Snanam (Nithya Karma)
Take head bath and wear Vastram and upavastram. Gruhasta"s wear pancha kacham or wear three "Dharbais" (dried kora grass) in the right ear as Praayashchitta (atonement) for not having Sigai/Kudumi.
Sandhya Vandanam (Nithya Karma - Prathas Sandhyam)
The ritual is the same every day with no changes/exceptions.
Samidaa Dhaaanam (Nithya Karma –Brahmachari’s only)
The ritual is the same every day with no changes/exceptions.
Owpasanam and Vaisvathevam (Nithya Karma – Gruhasta’s Only)
Home is considered the fittest place to carry out daily rituals of sacrifice and offerings to the gods (e.g. "sandhyavandana arghyam", "agni-sandhanam or agni hothram”) as well human charity and expiation called “Vaisvadevam". By self or with help of priests perform homams or rituals (e.g. Ganapathi Homam) using Agni (Fire). Offer food/charities to aththis (guests and poor), cows/birds/animals.
Gayathri Japam
Chant,
ॐ श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः
हरिः ॐ
ॐ गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे
कविं कवीनामुपमश्रवस्तमम् ।
ज्येष्ठराजं ब्रह्मणाम् ब्रह्मणस्पत
आ नः शृण्वन्नूतिभिःसीदसादनम् ॥
ॐ महागणाधिपतये नमः ॥
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सुर्यकोटि समप्रभ
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा
1. आचमनम् अङ्गवन्दनम्
Face east.
Clean the interior by sipping of water with mantra and clean the exterior by touching the various organs and reciting divine names. Sit with hands between hunched legs as shown in the picture below. Bend all the fingers except the thumb and the little finger to form space enough for an "Uddharani" (Spoon) full of water. Take very small quantity of water in the palm and sip (as "Brahma Thirtha") after each mantra. Sip the water from the palm each time uttering the following mantras:
1. ॐ अच्युताय नमः
2. ॐ अनन्ताय नमः
3. ॐ गोविन्दाय नमः
Put little water on the base of thumb and wipe the mouth. Repeat this twice. Clean the palm.
Continue to sit in Aachamanam posture and perform "Angavandanam". Uttering the following six pairs of mantras, touch the various parts of the body with the respective fingers of the right hand, against each pair. Make sure the tip of the forefinger touches the thumb in the first mantra and the thumb touching the respective fingers while doing the remaining pairs.
केशवाय नमः (thumb to touch right cheek)
नारायणाय नमः (thumb to touch left cheek)
माधवाय नमः (ring finger to touch right eye)
गोविन्दाय नमः (ring finger to touch left eye)
विष्णवे नमः (index finger to touch right side nose)
मधुसूधनाय नमः (index finger to touch left side nose)
त्रिविक्रमाय नमः (little finger to touch right ear)
वामनाय नमः (little finger to touch left ear)
श्रीधराय नमः (middle finger to touch right shoulder)
ह्रुशीकेशाय नमः (middle finger to touch left shoulder)
पद्मनाभाय नमः (four fingers to touch navel and the chest)
दामोदराय नमः (four fingers to touch head)
Keep two katta darabhais under the folded legs or asanam by chanting: दर्बेश्वसीना :
After this wash the palms (both sides) with water. Wear the Pavithram (Katta Darabhai Ring made of two katta darbhais) in right hand ring finger by chanting: पवित्रम् तृत्वा
Fold two katta darbhais and keep it around ring finger as seen in the pictures below by chanting: (do not hold the nose as seen in the picture, just wear it) दर्भान् धारयमान:
2. गणपति ध्यानम्
Face east, continue to sit in aachamanam posture
Pray to Lord Ganesha, who has a serene smile, white like a moon clad in white cloth to remove all obstacles. Recite the following mantra slowly tapping the two sides of the forehead (5 times) with both fists together.
ॐ शुक्लांबरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजं।
प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्व विघ्नोऽपशान्तये ॥
3. प्राणायामः
Face east, continue to sit in aachamanam posture
This step requires empty or near-empty stomach as it deals with yogic breathing or regulation of breath. Ironically the timings of Maadhyaahnikam and Brahma Yajnam at 12.00 PM before lunch adhere to it as well. Fold the index and the middle fingers. Press the right nostril with the thumb and the left with the ring and little fingers. There are three parts in this mantra.
Inhale through the left nostril reciting mentally, the first part of the mantra.
