Sandhyaa Heenah Asuchir Nityam Anarhaha Sarva Karamsu |
Yath Anyath Kurute Karma Na Tasya Phalabhag Bhaveth ||

One who does not perform Nitya Karma Anushtanam like Sandhyavandanam is always impure and  Whatever other rites he may perform, he will not obtain the fruits thereof.

There are three types of Karmas- Nithya, Naimithika, and Kamya karmas. Kamya karma is one which is done with a desire to achieve, like a yagya for long life etc .Even if kamya karmas are not done , there is no sin. Naimithika karma is one which is not shastra bound and not niyamic, i.e., a necessary duty , such as taking bath after an eclipse. Nithya karma is one which is ‘niyata nimitta’ meaning ‘ that which is done which is shastra bound’ . Sunrise and sunset are the reason for doing Sandhya vandanam. Hence this is classified in the Nithya karma, which has to be done daily , lifelong. Sri Abhinava Theertha swamigal says whatever be the grade, it is always best to do it regularly. Otherwise, he warns, one’s Brahmanathva itself is wasted.

The nadis ida and pingala are the paths of flow of Prana or life force. They are in a continued state of agitation during the daytime but, tend to follow a uniform path during the sandhya periods. Hence such periods were chosen for Sandhyavandanam to derive maximum concentration. The Gayatri chanting part is the central part of the Sandhyavandanam.

Achamanam removes the ill effects of today’s hectic lifestyle such as Constipation, Stress, fatigue etc.The mental effects are subtle. Lowering of heat gives tranquility. Achamanam being the starting point of Sandhyavandanam, this must be a preparation of the Sadhak for further kriyas.

The importance of Sandhyavandanam as told by His Holiness Jagadguru Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal of Kanchi Kamakoti Petam

   Every action in sandhyavandanam is an offering to Parameswara. Astra prayoga of Argya should be done. Then Gayatri japam has to be done. We must do Sankalpa, Marjanam, Prasanam, Punar marjanam, Argya Pradanam, Japam, Strotram, Abhivadanam saying that I do all this to get blessings of Parameshwara. This is know as sankalpa. Marjanam mantra to be said and water to be sprinkled on head. (first five mantras on head, sixth on feet and seventh on head).  Pranayamam is the main activity in the entire sandhyavandanam.

We do sin by thought, speech, and body. We have to get rid of the reaction arising out of these sins. So we do karma to get rid of these sins through the Sandhyavandanam.  We utter mantras (speech) do gayathri japam (thought), do marjanam and others (bodily actions).

Persons who do sandhyavandanam must have individual vessels.  Sandhyavandanam has to be done using those vessels. Sandhyavandanam should not be done hurriedly. One should perform sandhyavandanam   with Pranayamam with sincerity, with out loss of mantra (pronunciation) uchranam, with total surrender of action to Parameswara with Bakhti and understanding the meaning of each mantra and Prayoga.

Gayathri Japam

.    1.   The meaning of the word “Gayathri” is that whosoever sings her glory they will be protected. Singing means to utter Her name with devotion and Bhakti. One who sings Gayathri mantra with devotion and bhakti would be ever protected.  That is why the manra avquired the name “Gayathri”.

2. In Veda it is said that “Gayathri chandasam matha” which mean that Gayathri is mother of all veda mantras. Chandas means Veda. As per the Shastras the foremost important part of any work is to keep the body clean without decline in mantra shakti. “ deho devalayaha prokto jivaprokthaha sanathanaha”.

