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SANDHYAVANDHANAM Related

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It will take only 15 minutes for each pradhas,madhyam,saayam. no need to recite guru parampara for sandhyavandhanam.
 
Seems some major misconception here regarding what is meant by "sandhya-vandanam".

The "only 15 minutes" might apply if the vital gaayathri japam is wholly omitted. And basically only arghyam and tharppanam is done.

The thri-kaala sandhya is NOT complete without chanting 108 mahaa-gaayaathri manthrams at sunrise, 32 at noon and 64 at sunset, preceded at all three times by 10 praanaayaamams and doing the associated rishi-chandas-devathaa nyaasams.

Followed by bhoomi-upasthaanam, mithrasya-upaasanam, chathur-devi namaskaaram to sandhya, saavithri, gaayathri and sarasvathi, to sarva-devathaa, kamo-kaarsheth-manyur-akaarasheeth, abhivaadanam, sapthar-dasha vandanam, vandanam to bhoomi, brahma, vishnu, and yama. Followed by praarthanas to ruthagum-sathyam, visjvaroopa param brahmam, narmada, sarppams, savithr. Further abhivaadanam, praayaschittham, and namaskaaram.

This is taught to the vadu during upanayanam. It is valid throughout life.

The time taken for the gaayathri japam will depend on the proficiency of the chanter and the number to be chanted. The total time for each sandhya will vary accordingly.

S Narayanaswamy Iyer
 
The query is posed:-

Do we need to recite guru parampara once or all the three times?

The correct answer is -- after your mahaa-gaayathri japam of 108, 32 and 64 manthrams during praatha sandhya, maadhyaahnikam and saayam sandhya, you do two abhivaadanams, as mentioned earlier by me. During each abhivaadaanam you have to recite your guru parampara. That means you recite guru parampara six times a day during the total thri-kaala sandhya vandanam.

S Narayanaswamy Iyer
 
Questions to babunarsimji,

1. Are you a vaishnavite? If you are one, there will be a slight difference in the details of the sandhya vandanam done. and naturally that will affect the time taken.

2. How much time can you set aside for sandhyavandanam --for all the three times? The details will vary depending on this because it is better to do sandyavandanam with just 10 gayathris than doing no sandyavandanam. Your situation and circumstances do matter as you have to live here and fight your life's battles--unless of course you are retired and has a lot of time in your hands.

If you answer these two questions an answer to your original question can be derived by logic.
 
If you are doing the Sandhyavandanam properly i.e with 108 Gayathri Japa etc then it will take a longer time around 40 mts but other wise if you restrict it to just 27 Gayathris then it will take you 15-20 mts
 
Been doing sandhya since upanayanam. (And samidaadaanam till vivaaham.)

Full praatha sandhya with 108 gaayathris should take about 25 minutes, if you are practised and proficient, Without rushing or cutting corners. Gaayathri should be chanted in silence, with your counting hand covered by your uttareeyam. This applies to all three sandhyas.

S Narayanaswamy Iyer
 
Been doing sandhya since upanayanam. (And samidaadaanam till vivaaham.)

Full praatha sandhya with 108 gaayathris should take about 25 minutes, if you are practised and proficient, Without rushing or cutting corners. Gaayathri should be chanted in silence, with your counting hand covered by your uttareeyam. This applies to all three sandhyas.

S Narayanaswamy Iyer

This estimate is about right from my experience. Single Gayatri chanting in silence may take 7 seconds or so. 108 times 7 seconds is about 12+ minutes.. 25 minutes overall is what it takes.

It is important to know the meaning of each of the steps and their significance. Equally important is chanting properly with the right pronunciation and attitude.
 
Thanks, Sri TKS.

Someone asked:

How much time can you set aside for sandhyavandanam?

My rejoinder is that you must set aside ALL THE TIME NEEDED for this essential task. Regular and full performance of the sandhyas is what sets apart the Brahmins, the Kshathriyas and the Vaishyas from all the others.

