Sandhya

.. ऋग्वेदीय सन्ध्या वन्दनम् .. ॥ श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः । हरिः ॐ ॥ ॥ ऋग्वेदीय प्रातः संध्या वंदनम् ॥ Introduction ============ From time immemorial man has been preparing to face uncertainties and struggling to overcome difficulties in life. Broadly speaking the difficulties and conflicts he faces can be categorised as physical on the one extreme and spiritual on the other, intervened by various other stages like ethical, intellectual, emotional, filial, occupational, professional, societal, national and so on. While enormous education, training and efforts go into tackling difficulties, conflicts and uncertainties at the basest physical level onwards, these are waning with the progression to the noblest spiritual level. It is towards strengthening in this direction that man has evolved rituals and faith in that Universal Power and set out in search thereof. Ideally, man should turn everything he does into sacred with a view to know himself and his God and towards this strengthen all his faculties. Sandhyaa vandana, worship of Gods three times a day at the junctures of Night-Morning-afternoon-evening, invoking their blessings and strength, is one such important activity. Brahmanas ========= A Brahmana deserves to be called so only when he conducts himself in the ways approved in the scriptures and also performs at least the basic ritual called trikaala Sandhyaa-vandana. Sandhyaa vandana is a daily duty for a Brahmana after upanayana. It is very auspicious and sacred also. Trikaala Sandhyaa vandana means paying obeisance to the Lord, three times a day, i.e., during sun rise, noon and sun-set. It is called Sandhyaa Vandana also because the obeisance is offered at the junctures of 1. Night and day, 2. morning and afternoon, and 3. Day and night. The first one, praataH Sandhyaa, is performed when the sun is about to rise and the stars are still aglitter in the sky. The second one, maadhyaahnika, is performed during the noon time. The third one saayaM sandhyaa, is performed just before the sunset. These junction times are regarded as highly sacred for this purpose. Preparation =========== The basic preparation is to cleanse the body externally. For praataH Sandhyaa, it will be by means of the morning bath and for the other two it will be by means of washing the legs, hands and face. After this, You will wear clean clothes specially meant for this purpose. The practice is to wear a dhoti and a shalya. Thereafter, quietly sit on either a kR^ishhNaajina (deer-skin seat) or on wooden plaque placed on the floor, in the pooja room (select some other neat place if pooja room is not available. While for praataH Sandhyaa you can face either East or North, for the other two you have necessarily to face North. Keep readily available minimum three vessels, two with clean water (one for Achamana and the other for Arghya) and ladle (spoon) and the third one empty (arghya paatra). (Hereafter, the water meant for Achamana is abbreviated as "AchW", the one for Arghya as "ArgW" and arghya paatra as "ArgP"). Also ensure that you have complete privacy during the whole process and avoid external noises like music systems, TV, talking to others etc. You will also take the following steps for praataH Sandhyaa only. Keep a set of mudras (five metallic stamps with different shapes explained later) and gopichandana (a special veriety of mud ball). Then, apply gopichandana on your body. Generally, if available, nirmalya tiirtha (holy remnant water after devara pooja by self or someone) is used for this purpose. In case of unavailability of nirmaalya tiirtha ArgW can also be used. Start the process invoking the blessings of the Lord by reciting the following mantras. श्री लक्ष्मीवेंकटेशाय नमः ॥ श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः । परम गुरुभ्यो नमः ॥ श्रीमदानंदतीर्थ भगवत्पादाचार्य गुरुभ्यो नमः ॥ श्री वेदव्यासाय नमः ॥ हरिः ॐ ॥ गोपीचंदन पापञ विष्णुदेह समुद्भव । चक्रांकित नमस्तेस्तु धारण मुक्तिदो भव ॥ Simultaneously, place a spoon of water (either nirmalya or ArgW) on the left hand palm, take a piece of gopichandana, rub vigoroursly and prepare a paste of gopichandana. Apply this paste at 12 places in the body - one on forehead, three on abdomen, one on chest, one each on shoulders, all 4 parts of neck, one on bottom of back-bone just above trunk and one on top of head. Then, one more is applied on the right side of the chest. Some people do also apply a similar final mark on the left side of the chest, if this is the tradition that they have been taught as per their sampradaaya (custom). While applying, recite Keshavadi Dwadashanama (explained below), one naama each for one application. The order for applying naamas are -- on the forehead (keshavaaya namaH), center of abdomen (naaraayaNaaya namaH), chest (maadhavaaya namaH), front portion of neck (govi.ndaaya namaH), right side of abdomen (vishhNave namaH), right shoulder (madhusudhanaaya namaH), right side of neck (trivikramaaya namaH), left side of abdomen (vaamanaaya namaH), left shoulder (shriidharaaya namaH), left side of neck (hR^ishhiikeshaaya namaH), back side (above tunk) (padmanaabhaaya namaH), back side of neck (daamodaraaya namaH) and on the head, on the chest (shriivatsaaya namaH). The shapes of the paste applied will be as follows. On the forehead : one set of vertical parallel lines (first apply the paste with the forefinger and later run through it with a wet cloth/finger). On the chest: heart (lotus leaf) shape. On the shoulder: leaf shape (preferably with a stem). Elsewhere: deepaakaara (burning candle light shape). Concentrate on the mantra and quickly go through the process of applying the paste instead of trying to perfect the shapes. After applying gopichandana, apply mudras as follows in that order. chakra mudra: one on right side of eye, five on centre of abdomen, three on heart, two on right of abdomen, three on right of chest, two on right shoulder both sides of naama, two on right of neck, one on front of neck, one on left shoulder below the naama. shankha mudra - one on left side of eye, one on left of abdomen, two on left of chest, two on left shoulder both sides of naama, two on left of neck, one on right shoulder below the naama. gadaa mudra - one on forehead, one on left of abdomen, one on left of chest, two on left shoulder both sides of naama below shankha mudra. padma mudra - two on chest, two on right abdomen, two on right shoulder both sides of naama below chakra mudra. naaraayaNa mudra - one each overlapping on all mudras and naama. अपवित्रः पवित्रो वा सर्वावस्थां गतोऽपि वा . यः स्मरेत्पुंडरीकाक्षं सबाह्याभ्यंतरः शुचिः ॥ [Here one has to sprinkle the water (ArgW) for cleanliness or purity, both internally and externally, to start the Sandhyaa vandana ] आचमन ....................( १) ॐ श्री केशवाय स्वाहा . [one has to sip water from Brahma tirtha (AchW) (spoon or laddle) three times ..1] ॐ श्री नारायणाय स्वाहा .[....2] ॐ श्री माधवाय स्वाहा .