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Sandhyavandana (सन्ध्यावन्दनम्) (view source)
Revision as of 16:48, 2 January 2019
, 16:48, 2 January 2019no edit summary
{{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}}
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 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.
The Sandhyavandanam is the oldest extant liturgy in world religion. As a practice, it may be 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".
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".
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.
== Nityakarma ==
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.
उतैनं गोपा अदृशन्नदृशन् उदहार्यः (नमकम्, रुद्राध्यायः, तैत्तिरीयसंहिता, ४.५)
utainaṃ gopā adṛśannadṛśan udahāryaḥ
(Namakam, Rudrādhyāyaḥ, Taittirīyasaṃhitā, 4.5)
That the cowboys have noticed him (the Sun) and the ladies fetching water also noticed him.
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:
* Ācamanam (sipping of water thrice) – This is of three kinds and they are to be known through Ācārya. Ācamanam is to be done before and after Sandhyāvandanam.
* Prāṇāyāma: This is related to Yoga.
श्वासप्रश्वासयोः गतिविच्छेदः प्राणायामः। पातञ्जलयोगसूत्रम्, २.४९॥
śvāsapraśvāsayoḥ gativicchedaḥ prāṇāyāmaḥ। Pātañjalayogasūtram, 2.49॥
Arresting the inhalation and exhalation is called Prāṇāyāma.
The air is inhaled (Pūrakam), then held for some time (Kumbhakam) and finally released (Recakam).
* Mārjanam: Sprinkling himself with water while reciting certain Mantras.
* Aghamarṣaṇam: Literally it means killing the sin. It is just like Mārjanam.
* Arghyapradānam: Offering water purified with Gāyatrīmantra to Sun. Taittirīyāraṇyakam (2.2) says that some demons called Mandehas regularly try to hurt Āditya (Sun) and the Arghyam offered by Dvijas (Brahmavādins) would chase them down to an island called Mandehāraṇa. Arghyapradānam should be performed even during Aśaucam (impurity) due to birth of a child and by those, who for some reason or the other, cannot perform the complete 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 –
धीः धारणावती मेधा (अमरकोशः, धीवर्गः, २)
dhīḥ dhāraṇāvatī medhā (Amarakośaḥ, Dhīvargaḥ, 2)
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==