3. All Veda mantras are in the Gayathri mantra. That mantra gives strength for every other mantra.  Without Gayathri japam other mantras will not be effective. Gayathri is the hypnotic mantra for attaining mukhti. It is the hypnotic mantra for controlling the desires and reaching the goal for which we have got this birth.
4. In sandhyavandanam Argyam and Gaythri japam are two important features. All others are its limbs. One should not conclude that as these two Arghyam & Gayathri japam are important it is fine to do only these two. That would only result in doing away with these two also. So if the whole thing is performed the main would stay. Even during worst times this must be done.
5. There will be effectiveness for Veda Mantra only if Argyam and Gayathri are performed properly with regularity. So Sandhyavandanam must be done regularly as prescribed.
6. Gayathri mantra is medicine for our soul. That should not be discarded for any reason whatsoever. It is more important than medicine. Even one day gap should not be there in performing sandhyavandanam.
7. It is easy and possible for every one to do Gayathri japam. Sandhyavandanam must be done till there is life in this body. Gayathri should be worshipped as mother (Matru roopa).  God appears in innumerable forms and bless us. Most affection we get from Mother.One can confide everything to mother without fear.  Therefore even if God can appear in any form Mother Form is most welcome.  Veda proclaim Gayathri is mother.
8. Every mantra has a specific result and purpose. The purpose and effect of Gayathri mantra is “Chitta Shudhhi” , purity of thought.  All mantras eventually lead to “Chitta Shudhhi”.  Gayathri is the straight result. Gayathri mantra is common for all three Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama).

Detailed analysis on Sandhya Vandan

• There are references in the vedas regarding Sandyavandanam. A reference occurs in “Second prasna, Second Anuvaka of Thaithria Aranyaka (Yajur Veda)”, explaining procedure of worship. The procedure of worship indicated is by offering “Arghya” (water in the palms of both hands thrown up), at the time of sunrise and sunset, meditating on Aditya (Sun).
• Ishvashya upanishad of Shukla Yajurveda also refers to Sun worship as above at sunrise and sunset.
• Chandogya upanisad (Chapter 2 Section 6) discusses “Aditya vidya” explaining the importance of meditation of Sun or Aditya at sunrise and sunset, bringing out also the points mentioned above. Chapter 3, Section 12 of this upanishad explains meditation of aditya through gayatri. 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. The identity should be kept in mind while meditating through gayatri. This is the meaning of “Asavadityao brahma” recited during sandyavandanam.
• These views are also echoed in Aditya Hridaya of the Yuddakanda of Ramayan. Agasthya explains to Sri Rama, the merits of worshipping Aditya. Aditya protects everyone, helps them in their duties, gives lustre, removes ignorance and provides happiness. He is friend of water and resides in every living thing.
• All vedic religions have given great importance to sandyavandanam. It is said that one who does not perform Sandyavandanam is ever impure and is thus rendered unfit to perform the vedic rites – the nitya (daily) or naimithica (occasional) duties prescribed in the scriptures. If however he did perform the duties once in a way in spite of self inflicted impurity (due to non performance of sandyavandanam regularly) the said performance will not yield any result.

Format and Anatomy

• Anatomy

Purification	Achamanam, pranayanam
Statement of  purpose	Sankalpah
Surrender and dedication	Satvika Tyaga
Purification	Prokshanam, Prasanam, Achamanam, Punya Prokshanam
Getting rid of demons	Arghyam
Purification	pranayanam
Apology for any delay	Prayaschita Arghyam
Purification	achamanam
Thanks for benefits received	Kesavadi Tarpanam
Purification	Achamanam, japa vidhih
Preparation for gayatri	Pranayaman mantra japa, gayatri aavahanam
Bringing in the Lord for protection	Gayatri Japam
Purification	Pranayamam
Realization of the the presence of the Lord	upastanam
Salutations to the sandya gods	sandyadi devata vandanam
Expression of one’s lineage	Abhivadanam
Salutations to the directional gods	Dikvandanam
Expression of one’s lineage	Abhivadanam
Surrender and dedication	satvika tyaga
Getting rid of demons	arghyam

• The vedic references bring out the importance of worshipping Aditya through Arghyam and meditation through Gayatri at sunrise and sunset.
• Keeping the above in view, the sages of the past have given a format for the performance of sandyavandanam (using vedic hymns) during sunrise, midday and sunset. In Yagna prakarana, vedas also bring out the importance of ‘Sudhikarana’ or purification. The purification covers both inside and outside of our body. Hence the format includes the purification process. “Prokshanam” is an external purification process, Prasanam and Pranayanam are internal purifiation processes.

