sandhyavandanam

Courtesy:www.govindarajapuram.com

SANDHYAVANDHANA

The session on significance of Sandhyavandhanam took place at the Sri Bhoomi Sametha Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, today the 20th of March 2011 at 10 am. The following is report on the same.11 Comments

Govindarajapuram Grama Jana Samooham President's address:

About Dr Krishnan Seshadri:

Dr Krishnan Seshadri hails from Govindarajapuram. He is the descendant of Sri Chidambara Iyer who lived in the village about 70 years ago. The house they inhabited is now popularly known as Arangode House, after Sri Arangode Srinivasa Iyer whose family bought this house at a later stage. Dr Krishnan Seshadri is presently Professor and Head of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Sri Ramachandra University Chennai and is one of the leading diabetologist across the globe. He has bought a house in the agraharam and presently practices the profession of medicine in Chennai. He had agreed to spare some time for us to be spent in the discussion of the importance and significance of Sandhyavandanam.

Excerpts from the Doctor's Class:

Significance of Sandhyavandhanam

Dr Krishnan Seshadri began with a prayer addressing Ambal in her divine form as admired in the Lalitha Sahasranamam and a prayer at the feet of Sri Krishna, and a prayer to his guru.

The significance of the Sandhyavandanam was portrayed with examples from Mahabharatam, Srimad Bhagavatham and other sastras.

In the Mahabaratham Sri Krishna is said to be in Moorchai on two occasions, one when Draupadi calls out for his help during Vastrapaharanam and the other during the post war period. The scene was when Yudhistira approaches Sri Krishna after the war and the later was in Meditation. Suddenly Sri Krishna goes into Moorchavastha and upon inquiry by Yudhishtira, he replies that Bhishma was remembering him, since Ratha Saptami was approaching. It was time for Bhishma to start his Swargarohanam. Krishna takes Yudhishtira along with him to the presence of Bhishma. Yudhishtira, with heart full of guilty feeling for the war that ended and for Bhishma's situations itself, seeks with Bhishma the details of Dharma and how to uphold the same. It is well known that Bhishma concluded by reciting the Vishnu Sahasranamam, but prior to that Bhishma tells him that the most important thing to observe daily is Sandhyopasana and this upasana is the basis for all other Karmas.

PARASURAMA

Another incident from the life of Bhishma is when Amba approaches Sage Parasurama, for fighting Bhishma. Parasurama created his own Chariot, Horses, Weapons etc with the power of Gayatri. The fight went on for many days and the stage came when Bhishma could no longer with hold the battle. Bhishma prays to his Pitrus for advising him whether he will win or not and in case not he will run away from the scene. The pitrus appear in the dream of Bhishma and invest him with a mantra, which Bhishma recites the same next morning. The mantra prevents Sage Parasurama from doing his Sandhya and eventually he is not able to face Bhishma and he then withdraws from the battle.

An incident related to Sri Parameswara and Sri Parvathi was also narrated. After the marriage of Lord Mahadeva and Sri Parvathi, Sri Parameswara was taking her around Kailasa, his abode. As the sun started descending down Sri Parameswara, suddenly stopped and took leave Sri Parvathi. Upon her inquiry about where he was leaving, he said that it was time for him to offer his Sandhya worship at the Manasarovar where the Rishis have already proceeded to offer their sandhya worship. Such is the importance of the Sandhya worship.

The significance of the topic is also discussed in the Srimad Bhagavatam, where it describes how Lord Mahavishnu incarnated as Vamana. Vamana was invested with the sacred thread at the age of seven, when Brihsapati gave him the 'Hip wear', Akasha gave him the umbrella, since the ears of a Brahmin should not get heated, it has to be covered from the sun. Kubera gave him the Kamandalu, since a Brahmin should always carry water. Vamana had to take the Aiswaryam of the great King Mahabali, the descendant of Prahlada, hence Kubera himself gave the Kamandalu. 'Surya' himself gave Brahmopadesam to Vamana. Mother Annapoorneswari gave the Bhiksha annam. It is to portray the importance of Upanayanam that sage Vyasa has elaborated on the subject in srimad Bhagavatham.

Steps in Sandhyavandhanam:

There are 3 steps in Sandhyavandhanam- Achamanam, Marjanam ,Arghyam- Pranayamam – Gayathri Japam.

Achamanam, Marjanam ,Arghyam

Achamanam: When the Achamanam is done chanting Achuta, Anantha, Govinda it is known as Prasanam which purifies the body, mind and spirit. As we touch various parts of our body chanting Kesava, Narayana and so on we purify the seat of Agni (in our Cheeks), Surya (eyes), Vayu (Nostrils), Prajapati (shoulders) etc… It may be remembered that the small finger should be kept separate from the other fingers while doing the Achamanam.

Marjanam: As we chant Apohishta Mayobhuvah, we pray to the Lord of water (Varuna) for purifying the body, to clear our sins, to give us health and to secrete Love and Compassion in our hearts as it happens naturally with mothers. The Prasanam that comes after this is separate for the 3 sandhyas.

The one that comes in Madhyahnikam was discussed. It goes like this.

'Aapa Punandhu Prithvim…….Yad Uchishtam Abhojyam, Yad Va Duscharitam…'

It means that let the water which purifies mother earth purify me from the sins that come out of the leftovers that I ate, the things that I ate which should not be eaten, and from other sins that I might have committed and that which I may commit.

Punar Marjanam: We invoke Lord Maha Vishnu before chanting the Marjana mantras. Dhadikra….Jishno Ashwasya Vajinah etc. and then we chant Aapohista Mayobhuvah.

The Lord who took the form of a horse in his Hayagrivavatara and imparted Brahma vidya, the Lord who is Jishnu, the invincible etc..

