Sandhyavandanam

Sandhyavandanam (Sanskrit: _sa. संध्यावन्दन IAST|saṃdhyāvandana) is a religious practice performed by Hindu men initiated into the rite by the ceremony of Upanayanam, and instructed in its execution by a Guru (a qualified spiritual teacher). Sandhyavandanam is performed thrice daily and is accordingly known by a different name at each hour - in the morning (IAST|prātaḥsaṃdhyā), at noon (IAST|mādhyānika), and in the evening (IAST|sāyaṃsaṃdhyā). Sivaprasad Bhattacharyya defines it as the "Hindu code of liturgical prayers." [For definition see: Bhattacharyya, Sivaprasad. "Indian Hymnology", in: Radhakrishnan (CHI, 1956), volume 4, p. 474.]

The term is a Sanskrit compound consisting of "IAST|saṃdhyā", meaning "union", or more specifically the union or junctions of day and night which takes place in the morning or evening twilight, [For definition of "IAST|saṃdhyā" as "twilight devotions, morning or evening prayers" see: Macdonell, p. 334.] and "IAST|vandanam" meaning worship. [For derivation of compound "IAST|saṃdhyā" and definition as morning and evening prayers, see: Apte, p. 957.] [For definition of "IAST|vandanam" as worship see: Apte, p. 829.] 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. [For the three junctures as morning, noon, and evening, and prayer at those times, see: Taimni, p. 222.]

The term "IAST|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. [For use of the term "IAST|saṃdhyā" as meaning "daily practice" see: Taimni, p. 7.] [For IAST|saṃdhyā as juncture of the three divisions of the day (morning, noon, and evening), and also defined as "the religious acts performed by Brahmans and twice-born men at the above three divisions of the day" see: Monier-Williams, p. 1145, middle column.]

Repetition of the Gayatri mantra, 28, 32, 52 or 108 times, depending upon the prescriptions of the practitioner's Veda and Sutra, is an integral part of each Sandhyavandanam. [For repetition of the Gayatri mantra as part of IAST|saṃdhyā practice see: Taimni, p. 1.] In addition to that mantra, the ritual of "IAST| saṃdhyā" also includes certain other rites that are purificatory 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 worshipping the Sun as Mitra in the morning and as Savitar and Surya at noon, and worshipping Varuna, in the evening.

Furthermore, Brahmacharis (IAST|brahmacārin) are required to perform a fire-sacrifice, the Samithadhanam, on the conclusion of the main portion of the Sandhyavandanam.

Other aspects of the ritual, though, speaking strictly, not to be included in Sandhyavandanam, may include meditation, repetition of other mantras (Sanskrit: "japa"), and devotional practices specifically for divinities that are preferred by the practitioner. [ However, these are entirely at the discretion of the performer and carry no ritualistic sanction whatsoever. For meditation, japa, and chosen deity practices, see: Taimni, pp. 171-204.] Regarding the connection with meditation practices, Monier-Williams notes that if regarded as an act of meditation, the "IAST|sandhyā" may be connected with the etymology "IAST|san-dhyai". [For IAST|san-dhyaisee: Monier-Williams, p. 1145, middle column.]

Notes

References

*cite book |last=Balu |first=Meenakshi |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Rig Vaeda Trikaala Sandhyaavandanam |year=2006 |publisher=MB Publishers |location=Chennai |isbn=81-8124071-5 (fourth revised & enlarged edition).
*cite book |last=Apte |first=Vaman Shivram |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=The Practical Sanskrit Dictionary |year=1965 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers |location=Delhi |isbn=81-208-0567-4 (fourth revised & enlarged edition).
*cite book |last=Radhakrishnan |first=Sarvepalli (Editorial Chairman)|authorlink=Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan |coauthors= |title=The Cultural Heritage of India |year=1956 |publisher=The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture |location=Calcutta |isbn= Second edition, four volumes, revised and enlarged, 1956 (volume IV).
*cite book |last=Taimni |first=I. K.|authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Gāyatrī|year=1978 |publisher=The Theosophical Publishing House|location=Adyar, Chennai, India |isbn=81-7059-084-1 (Second Revised Edition).