How and Why To Do Sandhya Vandana ?

What is Sandhya vandana ? What is its value or importance for a Hindu ? Who should do it ? What is Sandhya time? How is it performed ? What are the benefits of Sandhya Vandana ? 

Warning of Shastra - A Hindu is no more a dwij , if he doesn't perform Sandhya vandana continuously for three days .

Sandhya vandana (Sanskrit: संध्यावन्दन, sandhyāvandana) 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 Sandhyāvandanam consists of recitation from the Vedas, accompanied by ritual. These rituals are performed three times a day - at morning (prātaḥsaṃdhyā), noon (mādhyāhnika) and evening (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. 

Sandhyavandanam 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), or as "the solar noon". Thus, Sandhyavandanam may be defined as the ritual "salutation to twilight or the solar noon".

The term sandhyā, when used by itself in the sense of "daily practice", may also refer to the performance of these rituals at the opening and closing of the day.

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

1-Ācamanaṃ and aṅga-vandanaṃ consists of Nama Sankirtana - taking the names of the Lord

2-Prāṇāyāma is the ritual purification of internals via breathing exercises

3-sūrya-upasthānaṃ ,

4-Mārjanaṃ and punar-mārjanaṃ is a ritual self-purification

5-Mantra Prōkṣaṇam is a prayer for atonement of sins

6-Āghamarṣaṇaṃ (performed by some schools, especially Rig Vedins) is a prayer for forgiveness of sins

7-Gāyatri japaṃ is meditation

8-Gāyatri Upasthānam is a prayer to the Hindu deities Mitra (performed during the morning prayer) and Varuna (performed during the evening prayer)

9-Abhivādana is a salutory introduction offered to all deities. It usually follows a prostration to the deities in each direction (dikpālakas)

Main components of the Sandhyavandanam   

1- Poorvaangam- the preparatory:

1- Aachamanam  - Sipping water three times for purging the mind of all thoughts of ‘I’, ‘My’, ‘Mine’ for contemplation of ‘Supreme Athman”. A vow is made with all senses and mind, renouncing all other thoughts and placing trust in ‘Him’.

2- Prāṇāyāma - (Prāṇā) Breathing (āyamaha) regulation. Done scientifically, pranayama improves oxygen supply, expels carbon dioxide, helps blood circulation, improves concentration, memory power and general health.

It involves (a) inhaling (b) holding the breath repeating savitri / gayatri mantra preceded by pranava and 7 vyahrtis followed by 'shiras' thrice and (c) exhaling. {Pranava = Aum, verily the Brahman; Vyahriti = Bhuh, Bhuvaha, Suvah ... etc. 7 vyahrtis represent 'Brahman' present in all creations of 7 worlds each above and below the earth; Savithree mantra = Tat savitur varenyam ... = May Savitha, all pervasive, supreme solar deity vivify and impel our intellect in the right direction ; Shiras = ‘Oum apo..” He is water, light, essence, nectar and also the three worlds i.e., earth, intervening space and heaven. They are all manifestations of “Brahman”} Should be learnt / practiced under expert guidance.

3- Bhasma and Gopichandana grahanam - This is done as a means of protection, purification, (Bhasma contains salts that have salutary effect on our body) progression and as a symbol of brahmanism. ‘Ida Nadi’ and ‘Pingala Nadi’ merge into ‘Sushumna Nadi’ in the forehead region between two eye- brows, just above the nose. This point is considered very central to the awakening of the thought process. Hence, kumkum, gandha and bhasma are applied here.

THE Process: 

4 - Sankalpam - Taking the resolve - has the benefit of auto-suggestion (telling yourself that this is your focus for next 15 odd minutes).It should be always done after careful contemplation, in a calm and positive frame of mind mustering the will to act upon. Even when one is engaged in appeasing 'God', such act should be done with 'His' approval.

5 - Prokshanam - Marjanam This is a process of sanitizing and revitalizing body and mind. Mantras commonly used here adore water as a source of nourishment, medicines and energy ( agni, power). This awareness would encourage us to be frugal in its use & deter pollution.

6- Jalaprashanam -  Internal purification so that one becomes spiritually fit to perform ritualistic act.This is a 'Jnana Yajna' where one introspects, repents for the sins committed and surrenders to the Lord.This is done wishfully.One offers water consecrated by mantras in the fire present in the mouth – contemplating that body, mind and heart have been cleansed.Sins specified include : Mental i.e. evil thoughts, anger, Oral i.e. lies, abuses and Physical i.e. theft, prohibited sexual act, consuming undesirable food, crushing creatures under the feet. Seek emancipation of sins committed during

the day / night.

