emanatory:  1) From Vasudeva emanate Kesava, Narayana and Madhava; 2) from Sankarshana     emanate Govinda, Vishnu and Madhusudana; 3) from Pradyumna emanate Trivikrama, Vamana and Sridhara;    4) from Aniruddha emanate, Hrishikesa, Padmanabha and Damodara. These are the twelve names used in sanctifying the twelve body parts, Kesavaadi Japa and Kesavaadi Tarpana. The twelve secondary emanations are together called Moortyaantara or Dwaadasa-Moorti. From these twelve secondary forms 8 other manifestations of the four primary   Vyuha-moortis arise. Together they form 24 Moortis (including 4 Primary Vyuhas) to correspond 24 syllables of Gayatree praanaayaam mantra.


Physical Benefits and Health Improvement

Regular recitation of Sandhyavandanam helps regulating the blood pressure and the postures in which these the entire practice is performed helps in overall muscle rejuvenation.
Sandhyavandana   routine includes Breathing exercises (inhaling/breathing from one nostril and releasing the carbon-di-oxide through other nostril and alternating vice versa  called Praanaayaamam, thus expanding and enlarging one’s  lungs, and improving his blood circulation level. Because of this routine practice every one who undergoes this sort of training learns to control his breath and learns to control his entire body mechanism.

While doing so, he is made to recite the Supreme Japam called "Gayatri"   verse that cleanses the 
inner soul by repeated chanting.  By reciting this "Gayatri" for a specific counts of times (say 108 or 1008 times, thrice a day) improves  individual’s  skills and ability, increases ones memory power, and protects him from any major ailments. It looks as though Quote from Memory and memorizing poetry and multiplication tables etc., found in present day school practices are the result of long and ancient  religious training in memorizing Mantras.

The practice of Sandhya Vandanam in itself is daily performed without fail at a calm peaceful atmosphere or in knee-deep waters. This enables the practitioners to control their emotions and temperament.  Sun being a Star, passes its rays all the time, whether day or night.  Without its power, none on the earth can exist.  Vedic scriptures teach using these powers for the good of humanity.  Solar energy can be used not just to produce electricity for batteries etc., but also to recharge one’s own body mechanism.  As the body too produces electricity and magnetic phases, it is no wonder that sages in Vedic age sought after fittest way to live, healthier and longer with their scientific religious practices.  

During the noon prayer or Maadhyaanika Sandhyaavandanam, it is also necessary to perform Soorya Namaskaaram (Worshiping the Star Sun). There is a systematic way to view the Sun with finger   window arrangement for an aperture (Yama paasa mudra)   and to absorb the rays (solar energy) into the body while chanting the mantra “Pasyema saradassatam…. jyokchasooryam drise”.  It is widely believed that this Surya Namaskaram cleanses the eye lenses. This practice prevented ancient people from early blindness. (Looking at the Sun directly may blind your sight and damage your eye lenses, so please learn it from a person who knows it well). While doing this too, they had to chant a prayer dedicated to the Lord and Star Sun, and this vibration, combined with viewing the Sun in a methodical way, increases one’s physical strength.

  
AACHAMANA EXPIATION MANTRAS ARE NOT BASED ON SRUTI

The Achamana mantra popularly used  seems to have originated from the Padma Purana but it is not explicitly mentioned these as Achamana mantras.  Padma Purana says:


 ....As the churning started, innumerable of the proud Danavas who opted for the head of thousand faced Vasuki out of pride got perished due to the poisonous flames where as Devas were at the tail end.  Eventally, a massive ‘Halahala’ or the sky-rocketing poisonous flames engulfed the Univerese and by the grace of Three Names of Lord Vishnu viz. Om Achyutaya Namah, Om Anantaya Namah and Om Govindaya Namah, Bhagavan Shankara gulped the blue poisonous flames in his throat thus giving him the epithet of Neela Kantha. By the power of the three names of Vishnu, there would never be any hardship faced:


Achyutaananta Govinda iti naamatrayam Maha Mantram hareh/ yo japetpriyato Bhaktaayaa Pranavaadhyam namontakam/ Tasya Mrityu bhayam naasti visharogaagnijam mahat/ Naamatrayam Maha Mantramjapedyam prayatatmavaan/ Kaala Mrityu bhayam chaapi tasya naasti kimanyatah


Whoever recites the Three Names viz. Om Achyutaaya, Om Anantaaya, and Om Govindaaya sincerely and with dedication, none of the poisonous diseases or Agni- based frights/deaths would affect)!


Another noteworthy point is that a common feature in most Achamanas that are found in the Smrithis/Puranas is that they all use Vaishnava mantras.


1.      Yajanavalkya Smriti says:

He shall perform ācamana thrice and Unmarjana (wiping off) twice. He shall touch the mouth and other parts of the body etc. The water shall be undisturbed and free from bubbles. This rite is called anga sparsa and consists of reciting the 12 names of Vishnu while touching certain parts of the body


o, the Achamana in question seems to be mentioned in the aforesaid Smriti as well.  Here Angasparsha refers to the touching of various body parts with the 12 names of Lord Vishnu viz- Keshava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda ....etc which follow the three sips and & thus completes the process .

