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ARYA
SANDHYAA
Daily Worship
Sandhyaa
has been prescribed as twice daily in the scriptures - once at dawn before
sunrise and again in the evening just before the sun sets. (tasmaadahoraatrasya
samyoge brahmanah sandhyaamupaasita - shadvimsha brahmana 4.5.4). One starts off
with purification of the outer self with water, and then proceeds to internal
cleansing by truthfulness, renouncing ideas of hate, even at least for the time
being. It is written in manusmriti 5.109 that on the outside we are
cleansed by water and inside we are cleansed by truth.
If sandhyaa is to be performed alone, the arya should find a place that
is peaceful and secluded, being composed and purified in body and mind.
The worshipper may sit in a posture that is comfortable, such as
siddhaasana (cross-legged) or vajraasana (similar to kneeling posture of muslims
during prayer) with back straight and not exerting pressure on any part of the
body, or pray standing with feet together.
Before
sandhyaa, the worshipper should take care to tie up his hair or keep it covered,
so it is not a distraction. The
worshipper should perform three pranayamas without saying any mantra. This is
done by forcefully expelling the breath out of the nostrils and stopping it
there for as long as possible. Then one should slowly inhale as much fresh air
as possible, and retain it for as long as it is comfortable. This should be
repeated thrice, to achieve mental concentration. This Sandhyaa is used in the
Arya Samaj.
ONE
GAAYATRII
- After
reciting 'om' thrice in his mind, the worshipper should say the 'gaayatri'
mantra, discarding all worldly thoughts and feeling the presence of the almighty
in his mind.
OM
BHUR BHUVAH SVAH TATSAVITUR VARENYA
BHARGO DEVASYA DHIIMAHI DHIYO YO NAH
PRACHODAYAAT
Oh almighty god (OM), the
giver of life (BHUH), the remover of pains and sorrows (BHUVAH), bestower of
happiness (SVAH), creator of the universe (TAT SAVITUH), thou art most luminous
(DEVASYA), pure (BHARGAH), and adorable (worthy of worship) (VARENYAM).
We meditate on thee (DHIIMAHI). May thou (YAH) inspire and guide (PRACHODAYAAT)
our intellect (DHIYAH) in the right direction.
(yajurved
36.3)
TWO
AACHAMAN - Symbolic sipping of water, meant to
clear the throat, remove any kaf (phlegm) etc.
Take some clean water in the right hand.. the following mantra must be
recited thrice as one sips the water from the hollow of the right palm..
OM
SHANNO DEVIIRABHISHTAYA
AAPO BHAVANTU PIITAYE
SHANYORABHI SRAVANTU NAH
Oh
god (OM), the illuminator of all (DEVIIH), the omnipresent one (AAPAH), may you
be gracious unto us (SHAM+NAH) for the fulfillment of our desired end (ABHISHTAYA),
and the attainment of the bliss of emancipation (PIITAYE). May you shower over
us (ABHI + SRAVANTU + NAH) blessedness and peace (SHANYOH) from all sides.
(yajurved
36.12)
THREE
INDRIYA SPARSHA - symbolic touching of the limbs..
take some water in the left hand.. with the tips of the second and middle
fingers of his right hand joined together, the arya should touch the different
organs, praying for their health and that they keep aloof from sin..
OM
VAAK VAAK (both
sides of the mouth)
OM PRAANAH PRAANAH (both nostrils)
OM CHAKSHUH CHAKSHUH
(both eyes)
OM SHROTRAM SHROTRAM (both ears)
OM NAABHIH (the navel)
OM HRIDAYAM (the
heart)
OM KANTHAH (the
throat)
OM SHIRAH (the head)
OM BAAHUBHYAAM YASHOBALAM (both shoulders)
OM KARATALA-KARAPRISHTE (the palms, front and back)
Oh god! Most sincerely
and solemnly, i make a covenant with thee that knowingly i shall never sin with
my organs of five cognitive senses, and five active senses - the tongue (taste),
the nose (smell), the eyes (sight), the ears (hearing), the palm (touch), the
genitals (passion), the heart (desire), the throat (speech), the head (thought)
and the hands (deed).
(brahmana grantha)
FOUR
MAARJANA
- symbolic
sprinkling of the limbs of the body, to physical and spiritual cleansing.. one
should dip the two fingers as before and sprinkle the water on the different
organs as one ponders the attributes of god mentioned in the mantra..
