Gayatri

In the Vedic tradition, the term Gayatri refers to one of the three things -- (i) a particular meter, (ii) a specific mantra that is the essence of all three Vedas and (iii) Savita Devata.

By definition, Gayatri means that which protects one who chants it -- gayantam traayate iti gayatri. Gayatri in all three forms can protect the one who chants the mantra or meditates on the Devata. The protection is against all mental evils -- fear of failure, wrong desires, anger, greed, jealousy, delusion, false pretension due to ego, misery, despondency etc. It serves as a kavacham (armour) and is considered the best of all the kavacha stotras like Skanda Shashti kavacham etc.

Gayatri Devata is visualized as Brahma svarupini (Gayatri); Rudra svarupini (Savitri) and Vishnu svarupini (Saraswati). Hence, praying to Goddess Gayatri also ensures materialistic benefits like wealth and education. What a blessing, this greatest austerity is prescribed as a part of the daily ritual of Sandhyavandanam! One must note the usage of plurals in "dhiyo yo nah prachodhayat" in the Gayatri mantra. Therefore, a person doing this japam three times a day is doing it not only for his own personal benefit, but also for the benefit of those who are around him (includes immediate family, people in his locality etc.)

The gayatri meter (or chandas) consists of 24 syllables. The are many gayatri mantras for various deities in the Vedas. But there is one particular hymn which is the essence of each of the Rig, Yajus and Sama vedas in 8 syllables each. This particular hymn is named after the meter itself and is called the Gayatri mantra. The Gayatri mantra is the powerhouse of all Vedic hymns. According to the scriptures, no ritual is beneficial if it is not accompanied by a regular practice of Gayatri japa.

While chanting the Gayatri mantra as a japa, typically it is chanted in 23 syllables (not including the Om and bhur bhuva suvah), and hence is in nichrt gayatri chandas. While performing the japa, it is best to meditate on the form of the Gayatri Devata. It is said that equal benefit can be attained if one meditates on the sound of the mantra. Another way is to reflect on the profound meaning of the mantra.

The Gayatri mantra has been glorified very much in the smritis and subsequent commentries by Vedic scholars. I choose not to go into these or the meaning of the Gayatri mantra. Instead, here (check page 17 on the pdf) is a wonderful article written by my guru and a wonderful video wherein Pujyaswami Dayananda Saraswati talks about the Gayatri mantra (it is for about 13 minutes starting from 6:00).

Sandhyavandanam

Sandhyavandanam is a comprehensive daily prayer which has been prescribed by our ancestors to be performed three times a day. It is called so because, it is supposed to be done at the time of the day when the night and day meet (dawn), forenoon and afternoon meet (noon), day and night meet (dusk). In a nutshell, Sandhya means junction and Vandanam means worship or prayer. One of the most important rituals of the Sandhyavandanam is performing the Gayatri japa, which holds a very high place in the Vedic tradition. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna points out in verse 35 of chapter 10, "gayatri chandasaam aham" -- while enumerating the glories of the Lord, He says "I am Gayatri among the Vedic meters". All great pundits of the Vedas have time and again delved on the importance of Gayatri and Sandhyavandanam. I will say more about the importance of the Gayatri in another blog.

I have always wanted to perform Sandhyavandanam regularly. My father is a great inspiration for me. He hardly misses any kalam of Sandhyavandanam. Thanks to my student life, I have lived in hostels, with roommates etc. and I have been on and off, in terms of regularity of Sandhyavandanam is concerned. I have felt guilty a lot of times. But, the guilt did not push me to perform Sandhyavandanam regularly as I had not realized the importance of it. Of late, I have realized the importance of doing Sandhyavandanam regularly.

Two reasons why people do not perform Sandhyavandanam is probably because:
(i) they do not realize the importance of Sandhyavandanam, and
(ii) they expect some tangible benefits out of this ritual.