7- Aghamarshanam - Intended to drive away evil thoughts. The thought of repeatedly eradicating the evil helps overpowering 'thamasa' and 'rajasa' gunas and strengthen 'satvik gunas.With a few drops of water in the hand, chant the mantra, mentally induce 'Papa Purusha' to come out through the nose into the water and it is put away.

9 - Arghya pradanam - Experience and adore the ecstasy, panorama & panache of sunrise / sunset and express our gratitude to Him - He is our life support. Give a standing ovation to the rising sun. Take water in two hands cupped together, standing with feet together, facing Sun-God. Recite savitri mantra and make the offer thrice.This is a form of oblation. Water is easily accessible, most valuable and complete offering one can normally be making.

10 - Gayatri japam -The stated objective here is complete emancipation of sins. Meditate upon the solar deity - Sooryanarayana- a visible form of divinity He is the absolute spirit settled in the lotus heart of all beings.He is the Parabrahma. He is the Paramathma. Repeat Savitri mantra at least 10 times (108 if possible), in complete faith and reverence, silently, concentrating on the meaning of the manthra : May Savitha, all - pervasive, supreme solar deity vivify and impel our intellect in the right direction.

11 - Upasthaanam - Attaining proximity to the Lord. Adoring Him. Being one with Him. Typical prayers are: (1) May Agnideva to whom we offer soma juice in the performance of Yajnas, destroy our internal enemies like anger, lust etc. Just as the boatsman takes us from one side of the river to the other safely, let Him help us cross over all difficulties. (2) May Rudra ( the one with three eyes, a celestial aura & the one who fortifies) release us from the cycle of rebirth and lead us to sublimity.

Dikdevata-vandanam - Prayers to Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirutha, Varuna, Vayu, Soma, Eeshana, Brahma and Vishnu. They are witnesses to all our deeds. The ideals represented by each of them will provide a direction to us in our march ahead.

12 - Abhivadanam -Touching ears is symbolic- they act as a gateway of knowledge. Expression of gratitude to the teachers (rishis) for transmitting divine wisdom to the next generation. It is customary to mention the name, gotra and pravara. This is an apt introduction too.

Samarpanam -Note that the entire process was undertaken with an intent to please Him as per His directions. The fruits of such act are also placed at His disposal. He distributes them equitably. A philosophy of total surrender to Him is embedded here. This can only mollify our pride and implant humility.

13 - Kshamapanam - Seek pardon for acts of omission / error that might have been committed by chanting three of His names thrice.Even with best of intentions and utmost care, inadequacies can creep in. It pays to look back, correct mistakes and strive to improvise.

Courtesy: Wikipedia

God . Dharma . Karma . Duty . Sins . Atonement. Essential ritual . Peace .Happiness. Awareness. 

Honesty Is The Best Policy ! Really?

Honesty is the best policy. Really ?

 I am amused to see the hypocrisy of the society in teaching this common good saying to their kids at homes and schools. At schools and colleges the students are often asked to write essays on the necessity of honesty . Saints , priests, leaders and politicians are all so eloquent in their speeches on its glorification as the most cherishable virtue for all human beings.. Our scriptures are replete with instructions regarding the strict observations of this pious practice.

But the Reality is Contrary : Rampant Dishonesty 

However when we observe it closely , we see a totally different picture. There is no place where we cannot see this ubiquitous social illness called dishonesty. Whether we have to get our birth certificates or death certificates from the municipal corporation or we want a job in a government department ; whether we are planning to get a driving license or admission to some government schools or colleges , we are bound to have a taste its bitterness .. It has become so normal that we appreciate a young man who has successfully got a post or position where he may manage to accumulate some money through the use of this ' skill '. I have seen people glorifying a person's wealth without ever  bothering about how it has been made .

It is ironic that we want honesty from others and complain that there is too much corruption and dishonesty but when it is our own turn to show clean ,we are unable to resist the urge of making some money like others . Here we forget that we should ,' Be the change we want to see in others . ' 

Is there no one honest ?

I do not say that there are no honest people . There are many indeed . We can put them in three categories on the basis of the degree of their honesty . 

1 - The first category belongs to those people who are absolutely honest and nothing can budge them from their path of truth . They are very few and they are the upholders of the purity and conscience of our society . The goodness of the society is still preserved only because of such people .

 2 - There is the second category in which there are those who are honest but only partly and selectively . They are of volatile nature . They may move up or down to whichever category and it depends on situations and stimulation . They need guidance.

3 - There is another  third category of people who are totally immersed in rank dishonesty and they are perfectly ok with their guilty conscience inasmuch as it is not pinching them .