ॐ भूः। ॐ भुवः । ॐ सुवः । ॐ महः ।
ॐ जनः । ॐ तपः । ओग्म् सत्यम् ।
Hold the breath during the second part
ॐ तत्सवितु-र्वरेण्यम् । भर्गो-देवस्य धीमहि ।
धियो-यो-नः प्रचोदयात् ।
Breathe out through the right nostril reciting the third part.
ओमापो ज्योतीरसोऽमृतं ब्रह्म भूर्भुवस्सुवरोम् ॥
Touch the right ear and say three times,
ॐ ॐ ॐ
4. सङ्कल्पः
Indicates the determination to do an action with the understanding that the Lord Parameshwara is the Phaladhata.
Face east, continue to sit in aachamanam posture
Keep the right palm inside the left palm and keep the palms on the right thigh and recite the following mantra:
ममोपात्त समस्त-दुरित-क्षय-द्वारा श्री परमेश्वर प्रीत्यर्तं
शुभ दिने
शोभने मुहूर्ते
अध्य ब्रह्मणः
द्वितीय-परार्धे
श्वेत वराह कल्पे
वैवस्वत मन्वन्तेर अष्ट-विंशति तमे
कलियुगे
प्रतमे पादे
*जम्बु द्वीपे
*भारत वर्षे
*भरत कण्डे
*मेरोः दक्षिणे पार्श्वे
कर्मभूमौ सगाप्ते अस्मिन् वर्तमाने व्यवहारिके प्रभावादॆनाम् षष्ट्याः संवत्सराणां मध्ये
*Based on the country, you need to change. For USA the mantra is
क्रौञ्च द्वीपे रमणक वर्षे ऐन्द्र कन्दे प्रशान्त सागरे पुष्कर क्षेत्रे missispi-wabash-ohio इत्यादि षोडश जीव नदीनां समॆपस्तिते
**विजय नाम संवत्सरे
**दक्षिण आयने
**वर्ष ऋतौ
**सिंह मासे
**कृष्ण पक्षे
**(till 07:15 IST) पौर्णंयाम् (from 07:15 IST)प्रतमायाम् शुभतितौ
**सौम्य वासर
**स्रविष्ट नक्षत्र युक्तानां
श्री विष्णुयोग श्री विष्णुकरण शुभयोग शुभकरण एवंगुण सकल विशेषेण विशिष्टायां अस्यां वर्तमानायां
**(till 07:15 IST) पौर्णंयाम् (from 07:15 IST)प्रतमायाम् शुभतितौ
** Based on the country, the date and time you do this Sankalpaha certain things change like star, month, day, etc. Please check with a qualified priest on the exact aspects of it. If you do not know replace it with “Suba” (means auspicious) e.g. sarvajit naama samvatsare will be “शुभ नाम संवत्सरे”. for 2013
विजय नाम संवत्सरे
दक्षिण आयने
वर्ष ऋतौ
सिंह मासे
कृष्ण पक्षे
(till 07:15 IST) पौर्णंयाम् (from 07:15 IST)प्रतमायाम् शुभतितौ
सौम्य वासर
स्रविष्ट नक्षत्र युक्तानां
ममोपात्त समस्त-दुरित-क्षय-द्वारा श्री परमेश्वर प्रीत्यर्तं
मित्याधीत-दोष प्रायश्चित्तार्तम्
दोषवत्सु-आपतनीय-प्रायश्चित्तार्तम्
संवत्सर प्रायश्चित्तार्तम् च
(for 1008) अष्टोत्र-सहस्र संख्या (for 108) अष्टोत्र-शत संख्या
गायत्री महामन्त्रजपं करिष्ये
Remove the two dharbhas and put it on the north side (which you kept between the Pavithram). After this wash the palms (both sides) with water. (Apa Upa Prasya)
5. प्रणव जपं
Each and every mantra in the Vedas has a Rishi, who has seen it, a meter (chandas) and a devata who is invoked by the mantra. Mantras are more effective if these are remembered before reciting it. By touching the head you mentally bow to the rishi who has seen it, touch the upper lip/nose to signify the meter and the chest to meditate on the devata. Sit down and face east
प्रणवस्य ऋषि-र्ब्रम्हा (Touch the forehead with fingers)
देवी गायत्री छन्दः (Touch below the nose with fingers)
परमात्मा देवता (Touch the middle of the chest with fingers)
Touch the forehead with fingers and recite,
भूरादि सप्त-व्याहृतीनाम् अत्रि-भृगु-कुत्स-वसिष्ठ-काश्यप-आङ्गिरस ऋषयः ।
Touch below the nose with fingers and recite,
गायत्री-उष्णिक्-अनुष्टुप्-बृहती-पंक्ती-तृष्टुप्-जगत्यः छन्दांसि ।
Touch the middle of the chest with fingers and recite,
अग्नि-वायु-अर्क-वागीश-वरुण-इन्द्र-विश्वेदेवा देवताः ।
Agni vaayu arka vaageesha varuna Indra vishvedevaa devataaha
सावित्र्या ऋषिः विश्वामित्रः (Touch the forehead with fingers)
देवी गयत्री छन्दः (Touch below the nose with fingers)
सविता देवता (Touch the middle of the chest with fingers)
6. प्राणायामः
Do Praanaayaamaha as in Part I - Step 3 (10 times) (Sit down and face east)
7. गायत्री आवाहनम्
Prayer to Gayathri Devi to occupy the lotus of the individual"s heart.
