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{{ToBeEdited}}'''Sandhyavandana''' is a mandatory religious ritual performed, traditionally, by ''[[Dvija]]'' communities of [[Hindus]], particularly those initiated through the sacred thread ceremony referred to as the [[Upanayanam]] and instructed in its execution by a ''[[Guru]]'', in this case one qualified to teach Vedic ritual. The Sandhyavandanam consists of recitation from the [[Vedas]], accompanied by ritual. These rituals are performed three times a day- at morning, noon and evening.

{{ToBeEdited}}

Sandhyavandana (Samskrit: सन्ध्यावन्दनम्) is a mandatory ritual performed, traditionally, by dvija communities in India, particularly those initiated through the [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]] ceremony and instructed in its execution by a ''[[Guru (गुरुः)|Guru]]'', in this case one qualified to teach Vedic ritual. Sandhyavandana consists of recitation from the [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Vedas]], accompanied by a procedure. These rituals are performed three times a day- at morning, noon and evening.

The Sandhyavandanam is the oldest extant liturgy in world religion. As a practice, it may be descended from the much older daily [[Agnihotra]] ritual.

Sandhyavandana is the oldest extant liturgy (a set of rules for performing a religious ceremony) in world religion. As a practice, it may have descended from the much older daily [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotra]] ritual.

Sandhyavandanam literally means "salutation to Sandhya". Sandhya, in turn, has traditionally been interpreted either as "the transition moments of the day" (namely the two [[twilight]]s dawn and dusk), or as "the [[solar noon]]". Thus, Sandhyavandanam may be defined as the ritual "salutation to twilight or the solar noon".

Sandhyavandana literally means "salutation to Sandhya".  

 

 

Sandhya, in turn, has traditionally been interpreted either as "the transition moments of the day" (namely the two twilights - dawn and dusk). Thus, Sandhyavandanam may be defined as the ritual "salutation to twilight or the solar noon".

      

      

The steps in the Sandhyavandan always include the following essential components:

The steps in the Sandhyavandan always include the following essential components:

# ''Prāṇāyāma'' is the ritual purification of internals via breathing exercises

# ''Prāṇāyāma'' is the ritual purification of internals via breathing exercises

# ''Mārjana'' is a ritual self-purification

# ''Mārjana'' is a ritual self-purification

# ''Mantra Prokshanam'' is a prayer for atonement of sins

# ''Mantra Prokshanam'' is a prayer for atonement of papas (पापम्)

# ''Aghamarshana'' (performed by some schools, especially [[Rigveda|Rig Vedins]]) is a prayer for forgiveness of sins

# ''Aghamarshana'' (performed by some schools, especially [[Rigveda|Rig Vedins]]) is a prayer for forgiveness of papas

# ''Gāyatri japa'' is meditation

# ''Gāyatri japa'' is meditation

# ''Upastānam'' is a prayer to the Hindu deities [[Mitra]] (performed during the morning prayer) and [[Varuna]] (performed during the evening prayer)

# ''Upastānam'' is a prayer to the Hindu deities [[Mitra]] (performed during the morning prayer) and [[Varuna]] (performed during the evening prayer)

In addition to the above Vedic components of the Sandhyavandanam, many include the following [[Tantra|Tantric]] component:

In addition to the above Vedic components of the Sandhyavandanam, many include the following [[Tantra|Tantric]] component:

# ''Navagraha tarpana'' are offerings made every day to each of the nine planets.

# ''Navagraha tarpana'' are offerings made every day to each of the nine planets.

==Main components of the Sandhyavandanam==

==Main components of the Sandhyavandanam==

* Samarpanam

* Samarpanam

In addition to the mantra, the ritual of Sandhya includes other rites that are purifying and preparatory (Sanskrit: Shuddhi mantras), serving to prevent distracting thoughts and bring focus to the mind. Some of these are propitiatory libations of water to the Gods of the planets and of the months of the Hindu calendar, atoning for Sandhyavandanams not performed and atoning for sins committed since the last hour of Sandhya. In addition, one of the most important rituals of Sandhyavandanam involves worshiping the Sun as Mitra in the morning and worshiping Varuna, in the evening.

In addition to the mantra, the ritual of Sandhya includes other rites that are purifying and preparatory (Sanskrit: Shuddhi mantras), serving to prevent distracting thoughts and bring focus to the mind. Some of these are propitiatory libations of water to the Gods of the planets and of the months of the Hindu calendar, atoning for Sandhyavandanams not performed and atoning for papas committed since the last hour of Sandhya. In addition, one of the most important rituals of Sandhyavandanam involves worshiping the Sun as Mitra in the morning and worshiping Varuna, in the evening.

Each [[Shakha]] of the holy [[Veda]] has its own unique way of sandhyavandanam. Shatatapa Smriti says a Dwija who doesn't do sandhyavandanam at least once will be a dog in the next birth. During Ashoucham (during death of any relative or birth of a child) sandhyavandanam is done without water and Darbham (Kusha grass). On Trayodashi, during sayam sandhya minimum gayatri japam and silence is prescribed by some vedik scholars. There are few additional mantras in Navagraha Kesavathi Tarpana for Bodhayana Sutra. They include Yama mantras, in addition to Navagraha Kesavathi mantras.

Each [[Shakha]] of the holy [[Veda]] has its own unique way of sandhyavandanam. Shatatapa Smriti says a Dwija who doesn't do sandhyavandanam at least once will be a dog in the next birth. During Ashoucham (during death of any relative or birth of a child) sandhyavandanam is done without water and Darbham (Kusha grass). On Trayodashi, during sayam sandhya minimum gayatri japam and silence is prescribed by some vedik scholars. There are few additional mantras in Navagraha Kesavathi Tarpana for Bodhayana Sutra. They include Yama mantras, in addition to Navagraha Kesavathi mantras.

==Daily duties of Brahmins==

==Daily duties of Brahmins==

Doing Sandhya vandhana first creates the eligibility for a brahmin to do all rituals following it. Rituals done without doing sandhyavandhanam are regarded as fruitless by [[Smritis|Dharmaśāstra]]. Thus, sandhyavandhana forms the basis or regarded as the foundation for all other vedic rituals. After doing Sandhyavandhana dhyannika Sandhya to get rid off sins occurred due preparation of lunch like boiling rice,cutting vegetables, burning firewood etc. In Vaishvadeva homa rice cakes are offered to vishvadevas (all devatas).

Doing Sandhya vandhana first creates the eligibility for a brahmin to do all rituals following it. Rituals done without doing sandhyavandhanam are regarded as fruitless by [[Smritis|Dharmaśāstra]]. Thus, sandhyavandhana forms the basis or regarded as the foundation for all other vedic rituals. After doing Sandhyavandhana dhyannika Sandhya to get rid of papas occurred due preparation of lunch like boiling rice,cutting vegetables, burning firewood etc. In Vaishvadeva homa rice cakes are offered to vishvadevas (all devatas).

 

[[Category:Nityakarma]]

[[Category:Nityakarma]]

[[Category:Samskaras]]

[[Category:Samskaras]]