Exceptions

• Manasika snanam and mantra snanam
Snanam means bath. The normal bath we take by pouring water on our body is called “Varuna snanam”. Vedas recognize varuna snanam is not possible everywhere and under all circumstances. Hence vedas recognise several alternative forms of bath. (All forms of bath are equal in merit).
Whenever conventional bath i.e. varuna snanam is not possible, one can perform manasika snanam instead. The procedure for manasika snanm is “Mentally comprehend the lotus feet of the Lord is on your head and water of virija (Heavenly river) from his feet flowing all over your body. Recite the hymn below and sprinkle water over your head.

Apavitrah Pavithro va Sarvavastam gato apiva |
Yah Smaret Pundarikaksam sa Bahyabhyantarah sucih ||

This means “One who meditates on pundarikaksha is cleaned both internally and externally irrespective of the purity earlier.
• Mantra snanam is a bath where in we sprinkle water on our head reciting hymns. Incidentally, this has been included in the sandyavandanam process itself. Prokshanam is a “mantra snana”.
• Manasika sandyavandanam means performing the sandyavandanam mentally without water. This can be done under extraordinary circumstances like a long journey etc. Even those who have performed sandyavandanam normally but not within the prescribed limits should offer Arghyam mentally at the Sandhhya time, wherever he is (irrespective of dress etc.)

Recitation of Mantras

• A Hymn or mantra is a prayer (with words and alphabets specially chosen) addressed to God or deity. It is supposed to posess mystic and super natural powers. For best results correct recitation of the mantras is necessary.
• The energy from the universe is present everywhere. By reciting a mantra either orally or mentally, we tune ourselves to receive this energy. This is very similar to tuning a radio receiver to receive the electromagnetic waves around us.
• Our sages through meditation have asessed the power of the various mantras and their applications to different situations and purposes.
• The mantras should be recited with due weightage to the characteristics of the alphabet namely Hasva (short), dheerga (long), alpaprana (less weightage), Maha Prana (heavy weightage). The vibration characteristics of a mantra is very important. The words and alphabets have been chosen to achieve this objective. This is akin to combining the seven notes to produce different ragas or tunes.

Science, electricity and health

• There is a flow of electricity in the human body (this characteristic is used in ECG electrocardiogram) . This is referred to as bio-electricity. Electric currents pass through10 sets of lines corresponding to 10 fingers and toes. Finger tips and top of head constitute terminal points of these electric lines. Bio-electricity gets charged through water, earth, ether etc.
• It must be appreciated that Sandyavandanam is not just reciting hymns or mantras, but it includes certain actions like stance, touching or making contact of different organs etc.
• All natural therapies are based on the principle that human body has a self healing property. Further if the flow of bio-electricity is normal the body remains fit and healthy. Every person has a natural aura around him (an invisible body of charged particles also called bio-plasmic body). Flow of electricity within our body causes emission of electrons which in turn causes the aura. This field has been photographed through a process known as kirilian photography. This was known in ancient India and was used for health.
• The best application of this principle is in health which was also practiced in ancient india. This ancient science has been developed by one Choa-kuk-sui (The ancient science and art of pranic healing Cho-kuk-sui pub. Health Accecories Manila, Phillipines) for curing diseases also known as pranic healing.
• The healing method is one of the naturopathy systems. Detailed investigations and kirilian photography have shown that any disease first enters the bio-plasmic body and then our visible physical body. Hence the healing process attempts to rectify the bio-plasmic body through induction of bio-energy at specific points of the body known as chakras. Remedial measures also include use of energised water.
• Studies have shown that meditation has great influence on the bio-plasmic body. Brain cells are known to produce electric waves of different frequencies.
• In ancient India, one more system of natural therapy i.e. acu-pressure therapy existed. This system also recognises the existence of electricity which is responsible for our health. This system recognises our palm and finger tips as control boards for manipulation or alteration of bio-electricity. Healing is achieved by applying slight pressure to specific points.
• In vedic rites water is used for purification. Modern scientists by passing sound waves through water have produced gas bubbles emitting blue light with very high temperature inside. These studies indicate the capacity of sound waves to energise water.
• A vedic rite known as udakashanti is performed in which water is kept in a copper vessel and vedic hymns are chanted by a group of vedic scholars, some vedic scholars have found that the temperature of water in the vessel has gone up substantially. Punyahavchanam is another vedic rite where in water is energised through vedic hymns. This approach in a miniature has been used in Sandyavandanam i.e. prokshanam, prasanam, achamanam etc. Hence while performing these rituals sound waves must be produced emnating from the mouth.
• Vedic rituals like pranayanam or japam have impact on bio-electricity. Electro cardiograms taking in a normal state, during pranayanam and during pranayanam mantra japam have been taken and they indicate substabtial changes during prnanayanam and japam confirming the fact that we absorb bio-electricity during these rituals.
• Sandyavandanam is essentially prayers to the Supreme Lord at sandya time. Though god realization is the main objective the importance of healthy body and mind have been duly recognized. Apart from reciting hymns it also includes karanas – namely stance, touching different parts of the body etc. They help to achieve the twin objectives of god realization and health.