Sit down and face east
आयत्वित्-अनुवाकस्य वामदेव ऋषिः (Touch the forehead with fingers)
अनुष्टुप् छन्दः (Touch below the nose with fingers)
गायत्री देवता (Touch the middle of the chest with fingers)
गायत्री आवाहने विनियोगः (fold hands together)
आयातु वरदा देवी अक्षरं ब्रह्मसम्मितम् ।
गायत्रीं छन्दसां मातेदं ब्रह्म जुषस्व नः ॥
ओजोऽसि सहोसि बलमसि ब्राजोऽसि देवानां धाम नामासि विश्वमसि विश्वायुः
सर्वमसि सर्वायुः
While reciting the last three mantras, after "Aavaahayaami", keep both the palms together ("Avahana Mudra") and then slowly take the fingers towards oneself towards the chest, and bring it back to original position after each rotation.
अभिभूरों गायत्रीं-आवाहयामि सावित्रीं-आवाहयामि सरस्वतीं-आवाहयामि ॥
Abhi bhoorom Gaayatreem aavaahayaami Saavitreem aavaahayaami Sarasvateem aavaahayaami
8. गायत्री न्यासः
Sit down and face east
सावित्र्या ऋषिः विश्वामित्रः (Touch the forehead with fingers)
निचृत्-गायत्री छन्दः (Touch below the nose with fingers)
सविता देवता (Touch the middle of the chest with fingers)
जपे विनियोगः ॥
9. गायत्री महामन्त्र जपम्
Central theme of the Sandhya Vandanam worship. The very elaborate preamble indicates the importance of the purification of both the mind and the body as a precondition to do the Japa. Casual chanting of Gayathri is to be avoided at all costs. Stand up and face East Chant 1008 times of Gayathri mantra at this time. Take care that the mantra is not heard to any one and if possible without the lips moving. Chant the mantra mentally – count using only hands covered with angavastram. The hands with both palms joined (like you give Arghyam so that the palms are not completely joined and you can count). The traditional method of counting uses both the palms. Hold the palm together sideways in front of your face during morning (see the pictures). There are three sets of lines on all the fingers except the thumb. Begin counting, using the right thumb, from the middle line on the ring finger. Move the thumb down to the bottom line of the same finger, then to the bottom line of the little finger and then move the thumb upwards on to the middle and top lines on the same finger and then along the top lines of the ring, middle and forefingers, and then finally move down on to the middle and bottom lines of the forefinger, all in a clockwise direction to complete ten counts of the Gayathri mantra japa. Now return to the middle line of the ring finger from where the counting started, in anti clock wise direction in the same manner thus completing the next ten counts. Keep repeating this process till the desired number of counts is completed.