It's not of much use to talk about the people of the first and the third categories for there is little left for improve in them. The third category is worth our attention for they hold the greatest possibility to change for the better. This article is especially addressed to them. We shall here discuss the subject in question from a very practical point of view .

Honesty : What is it ?

Let us understand what honesty is. We know that it has two connotations . The first is the positive one which denotes the  quality of being truthful . The second connotation hints at a negative meaning as not lying to anyone . We are all born true and honest humans . Look at a child how truthful and honest he is . The true nature of a person is pure truth . We are happiest in the company of an honest person .

What is dishonesty?

Whereas dishonesty is lying to others and our own conscience , due to greed or fear or some other reasons . It is resorting to untruths for some selfish purpose. Often dishonest people think that their act is unnoticed by anyone .If they think so they are committing theft. If they don't care about being noticed it is robbery. That is more dehumanizing.

Why do people become dishonest ?

Some people are honest by nature and some are under some fear or compulsion . If fear is the reason to make someone honest and truthful , it is the character of a slave or a  beast . 

Now we should take up the question as to why a person born as a true , honest and pure baby starts walking the path of dishonesty in the course of his growth.What pulls or pushes him or her to be dishonest ? You will not disagree if I say that the ultimate goal of all human activities is happiness . Happiness which is permanent and without any guilt . The beginning of this soul-destroying journey often starts with the assumption that it may give that coveted happiness . It often starts  with some very innocent incidents . When a child steals some sweets kept secretly by his mom and asked , he tells lies . When he copies answers from the answer sheets of another student sitting beside him in the examination hall he is practising it.When he tells lies to his parents about his studies , friends , relationship etc and feels guiltless and innocent instead of regretting . Then he moves to serious incidents . He learns to get his work done through bribing. He then finds no wrong in accepting bribes if offered. Then he learns to find different ways to fleece the poor and needy people. He starts to change both internally and externally to fit in his own world which is to a great extent his own creation. His beliefs , values and principles change to suit this foul mental and emotional world of which he becomes a feelingless , thoughtless and hypocrite member. Maybe now and then his conscience pricks him but he learns to ignore and suppress it . As his values have changed by now , he uses the ill- gotten money . It is not a difficult guess on what type of things he would splurge his money. His goals are pleasures , entertainment , show-off , domination  . He spends it to show off his false sense of superiority . He is prone to falling prey to alcohol and adultery . He never stops to listen to his own inner voice. He is afraid of it . And it is needless now to say that the path of spiritual evolution is a distant dream for him .

What can we achieve through dishonesty ? 

After talking about his gradual fall and degeneration let us see if he obtains the real goal for which he made these compromises . The real goal , as we discussed at the beginning, is indisputably true happiness . Has the money created through dishonesty been able to buy him happiness?  Can he say that he lived a life of peace and bliss ? Can he claim that his dishonesty has provided him with any advantages ? Can he talk about his life openly and publicly without any shame and regret ? Can he teach his own children to emulate him in their lives?

 The answer to these questions is a clear  NO . Such money can never buy happiness . Yes it can buy some momentary pleasure but no real happiness. Peace he can never get as it is a state of an honest mind and true conscience.

So far as its advantages and disadvantages are concerned let's take an account of its gains and losses . Mostly it aims at short term gains of money , position and facilities and at long term gain of peace and bliss.  It may indeed bring money , position and some facilities but peace and bliss are beyond its range . No,it would be better to say that peace and bliss are opposite to dishonesty. 

Now look at the losses which are many . It , right at the time of its emergence, causes spiritual restlessness and with persistent practice pollutes everything from body and mind to soul . It sets the examples of such bad character which the people around are encouraged to follow and an endless chain of dishonest people are born and perpetuated. It brings disrepute and restless mind with short term guilty pleasures. It is an obstacle to one's spiritual evolution . 

Is it worth the price ?

 God  is present everywhere and knows everything. He sees and hears everything. Nothing is hidden from Him as he sees even the imperceptible thought waves rising and flowing in our minds .Just for some meaningless mirage of short term material pleasure which is never fully  attainable and quenchable , we can not afford to sell our soul . It is in fact a bad deal leading to our total doom. 

Considering carefully the pros and cons , advantages and disadvantages , costs and benefits of this deal we find it abhorable and despicable. Dishonesty is proved to be one of the worst policies and honesty retains its previously held celebrated position of being the best policy. I would like to conclude it now with some famous quotes .

"Honesty is a very expensive gift. Don’t expect it from cheap people.” Warren Buffett

"Speak with honesty, think with sincerity, and act with integrity.” Anonymous

“The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love, and loyalty.” Zig Ziglar