2.      Three sips with the Gayatri Mantra--Narada Purana)

3.      Three sips with the Mantras --Om Keshavaya Swaha, Narayana Swaha, Govindaya Swah--Devi Bhagwatam)

4.       Three sips with another Vishnu Mantra --" With pre-collected water in a shankha or conch-shell or at least in a bowl of Kushaa, then perform three ‘Aachamanas’ or sips of spoonful of water while reciting the Mantra: Apavitrah pavitrovaa sarva[-asthaangatopiva,  Yassmaret Pundareekaakhsham sa bahyaantaraas-suchih ||

This would be followed by the Aghamarshana Mantras --Linga Purana

5.      The following mantras are used by Paipladins (a Shaka of Atharvaveda):

            Om Pranaya Swaha, Apanaya Swaha,Vyanaya Swaha,

6.             Saunaka Shaka(of Atharva Veda) mantras are as below:

              Om Jiva stha jivyasaM sarvamayurjivyasaM

              Om Upajiva sthaop jivyasaM sarvamayurjivyasaM

              Om Sanjiva stha Sam jivyasaM sarvamayurjivyasaM

              Jeevalaa stha jeevyaasam sarvamaayurjeebvyaasam

7.      Sri Vidya Tatva achamana : Om Atma tatvam shodyami swaha, Vidya tatvam shodayami swaha, Siva tatvam shodayami swaha & Sarva tatvam shodayami swaha

8.      For Chinnamasta (or Nila Sarswati Sandhya Prayoga etc) Achamana Mantras are as follows: Om atma tatvaya swaha,Vidya tatvaya Swaha,Siva tatvaya swaha.

9.      The followers of Arya Samaj use the following mantras:

Sip water from the right palm 3 times after each mantra; Om amrito pas-taranam-asi swaahaa. Om amrita-pidhaanam-asi swaahaa. Om Satyam yashah shreer mayi shreeh shra-ya-taam swaahaa. These Mantras should be from Vedas and Samhitas  (because Arya Samaj gives only Vedas the status of Hindu Shastra & no other).

10.   yet another one(Not sure which sampradaya/sect/shakha use it but the mantras used are from Atharva Veda): 3 Sips with the mantra: Om Sham no devir abhistaya apo bhavantu pitaye sham yor abhi sravantu nah followed by Angasparsha with mantras like  Vag Vak , Pranah Pranaha,Chaksush Chaksush,Shrotram Shrotram....etc

   





REFERENCES:
1)  Jagadguru Chandrasekharananda Saraswati, Dharma, Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, Mumbai, India
2)  Ramachandra rao, S.K., VishnU Kosha, Kalpataru Research Academy,  Bengaluru, India.
3)  Varadaraja Tirumale, Veda Marga, Sri Lakshmi Hayagrieva Trust, Bengaluru, India.
4)  Swami Harshananda, The Ten cardinal Upanishads, Ramakrishna Math, Bengaluru India.
5) Ananta Rangacharya, Principal Upanishads,  Bengaluru, India.
6) Various Internet Sources--Wikipedia, Sanatana Dharma, Srivaishnava site etc.
7) Swami Vimalananda, Mahanarayana Upanishad, Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India.

APPENDIX

I  received an  interesting article on Sandhyavandana   titled "Vedic Sandhya-vandana Upasana" in Malayalam by Brahmasri P.S.Ramanathan-Disciple of Brahmasri. Sangameswara Sastrigal published in 1985 at Calicut Following Sayana Bashyam, sent by one of my learned participants to my regular E-mail <nadipuram@hotmail.com>


The author of this book  names this  as Vedic Sandhyopasanam and feels in our current practices we have been too much influenced by Puranas like in all our rituals and worship. Let us hear  to what he Says:
 
APPENDIX  I


Critical Review of Sandhyaavandana Mantras in  the light of Vedic Mantras

It is well known that Vedas are authority for all our doubts. (Veda Akhilo Dharma Moolam). Righteous code of conduct as prescribed in Vedas is Dharma. Those who protect Vedas will certainly get divine blessings. Vedic injunctions are permanent and cannot be altered. (Dharmo Rakshati Rakhitah).

Smrithi has divided Dharma into 6 parts. They are Varna Dharma,   Ashrama Dharma, Varnasrama Dharma, Guna dharma, Nimitha Dharma and day to day Sadharana Dharma.

Ahimsa; Truthfulness; Non-stealing; Soucham; Control of mind—all these come under  routine duties which  are Sandhya, Japam, Homam, Devatha Poojanam, Adhithyam and Vaiswadevam. The duties (karmas) under the head of Vedas are classified as follows:- NITHYAM- NAIMITHIKAM - KAMYAM AND NISHIDDHAM.

Nithyakarma:- by performing this no special Punya ( moral good) is acquired; but by not performing the same papas ( sins) are accrued.

Naimithika  Karma: - Karma to be performed because of special occasions like Tarpanam  (oblation) during Eclipse etc.

Kaamya Karma: - This is performed to obtain the desired result.  For example,  invoking Lord Varuna in the sacrifice to get rain.

Nishiddha Karma: - Such karmas which should not be followed or performed.

By performing daily karmas with Sraddha (sense of involvement) and devotion one can obtain Chittha Sudhi  (mind purity)which is a preliminary requirement to progress further in our life.

Sandhya is the best time to perform Dhyana or meditation. The twilight time between the day and night is called Sandhya. Sandhya is also called as Sakthi from which entire world has come into existence and is beyond Maayaa (illusion) and formed out of three tattvas (principles) i.e. Jeeva-Eswara-and Nature. Sandhya Upasana (worship) is a vaidheeka (vedic mandate) karma by which one prays the Supreme Lord to forgive us and to remove all our sins. Tejas (glow) is a derivative of Jnanam. Similarly water is the derivative of worship. While performing Sandhya Upasana we offer water as worship to the Supreme Lord and by doing that we surrender ourselves to Him in totality. Long life; Knowledge; Fame; Name; and Brahma Tejas (greatness of Brahaman) can be acquired by performing Daily Sandhya with Sraddha and devotion. Sandhya Anushtanam (performance) is a must daily duty and the real strength of a Brahmana   which is in the this worship. During early period ARGHYAM- GAYATHRI JAPAM- AND DHYANAM (MEDITATION) were the main ingredients for all followers of Veda. But later different methods came into existence.