ॐ भूर्भुवः सुवः । ॐ तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम् भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि । धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
“Om bhoor-buvah-suvaha Ttat savitur-varenyam Bhargo devasya dheemahi Dhiyo yo nah prachodayaat”
10. प्राणायामं
Do Praanaayaamaha as in Part I - Step 3 (Stand up and face east)
11. गायत्री उपस्तानम्
Request Gayathri Devi to return to her abode. Stand up, face east and chant with Anjali Mudra (fold hands together)
गायत्री उपस्तानं करिष्ये
Bend down and touch the ground with the ring finger and then the forehead in the middle area of the eyebrows chanting the mantra below:
उत्तमे शिकरे देवी भूम्यां पर्वतमूर्धनि ।
ब्राह्मणेभ्यो-ह्यनुज्ञानं गच्छ देवी यथासुकम् ॥
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Uttame shikhare devi Bhoomyaam parvata moordhani Braahmanebhyo hyanujnaanam Gachcha devi yathaa-sukham
12. सूर्य उपस्तानं
Send off of the Sun God. Stand up, face east and chant with Anjali Mudra (fold hands together)
ॐ मित्रस्य चर्षणी-धृतः श्रवो देवस्य सानसिम् ।
सत्यं चित्रवस्तमम् ॥
मित्रो जनान् यातयति प्रजनान् मित्रो दाधार पर्थिवीमुत-ध्याम् ।
मित्रः-कृउश्तीरनिमिषाऽभिचिष्ठे सत्याय हव्यं धृउतवद्विधेम ॥
प्र-स-मित्र मर्तो अस्तु प्रयस्वान् यस्य आदित्य शिक्षति व्रतेन ।
न हन्यते न जीयते तवोतो नैनम्
हो अश्नोत्-यन्तितो न दूरात् ॥
13. समष्ट्य अभिवन्दनम्
Sins committed out of ignorance under the compulsion of desire or anger may please be forgiven. Stand up, face east Stand up, starting from east (during Praatah-sandhya), where the Gayatri japam was done, after each mantra turn 90 degrees to the right. Chant with Anjali Mudra (fold hands together)
सन्ध्यायै नमः (Face East) ।
सावित्र्यै नमः (Face South) ।
गायत्र्यै नमः (Face West) ।
सरस्वत्यै नमः (Face North) ।
Chant with Anjali Mudra (fold hands together) facing the east
सर्वाभ्यो देवताभ्यो नमः ।
कामो-ऽकार्षीन् मन्युरकार्षीत् नमो नमः
14. अभिवन्दनम् & नमस्कारः
(Face East for prAtha sandhyAvandanam, north for madhyahnikam and West for sAyam
sandhyAvandanam)
The mantra will change from person to person depending upon his name, gothra and
sutra. With vaisvAmitra, Agahmarshana and kausika as the three rishis I am giving below
the mantra for Apastamba sUtra and kausika gotra with name lakshminarayanan.
Depending upon one's variables the corresponding words need to be replaced. The
variables are given in bracket for easy substitution as applicable to each individual.
अभिवादये आङ्गीरस भार्गस्पत्य भारध्वाज त्रयारिषेय प्रवरान्वित
भारत्वाज गोत्रः द्राह्यायण सूत्र्ः साम साका अध्यायी
वेङ्कत्रामक्रिष्ण शर्मा नामाहं अस्मि भोः ॥
After this do Namaskaram (prostrate).
15. दिग्-देवता वन्दनं
Salutations to all directions. Stand up, face east and chant with Anjali Mudra (fold hands together) Chant the following mantras with folded hands offer salutations to the different directions facing that direction:
प्राच्यै दिशे नमः (Face East)
दक्षिणायै दिशे नमः (Face South)
प्रतीच्यै दिशे नमः (Face West)
उदीच्यै दिशे नमः (Face North)
Stand up, Face east and continue chanting with Anjali Mudra (fold hands together)
ऊर्ध्वाय नमः (Pray with folded hands together and point above, sky)
अधराय नमः (Pray with folded hands together and point below, earth)
अन्तरिक्षाय नमः (Pray with folded hands together and point above, sky)
भूम्यै नमः (Pray with folded hands together and point above, earth)
ब्रह्मणे नमः (Pray with folded hands together and point above, sky)
विष्णवे नमः (Pray with folded hands together and point above, earth)
यमाय नमः (Pray with folded hands together)
16. यम वन्दनं