After Punarmarjana we are ready to perform the Arghya:

Arghyapradanam: The two palms are cupped and the elbows are raised for offering the Arghyam. The cupped palms are filled with water. The water is offered to the Sun God chanting Gayatri Mantra. This is believed to purify the body, mind and spirit and as we chant 'Asau Aditya Brahma, Brahma eva Aham' and offer Arghyam to the Lord Surya, we identify ourselves with him, who is none other than the Brahman. Once we finish this we offer Arghyam to each of the Navagrihas and to the Lord Mahavishnu chanting his ten Divya Namas.

Pranayamam:

The subject is dealt with deeply in many books dedicated to Raja Yoga and Kriya Yoga. The topic was lightly dealt with in our discussions. Dr Krishnan Seshadri suggested the following method to be adopted in common practice.

Inhalation closing one nostril and at the same time chanting Om Bhuhu mentally

Retention till we finish chanting Om Bhuvah, Om Suvah, Om Maha, Om Janah, Om Satyam, Gayathri mantra, three times mentally.

Exhalation chanting Om Apah, Jyoti, Rasa, Amrutam Brahma, Boor Bhuvah Svarom.

Thus when we finish performing Pranayamam 10 times, we befit ourselves for doing Gayatri Japam. Pranayamam is considered to be the best among Tapas (penance), and the sacred thread (Poonal) retains the Tapas in us. Maha Periyava of Kanchi is quoted to have said that by doing pranayamam, on all Sandhyas, we become Tapodanars and 40 years of life with Sandhyavandhanam on all three times of the day will make us Tapovarishtars.

Gaytri Japam:

Gayathri is invoked as the Mata (mother) who provides Ojas (energy),Power, and Name and abode even to the Devas.

The dhyana sloka starting with 'Mukthavithruma Hema Neela Dawala' can be recited by the Grihasthas (Householders). The sloka describes her with her colors of hue,blue and with her weapons in the hands etc….

The Brahmacharis may meditate Gayathri as an effulgent light unlike Grihasthas.

As per sastras it is to be chanted 1008 times and it is considered to be Uttamam. The Gayatri is to be chanted a minimum of 108 times on each sandhya and this is considered to be Madhyamam. Other practices of 32, 64,28,12,10 etc… Are all practices laid down by once own conveniences and sastras do not recommend this.

The Gayathri is to be chanted facing east in the morning in standing posture. The count can be kept with the fingers and the usage of Mala can be avoided. If the Mala cannot be avoided, then it is advised to avoid the index finger and instead the ring finger may be used. The sacred thread (Poonal) has to be kept near to one's mouth in the Morning.

The Gayathri is to be chanted facing North in the noon while doing Madhyahnikam. The hands are to be kept near to one's chest. The standing posture is advised during Madhyahnikam.

The Gayathri is to be chanted facing west in the evening. The hands are to be kept near to one's stomach. The sitting posture is suggested during Sayam Sandhyavandanam.

Upastanam

After chanting Gayathri, the upastanam is done. Whatever Punyam that comes out of the performing the Sandhyavandanam is offered to the Lord by reciting 'Kayena Vacha Manasa Indriya………..'Since even if we carry Punyam for ourselves, we will have to go through life be it in heaven or earth. Thus Sandhyavandanam not only nullifies the sins that we have committed, but helps us attain oneness with the Lord.

Question & Answers asked at the end of the session:

• Q: Can Sandhyvandhanam be performed at the office?
• A: Yes, mentally through Bhava we can purify ourselves and offer Arghya mentally. Chanting can be restricted to mental chanting. It can be seen from the following incident from Mahabharatha. Duryodhana insists on continuing the war even after the sunset on the 14^th day of Mahabaratha war. He insists on continuing the war even when Bhishma and Dronacharya advise him to stop for Sandhyavandhanam.
• Yudhishtira then offers the sand of the battle field as Arghyam to the setting sun. It portrays the importance of doing Sandhya even in the battle field and that even sand can be offered as Arghyam. It is more important that we start offering Arghyam.
• Q: Should we chant Achutaya Namaha or Achutaya Swaha as chanted by some people in the North India?
• A: Our practice is to chant Achutaya Namaha, as laid down by our forefathers and it is better to follow as laid down by them. The practice in the North India is a result of the difference in the Sutras, Sakhas that they follow.
• Q: Is bathing mandatory for Sandhyavandhanam?
• A: It is better to take bath before Sandhya and in extreme cases where we cannot take bath, it can be relaxed.
• Q: Is Sandhya to be performed on all times?
• A: It is said that it is to be performed even in a house where death has taken place. The Marjanam, Arghyam and Pranayamam can be avoided during such period and it can be limited to Chanting of Gayathri Mantra.
• Q: What is the Ideal age for Upanayanam?
• a: The ideal age is 7. If the upanayanam is delayed and performed after 16, is deemed as a sin committed and it goes to the parents and the kid alike. Similarly if a person invested with sacred thread do not perform sandhyavandhanam it is also deemed as a sin committed.

With this Dr Krishnan Seshadri wound up his class on Sandhyavandanam. Dr Krishnan Seshadri was honored by the senior most citizen of the village Sri Ananthakrishna Bhattacharyar. The president of the Grama Jana Samooham then thanked the Doctor and the audience for having assembled for such a unique cause.

We hope we have covered the gist of the discussions that took place in the Temple on the Topic Sandhyavandanam and its significance. Any omissions may be forgiven. In case you have any queries you may post the same as a comment under the article along with your email address. We will forward the query to the Doctor and get an answer for the same.

At the Lotus feet of Sri Varadaraja Perumal,

President,

Yuva Jana Sangam,

Govindarajapuram.

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