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Sandhya Vandanam is the basic daily ritual. It is practiced by all who study (chant) the Veda. These texts are the rituals taught by Swamiji. We are working to update and simplify this text and to add an English translation. This text is based largely upon the Apastamba Sutra of the Kirshna Yajurveda. Traditionally, Sandhya must be conducted before any other rites, pujas, or homam may be performed. This ritual purifies people to make them fit for study of other mantras contained in Vedas. Sandhya Vandhanam is centered around the recitations of the sacred Gayatri Mantram. Swamiji encourages women and men and children over the age of 11 of all varnas and nationalities to learn Vedas. Traditionally, upanayanam is only performed for men. Swamiji encourages men and women to keep the sandhya times sacred by chanting Gayatri Mantram. Many modern Sampradayas allow women to chant Vedic Mantras, but they prohibit them from saying the Gayatri Mantra. If women are to become fit to study Vedas, they should perform Sandhya Vandanam. Women should be advised of the potential difficulties that such practice may cause for them (including the quickening of karmas and potential difficulty for them to uphold a family life), and encouraged to follow their hearts. Tradition discourages women from chanting Vedas during their monthly cycle because when a person is bleeding there can be some risk of attack by lower astral influences. In this Kali Yuga, many of the more intuitive, brave, kind, pure, and spiritual souls are reincarnating as women. If a person has a deep longing for God realization, they should not be discouraged from seeking God in appropriate ways. In the Vedic times, women were permitted to chant Vedas, and many of the Vedic hymns were revealed by women Rishikas. Anyone who wishes sincerely to seek the Lord should be taught the mystical practices revealed by the Sages for Self-realization.
Sandhya Vandanam is really three rituals conducted at three times each day. The three nitya karmas (daily rituals) are: 1) Pratah Sandhya Vandanam, performed in the hours before dawn; 2) Madhyahnikam performed at midday, and 3) Sayam Sandhya Vandanam, performed in the evening just before Sunset. A daily ritual called Brahma Yajnam is performed after Maadhyaahnikam (midday ritual) reciting from the Veda and making offerings to Ancestors, Sages, and God. Pratah Sandya Vandanam - Morning Prayers Pratah Sandhya Vandanam Sanskrit Pratah Sandhya Vandanam English Pratah Sandhyavandanam Sanskrit (Medium Length) Pratah Sandhyavandanam English (Medium Length) Pratah Sandhyavandanam Sanskrit (Short) Pratah Sandhyavandaam English (Short) Madhyanikam - Midday Prayers Madhyahnikam Sanskrit Madhyahnikam English Madhyahnikam Sanskrit (Medium Length) Madhyahnikam English (Medium Length) Madhyahnikam Sanskrit (Short) Madhyahnikam English (Short) Brahma Yajnam - Veda Chanting to be done after Midday Prayer Brahma Yajnam Sanskrit Brahma Yajnam English Sayam Sandhya Vandanam - Evening Prayers Sayam Sandhya Vandanam Sanskrit Sayam Sandhya Vandanam English Sayam Sandhyavandanam Sanskrit (Medium Length) Sayam Sandhyavandanam English (Medium Length) Sayam Sandhyavandanam Sanskrit (Short) Sayam Sandhyavandanam English (Short) Gayatri Dhyanam Gayatri Dhyanam (Instructons for Meditation on Gayatri) |
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