Salutations to Lord Yama. Stand up, face south and pray with Anjali Mudra (fold hands together)
यमाय धर्म-राजाय मृत्यवे च-अन्तकाय च ।
वैवस्वताय कालाय सर्वभूत-क्षयाय च ॥
औदुंबराय दध्नाय सर्वभूत-क्षयाय च।
वृकोदराय चित्राय चित्रगुप्ताय वै नमः ॥
चित्रगुप्ताय वै नमः ॐ नम इति ॥
17. विश्वरूप प्रार्थना
Salutations to Lord Harihara or Ardhanari or Parabrahma. Stand up, face west and pray with Anjali Mudra (fold hands together)
ऋत
सत्यं परं ब्रह्म पुरुषं कृष्ण-पिङ्गळम् ।
ऊर्ध्वरेतं विरूपाक्षं विश्वरूपाय वै नमः॥
विश्वरूपाय वै नमः ॐ नाम इति ।
18. Sarpa Raksha Mantram
recite in the direction of river Narmada. Snakes gave a solemn promise to Rishi Astikar that they will not do harm to anyone who recite the following prayer. Stand up, face north and pray with Anjali Mudra (fold hands together)
नर्मदायै नमः-प्रातः नर्मदायै नमो निशीः ।
नमोस्तु नर्मदे तुभ्यं त्राहिमाम् विष सर्पतः ॥
जरत्-कारो-र्जरत्-कार्वाम् समुत्पन्नो महायशाः।
आस्तीक-सत्य-सन्तो-माम् पन्नकेभ्यो-ऽभिरक्षतु ॥
अप-सर्प-सर्प-भद्रं-ते दूरं गच्च महायचाः ।
जनमेजयस्य यज्ञान्ते आस्तीक वचनं स्मरन् ॥
19. सूर्य नारायण वन्दनं
This sloka permeates a highest sense of total surrender to the Lord – expected to stimulate a similar sense in the person who chants it. Stand up, face east and pray with Anjali Mudra (fold hands together)
नमः सवित्रे जगदेक-चक्षुषे जगत्-प्रसूति स्थिति-नाश-हेतवे ।
त्रयीमयाय त्रिगुणात्म-धारिणे विरिंचि-नारायण शङ्करात्मने ॥
ध्येयः सदा सवितृमण्डल-मध्यवर्ती नारायणः सरसिजासन-संनिविष्टः ।
केयूरवान् मकरकुण्डलवान् किरीटी हारी हिरण्मयवपु-धृत-शङ्ख-चक्रः॥
शङ्ख-चक्र-गदापाणे द्वारका-निलयाच्युता ।
गोविन्द पुण्डरीकाक्ष रक्ष मां शरणागतम् ॥
ॐ नम इति
आकाशात् पतितं तोयं यथा गच्छति सागरम् ।
सर्वदेव-नमस्कारः केशवं प्रति गच्छति॥
श्री केशवं प्रति गच्छति ॐ नम इति ॥
Do Namaskaram (prostrate)
20. अभिवादनम् नमस्कारं as in Step 14. (Face east)
21. आचमनं अन्गवन्दनं as in Step 1 (Face east)
22. समर्पणम्
Give away all the actions to the lord. Continue to sit in Aachamanam posture facing east Take an Uddharani (Aachamani or Spoonful) of water, pour it on the ground through your right palm and then recite the following mantra:
Chant with Anjali Mudra (fold hands together)
कायेन वाचा मनसा इन्द्रियीर्वा भुध्या आत्मना वा प्रकृतेः स्वभावात् ।
करोमि यत् यत् सकलं परस्मै नारायणायेति समर्पयामि ॥
मन्त्र-हीनं क्रिया-हीनं भक्ति-हीनं जनार्दन ।
यत् कृतं तु मया देव परिपूर्णं ततास्तु ते ॥
प्रायस्चित्तानि अशेषाणि तबः कर्म आत्मा कानिवै।
यानि तेषां अशेषानाम् श्री कृष्ण-अनु-स्मरणम् परम्॥
श्री कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्णा
Pour one Uddharani (Aachamani or Spoonful) of water into the Theertha Patram (Thamabalam or Plate) through your right palm while reciting the mantra below.
ॐ तत् सत् ब्रम्हार्पणम्-अस्तु
23. रक्षा
Protective Shield. Continue to sit in Aachamanam posture facing east Take small quantity of water in the right hand, rotate and sprinkle it above ones own head (Prokshanam) saying:
अध्या-नो देव-सवितः प्रजावत्सावीः सौबगम्
परा दुश्वप्नि
-सुवा विश्वानि देव सवितः दुरितानि परासुवा
यत् भद्रम् तन्म-आसुवा
Then touch the ground with ring finger and place it in the forehead. Remove the Pavithram, unwind it, and put in on north side ((left hand side) and wash your hands (both sides).
24. आचमनं / अङ्गवन्दनम्
as in Step 1 (Face east)
Pour one Uddharani (Aachamani or Spoonful) of water into the Theertha Patram (Thamabalam or Plate) through your right palm while reciting each mantra below.
ॐ श्री गयत्रिये नमः
ॐ श्री संध्यायै नमः
ॐ श्री कृष्णार्पणम्-अस्तु
Now Go to puja Room and prostrate 4 times, then prostrate to your parents and take their
blessings