संध्यावन्दनम्

PROLOGUE TO SANDHYAVANDANAM RITUALS OF HINDUS 

संध्यावन्दनम्  (sandhyāvandanam) is a Nityakarma (daily ritual) prescribed by Hindu Sastras to all who have undergone Upanayana Samskaram and who are called Dwijas. It is Karmayoga, Bhaktiyoga and Jnaanayoga combined that unites the three paths of Karma, devotion and Knowledge. 

The Sandhyavandanam consists of recitation from the Vedas, accompanied by ritual. These rituals are performed three times a day- at morning noon and evening. “Dvija” means “twice-born”: the first birth is physical, while the second birth is a ‘spiritual’ one. The second ‘birth’ occurs when one takes up fulfilling a role in society, at the time of Upanayana initiation ceremony.   

This ritual has procedures and references from Vedas - Second Prasna, Second Anuvaka of Taittareeya Aranyaka (Yajur Veda) explaining procedures of worship by offering "Arghya" (water in the palms of both hands being thrown up), at the time of sunrise and sunset, meditating on Aditya (Sun). 

Chandogya upanishad says Aditya is Brahmapurusha and one may meditate upon Sun alone as Brahman. Also one can find the explanation on the importance of meditation of Sun or Aditya at sunrise and sunset. In Chapter 3, Section 12 of Chandogya Upanishad explains meditation of Aditya through Gayatri Sadrisyaanuroopa Vidya. It also explains that the sun in the horizon outside and the sun element inside us are one and the same and there is no difference and the identity should be kept in mind while meditating with the help of Gayatri Mantra. This is the meaning of "Asavadityoe Brahma" recited during Sandyavandanam there by meaning Brahman is within all of us.

Definition of Sandhyā 

The conjunction of day and night—that is, the time when there are neither stars nor sun—twilight is called Sandhyā. Thus, the word Sandhyā secondarily means all those actions which are to be performed at a given time as a daily practice. It is defined in the smritis as follows: 

According to Vṛddha Yājñavalkya, Sandhyā is a special devata that governs these parts of the day. Morning is called Gāyatrī (which is white in colour), noon is Sāvitrī (which is red), evening is called Sarasvatī (which is black or dark blue). 

According to Mādhava, it is so called because it is performed at the time called Sandhyā (i.e. Sandhyākāla). 

According to Nṛsimha, it is so called because it is complete meditation. 

According to Vyāsa, it is so called by the people because it is performed during the transitional moment (sandhi) of the day, such as twilight, dawn and dusk, and solar noon.

Description of Gayatri 

In Mahanarayana Upanishad of Krishna Yajurveda, Gayatri is described as white-colored (Sanskrit: श्वेतवर्णा, śvetavarṇā), having the gotra of sage viswamitra (Sanskrit: सान्ख्यायनस गोत्रा, sānkhyāyanasa gotrā), composed of 24 letters (Sanskrit: चतुर्विंशत्यक्षरा, caturviṃśatyakṣarā), three-footed (Sanskrit: त्रिपदा, tripadā), six-bellied (Sanskrit: षट्कुक्षिः, ṣaṭkukṣiḥ), five-headed (Sanskrit: पञ्चशीर्षः, pañcaśīrṣaḥ) and the one used in Upanayana of dvijas (Sanskrit: उपनयने विनियोगः, upanayane viniyogaḥ). 

The Taittirīya Sandhya Bhāṣyam of Sri Krishna Pandita states that the three legs of the Gayatri are supposed to represent the first 3 Vedas (Ṛk, Yajus, Sāma). The six bellies are said to represent the 4 cardinal directions, along with the other two directions, Ūrdhva (Zenith) and Adhara (Nadir). These five heads represent the 5 among Vedangas, namely vyākaraṇa, śikṣā, kalpa, nirukta and jyotiṣa.