To mention a few additions that came into existence are Jalapradhaana Mantra (water oblation), Devata Tarpanam (oblations to deities), Slokas (hymns) from Puranas, Obeisance  to Siva Vishnu and Yama etc. Upasthana (concluding) Mantras also vary from one branch  of Veda  to another. Whatever it may be the ultimate aim is to acquire purity of mind (Chittha Suddhi).   By this one can get rid of one’s sins and that leads to Jnaanam (divine knowledge) which in turn leads to liberation (Moksha) in the end.

In Sandhyavandanam ritual a person who knows that the sun is the same as the Supreme Brahman meditates on the sun and performs circumambulation enjoys all happiness.  He, who knows this secret of identity that he himself is Brahman, attains Brahman. Sandhya means the time when day and night meet and vandanam means thanks giving to the Lord Supreme. Performing of Madhyahnikam is an orthodox derivation.
The first and foremost function in the Sandhyaavandana ritual is purification of mouth and lips (Aachamanam ritual). They are of three types (Sruti – Smrithi- Purana). Sruti achamanam is mentioned in the Taittareeya Aranyaka- where it is said that the following mantra “Vidhyudasi Vidhya may Papmanam ritaat sathya Mupaimi” is chanted and water is touched. Meaning of this  mantra is as follows: - You are lightening. Remove my sins. Through truth I attain unto Truth. After washing hands -Three times aachamanam is followed by two times lips wash and again after washing of palm head, eyes, ears, nose, heart etc. are touched to signify the intention to purify (This system is followed during Brahma Yagna).  Smrithi Achamanam is of two types. Srauta and Smaarta. In Srauta, aachamanam is followed by recitation of three pada Gayathri then 21 parts of the body are touched. While performing mantras are recited- nine ablingas by apohistha mantra seven vyahruthees-Three pada Gayathri and ending with Om apo jyotheerasah Amrutam Brahma (Please refer to the ritual procedure). In Smaarta achamanam laid down by Manu/Yajnavalkya and others--achamanam is performed two times then lips are washed twice and then cleaning palm, mouth and other sensory organs are touched. In Purana achamanam-Water is sipped thrice and several parts of body touched. Each single operation being accompanies by repetitive of a distinctive names or Lord Vishnu or Lord Siva. (Practice differs as per trade tion).
After Lord Ganapathy Dhyanam, pranayama is done by mentally reciting the mantra. Sankalpa – determination with mental resolve (sankalpa) to perform the Sandhyavandana is followed thereafter. (In some places water worship-- Jala Prarthana “Apo va idagum Sarvam…” mantra is chanted that too only for the morning Sandhya).

MARJANA MANTRA (invocation): - It is well known to you that the deities of water are the cause of great happiness. Please nourish us with the divine vision which brings glory and loveliness. Please make us worthy of imbibing the auspicious bliss even as a mother feeds her children. We approach you with eagerness for that bliss, to distribute, which you have taken a form and are shining. Bestow on us the boon of a next life sanctified by knowledge.

PRAASANA MANTRA (expiation): - They are three in numbers for each time zone. (Morning Sun God; After noon Holy water; and in the evening Lord Agni). May Sun /Agni’/Varuna and the God of anger and the Lords presiding over anger; save me from the sins caused by anger. Whatever sins I have committed; by mind, speech, hands, feet, belly, and the sensual organ may the Lord of the departed night/day remove all that and whatever other sins that may be in me. I sacrifice in the Self, illuminating light, the eternal first cause. As an emblem of such sacrifice, I pour down this consecrated water as libation in my mouth, which shall be the sacrificial fire. May this sacrifice of mine become well offered!(Here water represents the sinner and all his sins and pouring down of water typifies the act of sacrifice)

It is said in the Vedas that energy of the sun passes on to Agni in the evening. Hence, you find the substitution of Agni for Lord Surya in the evening Sandhyavandana.

In Madhyahnika Sandhyavandana expiation mantra meaning is as follows:-May the waters purify the earth by pouring down rain.  May the earth thus purified   purify me! May the waters purify my spiritual preceptor and may the Veda as taught by him purify me. Whatever impure food I may have taken, whatever I may have received as gift from the unworthy, may the waters destroy all that sins and purify me; and for this purpose, I pour this sanctified water as libation down my mouth as sacrifice.

Then comes the second-time Marjanam (Punarmarjanam):- I make obeisance to the Supreme Person who supports, rules, and sustains all the worlds, who is ever victorious and who has taken the form of Hayagreeva the repository of all knowledge. May He make our faces and other organs fragran! May He protect our lives!  (rest of the meaning - as stated in the first Marjanam).
The performer after attaining his outer and inner purification then offers Arghyam   (offering water oblation respectfully to the Supreme Lord). The sanctified – water-consecrated- by chanting of Gaayatree mantra and thrown upwards with both hands; signifying thunderbolts, hurl the evil spirits to an island called Aruna ; where dwells the evil spirits called Mandehas. (By this act entire world is protected)
Meaning of Gaayatree Mantra: We meditate on the adorable light of the supreme creator of the universe. May He (existing in our mind in the form of light) guide our intellects in the pursuit of   Truth.
 Expiation Water oblation (Prayaschitha  Arghyam) is followed for not offering the arghyam on time.