OM
BHUH PUNAATU SHIRASI (the head)
OM BHUVAH PUNAATU NETRAYOH (the eyes)
OM SVAH PUNAATU KANTHE (the
throat, pit of the neck)
OM MAHAH PUNAATU HRIDAYE (the heart)
OM JANAH PUNAATU NAABHYAAM (the navel)
OM TAPAH PUNAATU PAADAYOH (the feet)
OM SATYAM PUNAATU PUNAH SHIRASI (the
crown of the head)
OM KHAM BRAHMA PUNAATU SARVATRA (the
whole body)
May
the living god (BHUH- giver of life) purify the head !
May the holy god (BHUVAH- remover of pains) purify my eyes!
May the blissful god (SVAH) purify my throat!
May the great god (MAHAH) purify my heart!
May the father of all (JANAH) purify the genitals/animal propensities!
May the all-wise god (TAPAH) purify my feet!
May the eternal god (SATYAM) purify my mind!
May the all-pervading god (KHAM+BRAHMA) purify all places!
(brahmana
grantha)
FIVE
PRANAYAMA
- the arya
worshipper should perform deep-breathing thrice, stilling the mind and pondering
over each word in the following aaranyaka mantra:
OM
BHUH! OM BHUVAH! OM SVAH! OM MAHAH! OM JANAH! OM TAPAH! OM SATYAM!
Oh
god of life! Oh god of holiness! Oh
god of happiness! Oh great god! Oh god the father! Oh god of wisdom! Oh god of
truth!
(taittiriiyaaranyaka
10.27)
SIX
AGHAMARSHANA
- prayer
for the destruction of sin (agha).. the arya should then recite the following
mantras, and meditate on the power and might of god.. realising the omnipotence
of the almighty, he should consider his own insignificance in the greatness of
the universe, thus never fall prey to self-conceit or sin in thought, word and
deed.. the mantra makes us remember that the almighty god witnesses what goes on
even in the deepest recesses of the heart, and he is the impartial ordainer and
judge, who bestows happiness and misery as one's deeds deserve.. this
strengthens our resolution not to commit sin..
OM
RTAM CHA SATYAM CHAABHIIDHAAT TAPASO'DHYAJAAYATA
TATO RAATRYAJAAYATA TATAH SAMUDRO ARNAVAH
OM SAMUDRAAD ARNAVAAD ADHI SAMVATSARO AJAAYATA
AHORAATRAANII VIDADHADVISHVASYA MISHATO VASHII
OM SUURYYAACHANDRAMASAU DHAATAA YATHAA PUURVAM AKALPAYAT
DIVAM CHA PRITHIVIIM CHAA'NTARIKSHAMATHO SVAH
The world was brought into being (ADHYAJAAYATA) by the almighty god (ABHIDHAAT),
the impeller of all action (TAPASAH), in accordance with the laws of creation/
the divine law (RTAM) and the law of life / eternal material cause (SATYAM).
The primordial matter which
was lying dormant in darkness (RAATRI) began to evolve (AJAAYATA).
The sustainer (DHAATAA) of
the world creates by his omnipotence (AKALPAYAT) the sun and the moon (SUURYA+CHANDRAMASAU),
this earth we live upon (PRITHIVIIM), the vastness of space (ANTARIKSHAM) and
the regions of light (SVAH), as in the previous cycles of creation (YATHAA+PUURVAM).
(rigved
10.190.1-3)
SEVEN
AACHAMANA - being over-awed with god's
almightiness and glory, the devotee symbolically regains composure by performing
aachaman again.
OM SHANNO DEVIIRABHISHTAYA
AAPO BHAVANTU PIITAYE
SHANYORABHI SRAVANTU NAH
Oh
god (OM), the illuminator of all (DEVIIH), the omnipresent one (AAPAH), may you
be gracious unto us (SHAM+NAH) for the fulfillment of our desired end (ABHISHTAYA),
and the attainment of the bliss of emancipation (PIITAYE).
May you shower over us (ABHI+SRAVANTU+NAH) blessedness and peace (SHANYOH)
from all sides.
(yajurved
36.12)
EIGHT
MANASAA-PARIKRAMAA - These mantras refer to the
'mental rotation' or 'roaming about mentally' of the devotee, realising the
presence of the almighty in all quarters. This intense vision of god reminds us
that he is formless and all-pervading, in all directions at all times.
According to pandit satyanand shastri, the devotee, after recitation of
aghamarshana and the realising of god's infinite power and creative might,
becomes unnerved and runs within himself to the different directions only to
find out that the almighty is everywhere, and nowhere is one away from him.