A SPECIAL VIDEO IN TELUGU LANGUAGE ABOUT SANDHYA VANDAN BY SRI SRI SRI BHARATHI THEERDHA SWAMIJI OF SRINGERI .

A SPECIAL VIDEO IN TELUGU LANGUAGE ABOUT SANDHYA VANDAN BY BRAMHASRI CHAGANTI KOTESWARA RAO &  BRAHMASRI SAMAVEDAM SHANMUKHA SARMA.

 

 

గాయత్రి మంత్రము గురించి మహాత్ములు చెప్పినవి

• వేదవ్యాస మహర్షి – గాయత్రి మంత్రమును జపించకుండా ఇతర మంత్రములను జపించుట భోజనానికి సిద్ధంగా ఉన్న భోజనాన్ని వదిలి ఆడుక్కుని తినటం లాంటిది.
• శతపథ బ్రాహ్మణం ఐతరేయబ్రాహ్మణం లో ‘ బ్రహ్మయే గాయత్రి గాయత్రియే బ్రహ్మ ‘ అని చెప్పబడింది.
• విశ్వామిత్రుడు – ” బంగారపు రంగులో ఉన్న సూర్యబింబము మధ్యలో గాయత్రీ మాతను ధ్యానిస్తూ మంత్రజపం చేసిన యడల శీఘ్రముగా జనన మరణాల నుండి ముక్తుడవుతాడు.
• దేవీభాగవతము – గాయత్రీ మోక్ష విద్య తెలుపు రంగు తేజస్సుతో ప్రకాశించి బుద్ధిని పవిత్రంచేస్తుంది.’ తత్ సవితుర్వరేణ్యం భర్గః ‘
• కూర్మపురాణము – ముల్లోకాలకు జ్ఞానమును ప్రసాదించేసి గాయత్రీ దేవతయే ఆమెయే వేదమాత గాయత్రిని మించిన మంత్రము లేదు
• యాజ్ఞవల్క్యుడు – ఓక త్రాసులో ఇటు వేదాలు ఆటు గాయత్రి మంత్రమును ఉంచి తూచినచో గాయత్రి మంత్రము వైపే త్రాసు మొగ్గును.
• ఆర్షసూక్తి – ‘న గాయత్ర్యాః పరం మంత్రం న మాతుః పర దైవతం’
• భీష్మాచార్యులు – ఓ ధర్మరాజా గాయత్రీ మంత్రమును విడిచి పెట్టకుండా ఏవరు జపిస్తారో వారు దుఃఖం పోందరు
• అత్రి మహర్షి భవిష్య పురాణం – సూర్యుని ఏదుట ఏనిమిది వేలు గాయత్రీ జపం చేసిన యడల సర్వ పాపములనుండి విముక్తుడవుతాడు
• లఘు అత్రి సంహితా – గాయత్రీ ని జపించే వారిని మాత్రమే పితృకార్యాలకి ఆహ్వానించాలి
• పద్మపురాణం పరాశర మహర్షి – గాయత్రిని జపించు వారి మహాపాపాలు పాపాలు ఉపపాపాలు కూడా నశిస్తాయి
• అగ్నిపురాణం – ఏ బ్రాహ్మడు నిత్యం ఉదయం సాయం సంధ్యలలో గాయత్రీ ఉపాసన చేస్తాడో ఆతడు ఏలాంటి దానము స్వీకరించినా దోషములు కలుగవు
• శంఖ స్మృతి – నరక నివారణకి వేదముల ఉపనిషత్తుల సారమైన గాయత్రిని మించిన మంత్రము లేదు
• సూత సంహితా యజ్ఞవైభవ ఖండం – అన్నముతో జలముతో సమానమైన దానము అహింసతో సమానమైన తపస్సు గాయత్రిని మించిన మంత్రము లేదు
• నారద మహర్షి – గాయత్రీ సమస్త దేవతా స్వరూపము ఆమె ఉన్న చోట శ్రీమన్నారాయణుడు నివసిస్తాడు ఇందు సందేహము లేదు
• వశిష్ట మహర్షి – మూర్కుడు కూడా గాయత్రిని జపించిన ఉన్నత స్తితికి వెళ్ళును.వాడు దేవతలలాగా భూమిమీద ప్రకాశిస్తాడు.
• మహాత్మాగాంధీ – నిత్యం గాయత్రిని జపించు వారికి ఆత్మోన్నతి మరియూ రోగనాశనం ఆపద నాశనం‌ జరుగును.
• ఆదిశంకరులు – గాయత్రి మహిమ వర్ణించ మానవ సామర్థ్యం సరిపోదు ఇదియే ఆది మంత్రంము.