Aikyanusandhanam (Oneness with Brahman) Mantra: Asavadityo Brahma Brahmmaeva Ahamasmi. Means:-The Sun is Brahman and I too am Brahman.

Next comes Tarpanam (Oblation) to Navagraha and twelve names of Vishnu. This Tarpanam is considered as Puranic additions and no reference is made to them in the Taittareeya Aranyaka (as opined by learned people) Hence it is stated that these additions are inconsistent with the spirit of the Vedic Sandhya- which is a prayer directed to the “one alone” without a second.
(Here ends the first part of the Upasana called Sandhya. The second part is called Japam.)

It is reported by learned people that popularly known as Tripaada  Gayathri has got a turiya (Fourth) pada also. This should be revealed only to the one who is properly initiated. Meaning of this pada “PARORAJASE ASAVADOM” - He who is beyond all phenomenon, He is Bliss, He is eternal OM. This fourth pada is hidden in the Vedas-Hence not visible. [Mantra Drashta (author) for the fourth step  of the Gayathri is Vimala Rishi- Chandas is Tureeyam and Devata (deity)   is Paramatma.]
  
Inviting Gaayatree (Aavaahanam): May the Goddess Gaayatree Devata-who grants all our desires come to us to make known to us the eternal Lord, who is revealed to us only through the scriptures. May the Gayathri the mother of all the Vedas reveal to us the eternal Truth.
Devi Gayatree– you are the source of all spiritual strength. You are the power that drive away the evil inclination which are my enemies You are conducing to a sound mind which conduces to a sound body. You are the light of the Gods; that dispels my intellectual darkness and illuminates my heart with divine wisdom. You are everything. You are Eternal Truth that destroys all our sins. You are the Pranava that reveals to me the unknown, Come to me Oh! Goddess Gaayatree and make me wise.
After invocation of Gaayatree comes enumeration of the four principal characteristics of the Gaayatree : Rik (Mantra); Drashta (Rishi); Chandas ( meter); Devata (propitiating   the deity it sings)- Viniyoga( The purpose to which the Rik is applied)

Gaayatree Mantras consist   of Pranava (OM); Vyahrutees (Bhuh Bhuvahah Suvaahah and Savitri (savitar) mantras- which already existed. This combination was revealed to Sage Viswamitra who in turn gave this to the world. He is the mantra Drashta;  Chandas (meter) the number of letters in the Savitri (Savitar) mantra equally divided into three parts of eight letters each and has 24 letters.  Devata for Gaayatree is Savitri (Savitar)- the supreme Lord Paramaatma. Viniyoga: Prayer for sayujya or absorption through knowledge into the universal soul. (There are Angannyasa and karannyasa (hand and body gestures) that are followed by few, before chanting of Gaayatreemantra--elders say that these are of tantric origin).

After completion of Gayatree Japa Gaayatree sending off follows:- The Goddess Gayathri resides on a lofty peak on the summit of mount Meru in the earth. Oh! Goddess takes leave from the persons who have worshipped you and who have been blessed with your grace and go back to your abode as comfortably as is possible.
Morning Upasthana (send-off) Mantra Meaning:- We sing the adorable glory of the Sun God, who sustains all men by causing rain, which glory is eternal and most worthy of being adored with wonder.

The Sun well knowing the inclinations of several men directs them to their several pursuits; the Sun upholds both heaven and earth. The Sun observes all creatures and their action (Karma witness) without ever winking to this eternal being. We offer the oblation mixed with clarified butter. Oh! Sun God may that man who through such sacrifice offers oblation to you become endowed with wealth for he who is under your protection is not cut-off by untimely death. He is not vanquished by anybody and sin has no hold on this man either from near or from far.

MADHYAHNIKA UPASTHANA(Send-off) MANTRA:-- The Lord Savitar daily appears in the heaven. He sustains Gods and Men (He confers on men eternal Bliss or a mortal body once more accordingly as they acquit themselves on earth) He comes in golden chariot illuminating all worlds. Adoring the Sun God among the Gods, the loftier light that rests above darkness or Sin, we attain most excellent light. His rays bearing him a lot, the God who knows the ways of all living beings; Surya, that all my look on Him adore Him- and become wise. The wonderful collection of rays has risen (the orb of light). This orb is the eye of the earth, air, and heaven. This orb has filled the Earth, Air and Heaven with light everywhere. Sun God is the soul of all things that move and all that move not. This brilliant eye the orb of the Sun, on whom  as lord of sacrifices the Devas depend for their oblations, rises in the East. May we live a hundred years to see Him! May we live plenty through His grace! May we be happy in His presence for a hundred years! May we through His grace live secure in our homes. May we learn the secrets of Vedic theosophy from our guru, and may we gladly impart the same to our disciples. May we never meet the reverses, and may we long live to see and adore Him. May He who rises  with resplendent glory from the midst of waters, out of the eastern ocean- the bright eyed and all wise Surya, who shower all blessings on His worshipers, may make me pure in mind.