OM PRAACHII DIG AGNIRADHIPATIRASITO
RAKSHITAADITYAA ISHAVAH
TEBHYO
NAMO-DHIPATIPATIBHYO NAMO-RAKSHITRIBHYO
YOSMAAN
DVESHTI YAM VAYAM DVISHMASTAM VO JAMBHE DADHMAH
[1]
Oh all-wise and glorious god
(AGNIH)! Thou art before us (PRAACHII+DIK),
our king (ADHIPATIH) and protector (RAKSHITAA). the rays of the sun that shower
life on earth (AADITYAAH), unfettered (ASITAH), are thy invincible arrows (ISHAVAH).
We bow down to thee in gratitude (NAMAH+ASTU) for thy benign rule (TEBHYAH+ADHIPATIBHYAH),
thy kind protection (RAKSHITRIBHYAH) and the blessed gift of life (ISHUBHYAH -
his arrows). For all these
blessings, oh god, we humbly thank thee, and place (DADHMAH) in thy hands (JAMBHE,
literally 'jaws') the hostilities (TAM) that cause us to hate (VAYAM+DVISHMAH)
others (YAM), or cause others (YAH) to hate (DVESHTI) us (ASMAAN).
OM
DAKSHINAA DIG INDRO-DHIPATIS TIRASHCHI RAAJII PITARAH ISHAVAH
TEBHYO
NAMO-DHIPATIPATIBHYO NAMO-RAKSHITRIBHYO
YOSMAAN
DVESHTI YAM VAYAM DVISHMASTAM VO JAMBHE DADHMAH
[2]
Oh almighty lord (INDRAH)! Thou art to our right (DAKSHINAA+DIK), our king (ADHIPATIH) and protector (RAKSHITAA). The nurturing winds (PITARAH), functioning obliquely (TIRASHCHIRAAJI), are thy invincible arrows (ISHAVAH). We bow down to thee in gratitude (NAMAH+ASTU) for thy benign rule (TEBHYAH+ADHIPATIBHYAH), thy kind protection (RAKSHITRIBHYAH) and the blessed gift of life (ISHUBHYAH - his arrows). For all these blessings, oh god, we humbly thank thee, and place (DADHMAH) in thy hands (JAMBHE, literally 'jaws') the hostilities (TAM) that cause us to hate (VAYAM+DVISHMAH) others (YAM), or cause others (YAH) to hate (DVESHTI) us (ASMAAN).
OM
PRAATIICHII DIG VARUNO-DHIPATIH PRDAAKUU RAKSHITAANNAM ISHAVAH
TEBHYO
NAMO-DHIPATIPATIBHYO NAMO-RAKSHITRIBHYO
YOSMAAN
DVESHTI YAM VAYAM DVISHMASTAM VO JAMBHE DADHMAH
[3]
Oh most exalted god (VARUNAH)! Thou art behind us (PRATIICHII+DIK), our king (ADHIPATIH) and protector (RAKSHITAA). The vigour-giving food (ANNAM) that sustains all living things (PRDAAKUH) are thy invincible arrows (ISHAVAH). We bow down to thee in gratitude (NAMAH+ASTU) for thy benign rule (TEBHYAH+ADHIPATIBHYAH), thy kind protection (RAKSHITRIBHYAH) and the blessed gift of life (ISHUBHYAH - his arrows). For all these blessings, oh god, we humbly thank thee, and place (DADHMAH) in thy hands (JAMBHE, literally 'jaws') the hostilities (TAM) that cause us to hate (VAYAM+DVISHMAH) others (YAM), or cause others (YAH) to hate (DVESHTI) us (ASMAAN).
OM UDIICHII DIG SOMO'DHIPATIH SVAJO RAKSHITAA
SHANIR ISHAVAH
TEBHYO NAMO-DHIPATIPATIBHYO NAMO-RAKSHITRIBHYO
NAMA
ISHUBHYO NAMA EBHYO ASTU
YOSMAAN
DVESHTI YAM VAYAM DVISHMASTAM VO JAMBHE DADHMAH
[4]
Oh giver of solace (SOMAH)! Thou art to our left (UDIICHII+DIK), our king (ADHIPATIH) and protector (RAKSHITAA). The currents of electricity (ASHANIH) that move our blood to keep up our life, functioning invisibly (SVAJAH), are thy invincible arrows (ISHAVAH). We bow down to thee in gratitude (NAMAH+ASTU) for thy benign rule (TEBHYAH+ADHIPATIBHYAH), thy kind protection (RAKSHITRIBHYAH) and the blessed gift of life (ISHUBHYAH - his arrows). For all these blessings, oh god, we humbly thank thee, and place (DADHMAH) in thy hands (JAMBHE, literally 'jaws') the hostilities (TAM) that cause us to hate (VAYAM+DVISHMAH) others (YAM), or cause others (YAH) to hate (DVESHTI) us (ASMAAN).