[....3] ॐ श्री गोविंदाय नमः . [wash the right palm from the left palm] ॐ श्री विष्णवे नमः . [wash the left palm with right palm] ॐ श्री मधुसूदनाय नमः . [touch the upper lip] ॐ श्री त्रिविक्रमाय नमः . [touch the lower lip] ॐ श्री वामनाय नमः . [touch the right cheek] ॐ श्री श्रीधराय नमः . [touch the left cheek] [mouth is the seat of Fire God] ॐ श्री हृषीकेशाय नमः . [wash both the hands] ॐ श्री पद्मनाभाय नमः . [touch the feet] ॐ श्री दामोदराय नमः . [touch the centre of the head with middle finger. Head is the seat of Paramatma] ॐ श्री संकर्षणाय नमः . [touch the tip of the nose with the middle finger] ॐ श्री वासुदेवाय नमः . [touch the right side of the nose with index and thumb fingers] ॐ श्री प्रद्युम्नाय नमः . [touch the left side of the nose with index and thumb fingers. Nose is the seat of Vayu] ॐ श्री अनिरुद्धाय नमः . [touch the right eye with index and middle fingers] ॐ श्री पुरुषोत्तमाय नमः . [touch the left eye with index and middle fingers][eye is the seat of Sun] ॐ श्री अधोक्षजाय नमः . [touch the right ear with index and fourth fingers] ॐ श्री नारसिंहाय नमः . [touch the left ear with index and fourth fingers][ear is the seat of Indra] ॐ श्री अच्च्युताय नमः . [touch the navel portion with index and small fingers. Navel is the seat of Narayana] ॐ श्री जनार्दनाय नमः . [touch the heart portion with palm of the hand][also the seat of Narayana] ॐ श्री उपेंद्राय नमः . [touch the head with the hand] ॐ श्री हरये नमः . [touch the right shoulder with all fingers] ॐ श्री कृष्णाय नमः . [touch the left shoulder with all fingers][shoulder is the seat of Prajapati] [By touching the respective organs of the body one has to remember imagine that these gods are present in these organs] प्राणायामः ................... (2) [This is preamble for Gayatri aawahana i.e. welcome, for this Sri Hari or Paramaatmaa is R^ishhi devataa and devii gaayatrii is Channdassu. Practice of praaNaayaamah cleanses one of impurities and provides a resurgence of spiritual energy to revitalize one's saadhana. In order to extinquish the sins or effect of base deeds in the previous night for praataH Sandhyaa this verse is uttered. The pramaana says that this mantra will destroy all the sins committed previously or previous night if it is praataH Sandhyaa, morning if it is mandhyanika Sandhyaa and it is afternoon till evening if it is sayan Sandhyaa.] ॐ प्रणवस्य परब्रह्म ऋषिः । परमात्मा देवता । देवी गायत्री छंदः । प्राणायामे विनियोगः ॥ ॐ भूः । ॐ भुवः । ॐ स्वः । ॐ महः । ॐ जनः । ॐ तपः । ॐ सत्यं । ॐ तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं । भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धीयो यो नः प्रचोदयात् । ॐ आपोज्योतीरसोऽमृतं ब्रह्म भुर्भुवःस्वरोम् ॥ [A married man should hold the nose in all His five fingers while performing this and bachelors and saints/seers should hold through three fingers i.e. index, thumb and small fingers. This praaNaayaamaH has three parts to perform and it is called rechaka, pUraka and kumbhaka. To start with one has to leave the air from right side of the nose (1 unit of time) that is called rechaka, secondly one has to inhale the air from left side of nose (2 units of time) i.e. called pUraka and finally holding the air for 3 units of time i.e. is called kumbhaka. Meaning of this mantra is as follows : OM = Paramaatmaa who has all the virtues is to be called OM, bhuuH = gunapUrna (complete virtues or characters), bhuvaH = wealthy never become pauper or most prosperous, svaH = always happy, mahaH = prayed as the best or excellent, janaH = creation of the world by Him, tapaH = one who has the complete knowledge, satyaM = one who controls or decides about the liberation. yaH = this paramaatmaa, naH = ours, dhiiyaH = mind, prachodayaat.h = initiates, tasya = of this paramathmaa, savituH = cause of creation, devasya = special characters, vareNyaM = prayed by all, bharga = paramaathmaa in knowledge form, dhiimahi = pray for Him. Apo = paramaatmaa, jyoti.h = cause of brightness, rasaH = has got essence or substance or aananda ruupa peaceful, amR^itaM = does not have extinction, bhuuH = complete virtues or characters, bhuvaH = prosperous and wealthy always, svaH = always happy, OM