Sandhyavandane – The Vedic Prayer

Sandhyavandanam is to be performed thrice daily. One during sunrise (when day proceeds from night), next during midday (which is the transition from ascending sun to descending sun) and during sunset(when night takes over from day). The purpose is to activate our mind and brain and then drive away the evil spirits that are active during that period with an intention to harm us.

Rig Sandhyavandane text in English: Rg_SandhyaVandhane_Vidhana

Rig Sandhyavandane text in Sanskrit: Rg SadhyaVandhane_Sanskrit

Rig Sandhyavandane text in Kannada: Rig Sandhyavandane_ Kannada

Rig Sandhyavandana Bashya in Kannada: SRI RIG-VEDA SANDHYAVANDANA BHASHYA

Yajur Sandhyavandane text in English: Yajur_SandhyaVandhane_English

It is known by a different name at each hour – in the morning (prātaḥsaṃdhyā), at noon (mādhyānika), and in the evening (sāyaṃsaṃdhyā).

The term is a Sanskrit compound consisting of saṃdhyā, meaning “union”, or more specifically the union or junctions of day and night which takes place in the morning or evening twilight,and vandanam meaning worship. In addition to dawn and dusk, noon is considered the third juncture of the day, and hence meditations and prayers are performed daily at those times.

But, why do Sandhya at this these times only?

• It is these times that one is in an empty stomach which is a condition for any spiritual exercise.
• The term saṃdhyā is also used by itself in the sense of “daily practice” to refer to the performance of these devotions at the opening and closing of the day.
• The Sandhya Vandanam is so important, therefore, to guard against the evils of the Thrisandhya (Union of Light and Dark etc.) and to give us all prosperity.

As human beings, we have to be thankful to Devas – the Gods or the Pancha Bhutas with which we are made of and the entire world is made of.  Even in our body the pancha bhootas are existent – Earth, Water, Fire, Ether (space) and Air.  These are having their lords as Bhoodevi, Varuna, Agni, Indra and Vayu, who are the preceptors for these panchabhootas.  As we are made up of Panchabhootas, we have to pray to these lords to give us health, peace, happiness etc. and, therefore, pray to them daily.  The duties enjoined in us towards these devas are called Deva Runam or debt to Devas.

Just like the water in a vessel can be stabilized by keeping the vessel stable, we must stabilize our mind by first sitting in a comfortable and stable manner. The yogic pose of Padmasana is recommended for this purpose.

The Sandhyavandanam is to be performed in the following order.  Against each action is mentioned the meaning and significance. Reference: From the lecture delivered by Dr. Vyasanakere Prabhanajanacharya as a part of the “Madhvacharya for the Youth”

Sl. No.	Activity	Method/Meaning	Significance
1.	Achamana	Drinking a small quantity of water (equal to size of urad dal)	Lubricates the entire food pipe and cleans it.The achamanam is a scientifically proved technique of cooling our body and also in focusing our mind.http://sanatanavenkat.blogspot.com/2007/11/sandhyavandanam-achamanam.html
2.	Pranayama	Takes in pure air and lets out impure air	Gets us the control of the entire body.Pranayama is to be done with mentally chanting the extended Gayatri. The Puraka, Kumbaka and Rechaka type of Pranayama was originally suggested and practiced but nowadays even the Puraka and Rechaka themselves are sufficient to derive benefit. The kumbaka has to be learnt only with the help of Gurus who are becoming rare these days.The steady intake of Breath is called Puraka and steady exhaling is called Rechaka. Usually Rechaka is best done at twice the time of Puraka.The power of breath. Prana regulates the temperature of the Body: In early morning even in cold climates, you can splash cold water on your body by taking a deep breath and keeping it inside while taking bath. You will not feel cold at all. Just remember those days when the oldies used to close the nostrils while taking a dip in the river or pond ! Next try this: Close your eyes, sit erect, but not stiff. Think of the sound AUM. Pronounce it mentally, very slowly. A…….U………..M. Do it for five to ten minutes. Now without opening your eyes, notice your breath. You will be surprised. It has become very slow, very rhythmic and feeble ! In the same way, notice how a child breathes in sleep. Very rhythmic , steady and VERY SLOW. What do you gather ? when the thoughts are focused, the breath is slow and rhythmic. In the same way, when the breath is made rhythmic and slow, your thoughts (mind) will be focused and clear ! Apart from single pranayamas at the beginnings, the gayatri japa is tucked in between two sets of three pranayamas each at the beginning and end respectively. Look at the subtlety of our Rishis !
3.	Sankalpa	Recollecting the date, time and place in which the activity is being performed	Develops the willpower required for a successful mindset
4.	Marjana	Sprinkling of water on one’s body	Completes the bathing ritual with the mantras
5.	Jalabhimantrana	Drinking the sacred water	Purification of the body
6.	Punarmarjana	Sprinkling of water on one’s body	Re-cleaning the body
7.	Suryarghya	Offering the sacred water to Lord Narayana residing in the sun god	Solar energy is recognized as having enormous powers in purification, ripening of fruits, medicinal powers in curing skin and other related diseases.
8.	Japa	Repetition of the Gayatri Mantra 10/100 /1000 or more no. of times and reciting the Narayana mantra three times the no. of times one has recited the Gayatri mantra	Sharpens the mind, leads to clear and sharp thinking, memory and leads to personal upliftment.
9.	Dignamskara	Prayer to the presiding deities of all the directions	To get protection and success in all the 10 directions
10.	Krishnarpana	Offering the actions at the feet of Lord Krishna	This completes the activity and gives it all the relevance.  An action which is not offered on the feet of the Lord is useless and meaning less

For performing Sandhyavandanam, one does not have to observe too much madi.  This does not require too much time and can be performed easily. Performance of Sandhyavandanam is mandatory for all men.  Under no circumstances should one give up this activity.