OM DHRUVAA DIG VISHNUR ADHIPATIH KALMAASHAGRIIVO
RAKSHITAA VIIRUDHA ISHAVAH
TEBHYO
NAMO-DHIPATIPATIBHYO NAMO-RAKSHITRIBHYO
NAMA ISHUBHYO NAMA EBHYO ASTU
YOSMAAN
DVESHTI YAM VAYAM DVISHMASTAM VO JAMBHE DADHMAH [5]
Oh all-pervading god (VISHNUH)! Thou art below (DHRUVAA+DIK), our king (ADHIPATIH) and protector (RAKSHITAA). The upshooting plants and trees that nourish us (VIIRUDHAH), with green-necked sprouts (KALMAASHAGRIIVAH) are thy invincible arrows (ISHAVAH). We bow down to thee in gratitude (NAMAH+ASTU) for thy benign rule (TEBHYAH+ADHIPATIBHYAH), thy kind protection (RAKSHITRIBHYAH) and the blessed gift of life (ISHUBHYAH - his arrows). For all these blessings, oh god, we humbly thank thee, and place (DADHMAH) in thy hands (JAMBHE, literally 'jaws') the hostilities (TAM) that cause us to hate (VAYAM+DVISHMAH) others (YAM), or cause others (YAH) to hate (DVESHTI) us (ASMAAN).
OM UURDHVAA DIG BRHASPATIR ADHIPATIH SHVITRO
RAKSHITAA VARSHAM ISHAVAH
TEBHYO
NAMO-DHIPATIPATIBHYO NAMO-RAKSHITRIBHYO
NAMA
ISHUBHYO NAMA EBHYO ASTU
YOSMAAN
DVESHTI YAM VAYAM DVISHMASTAM VO JAMBHE DADHMAH [6]
Oh great god (BRHASPATIH)! Thou art above (UURDHVA+DIK), our king (ADHIPATIH) and
protector RAKSHITAA). The falling
rains that water our fields to produce our food (VARSHAM), for the benefit of
all (SHVITRAH), are thy invincible arrows (ISHAVAH). We bow down to thee in
gratitude (NAMAH+ASTU) for thy benign rule (TEBHYAH+ADHIPATIBHYAH), thy kind
protection (RAKSHITRIBHYAH) and the blessed gift of life (ISHUBHYAH - his
arrows). For all these blessings, oh god, we humbly thank thee, and place (DADHMAH)
in thy hands (JAMBHE, literally 'jaws') the hostilities (TAM) that cause us to
hate (VAYAM+DVISHMAH) others (YAM), or cause others (YAH) to hate (DVESHTI) us (ASMAAN).
(atharva
ved 3.27.1-6)
(taken
as the cardinal points, 'praachi' can mean east, 'dakshinaa' can mean south, 'pratiichii'
can mean west, 'udiichii' can mean north...)
NINE
UPASTHAANA - attaining god's nearness.. the
following mantras from yajurved, are praises and prayers to the almighty god,
helping the devotee to perceive his divine majesty and draw close to him in
contemplation.. he should concentrate on their meaning mentally while slowly
uttering them by mouth, thus immersing himself in the presence and love of god..
OM UDVAYAM TAMASAS PARI SVAH PASHYANTA UTTARAM
DEVAM
DEVATRAA SUURYAM AGANMA JYOTIR UTTAMAM [1]
Oh
god (OM), in search of you, we (VAYAM) have left behind a great entity (the
eternal matter) (UT+TAMASAH+PARI), without lustre, to meditate (PASHYANTA) on an
even greater entity (the soul) (UTTARAM). We
have attained (AGANMA) to that most blissful (SVAH), self-luminous (SUURYA)
light (JYOTIH), the illuminator (DEVAM) of even the shining bodies like the sun
(DEVATRAA), who is the greatest of all (UTTAMAM).
(yajurved
35.14)
OM
UDUTYAM JAATAVEDASAM DEVAM VAHANTI KETAVAH
DRSHE
VISHVAAYA SUURYAM [2]
All
the objects of this world serve as
flags / signals (KETAVAH) to lead us (UT+VAHANTI) to that almighty god (DEVAM),
the knower of all (JAATAVEDASAM), the possessor of all destructive and
sustaining powers (SUURYAM). Surely (U) that is the right path for understanding
(DRSHE) this whole universe (VISHVAAYA).
(yajurved 33.31)
OM CHITRAM DEVAANAAM UDAGAAD ANIIKAM
CHAKSHUR
MITRASYA VARUNASYAAGNEH
AAPRAA
DYAAVAA-PRITHIVII ANTARIKSHAM SUURYYA-AATMAA JAGATAS TASTHUSHASCHA SVAAHAA [3]
Although
all the objects indicate thee, yet, oh god, thou art wondrous (CHITRAM)!