brahma = all virtues of Paramaatmaa, dhiimahi = praying for You. The gist of this verse is: Sri Hari in the form of Sri Gayatri is complete with all divine virtues, always prosperous and wealthy, always happy, considered to be the best or excellent, one who creates this world, one who regulates this world and one who is being prayed by all of us. Further, Sri Hari or paramaatmaa also has the power of creating the brightness (enlightenment), does not have extinction, has complete knowledge, is always prosperous and wealthy and has got complete virtues, is the paramaatmaa (Supreme Being) whom I am praying.] संकल्पः ..................... (3) [Hold right palm over the left palm and keep them on the right thigh and utter the following mantra ] श्री शुभे शोभने मुहूर्ते विष्णोराज्ञया प्रवर्तमानस्य आद्य ब्रह्मणः द्वितीये परार्धे श्री श्वेतवराह कल्पे वैवस्वत मन्वन्तरे अष्टाविंशतितमे कलियुगे प्रथमपादे जंबूद्वीपे भरतवर्षे भरतखंडे दंडकारण्ये गोदावर्याः दक्षिणे पार्श्वे शालीवाहनशके बौद्धावतारे रामक्षेत्रे अस्मिन्वर्तमानेन चांद्रमानेन अस्य श्री अमुक संवत्सरे अमुक आयने अमुक ऋतौ अमुक मासे अमुक पक्षे अमुक तिथौ अमुक वासरे अमुक नक्षत्रे शुभयोग शुभकरण एवंगुण विशेषण विशिष्टायां शुभतिथौ अस्मदादिगुरूणां श्रीमन्मध्वाचार्याणां हृत्कमलमध्यनिवासी सूर्यांतर्गत श्री भारतीरमणमुख्यप्राणांतर्गत श्री लक्ष्मीनारायण प्रेरणया श्री लक्ष्मीनारायण प्रीत्यर्थं प्रातः संध्यामुपाशिष्ये । [For any prayer or performance of any sacred work whether it is Sandhyaa, puja, yagna, or any ritual performed by any individual this customary sankalpa has to be narrated. It denotes the commitment and determination of the performer to rightfully and sincerely perform such sacred rituals. Here in this sankalpa it is nothing but remembering which of the samvatsara (year), period or season (R^itau), month (mAse), the half of lunar month (pakshe), lunar day (tithau), day (vAsare), star of the day (nakshatre) has to be to according to the calendar. Kaala, i.e. kaaladevata is equally God. Even one has to remember that the prayer is initiated by paramaatmaa and to get His blessings love, I am performing the respective ritual. This is a must as it has been understood that without this sankalpa the prayer or ritual will not materialise or not received by the God. The need for this is to totally concentrate on the present moment instead of the usual mind's habit of either brooding over the past or dreaming of the future.] मार्जनम् ....................... (4) [Keep a spoon or ladle of water (ArgW) in the left hand and from tulasi or basil leaves sprinkle the water in three different directions to the organs of the body. Firstly one has to sprinkle feet, centre of the head and heart, secondly heart, feet and centre of the head and finally centre of the head, heart and feet like this one has to sprinkle three ways or nine times] ॐ आपोहिष्ठेति त्र्यर्चस्य सूक्तस्य । सिंधुद्वीप ऋषिः । अपो देवता गायत्री छंदः । मार्जने विनियोगः ॥ ........ (4.1) ॐ आपोहिष्ठा मयो भुवः । तानौउर्जे दधातन । महेरणाय चक्षसे । योवः शिवतमो रसः । तस्य भाजयते हनः । उशतीरिव मातरः । तस्मा अरंग मामवः यस्य क्षयाय जिन्वथ । आपोजनयथा च नः ॥ ........ (4.2) [maarjanam.h means cleansing or scouring. It is again purifying the body and mind for offering Arghya and chanting Gayatri mantra. For R^ik mantras sindhudviipa is R^ishhiH, paramaatmaa is devataa and Gayatri is chhandassu. Here is the substance of this verse. It is prayer to Water related devataas (aqua-Gods). "Hey, Water related devataas, You are bestowing on us happiness by causing the water to flow, and You bless us with grains and other related needs and also confer on us devotion and knowledge towards Sri Hari which guides all of us in the path of liberation." "Hey, Water related devataas, You are