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Sandhyavandanam  &  its significance

Our planet not only goes around the sun but also rotates on it's own axis. Sun rise and Sun set are caused by the rotation of earth on it's own axis. At every instant of time , there will be Sunrise at one place and Sunset at another place. At Sunrise , rays of Sun will hit that part of the earth for the first time for that day , resulting in release of energies .Similarly at Sun set there will be withdrawal of energies.

Sun rise constitutes a change from 'darkness' to 'light'   and hence constitutes a 'Sandhya'  i.e  junction. Similarly sun set is also a 'Sandhya'  i.e. a junction.

Upanishads speak very highly of Sandhya times. It says that benefits are far  more during Sandhya times than that at other times. Recent researches have also brought out abundant release of beneficial energy at  sun rise  and withdrawal of non-beneficial energy at sun set.

Though Upanishads refer to two Sandhya-names Sun rise and Sun set , the sages have added one more 'Sandhya'   namely  'Madhyanika' or  mid-day. Sun rises in east , moves upward , reaches zenith , and then descends to west. The point at zenith represents  change from upwards to downwards.This sandhya is considered to be beneficial for worship of 'Pithru Devatas' - that is devatas who are instrumental for one to  get son , grandson , etc and also one to be a son or grandson , etc.

Sandhyavandanam

Prayers  at  Sandhya time  are   called "Sandhyavandanam" .The main objective of Sandhyavandanam is to avail benefits of Sandhya for an individual.

Vedic References

References are there   regarding 'Sandhyavandanam' in Thaithria , Ishavasya and Chandogya Upanishads. They all bring out the importance of offering 'Arghya' meditating on 'Adithya'. This form of worship will help an individual to acquire the qualities of 'Adithya'- namely lustrous and healthy body and mind , high intellect with grasping power , high  intuition , memory etc.

Chandogya Upanishads brings out also the importance of worshipping 'Adithya' through Gayathri Hyms.

Format

Keeping the   observations in Upanishads , our sages have evolved a format for Sandhyavandanam  covering:-
Purification
Offering Arghyam
Meditation through Gayathri

Purification :  The purification measures  in sandhyavandanam   are  essentially to strengthen this aspect and condition the body , to receive the beneficial cosmic radiation
The  purification essentially  tunes   the body to receive cosmic radiation's available at Sandhya time.The purification measures are:-

Achamanam   Pranayamam
Prasanam      Prokshanam
The present day studies of Naturopathy , like Pranic Healing , Reiki etc have brought out the role of Bio- electricity in humans in regard to health. The purification measures in 'Sandhyavandanam' are essentially to strengthen this aspect and condition the body to receive the beneficial cosmic radiations.

  'Achamanam'  helps in the flow of bio-electricity within the body.

  'Pranayamam'  helps to activate the chakras.

  'Prasanam'  is  swallowing  energized water and

  'Prokshanam'  is  sprinkling  of  energized water.

'Sandhyavandanam'  starts with purification process so that the benifits of  'Arghyam' and 'Gayathri' are realised.

Though  Sandhya  time refers to sun rise and sun set , it's benefit spreads on either side of this point.Under Indian situations , approximately two hours on either side is beneficial.

Mantra

A  'Hymn' or 'Mantra'   is a prayer ( With words and alphabets specifically chosen) addressed to God or Deity . It is supposed to  have  mystic and supernatural powers. The energy from the universe is present everywhere . By reciting a   Mantra either orally or mentally , we tune ourselves to receive this energy .The hymns chosen for Sandhyavandanam are meant to realize the benefits of Sandhya.

Every Mantra has a Chandas - the Chandas explains the potential of the Mantra or the power it can create in our body by receiving it.

Sri Thillasthanam Swamy Kainkarya Sabha, Bangalore  has brought out a book on 'Sandhyavandanam' (119 pages) explaining the above aspects in details. It covers general background , detailed notes explaining appreciation and correct procedure for various constituents such as Achamanam  , Pranayamam , etc . The meaning for various Hymns has been given in English . Tamil , Kannada and Devanagiri script has been used for various hymns and the book covers the three veda sakas viz Yajur , Sama and Rig veda . It is modelled as a self instructor especially for  people without any specialized knowledge . Interestingly , it also includes procedure for changing sacred thread  and  performing  Special Gayathri Japam. This book has been recently reprinted and nominally priced at  Rs 50 in India and US$ 5.00 Abroad ( Postage charges extra for those requiring postal delivery ). This book has proved to be very popular especially for those who want to gift something to relatives staying abroad or during Upanaynam ceremony. Please contact Sri Thillasthanam Swamy Kainkarya Sabha,  148 , 7th Main Road , 5th Block Jayanagar , Bangalore -560 041 Karnataka ,India

Telephone   91-80-6640769   or 

E-Mail  tsksabha@yahoo.com 

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