Thou art the strength of the learned (DEVAANAAM+ANIIKAM), who is realised
in the heart (UDAGAAT). Thou art the source of all light (CHAKSHUH)- of the sun
(MITRASYA), the moon (VARUNASYA) and fire (AGNEH). Thou holdest the heaven (DYAAVAA),
the earth (PRITHIVII) and the firmament (ANTARIKSHAM). Thou art immanent (AAPRAA)
in all thy creation. Thou art the maker (SUURYAH) and pervader (AATMAA) of all
that moves (JAGATAH) and moves not (TASTHUSHAH). May we think, speak and act
rightly (SVAAHAA)!
(yajurved
7.42)
OM
TACHCHAKSUR DEVAHITAM PURASTAACH-CHHUKRAM UCHCHARAT
That
(TAT) holy god (SHUKRAM), who sees all things (CHAKSHUH), who is the giver of
happiness to the learned (DEVAHITAM), exists in his most blissful state (UT+CHARAT)
even before the creation of this universe (PURASTAAT). By his grace, may we see
(PASHYEMA) for a hundred autumns (SHARADAH+SHATAM), may we live (JIIVEMA) for a
hundred autumns, may we hear (SHRINUYAAMA) for a hundred autumns, may we speak (PRA+BRAVAAMA)
a hundred autumns, may we be free from dependence on others (ADIINAH+SYAAMA) for
a hundred autumns, may we be so even beyond (BHUUYASH+CHA) a hundred autumns.
(yajurved
36.24)
GAAYATRII - The holy gaayatri fills the soul with
love and devotion for the almighty. One should meditate on this mantra, after
drawing near to god within oneself during the upasthaan.
We pray to be led on the right path, of honesty, virtue and piety, and to
never falter from the commandments of god.
OM
BHUR BHUVAH SVAH TATSAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHIIMAHI DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAAT
Oh almighty god (OM), the
giver of life (BHUH), the remover of pains and sorrows (BHUVAH), bestower of
happiness (SVAH), creator of the universe (TAT SAVITUH), thou art most luminous
(DEVASYA), pure (BHARGAH), and adorable / worthy of worship (VARENYAM).
We meditate on thee (DHIIMAHI). May thou (YAH) inspire and guide (PRACHODAYAAT)
our intellect (DHIYAH) in the right direction.
(yajurved
36.3)
TEN
SAMARPANA - Tact of dedication, giving one's
salutation and surrender to the almighty.
HE
ISHWAR DAYAANIDHE
BHAVAT KRPAYAANENA
JAPOPAASANAADI KARMANAA
DHARMA AARTHA KAAMA MOKSHAANAAM
SADYAH SIDDHIR BHAVENNAH
Oh god (HE ISHWAR), ocean of
mercy! (DAYAANIDHE) By thy grace (BHAVATKRPAYAA) may we attain (SIDDHIR BHAVET)
soon (SADYAH), righteousness (DHARMA), honestly-earned wealth (ARTHA), pleasure
(KAAMA) and the final liberation (MOKSHA), by meditation (UPAASANAA), prayer (JAPA)
and such other acts (ANENA+AADIKARMANAA).
OM
NAMAH SHAMBHAVAAYA CHA MAYOBHAVAAYA CHA
NAMAH SHANKARAAYA CHA MAYASKARAAYA CHA
NAMAH SHIVAAYA CHA SHIVATARAAYA CHA
We
bow in reverence to thee (NAMAH), oh god, who art the highest bliss (SHAMBHAVAAYA),
and (CHA) the giver of this bliss (MAYOBHAVAAYA). We bow in reverence to thee, the bringer of well-being (SHANKARAAYA),
who looks to the welfare of all (MAYASKARAAYA).
We bow in reverence to thee, the most perfect goodness (SHIVAAYA), and
the most benevolent (SHIVATARAAYA).
(yajurved
16.41)
OM SHAANTIH! SHAANTIH! SHAANTIH!
The
word 'shaantih' is repeated three times because the worshipper asks to be
released from three kinds of pain and sorrow:
1.
adhyatmika - arising from the body and soul, such as ignorance, passions
and hatred, physical pain and bodily disease.
2.
adhibhautika - arising from the external world, such as one's
enemies, evil-minded people, dangerous animals etc.
3. adhidaivika - arising from the natural world, like excessive rains, or drought, or from mental worry, disquietude or distraction of the senses.
Source:
Post by Ashegan Pillai on www.hindunet.com