auspicious, You are very eminent, You are bestowing on us happiness and joy and confer on all of us love like mothers feeding and protecting their newborn kids. In order to destroy the sins which we have committed and also to acquire knowledge we are praying Sri Narayana who is omnipresent in the water and whom we are praying to bless us to lead a happy life and also to liberate us at the earliest."] जलाभिमंत्रणम् ...................... (5) [While uttering this, take a spoon of water (ArgW) and sip it after completing the following portion] सूर्यश्चेत्यस्य मंत्रस्य । नारायण ऋषिः । सूर्यमामन्यु मन्युपतयो रात्रिर्देवता । प्रकृतिश्छंदः । जलाभिमंत्रणे विनियोगः ॥ ........ (5.1) ॐ ॥ सूर्यश्चमामन्युश्चमन्युपतयश्च मन्युकृतेभ्यः । पापेभ्योरक्षंताम् । यद्रात्र्या पापमकार्षम् । मनसा वाचा हस्ताभ्याम् । पद्भ्यामुदरेण शिश्ना । रात्रिस्तदवलुंपतु । यत्किंच दुरितं मयि । इदमहं माममृतयोनौ सूर्ये ज्योतिषि जुहोमि स्वाहा ॥ ........ (5.2) [The verse which has started with sUryascha, Narayana is R^ishi, manyupathi ratri niyamaka durga is devataa and it is in prakR^iti chha.ndassu. "Hey, paramaatmaa, You are the one who controls the Sun who is very bright, You are the one who controls Sri Rudra who is known for His wildness You protect us from the sins which are caused by the ferocity and the initiatives of Sri Rudra devataas." "Hey, paramaatmaa, please also protect me from not committing sins like, sins during night times, sins from mind, sins by mouth or talking or speaking, sins through hands, sins from feet, sins from belly and sins through the sex organs. If I commit any sins, ratrii abhimani (related) devataa should bless me to wipe it off and if any of my sins are over, I am performing homa (burnt offering) of the same to You i.e., Sri Narayana who is shining in the form of Sun."] आचमन - [1] पुनर्मार्जनम् ....................... (6) [ mantra as described in [4] should be repeated ] आपोहिष्ठेति नवर्चस्य सूक्तस्य । सिंधुद्वीपो अंबरीषो ऋषिः आपोदेवता । गायत्री छंदः पंचमी वर्धमाना । सप्तमी प्रतिष्ठा । अंत्यैद्वे अनुष्टभौ पुनर्मार्जने विनियोगः ॥ ........ (6.1) ॐ आपोहिष्ठा ........... ॐ आपोजनयथा च नः ॥ [4.2] [ Procedure as described in [4] - should be repeated ] ॐ शं नो देवीरभीष्टये आपो भवंतु पीतये । शं योरभिस्रवंतु नः ॥ ........ (6.3) ईशानां वार्याणां क्षयंतीश्चर्षणीनम् । आपोयाचामि भेषजम् ॥ ........ (6.4) अप्सु मे सोमो अब्रवीदंतर्विश्वानि भेशजा । अग्निंच विश्वशंभुवम् ॥ ........ (6.5) आपः पृणीत भेषजं वरूथं तन्वे३मम । ज्योक्चसूर्यंदृशे ॥ ........ (6.6) इदमापः प्रवहत यत्किंचदुरितं मयि । यद्वाहमबिदुद्रोह यद्वाश्शेप उतानृतम् ॥ ........ (6.7) आपो अद्यान्वचारिषं रसेन समगस्महि । पयस्वानग्न आगहि तं मा संसृज वर्चसा ॥ ........ (6.8) ससृषीस्तदपसो दिवानक्तंच ससृषीः । वरेण्यक्रतूरहमा देवी रवसे हुवे ॥ ........ (6.9) [The first three verses are already dealt in maarjanam.h para [4]. "Aapshabda vaachya Sri Paramaatma, You bless us with the wealth of needs like drinking water, happiness and good health." (6.3) "Aapshabda vaachya Sri Paramaathma, the grains which are grown through water mainly referring to rice like food grains, You are the owner. You confer on us the knowledge of medicine to destroy sansaric troubles for two and four legged animals." (6.4) "There are different medicines in water which can cure many diseases. Hey, Paramaatma You have manifested in the form of of water to bless us with the knowledge to understand these curative medicines." (6.5) "Hey, Paramaatma, bless us with the preventive medicine i.e. knowledge for all diseases of my body and soul so that for long time I can visualize You in my life." (6.6) "Hey, Paramaatma, if I have committed any sins, if I have betrayed anybody and if I have cursed anybody or if I have mistaken any body please pardon