If you can train yourself to get up two hours before sunrise, as I have done since upanayanam every day, even today, you should have plenty of time to perform both praatha sandhya and maadhyaahnikam (and samidaa-daanam/aupaasanam) before setting out for school or work. If could set aside 35 minutes in the evening on returning home, you can easily perform the evening sandhya and sami-daanam/aupaasanam.

Sure, this requires self-discipline. After a while it becomes routine. Start trying this out on weekends and public holidays. Soon you will not only get accustomed to it, but will also miss it when prevented by circumstances beyond your control.

Aasheervaathams.

S Narayanaswamy Iyer
 
  • சாஸ்திரப் பிரகாரம் செய்ய வேண்டிய கார்யங்களுக்குள் எல்லாம் முக்கியமான காரியம் காயத்ரீ ஜபம்.


    த்ரிபம் ஏவது வேதேப்ய:பாதம் பாதமதூதுஹம் (மநுஸ்மிருதி)


    காயத்ரீ மூன்று வேதத்திலிருந்து ஒவ்வொரு பாதமாக எடுத்தது என்று மநுவே சொல்கிறார். வேதத்தின் மற்றதையெல்லாம் விட்டுவிட்ட நாம் இதையும் விட்டால் கதி ஏது?


    ரிக், யஜுஸ், ஸாமம் என்ற மூன்று வேதங்களையும் இறுக்கிப் பிழிந்து கொடுத்த essence (ஸாரம்) காயத்ரீ மஹாமந்திரம்.


    காயத்ரீ என்றால், "எவர்கள் தன்னை கானம் பண்ணுகிறார்களோ அவர்களை ரக்ஷிப்பது"என்பது அர்த்தம்.


    காயந்தம் த்ராயதே யஸ்மாத் காயத்ரீ (இ) த்யபிதீயதே !


    கானம் பண்ணவதென்றன்றால் இங்கே பாடுவதில்லை; பிரேமயுடனும் பக்தியிடனும் உச்சரிப்பது என்று அர்த்தம். யார் தன்னை பயபக்தியுடனும் பிரேமையுடனும் ஜபம் பண்ணுகிறார்களோ அவர்களை காயத்ரீ மந்திரம் ரக்ஷிக்கும். அதனால் அந்தப்பெயர் அதற்கு வந்தது. வேதத்தில் காயத்ரீயைப் பற்றிச் சொல்லும் பொழுது,


    காயத்ரீம் சந்தஸாம் மாதா


    என்று இருக்கிறது. சந்தஸ் என்பது வேதம். வேத மந்திரங்களுக்கெல்லாம் தாயார் ஸ்தானம் காயத்ரீ என்று இங்கே வேதமே சொல்கிறது. 24 அக்ஷரம் கொண்ட காயத்ரீ மந்திரத்தில் ஒவ்வொன்றும் எட்டெழுத்துக் கொண்ட மூன்று பாதங்கள் இருக்கின்றன. அதனால் அதற்கு 'த்ரிபதா' காயத்ரீ என்றே ஒரு பெயர் இருக்கிறது.


    காயத்ரீயில் ஸகல வேத மந்திர சக்தியும் அடங்கியிருக்கிறது. மற்ற எல்லா மந்திரங்களுக்கும் சக்தியைக் கொடுப்பது அதுதான். அதை ஜபிக்காவிட்டால் வேறு மந்திர ஜபத்திற்குச் சக்தி இல்லை. காயத்ரீயை ஸரியாகப் பண்ணினால்தான் மற்ற வேத மந்திரங்களிலும் ஸித்தி உண்டாகும்.


    மந்திரசக்தி குறையாமல் இருக்க தேஹத்தை சுத்தியாக வைத்துக் கொள்ள வேண்டும்.