EVENING UPASTHANA MANTRA:- Hear Oh! Varuna Lord, this is my prayer. Be gracious unto me this day, longing for protection. I pray to you. (This prayer rik is said to have been taught by Sage Viswamitra to Sunassephah, when he was tied to the sacrificial post and about to be immortalized by Harischandra to appease the wrath of Lord Varuna. This prayer saved him from death.) Adoring you with prayer, I beg long life from you, the one who performs the sacrifice does the same with oblations he offers to you; therefore, Lord Varuna without indifference in this matter, take my prayer into your kind consideration and do not cut off our lives. Oh! Lord Varuna, whatever law of yours we, as men, violate day after day, forgives us for those trespasses. (The ethical consciousness of human frailty and the appeal for mercy and forgiveness based on such consciousness find a beautiful and simple earnest expression in this Rik). Oh! Lord Varuna whatever offence we, as men, have committed against divine beings, whatever work of yours, we have neglected through ignorance, do not destroy us, for such sins. Whatever offence is attributed to us by our enemies as by gamblers at dice, whatever sins we may have really committed and what we may have done without knowing--please destroy all those sins. Also pray that we shall become beloved to you.

Then follows the prayers to Gods residing in all directions. Kamam Akarsheet Manyu Akarsheet mantra follows. This is a shortened version of the actual mantra in the Veda. Whatever sins I have committed, has been done by passion or anger and not by me- hence forgive me. Oh! Lord I bow to you again and again.

Sandhya prayer now closes with Abhivadanam or salutation. The practice of reciting at this stage a few slokas from puranas and slokas in praise of Lord Vishnu, Siva, Yama does not form integral part of Vedic Sandhyaavandana. After Raksha (protection) mantra the whole ceremony is brought to a close by an internal purification of the body by Aachamanam and dedicating the entire service gone through to Para Brahman.

Summing up, Sandhya Upasana service is simply a thanksgiving and a prayer to the Universal Lord.  It begins with external purification of body by sprinkling of water by chanting few hymns, and internal purification by sipping few drops of consecrated water. We pray all sins committed during the preceding 12 hours be washed away.

After conducting purification functions, the worshiper feel that he is worthy of approaching the Supreme Lord and pays his adorations to Him, by offering of water according to traditional practice of Arghya,  He looks at the Sun Lord and makes his offering. His offerings are really to the Paramatman, the nameless one. Sun is only visible symbol of God’s power and glory. He praises with Vedic hymns and implores Him to forgive him; his sins and vouch safe to him- His grace and Blessings.
 Sandhya Vandanam is one of the few remaining links that unite us to a glorious past. It is duly rendered imperative by solemn voice of Vedic injunction. It is a distinctive badge for us.

Concluding Remarks
Na annam udagam dhanam na thithir dwadasee samahah Na Gayathrya paro mantrah: Na Mathur daivatam param.
The greatest charity  on earth is Annadaanam (food charity). Similarly nothing is more important than Dwadasee Tithi (12th day of fortnight), Gaayatree Mantra, and Mother.
Achuta Ananta Govinda Namoccharana Bheshajad Nasyanti Sakala Rogaat  Satyam Satyam Vadaamyaham.

 Chanting of Glory of God (Achyuta, Ananta Govinda) is considered as medicine for all diseases. Hence, the importance of Achamanam  by chanting the Lord’s name. This is called Nama Trayee Vidya (the three names teachings.

(Discourse on Sandhya Vandanam in Malayalam by Brahmasri  P.S.Ramanathan- Disciple of Brahmasri. Sangameswara Sastrigal published in 1985 at Calicut Following Saayana Bashyam.  May God bless you!)                                                           

                                                        APPENDIX II


Sandhyavandana calls  for worship of Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra together
(N.R.Srinivasan)

In this context may I recall my remarks that irrespective their following (Vishnu, Siva or Sakta) in Sandhyavandna all chant the name Achyuta, Ananta and Govinda in Aaachamana though traditions interpret them to their convenience (see my 16-steps Pooja).   Similarly, Kesavaadi Japam and Tarpanam are employed, to oblate, purify or electrify by  cold water. If you go through my discourse on “Some Vedic Mantras used in worships and rituals in Hindu Temples and Homes” there are several mantras which are applicable to Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra all directed to Parabrahman which are employed in all sectarian traditional worship though they do not use normally Rudram min Vishnu temple and Purushasooktam in Siva temples by tradition or compulsion quoting Aagamas.   I am not an Aagma expert and I do not know whether these sectarian views are correct. But it is interesting to note a particular mantra in MNU which pertains to Gayatree mantra which has been abridged to suit sectarian views :

Ojoci sahohoci balamaci bhraajoci devaanaam  dhaamanaamaaci viswamaci  viswaayuh sarvamaci sarvaayuh abhibhoorom gaayatreem aavaahayaami saavitreem aavaahayaami sarasvateem  aavaahayaami Chchndarsheen aavaahahyaami sriyam  aaavaahayaami Gaayatriyaa gaayatree chchandoe viswaamitra rishih savitaa devaagnir-mukham  brahmaa siro vishnur-hridayam rudrah sikha prithavee yonih praana-apaana-vyaana-udaana samaana sweta-varna saankhyaanasa-gotraa gayatree chaturvimsati-aksharaa tripadaa shatkukshih panchaseersha Upanayane viniyogah ||

Oh Gaayatree, Thou art the essence of strength. Thou art patience. Or the subduing power.  Thou art physical capacity. Thou are splendor.  Thou art the abode of gods and their name.  Thou art the insentient universe.  Thou art the full span of life or the lord of all.  Thou art the living thing.  Thou art the life span of all.  Thou art the vanquisher of all that is hostile to us. Thou art TRUTH by the Pranava.   I invoke Gaayatree into my heart. I invoke Savitri. I invoke Sarsvati. I invoke the Meters, the Rishis and the Gods. Of Gaayatree the meter is Gaayatree, the Rishi is Viswamitra, and the Dity is Savitri. Fire (Agni) represents the mouth; the four faced Brahma, the head, Vishnu, the heart; Rudra (Jathaadara), the crown-hair; Earth, the source; the in-breath, the out-breath, the diffused breath, middle breath, the up-breath and the breath. Gaayatree is fair in hue and is of the same family of Prqamaatman attained by the Saankhyaqas—the illumined sages. The deity Gaayatree has twenty-four syllables, comprised in three feet, six sheaths or cavities and five heads. It is employed in Upanayana, or initiation into Vedic studies or studentship.