అందుకే నిత్యం ఉదయం సాయంత్రం గాయత్రీ ఉపాసన చేయటం చాలా మంచిది…

సంధ్యావందనం

ఒకసారి కంచి పరమాచార్యుల దర్శనానికి ఒక బ్రాహ్మణుడు వచ్చారు. స్వామి వారిచ్చే తీర్థం తీసుకుని, అదే తీర్థం తనతో తెచ్చుకున్న చిన్న పాత్రలో కూడా కొద్దిగా ఇమ్మని అభ్యంర్ధినచారు. శ్రీ స్వామివారు దేనికని అడిగారు. తన భార్యకు అస్వస్థతగా ఉన్నదని, తీర్థం ఇస్తే నయమవుతుందని విన్నవించారు ఆ బ్రాహ్మణుడు. స్వామివారు తీర్థం ఇవ్వడానికి నిరాకరించారు. నీవు గాయత్రి మంత్ర జపము చేస్తావా అని అడిగారు. ఆ బ్రాహ్మణుడు నిత్యమూ చేస్తానన్నాను. అయితే జపానంతరము నీవే తీర్థమివ్వచ్చుకదా, అన్నారు. తమరిచ్చే తీర్థము, నాజప తీర్థము సమమవుతాయా స్వామి అన్నాడా బ్రాహ్మణుడు. ఎందుకు కాదు, నీవ్విచ్చినా నేనిచ్చినా ‘గాయత్రిమంత్ర జప తీర్థమే’ కదా, నీవే యిచ్చిచూడు అని చెప్పి పంపారు ఆ బ్రాహ్మణుని.

ఒక వారం తరువాత, ఆ బ్రాహ్మణుడు స్వస్థత చేకూరినా భార్యని తీసుకుని స్వామి వారి దర్శనానికి రాగా, స్వామివారు శక్తి ‘గాయత్రి మంత్ర జప తీర్థానిదే’ కాని, తనదికాదని చెప్పారు. గాయత్రి మంత్ర జప విశిష్టత అది

#KanchiParamacharyaVaibhavam #కంచిపరమాచార్యవైభవం

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