me." (6.7) "Hey, Paramaatma, now I am following Your directions and Your principles and I am drowning in water, You are like fire in the water and rescue me and infuse in me Your energies." (6.8) There is a definite relationship between water and Narayana. Sri Hari is incarnated and is ominipresent in water. Sri Hari created water-related amruta (knowledge) to lead us towards liberation. For this purpose He created day and night abhmimani (related) devataas. For acquisition of knowledge and protection of my body (from any diseases) I am welcoming You (Narayana) to reside in my soul and body. (6.9)] आचमन - [1] पापपुरुषविसर्जनम् ( अघमर्षणम्) ................. (7) ॐ ऋतंचेत्यस्य सूक्तस्य । अघमर्षण ऋषिः । भाववृत्तो देवता । अनुष्टुप् छंदः । पापपुरुष विसर्जने विनियोगः ॥ ........... (7.1) ॐ ऋतं च सत्यं चाभीद्धास्तपसोध्यजायत । ततोरात्र्यजायत ततः समुद्रो अर्णवः । समुद्रादर्वावधिसंवत्सरो अजायत ॥ अहो रात्राणि विदधद्विश्वस्य मिषतोवशी । सूर्याचंद्रमसौ धाता यथा पूर्वमकल्पयत् । दिवं च पृथिवींचांतरिक्षमथो स्वः ॥ ............ (7.2) [While uttering this verse take a spoon of water (ArgW) in right-palm then after completing the verse inhale the water from right side of the nose and exhale the air from the left side of the nose and pour out the water on the earth on one's left side. This verse is from pApaparihari R^ishiH, satya and bhakti devataa and anushhTup chhanddassu . You should have the feeling that in order to extinguish the sins committed you are offering, symbolically, a spoon full of water. (7.1) Before Brahma thought about anything, Paramaatma created truth, from the same Paramaatma night was born and from the same Paramaathma ocean was born. Paramaatma, the supreme head of everything, created the following in that order: four-headed Brahma, night, day and all kinds of living beings. Paramaatma, one who is the cause of creation has created first the Sun the moon, then He created heaven, then He created the universe, then He created the sky and then He created heavenly bodies. (7.2)] अर्घ्यप्रदानम् ......................... (8) प्राणायामः [2] संकल्प ॐ पूर्वोक्त एवं गुण विशेषण विशिष्टायां शुभतिथौ सूर्यांतर्गत श्री भारथीरमण मुख्यप्राणांतर्गत सवितृनामक श्री लक्ष्मीनारायण प्रेरणया श्री लक्ष्मीनारायण प्रीत्यर्थं प्रथः संध्यांग अर्घ्य प्रधानं करिष्ये ॥ ..... (8.1) ॐ प्रणवस्य परब्रह्म ऋषिः । परमात्मा देवता । देवी गायत्री छंदः । व्याहृतीनां प्रजापति ऋषिः । अग्निवायुसूर्या देवता । गायत्र्युष्णिगनुष्टुभः छंदांसि । गायत्र्याः विश्वामित्र ऋषिः । सविता देवता । गायत्री छंदः प्रातरर्घ्यप्रधाने विनियोगः ॥ .......... (8.2) ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः । तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं । भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो योनः प्रचोदयात् ॐ ॥ ( इत्यर्घ्यं) .... (8.3) [Pratah Arghya should be offered facing the Sun i.e. facing East, you should be in standing position, seeing the Sun, both the hands should fold make like cow's face or bowl and it should be upto your nose's height. Write this figure (yantra) and words (preferably in devanagari script) using your small finger in the bowl where arghya offering water (ArgW) has been kept: ॐ / \ / \ स्वः / वं \ भूः / हॄं \ / \ ~~~~~~~~~~~ भुवः There is story behind this offering Arghya : Mandeha's were powerful Asuraas (demons) and they are devoted to Sri Brahma. They got a boon from Him that even if they die one day they should be born the next day. They were trying to consume the Sun God himself as a result of these Arghyas; Whenever they were killed, because of Brahma's blessings they are born the next day. It is believed this process goes on even now. In order to kill these Asuraas and to protect the Sun God for illuminating all of us, we have to offer three Arghyas on each occassion. Three Arghyas are offered as follows: the first one is to destroy the Asuraas' vechicle, the second to destroy their weapons and the third to kill them. This story has been explained in Vishnu Purana of 8th chapter. If the prescribed time for performing Sandhyaa has passed, You have to offer the fourth Arghya as compensation.] ॐ प्रतिच्क्ष्वेत्यस्य मन्त्रस्य वसिष्ठ ऋषिः । इंद्रा सोमौ देवता । अनुष्टुप् छंदः । अर्घ्याधिकारार्थे आत्म संरक्षणार्थे च जपे विनियोगः ॥ ........... (8.4) हरिः ॐ । प्रतिचक्ष्व विचक्ष्वेंद्रश्च सोमजागृतं रक्षोभ्यो वधमस्यतमशनिं यातु मद्भ्यः ॥ ........... (8.5) अस्य श्री गायत्री शिरसः ब्रह्मऋषिः । आपो देवता गायत्री छंदः गायत्र्याकर्षणे विनियोगः ॥ ........... (8.6) ॐ आपोज्योतीरसोऽमृतं ब्रह्म भुर्भुवःस्वरोम् ॥ ....... (8.7) [For pratichxva verse Vashishhta is R^ishI, Moon and Indra are devataas and anushhTup chhannadassu. This verse is for obtaining eligibility and capability for offering Arghya and protection of the soul. The presence of Moon and Indra is invoked to watch out Asuraas see that the later will not spoil the process of performing Sandhyaa and prevent the performer realising the benefits thereof. It is believed that both Sun Indra are capable of killing or destroying these Asuraas, who cause impediments and even destroy the process of performing sacred rituals. The Lord Indra, the head of devataas, uses His weapon, Vajrayudha for the purpose.] प्रायश्चित्तार्घ्यम् .............. (8.8) संध्या कालातिक्रमदोष प्रायश्चित्तार्थं चतुर्थार्घ्य प्रदानं करिष्ये ॥ ॐ भूर्भुवःस्वः । ॐ तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि । धियो योनः प्रचोदयात् ॥ ॐ आपोज्योतीरसोऽमृतं ब्रह्म भूर्भुवःस्वरोम् ॥ ( इत्यर्घ्यं) देवता तर्पणम् ................... (8.9) [Devataa tarpaNa should be given to every day. For shukla paksha (first half of lunar month) devataa tarpaNa is given with the first 12 names of Vishnu (keshava etc.) and during krishna paksha (second half of lunar month) it is given with the 12 names starting from sankarshana. The procedure for giving tarpaNa is: take one ladle full of water from ArgW in left hand and pour it on right hand fingers so that it falls through the fingers (except thumb) to ArgP. This tarpaNa should not be given on ekadashi, gokulaasTami] [During shukla paksha] केशवं तर्पयामि । नारायणं तर्पयामि । माधवं तर्पयामि । गोविंदं तर्पयामि । विष्णुं तर्पयामि । मधुसूदनं तर्पयामि । त्रिविक्रमं तर्पयामि । वामनं तर्पयामि । श्रीधरं तर्पयामि । हृषीकेषां तर्पयामि । पद्मनाभां तर्पयामि । दामोदरं तर्पयामि । [During krishNa paksha] संकर्षणं तर्पयामि । वासुदेवं तर्पयामि । प्रद्युम्नं तर्पयामि । अनिरुद्धं तर्पयामि । पुरुषोत्तमं तर्पयामि । अधोक्षजं तर्पयामि । नारसिंहं तर्पयामि । अच्युतं तर्पयामि । जनार्दनं तर्पयामि । उपेंद्रं तर्पयामि । हरिं तर्पयामि । श्रीकृष्णं तर्पयामि । [During both shukla paksha and krishna paksha] इंद्रं तर्पयामि । अग्निं तर्पयामि । यमं तर्पयामि । निरृतिं तर्पयामि । वरुणं तर्पयामि । वायुं तर्पयामि । कुबेरं तर्पयामि । ईशानं तर्पयामि । आदित्यं तर्पयामि । चंद्रं तर्पयामि । कुजं तर्पयामि । बुधं तर्पयामि । गुरुं तर्पयामि । शुक्रं तर्पयामि । शनिं तर्पयामि । राहुं तर्पयामि । केतुं तर्पयामि । ध्यान श्लोकम् ................... (8.10) हृदयस्थातु गायत्री हृद्गुहामुखनिःसृता । हत्वा ह्यादित्थ शत्रूंश्च प्रविश्य हृदयं मम ॥ रमापतिं पूर्णगुणं मुकुंदव्यासं च विज्ञान सहस्रभानुम् । पूर्णप्रबोधं च सुतत्त्व दीपं क्रमात् गुरूंश्च प्रणमामि मूर्ध्ना ॥ भूतोच्चाटनम् ......................... (9) अपसर्पन्त्वित्यस्य मंत्रस्य वामदेवो ऋषिः भूतानि देवता, अनुष्टुप् छंदः भूतोच्चाटने विनियोगः ॥ .......... (9.1) अपसर्पन्तु ए भूता ए भूता भुवि संस्थिताः । ए भूता विघ्नकर्तारस्तेनश्यंतु शिवाज्ञया ॥ अपक्रामंतु ए भूताः क्रूराश्चैव तु राक्षसाः । यश्चात्र निवसंतैव देवता भुवि संततम् । तेषामप्यविरोधेन ब्रह्म कर्म समारभे ॥ .............. (9.2) [This verse is from Vamadevaka namaka Paramaatma, Bhutani devataa and anushhTup chhandassu. Meaning : All Asuraas living on this earth should disappear. Those Asuraas who obstruct good and sacred work should be destroyed by the orders of Sri Rudra devataa. It is a prayer to the existing devataas who are present in different forms and taking their permission to start the sacred Sandhyaa and request or pray to them to destroy all Asuraas, devils etc who are obstructing the ritual.] [Those who have got the upadesha of tatvanyaasa, maatR^ikaanyaasa etc., should do them here. aasanashuddhiH will be a part of that. After tatvanyaasa and maatR^ikaanyaasa, do Gayatri Japa and naaraayaNa ashhTakshara mantra japa, follwed by any other mahaa mantra, then again maatR^ikaanyaasa and tatvanyaasa then sa.ndhyopasthAnam.h (which will be posted later) ] आसनशुद्धिः .............................. (10) निरस्तः परावसुः इदमहमर्वा वसोः सदनेसीदामि आसने सोममंडले कूर्मस्कंधे उपविष्ठोस्मि । पृथ्वीति मंत्रस्य मेरुपृष्ठ ऋषिः । कूर्मो देवता । सुतलं छंदः । आसने विनियोगः ॥ अनंतासनायनमः । कूर्मासनायनमः । .......... (10.1) प्ऱ्^थिवी त्वया धृता लोका देवि त्वं विष्णुनाधृता । त्वं च धारय मां देवि पवित्रं कुरु चासनम् ॥ मां च पूतं कुरुधरे नतोस्मि त्वां सुरेश्वरि ॥ .......... (10.2) ॐ इत्येकाक्षरं ब्रह्म । अग्निर्देवता ब्रह्म इत्यार्षम् । गायत्रं छंदः । परमात्मं सरूपं सायुज्यं विनियोगः ॥ ........ (10.3) आयत्वित्यस्यमंत्रस्य । वामदेवऋषिः । गायत्री प्रतिपाद्य श्री नारायणो देवता । अनुष्टुप् छंदः । गायत्रै आव्हाअहने विनियोगः ॥ ........... (10.4) आयातु वरदादेवी । अक्षरंब्रह्म सम्मितम् । गायत्री छंदसां मातेदं ब्रह्म जुषस्वमे । यदह्नात्कुरुतेपापं तदह्नात्प्रतिमुच्च्यते । यद्रात्रियात्कुरुतेपापं तद्रात्रियात्प्रतिमुच्च्यते । सर्ववर्णे महादेवि संध्याविद्ये सरस्वति ॥ ........... (10.5) ओजोसि सहोसि बलमसि भ्राजोसि । देवानां धामनामासि । विश्वमसि विश्वाउः सर्वमसि सूर्वौरभिभोरोम् ॥ गायत्रीमावाहयामि सावित्रिमावाहयामि सरस्वतिमावाहयामि छंदर्षीनावाहयामि श्रीयमावाहयामि बलमावाहयामि ॥ ........... (10.6) गायत्र्याः गायत्रीछंदो विश्वामित्रऋषिः सविता देवता । अग्निर्मुखम् । ब्रह्मशिरः । विष्णुःहृदयम् । रुद्रः शिखा । पृथिवी योनिः प्राणापान व्यानोदान समान सप्राणारक्तवर्णा । सांख्यायनसगोत्रा । गायत्री चतुर्विंशत्यक्षरात्रिपदा षट्कुक्षिः । पङ्चशीर्षोपनयने विनियोगः ॥ ........... (10.7) [Paravasu was killed, I am living in the hearts of arvahasu. This has been told by Surya (Sun). By reciting this cut a thread of the cloth worn by you and make two small pieces. Throw the one on the left hand, on the left side and keep the other under the seat. Silently think like this. Earth is like four poles i.e. four sides (North, South, East West) having a seat like the turtle/tortoise (referring to kurma incarnation). I am sitting on that. Parmaatma is sleeping on top of snake (shesha) bed. I am bowing to You. I am bowing to Vishnu Kurma (tortoise) one who is protecting the earth (Brahmanda) from destruction. For Prithvi verse merupR^ishhTha is R^ishi kuurma (tortoise) is the devataa sutalam is chhanndassu. After this, settle on the seat for chanting Gayatri MantraH. Prayer to Prithvi i.e. earth. All regions of Loka are covered by You, Prithvi Namaka Daivi, You are decorated by Vishnu vakya Paramaatma. Hey, Prithivi, You authorise me by purifying the seat where I am sitting. Prithivi, You also purify me. You are very special and I am bowing You. By uttering this, touch the seat and bow to it. Paramaatma is called as OM; He has got the form of Brahma and Agni devataa. Like the same Brahma is R^ishi, Gayatri chhanddassu and in the form of OM. 'Ayaatu' verse is to welcome Gayatri. For this verse Vasudevaka Paramaathma is R^ishi, Gayatri Pratipadya Narayana is devataa and it is in anushhTup Channdassu. "Hey, Wealth best