SANDHYA VANDANAM

Madhyanikam is an integral part of our Nitya Karma Anushtanam infact our puranas and shastras give lot of emphasis on Madhyanikam . Let me try to give you certain examples.

1)When Saint Thyagaraja went to the  River Bank for performing  Maadhyanikam ( at this juncture) Lord Rama gave darshanam to Saint Tyagaraja and his wife.

2)Tarpanams or Shrardham, are always performed after Madhyanikam followed by a seperate snanam.

3) Avini avittam is a age old ritual and the same is also peformed after maadhyanikam,

4) Brahmayagyam which is a daily thanks giving to our Rishis , Deva's and also for Pithrus is again a ritual done after Maadhyanikam. 

5) In Upanayam you may observe that most of the Muhurtham gets over betwen 10 Am to 11 AM and here again after Brahmopadesham , the child is first initiated into the karma Anushtanam module by teaching him to perform Maadyanikam and observe the Sun through Gaalinee Mudhra

Hence according to me Maadhyanikam is a very very important constituent of our Daily Anushtanams and every body should strive to perform the same.

In Kanchi seers words, 

"If the Gayatri has not been chanted for three generations in the family of a Brahmin, its members lose caste (they cease to be Brahmins). The quarter where such Brahmins live cannot be called an "agrahara".

In the same way if the Brahmin family has not performed sacrifices for three generations its members will be called "Durbrahmanas", degenerate Brahmins. Even though degenerate the label "Brahmin" sticks to them. There are prayascittas (expiatory rites) by means of which the corrupted Brahmins will be remade true Brahmins. But there is no such hope for a Brahmin in whose family Gayatri has not been chanted for three generations. A member of such a family ceases altogether to be a Brahmin and cannot be made one again. He is just a "Brahmana- bandhu", a kin or a friend of Brahmins.

The same rule applies to Ksatriyas and Vaisyas with regard to the Gayatri mantra; they become "ksatriya-bandhus" and "Vaisya-bandhus" respectively.

Even in times of misfortune the Gayatri must be muttered at least ten times at dawn, midday and dusk. These are hours of tranquility. At dawn all creatures including human beings rise and the mind is serene now. At dusk all must be restful after a day's hard work: that is also a time of calm. At noon the sun is at its height and people are at home and relaxed and their mind is calm. During these hours we must meditate on Gayatri, Savitri and Sarasvati. In the morning the dominant presence is that of Visnu, at noon that of Brahma and at sundown of Siva. So we must meditate on Gayatri in the morning as Visnu personified, at noon as Brahma personified and at dusk as Siva personified.

If a man has a high fever, people looking after him must pour into his mouth the water with which sandhyavandana has been performed.

When you run a high temperature you have to take medicine; similarly Gayatri is essential to the self and its japa must not be given up at any time. It is more essential to your inner being than medicine is to your body.

When the three varnas practise gayatri-japa all other jatis enjoy the benefit flowing from it. Those entitled to Gayatri mantra are to regard themselves as trustees who have to mutter it on behalf of others.

If they fail in their duty of trustees, it means they are committing an irremediable offence.

Even in these days it is not difficult to perform sandhyavandana both at dawn and dusk. Office goers and other workers may not be at home during midday. They may perform the madhyahnika (the midday vandana) 2 hours 24 minutes after sunrise that is called "sangava kala".

There are three types of Karmas- Nithya, Naimithika, and Kamya karmas.

1.    Kamya karma is one which is done with a desire to achieve, like a yagya for long life etc .Even if kamya karmas are not done , there is no papam.

2.    Naimithika karma is one which is not shastra bound and not niyamic, i.e., a necessary duty , such as taking bath after an eclipse.

3.    Nithya karma is one which is ‘niyata nimitta’ meaning ‘ that which is done which is shastra bound’ . Sunrise and sunset are the reason for doing Sandhya vandanam. Hence this is classified in the Nithya karma, which has to be done daily , lifelong.

Sandhya  means the time of union. The time which relates to the union of two things, i.e. the time between the night and morning (first junction Dawn), between forenoon and afternoon (second junction Noon) and between afternoon and evening (third Jn. Dusk);

Sandhya means dawn, noon and dusk. Sandhyavandanam means a ritual done at the time of three junctions, Dawn, Noon and Dusk. 

Sandhyavandanam is a junction between the devotee and the Lord. Between Jeevathma and Paramathma.

For, success in that process of control one should overcome the handicaps of the Gunas, the Sathwa, the Rajas and the Thamas. When these faces of natural impulse predominate and try to direct along their channels, one must pray to God to negate their pull. That is the first duty of the man who strives towards God. It is the rule of nature, that the morning is the period of Sathwic quality, the "noon" of Rajasic nature and the "evening" hour of dusk of Thamasic nature.

The name suggests Sandhya , the meeting time of Day with night, which is just before and during sunrise and sunset.

‘Ajyotisho darsanat sandhi, jyotisho bhanutare’

The above statement of the shastra means ‘Sandhi is the time when the sun and the stars are together visible’

The practical thing therefore will be to start

1.    In the morning before sunrise, give Arghyam( explanation later) during sunrise and finish just after sunrise.

2.    In the evening, begin before sunset, give Arghyam during sunset and finish later.

For those who always are inconsistent with their timings, Shastra says

‘Uttama tarakopeta madhyama lupta taraka 

Adhama urya sahita prata: sandhya tridha mana’

To do PrAtha ( morning) sandhyA vandanam when the stars are visible is Uttama (first grade.); Maddhyama (middle grade) when doing without the stars; and Adhama ( least grade when Sun is visible)

“Uttama suryasahita maddhyama anudita taraka

Adhma tarakopeta sayam sandhya tridha mata”

To do Sayam( evening) Sandhya Vandanam , It is Uttama doing while the sun is still shining; Maddhyama when doing before stars are visible; Adhama after the stars are fuly visible.

Even in these days it is not difficult to perform sandhyavandana both at dawn and dusk. Office goers and other workers may not be at home during midday. They may perform the madhyahnika (the midday vandana) 2 hours 24 minutes after sunrise that is called "sangava kala".

I. Trikala Samaya

a. Prathahkal:
   Count from Sunrise 2Hrs 24 Min (6AM to 8.24AM)
   Sangavakalam (8.24 to 10.48AM)                         

b. Madhyahna:
    10.48AM to 13.12Hrs

c. Aparahna:
    Hrs: 13.12 to 15.36 Noon

Note:
1 MUHURTHAM = 48 min
30 MUHURTHAM = 1 day (24 Hours)

BRAHMI MUHURTHAM
48 min prior to SUNRISE

  

In the words Sri Sri Sringeri Sankaracharya

·         The Shastras prescribe two pakshas: Mukya Paksham and GowNa Paksham

·         To do 1008 Gayatri Japam is Mukya Paksham. People used to do this for 3 kaalas in the olden days.

·         If there is not sufficient time, then the Shastras prescribe GowNa Paksham of doing 108 Gayatri Japam.

·         If there is further little time, then the Shastras prescribe doing at least 32 Gayatri Japam.