Unfortunately this full Mantra in not included in usual Sandhyavandana Mantras, knowingly or unknowingly like the Kamokarsheet and manyurakarsheet mantras which I have discussed. Now you know why Kesavaadi Japa and Aaachmana though contains Vishnus names of Puranas are universally applicable to all who want to study Vedas irrespective of caste or creed. Incidentally this is the Mantra that inspired Grihya Sootras to come with elaborate details of Upanayana   Samskaara.   I have already explained why Gaayatree is also addressed as Savitri and Sarasvati in discourses on Sandhyavandana Mantras. 
.                                                                      

                                                  APPENDIX III
HOW CAN WE MAKE YOGA SUITABLE TO ALL FOR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT


Everybody loves Yoga, irrespective of the religion they follow, for its benefits to grow in Body and Mind. What they do not like is its spiritual direction by way of chanting Om and breathes’ control using Gaayatree Mantra. Recently I was taken by   surprise by the broad outlook and wise approach of an immigrant  Muslim Yoga teacher from Saudi Arabia who is at the same time a devout Muslim. Her understanding of Gaayatree Mantra based on an English translation is as follows:

 
Who pervades the Universe and sustains all. The Creator and Energizer of the whole Universe, the Giver of happiness, Who is worthy of acceptance, the most excellent, Who is Peace and Purifier of all, let us embrace that very God, so that He May f direct our mental faculties in the right direction”.
She replaces OM with her own mantra Ameen and recommends similarly Amen to Christians and Jews. My own Christian Yoga Master ends the class with three peace invocations: Peace within, peace in the outside world and peace of God which passes all understanding.
I believe these guidelines should be pleasing to all who are celebrating International Yoga Day doing Surya Namaskar and meditation with various Yoga postures. Incidentally the objection to Surya Namaskar is not to the yoga posture but to the name. Here again this posture is not  for worshiping Sun as it is also performed in closed rooms. As you all know there is a separate mantra in Mid-day Sandhyavandana to look at sun with a hand gesture and aperture to look at him and pray which I quote from my discourse: 
"Then with Yamapaasa mudra, an aperture to look at sun made with both the hands and fingers  (consult your parents or priest-- ) chant the mantra: Pasyema saradassatam | jeevema saradassatam | nandaama saradassatam |  moedaama saradassatam |  bhavaama saradassatam srinavaama saradssatam |  prabravaama saradssatam| ajeetaasyaama saradssatam jyoekcha-sooryam drise || ya udagaan-mahatoernavaat-vibhraajamaanah sareerasya-madhyaat samaa vrishabhoe roehitaakshah sooryoe vipaschin manasaa  punaatu ||  
 [Let us live looking at Soorya for hundred years, let us live for hundred years, let us rejoice for hundred years let us enjoy for hundred years let us hear for hundred years!  May   Lord Soorya glowing like a fireball purify our mind.]  This act not only seeks blessings from Soorya but is also recommended for the health of the vision in Ayurveda by limited exposure to naked eye.
 My own Christian American Yoga  teacher calls it vertical tree posture.  Those who do not like Sun may call it Chandra Namaskar, since Moon shines because of the borrowed light from Sun and a satellite of Earth. I believe no body objects to the word “Namaste” as Christianity also believes in God is within you! My Yoga class happily ends with the word Namaste being repeated by all participants drawn from multi-religion and multi-culture. May be this word is repeated to pay tribute to Hindu culture that gave Yoga to the world thinking it as Indian way of greeting!


A REVIEW OF THE MOST POPULAR GAYATRI MANTRA OF SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

 (N.R. Srinivasan, Hindu Reflections)



Even religious Hindus,  commonly practice  few Vedic mantras like the Gayatri mantra    and pay  great reverence, yet the rest of the ten thousand verses of the Rigveda are seldom examined or recited. We often ignore to study the ancient mind because of the antiquity and symbolisms and riddles contained in Veda mantras.  To me the Vedas are the great pyramids of the ancient mind and should be honored like the pyramids of Egypt as one of the greatest achievements of ancient humanity, with relevance for all times. The Vedas hold many keys about our spiritual origins as a species and hold for us the living voice of the ancient seers, sages and yogis, our spiritual ancestors, and allow us to connect with them in our minds and hearts. They have many practical wisdom to lead a happy and contented life.  With this objective I have tried to quote some mantras specially picked and explained them. I have also recently circulated Gems from Vedas and Upanishads with meanings and some explanation. I have gone at length to describe Sandhyavandana mantra inn the following discourses:



http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2013/12/praanaayaama-andgaayatree-mantras.html
Sandhyavandana Mantra contains the Main message of Vedanta for our Liberation. It prescribes Achamana (Achyutaaya Namah etc) for purification, Atonement Mantras for three times in a day (Sooryascha…Paapebhyo rakshabntam etc.), Meditation (Gayati Mantra) that leads one to liberation.  Gayatri is employed during the performance of Japa, Homa, and Dhyana.  Until one is purified by the practice of Pranayama he is not ready for Japa. Pranayama performed during the twilight devotions differ from the one advocated by Patanjali for the practice of Yoga. In the former case breathing in, holding the breath within and breathing out are appropriately measured by the mantra we use.  In the latter case breathing in, holding the breath within and breathing out are appropriately measured.
Gayatri Japa mantra is: Om bhoorbhuvassuvah| tat savituh varenyam | bhargo devasya dheemahi | dheeyoyonah prachodayaat|| Here the first line is addressed to the Supreme who is the ruler of the three worlds. The next three lines are main body of the Mantra. These may be visualized symbolically as Brahman and His three feet to which we surrender in meditation. (charanm pavitram … yena pootastarati dushkritaani--sanctifying feet that crosses over evil deeds). The number three is very important  and has lot of  significance in Vedas--- the three states Vaiswanara, Tejasa, Hiranyagrbha;  Here three lines may even signify three steps of the Supreme(Trivikrama) that rules the three worlds. Brahman is described as chatvaari sringo trayo asya paadaa dwe sirshe sapta  hastaaso asya||  Brahman is described as a mystic bull with 4 horns 3 feet  2 heads and 7 hands. This represents him as a Kaalapurusha or Kalpa which is 4320000000 years (4 followed by 3 followed by 2 followed by 7 zeros). Again these are 4 Vedas, 3 States or Gunas, Two inseparables  Aaatman  (Self) and Parmaartman (Supreme) and Agni with seven tongues or flames all describing Brahman.
The word “Tat” qualifying “savitar”  in the Gayartri Mantra makes it clear that visible prime luminary of the heaven is only    a representation of God –head or Parabrahman who is referred to here  as  immanent  in all creatures  and also  transcendent.  He is savitar because He is the cause of the Universe and He animates and impels all that exists. He is Deva because He is self-luminous, and all other light, whether intellectual or physical, is a loan from im. The devcotee mesditates upon His BhrgaHim. HH
 Him. The devotee meditates on bharga, light, for the attainment of all the four-fold values of life. The term bharaga is derived from the root bhrisj meaning to roast or to burn. It, therefore, implies not only the radiant light but also the heat which destroys the root cause of ignorance and misery which bars one from the attainment of the Supreme. Hence the divine light is eagerly sought after by all who seek release from the round (cycle) of birth and death. The significance of the third line of the Gayatri is this: According to the Vedas, thought and activity make up human life. A man’s mental activities elevate him if and when they are under the influence of divine operation.  Hence in this line the devotee’s longing is expressed that the Supreme should guide his mind towards the performance of religious duty, selfless devotion to God and the highest illumination. The ancient authorities have paraphrased the ideas  contained in the Gayatri by the following verse:
Yo devah savitaasmakam dhiyo dharmaadigocharaah |
Prewrayt-tasya yad bhargas-tad-varenyam-upaasmahe ||
Yad-brahma nityam hridi sannivishtham maam prevrayat-tishthati nah subuddheeh|
Bhargastadaakhyam bhajaneeyametat dhyaayaama nityam ravimandalasyaam ||
In this context please go through the message of Jagadguru Sankaracharay of Kamakoti Peetham  popularly known as Periyava in Tamil which I have roughly translated with my limited knowledge.

“அத்தனை ஜீவராசிகளுக்கும், தாவரங்களுக்கும் கூட ஸூர்ய சந்திரர்களின் கிரண தாரைகளால் பாலூட்டுகிறாள். தாவரங்களுக்கும் ஜீவன் உண்டு. ஸூர்ய சந்திரர்களின் பிரகாசத்தால் உணவூட்டுகிறாள் என்றால் என்ன அர்த்தம்? ஸூர்ய ரச்மியிலிருந்துதான் தாவரங்கள் ஜீவன் பெறுகின்றன என்பது தெரிந்த விஷயம். ஸூர்ய வெளிச்சமில்லாத இருட்டான இடத்தில் விதை போட்டால் செடி வராது. தாவரங்கள் நேராக தாங்களே ஜீவ ஸத்தை ஸூர்யனிடமிருந்து பெறுகின்றன. அதோடு நிற்காமல் பரோபகாரமாக இப்படி நேரே ஸூர்யனிடமிருந்து ஜீவ ஸத்தை பெற முடியாத நமக்காகவும், தாவரங்களே நாம் அடுப்பு மூட்டி சமைக்கிற மாதிரி ஸூர்ய உஷ்ணத்தில் அந்த ஸூர்ய சக்தியையே நமக்கு ஜீர்ணமாகிற மாதிரி ரூபத்தில் சேமித்து வைத்துக்கொள்கின்றன. ஸோலார் குக்கர் காய்கறிகளையும், அரிசி முதலான தானியங்களையும் நாம் சாப்பிடும்போது, இந்த ஸூர்ய ப்ரஸாதமான சக்தி தான் நமக்கு உள்ள போய் ஜீவ ஸத்தை தருகிறது.
ஸூர்யனுடைய வெளிச்சத்திலே, ஓயாமல் ரிலீஸாகி கொண்டிருக்கும் சக்தி ஸகல அணுக்களுக்குள்ளேயும் வியாபித்தும், தாவர வர்க்கத்தில் மேலே சொன்னாற் போல போடோஸிந்தாஸிஸ் உண்டாக்கியுந்தான் ஜீவ ப்ரபஞ்சத்தை நடத்துகிறத என்று இப்போது ஸயன்ஸில் சொல்வதை எத்தனையோ யுகம் முந்தியே நம்மடைய வேத சாஸ்திரங்களில் சொல்லியிருக்கிறது. தாவரம் மாதிரியே நாமும் நேரே அந்த சக்தியை பெறுகிறதற்கு தான் காயத்ரி முதலான மந்த்ரங்களை கொடுத்திருக்கிறது. (ஸயன்ஸுக்கும்) பல படி மேலேயே போய் தேஹ சக்தியோடு நிறுத்தி கொள்ளாமல் புத்தி, சக்தி, பாரமார்த்திகமான ஸாதனா சக்தி ஆகியவற்றையும் அவனிடமிருந்து க்ரஹித்து கொள்வதற்கு காயத்ரியை கொடுத்திருகிறது. அங்கே ஸவிதா, ஸாவித்ரி என்று நம்மை பெற்றெடுத்து வாழ்வு தருகிற ப்ரியமான தாயாகவே ஸூர்ய சக்தியை சொல்லியிருக்கிறது. இந்த சக்தியும் ஆதி சக்தியான பராசக்தி என்ற மூலமான தாயாரின் அங்கந்தான் பாலூட்டும் அங்கம் என்கிறார் ஆசார்யாள்.
-ஜகத்குரு காஞ்சிகாமகோடி ஸ்ரீசந்திரசேகரேந்திர சரஸ்வதி சங்கராச்சார்ய ஸ்வாமிகள்”


