SANDRA SANDHYAE SAYAM SANDHYAE
Dear friends,
Today I was listening to film songs in Kiran TV after a pretty long time in the afternoon. There was an excellent film song from "vacation" enriched by the acting of Lalu Alex and Suhasini as titled. Now Kiran TV is renamed as Soorya music.
Though we have three sandhyas as Pratha sandhya, Mathyannika sandhya and Sayam sandhya, more importance is given to Sayam sandhya.
Recently I found a posting what are forbidden during sandhya in one of the groups. I am including interesting items from that also in this posting.
Sincerely,
Gopala Krishnan 9-1-2012.
Reposted on 24-7-2020 after editing and updating R. Gopala Krishnan
1. Sandhyakkano kitakkunnathu? ( can't you recline at some other time than dusk?)
I thought first I should start with this forbiddance since most important is not reclining during Sandhya. If at all a person is bed-ridden, he should at least try to get up a little during this period. During this period, bathing, combing hair, are all prohibited. Marital relationship is forbidden.
In Puranic stories, there are instances of compelled relationships, and birth of children with wild natures.
Once my colleague xxPillai, was calling his wife at Trivandrum from Calicut. It was about evening. His daughter answered that mother was resting on the bed. He demanded his daughter to ask his wife not to recline and disconnected the phone without even asking the reason. He was totally disturbed on that night. I could not calm him with all my efforts.
2. Deepam
In all Hindu homes even with all modernisation, the households would not be happy without lighting lamp. It can be in the entrance or in the pooja room. Most Hindu homes also have Tulasi matam[ a raised platform]. A lamp has to be lighted in the Tulasi matam positively.
Snake grove (Sarpakavu) is another place. Lamp has to be lighted there also. In Brahmin homes there may not be a kavu. Lamp has to be lighted by young women as far as possible .
In all Hindu shops lamp is lighted at dusk. Then no sales would be done, whatever is the item.
3.Forbidden sales during the period.
The prohibited items are sewing-needles salt and washing soda. Normally shops do not sell any items during sandhya.They would not take cash or return cash for a few minutes during sandhya.
4. Not set out .
Not only normal journeys, even Sabarimala journey is not permitted during sandhya. Deeparadhana is performed, food is eaten. Then pilgrimage is started.
Similarly when we arrive, if at all early, we wait for the evening lamp lighted for entering house. My father said on those days the rule was- If a person cannot see his feet should not continue journey in the hills.
5. Exchange of things
Not only gold or money, anything exchanging is not advisable at dusk. Even now there are many homes which are rigid on this.
6. Prayers
It is the prime time for prayer. I recollect now my father forbade me reading school books at dusk. It is time for praying to Gods either in homes or in temples. I recollect my mother asking me to say at least 1000 Rama Rama or 1000 Namasivaya during my boyhood days.
Slokas too are recited during the period. If slokas are recited , Namasivaya could be less (a concession)
Though many slokas are recited, I am very much fond of the following sloka at all times
SARVA MANGALA MANGALYAE
SIVAE SARVARTHA SADHAKAE
SARANYAE THRYAMBIKAE NITHYAM
NARAYANI NAMOSTHUTHAE…
The normal procedure of reciting sloka was starting with Mahaganapati, then Vishnu/Siva, followed by Devi, Muruga, Sastha, and finally Hanuman. For me Sastha being Kuladeivam more prayer slokas are recited
7. Performing Sandhya Vandanam
Sandhya vandanam has to be performed a little earlier before lighting Lamps. If not possible even late, not very late.
8. Prayer naranayingane...
I found in a film acted by Mohanlal after lighting Nilavilakku in the evening he recite the sloka
Naranayinganae Janichhu bhoomiyil
Naraka varidhi thannil jnan
Eae Narakatheeenne karaketidianam
Thiruvaikkam Vazhum siva sambho
Normally this is recited in Nair families. In Brahmin homes it is recited in the morning if recited.
9. Eating
Also Sandhya is the time forbidden to eat. We can take earlier or later. This includes drinking of water also.
10. Vacant Bathing ghats
Bathing ghats should be vacant. It is time for the river gods associated to take any form and walk. In Mahabharatha, KING SANTHANU MET river Goddess GANGA in human form in the evening time while Santhanu was strolling on dry river-bed.
Normally if at all a person is compelled to take bath in river, it should be after sandhya. Even during aarattu in temples it is performed at night after sandhya.
11. Sandhya deepam.
Sandhya is the time of evening twilight. It is advised to carry a lamp/torch after sandhya to go out.
12. Pregnant women.
Pregnant women are advised not to come out during sandhya. In the dim light more possibility is there for slip, fall etc. This is in addition to the belief that being looked by other negative living beings taking other forms and wandering in sandhya.
11. Chekkeral (returning to nest)
The birds return to nests well before sandhya. Some nocturnal creatures roam outside during sandhya.
12. Nama japam and putting out deepam.
Whether bath is taken or not, washing face and legs, applying sandal wood paste or holy ash, at least for a few minutes prayer is said. This can be simple prayer, sandhya or name japam. There are many who recite Vishnu sahasra namam.
Deepam is put out after applying small quantity of milk or sugar or plantain to it..
Some of these may not be practicable in today's conditions, but we can adhere to the maximum possible.
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