Sandhyavandana
संध्यावन्दन is a mandatory religious ritual that needs to be performed especially by “Brahmins”
A person qualifies to perform Sandhyavandana only after he is has undergone “Upanayana” or “Thread Ceremony” and instructed in its execution by a Guru (a qualified spiritual teacher). Sandhyavandana consists of excerpts from the Vedas that are to be performed thrice daily at morning (prātaḥsaṃdhyā), at noon (mādhyānika), and in the evening (sāyaṃsaṃdhyā).
Sandhyavandanam literally means salutation to Sandhya. Sandhya literally means transition moments of the day namely the two twilight: dawn and dusk and the solar noon. Thus Sandhyavandanam means salutation to twilight or solar noon.
Following are the steps involved in brief while performing Sandhyavandana
1) Achamana consists of Nama Sankirthana—taking the names of the Lord
2) Pranayama is the ritual purification of internals via breathing exercises
3) Marjana is a ritual self-purification
4) Mantra Prokshanam is a prayer for atonement of sins
5) Aghamarshana (performed by some schools, especially Rig Vedins) is a prayer for forgiveness of sins
6) Gayathri japa is meditation
7) Upasthanam is prayer to Mitra (in the morning prayer) & Varuna (in the evening prayer)
8) Abhivadana is a salutory introduction offered to all deities. It usually follows a prostration to the deities of each direction (“dikpaalas”)
Sandhyavandana Classes were arranged at our Balaji Mandir, Vasai Road, for the benefit of our Samaj Bandhavs under the able guidance of Vedamoorthy Shivanand Bhat from Dahisar assisted by Gurudatt Ganesh Nayak and Prasad Nayak. The same team had given training at other places at Guru Ganesh (Sion), Dahisar, Meera-Bhayandar etc.
The first class was held on Sunday 15th Feb 2015 and will continue for five or 6 Sundays or more if required.
All our samaj bandhavs are requested to make use of this opportunity.
All participants are requested to bring
1) Tatte
2) Chipput
3) Poleru
4) Mudra
5) Gopichandana.
Persons who are not having any one of the items as mentioned above, arrangements can be made to provide it at the mandir itself.