I will try to address the first concern in this blog. When we consider the second concern, though there are quite a few tangible benefits from doing Sandhyavandanam it is not considered to be done for those benefits. To elaborate, it consists of the pranayaama, a breath regulation technique that is taught in meditation and yoga sessions. It also involves performing rituals in some postures that serve as physical exercises for joints in the limbs. But, all these are not even considered as benefits by our ancestors. The Sandhyavandanam has been prescribed as just a nitya karma, a ritual that has be performed as a mere duty. If one goes into the details of the meanings of the mantras, they are really profound for a ritual that is deemed as just a duty or daily prayer. I do not want to get into the details of the meaning of the mantras in this post, but refer you to the book mentioned towards the end of this article.

I would like to point out what the Kanchi Mahaswami H. H. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati swamigal has mentioned about performing Sandhyavandanam. Some points to highlight from this article:

1. If a man has a high fever, people looking after him must pour into his mouth the water with which sandhyavandana has been performed. Today it seems all of us are suffering all the time from high fever! 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. Sandhyavandana must be performed without fail everyday. Gayatri japa can be practised by all of us without much effort and without spending any money. All that you require is water. Sandhyavandana is indeed an easy means to ensure your well being. So long as there is life in you, you must perform it.

2. 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.

3. We must never miss the daily sandhyavadhana unless we find it absolutely impossible to perform. When we fall ill, in our helplessness we ask others for water or kanji in the same way, we must ask our relative or friend to perform sandhyavandana on our behalf.

Another article that stresses the importance of rituals in general (Sandhyavandanam is a mandatory ritual):

Importance of rituals

CHENNAI, APRIL 15. It has become the norm to shun traditional rituals that have been practised by our ancestors, either due to a change in life styles or priorities. Even the discerning tend towards a surmise that reading or listening to discourses on the scriptures are enough to lead them in the right path. The rituals prescribed in the Vedas have a very important role to play in the overall spiritual development of man. Without them, the mind would be ill-prepared for absorbing the essence of the scriptures even if the individual feels that he has understood the works.

In his discourse, Sri Prasanna SooraMadhva Theertha, Pontiff of Sri Madhva Theertha Mutt, Kolar, said being religious is much more than being austere. It encompasses control over emotions and the senses. In order to help a person achieve the desired mastery, daily rituals play a crucial part. Difficult as it may appear, such a regimen helps one remain physically and mentally fit at all times, regardless of the pressures of everyday life. The Vedas which are the last word in righteous conduct recommend a way of life, which are a cementing force of moral integrity. The best one can do is to live up to the tenets. One of the daily rituals is the 'Sandhyavandanam' which wields a stellar influence on the mind and keeps the individual harnessed to the right path in his quest for spiritual liberation.

Some feel that the realities of daily life and scriptural recommendations on virtuous conduct are divergent. How then can one absorb time-honoured exercises into their working days? If the doors and windows of a house are kept open, it enables a thief to enter easily and decamp with the loot under cover of darkness. Similarly, evil tendencies gain access and spread quickly across the mind, if the intellect is in the dark and senses get a free reign. Chalking out a daily time-table which includes prayer, 'sandhyavandanam' and conducting poojas helps a person subdue the arrant senses and turn towards inner harmony. For, the prayers are a supplication to the Supreme Being for expiation of sins accumulated in previous births, in order that one may become worthy of liberation. The unequivocal lesson is that while material pleasures become worthless investments after one's span on Earth is over, spiritual gains will fetch prosperity, peace and other rewards in one's rebirth, ultimately culminating in freedom from the bondage of rebirths. The application of the moral law in one's daily life is sacrosanct.

I recently came across a 110-year old book on Sandhyavandanam. One should read at least the introduction of this book. The book was written in 1898, and I am amazed to see the relevance of the introduction to the present age. Each and every word is applicable. Quoting the first few words in this book:

"Sandhyavandanam is the daily prayer of the Aryans of India. It is a noble institution embodying a simple faith and breathing a lofty spirituality. And yet most of us Brahmans have turned it into a farce more or less. We have no time for it in these busy days."

I feel the author couldn't have started the book in a better way. Giving an excuse of having no time for Sandhyavandanam seems to be prevailing for more than 100 years now! I feel saying that we have no time for Sandhyavandanam is really "lame". Performing this ritual hardly takes 10 - 15 minutes.