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{{About||the 1983 film|Sandhya Vandanam (film)}}

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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.

'''Sandhyavandana''' ([[Sanskrit]]: '''{{lang|sa|संध्यावन्दन}}''', ''{{IAST|sandhyāvandana}}'') is a mandatory religious ritual performed, traditionally, by ''[[Dvija]]'' communities of [[Hindus]] {{citation needed|reason=Mandatory according to whom or what? Which text or guru has stated this?In addition, which strands of Hinduism (Orthodox Brahmanical, etc.)|date=November 2015}}, 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 (''{{IAST|prātaḥsaṃdhyā}}''), noon (''{{IAST|mādhyāhnika}}'') and evening (''{{IAST|sāyaṃsaṃdhyā}}'').

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:

# ''Āchamana'' consists of Nama Sankirthana - taking the names of the Lord

# ''Āchamana'' consists of Nama Sankirthana - taking the names of the Lord

# ''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)

# ''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.

The steps in the Rigveda Sandhyavandan are twenty-eight in number. The emerging need to perform the Sandhyaavandanam daily is increasing .<ref>http://www.sandhyaavandanam.com/</ref>

This is the basic regular rite to be performed by all Dvijas. Those who ignore are not eligible to perform any (Vedic) rite. It is called Nityakarma (a regular rite). One has to perform this rite three times a day. Sandhyā means twilight. The rite performed during twilight is also called Sandhyā or Sandhyāvandanam (salute of Sandhyā). All the Dvijas (i.e. who have undergone Upanayanam) have to perform Sandhyā. For Śūdras and ladies the sight of rising and setting Sun itself is considered as Sandhyāvandanam.

 

 

 

 

 

According to tradition water should not be fetched during night. Water is fetched during both the twilights by ladies and they notice the Sun during both the twilights. Since the cattle is taken out during morning twilight and brought back during evening twilight by cowboys , they notice the Sun during both the twilights.

 

There are seven principal constituents of Sandhyāvandanam:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Japa of Gāyatrī: One has to repeat Gāyatrīmantra for a minimum of one hundred and eight times or at least ten times.

 

* Upasthānam: This is a prayer worshipping the Sun with (Vedic) Mantras in the morning, afternoon and evening, but evening the Sun in the form of Varuṇa.

Medhājananam: The intellectual capacity to retain the achieved knowledge for long (and produce as and when required) is called Medhā –

 

 

 

The intellect with the capacity to retain for long is called Medhā.

 

The rite for the "generation of Medhā" is called Medhājananam. It is performed on the fourth day after Upanayanam.

==Main components of the Sandhyavandanam==

==Main components of the Sandhyavandanam==

* Ganapathi Dhyanam - Requesting Lord Ganeshaa for cessation of obstacles

* Ganapathi Dhyanam - Requesting Lord Ganeshaa for cessation of obstacles

* [[Pranayama|Prāṇāyāma]] - (Prāṇā) Breathing (āyamaha) regulation exercise controls pranamayakosha ("physiological aspect"). The Pranamaya kosha includes five systems -  Prana (respiratory system), apana (excretory system), vyana (circulatory system), samana (digestive) and udana (reversing system). Influences Anamayakosha (Anatomical aspect) and Manomayakosha (Emotional aspect). There are 2 types: Kevala pranayama (Done silently - focus is on body) and Sagarbha pranayama (recommended) (With mantra - health improves but we remain detached from body). Done 3 times to 10 times.  

* [[Pranayama|Prāṇāyāma]] - (Prāṇā) Breathing (āyamaha) regulation exercise controls pranamayakosha ("physiological aspect"). The Pranamaya kosha includes five systems -  Prana (respiratory system), apana (excretory system), vyana (circulatory system), samana (digestive) and udana (reversing system). Influences Anamayakosha (Anatomical aspect) and Manomayakosha (Emotional aspect). There are 2 types: Kevala pranayama (Done silently - focus is on body) and Sagarbha pranayama (recommended) (With mantra - health improves but we remain detached from body). Done 3 times to 10 times.  

Meaning of Mantra -  

Meaning of Mantra - Pranava - Om means eeswarah (implying that God is everything).  

Pranava - Om means eeswarah (implying that God is everything).  

Vyahrithihi) - Bhu, bhuvaha etc. refer to 7 upper lokas (other 7 lower lokas are implied) are all God. Gayatri - Simple meaning - I meditate upon the light of the sun which activates our intelligent)

Vyahrithihi) - Bhu, bhuvaha etc. refer to 7 upper lokas (other 7 lower lokas are implied) are all God.

Gayatri - Simple meaning - I meditate upon the light of the sun which activates our intelligent)

Gayatri shiras (again says that God is everything - All waters (aapo), lights (jyothi), essences/nourishment(raso), God's nourishment (amrutham) is God).  

Gayatri shiras (again says that God is everything - All waters (aapo), lights (jyothi), essences/nourishment(raso), God's nourishment (amrutham) is God).  

* Sankalpam - Taking the resolve - has benefit of auto-suggestion (telling yourself that this is your focus for next 15 odd minutes).

* Sankalpam - Taking the resolve - has benefit of auto-suggestion (telling yourself that this is your focus for next 15 odd minutes).

* Samarpanam

* Samarpanam

Chanting of the [[Gayatri]] [[mantra]], traditionally, is done 32, 64 or 108 times (it depends on the person doing sandhyavandana; he can chant any number of times. "YathaSakti Gayatri mantra japam karishye" was the sankalpam in Sandhya vandana), depending upon the prescriptions of the practitioner's [[Veda]] and [[Sutra]], an integral part of Sandhyavandanam.<ref>For chanting of the Gayatri mantra as part of {{IAST|saṃdhyā}} practice see Taimni, p. 1.</ref> In addition to the mantra, the ritual of ''{{IAST| saṃdhyā}}'' includes other rites that are purifying and preparatory (Sanskrit: ''{{IAST|śuddhi}}'' 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:Hindu prayer and meditation]]

[[Category:Nityakarma]]

[[Category:Meditation]]

[[Category:Samskaras]]