ADHARA SAKTHI -- MAHA PERIVA EXPLAINS

Just as the mother feeds the baby with her breastmilk Universal Mother feeds milk to the entire living beings with the rays of Sun and Moon. Plants also have life. What do we understand by this feeding through the rays of Sun and Moon? It is a known fact plants survive because of sun’s rays! If we sow a seed in a dark place where there is no sunlight the seeds will not sprout and plant will not come up. Plants directly obtain life-providing  energy from Sun. They do not stop at that; they store the nutrients for us in a generous way   since we are not able to receive the same from the sun direct, like what we do by lighting and cooking; they store the sun’s energy for us for digesting the food. This benevolent solar energy gets into us in the form of solar cooker vegetables and grains that we eat and give us the necessary energy to live.

Present day scientists say now is that this perennial   solar energy gets into all particles and by photo synthesis in plants and   runs the world but our Vedas stated the same  eons before.    In order to derive directly such a strength from Sun like plants Vedas have   given us powerful mantras like Gayatri.  Here it has gone many steps ahead   than science, not stopping at body strength alone,   to  directly absorb mental strength, Sadhana  (goal-reaching  power by constant practice) strength for liberation etc., from the Supreme through Gayatri Mantra. There it calls  this   Power of Sun    Savita and Savitri,  our mother who gives birth to us, nurtures us  and provides life to us. This Power is none other than  Parasakti,   the primordial energy, that is found in our breast feeding mothers says the Jagadguru  Kanchi Kamakoti Jagadguru Sankaracharya Swami.  




Surya Arghya: Procedure, Mantra and Health Benefits


Sun is the ultimate source of energy for the entire universe. Life cannot survive on earth without Sun.

According to Vedic Astrology, sun signifies body, health, eyes, social status, father, political career, ancestral properties, influential family name and profession. It actually represents the soul of all beings. And that is the reason why Surya Arghya offering at sunrise is given so much of importance. It is also said that when the sun goes weak in one’s horoscope, these issues get affected greatly.

Sun is indeed the lord and almighty in Hinduism and few other religions due to its immense power to rejuvenate life on earth.

Offering water to the sun is considered auspicious in Hindu religion. It is practiced during sunrise. When we offer water to the sun, the spectrum of sun-rays refracts through the water impacting us positively from head to toe, and we automatically gain through the water therapy of sun-rays. Performing this process helps us in increasing our intellectual wellness, also enhances one’s acumen in decision making, improve eye-sight, digestion, and splendor.

The sun-rays refracting through the water is the essential source of good health and beauty.

The colors like green and violet refracted from VIGBYOR of the SUN are actually the rich sources of anti-bacterial energy. Everyone is familiar with the fact that the human body is made up of five things, air, water, earth, fire and space. As these are the basis of a human body, so cure of all the ailments of the body is also among these five things and the rays of the rising sun are one of these things.

For thousands of years, Hindus have been practicing ‘Sandhya Vandanam‘, which is worshipping the sun during rising, noon and setting of the sun along with chanting of Gayatri Mantra, which in return keeps them physically and spiritually strong.

As per Rig Veda, one generally wakes up in the morning only because of the sun, it’s only due to the sun that all can work and are active. Basically, all living beings of the creation depend on the sun. It removes all physical, mental and spiritual weaknesses of the human body, making it healthy.
When sun rays fall on one’s body, then one could free their body from all ailments and also increase one’s intelligence. That is the reason why people visit places like Goa in India. The sunrays at these areas refract through the sea and atmosphere, which helps in curing many skin diseases.

Here’s a procedure to offer Surya Arghya:

Fill a copper utensil with water, add red sandal, kumkum and red flowers to it, then during sunrise, face towards east direction and offer the water to Sun.

Make sure that the utensil is placed at the equal height to your forehead with both your hands and recite either of the following mantras 11 times while pouring water.

Om Ghrinim Surya Adityam or Om Suryaaya namaha

Do not step on the water poured. You can even recite Surya Gayatri mantra during this process.

ॐ आदित्याय विदमहे भास्कराय धीमहि तन्नो भानु प्रचोदयात्- | (Om aadityaay vidmahe bhaaskaraaye dheemahi tanno bhaanu prachodayaat)

This process will help you to maintain sound health and self-confidence.