    தேஹோ தேவாலய:ப்ரக்தோ ஜீவ:ப்ரோக்தோ ஸநாதன:|


    தேஹம் ஒரு தேவாலயம். அந்த ஆலயத்துக்குள் இருக்கிற உயிரான ஜீவன் ஈச்வரஸ்வரூபம். ஆலயத்தில் அசுத்தியோடு போகக்கூடாது. அங்கே அசுத்தமான பதார்த்தங்களை சேர்க்கக் கூடாது. மாம்ஸம், சுருட்டு முதலியவைகளை கொண்டு போனால் அசுத்தம் உண்டாகும். ஆகம சாஸ்திரங்களில் தீட்டோடும் தேஹ அசுத்தத்தோடும் ஆலயத்துக்குப் போகக்கூடாது என்று சொல்லப்பட்டிருக்கிறது.


    அப்படியே மனித தேஹம் ஒரு தேவாலயமானால் அதிலும் அசுத்தமான பதார்த்தங்களைச் சேர்க்கக்கூடாது. குறிப்பாக, மந்திரசக்தி இருக்க வேண்டிய தேஹத்தில் அசுத்தமானவைகளைச் சேர்த்தால் அது கெட்டுப் போய்விடும். வீட்டுக்கும் தேவாலயத்திற்கும் வித்தியாஸம்இருக்கிறது. ஆனாலும்

    தேவாலயத்தைப் போல அவ்வளவு கடுமையாக அசுத்தம் வராமல் வைத்துக் கொள்ள வேண்டியதில்லை. ஒரு மூலையிலாவது வாய் கொப்புளிக்கவும்,ஜல மல விஸர்ஜனத்துக்கும், பஹிஷ்டா (மாதவிடாய்) ஸ்திரீக்கும் இடம் வைக்கிறோம். Flat system -ல் கடைசியில் சொன்னது போய், அநாசார மயமாகி விட்டிருக்கிறது. இதற்கெல்லாம் ஆலயத்தில் கொஞ்சங்கூட இடமில்லையல்லவா?


    ஒரு தேசத்தில் வீடும் வேண்டும், ஆலயமும் வேண்டும். அதே மாதிரி ஜனசமூகத்தில் லோக காரியங்களைச் செய்யும் வீடு மாதிரியான தேகங்கள், ஆத்ம காரியத்தைச் செய்யும் ஆலயம் மாதிரியான தேகங்கள் இரண்டும் வேண்டும். தேஹங்களுக்கு ஆத்மாவை ரக்ஷிப்பவை தேவாலயத்தைப் போல
    பாதுகாக்கப்பட வேண்டிய பிராம்மண தேஹங்கள். வேத மந்திர சக்தியை ரக்ஷிக்க வேண்டியவைகளாதலால் ஆலயம்போல் அதிக பரிசுத்தமாக அந்த தேகங்கள் இருக்க வேண்டும். அசுத்தியான பதார்த்தங்களை உள்ளே சேர்க்கக் கூடாது.


    மந்திர சக்தியை ரக்ஷித்து அதனால் லோகத்துக்கு நன்மையை உண்டாக்க வேண்டுவது பிராம்மணன் கடமை. அதனால்தான் அவனுக்கு அதிகமான நிபந்தனைகள் விதிக்கப்பட்டிருக்கின்றன. "மற்றவர்கள் அது பண்ணுகிறார்களே, நாமும் ஏன் பண்ணக்கூடாது?

    "என்று அசுத்தியைத் தரும் காரியங்களை பிராம்மணன் பண்ணக்கூடாது. அவர்களெல்லாம் சரீரத்தை வைத்துக் கொண்டு ஸந்தோஷமான அநுபவங்களை அடைகிறார்களே என்று இவன் தனக்குத் தகாதவற்றைச் செய்யக்கூடாது. "பிராம்மணனுக்கு தேஹம் ஸந்தோஷத்தை அநுபவிப்பதற்காக ஏற்பட்டதல்ல.


    லோக உபகாரமாக வேதத்தை ரக்ஷிக்க வேண்டிய தேஹம் அது. அது மஹா கஷ்டப்படவே ஏற்பட்டது"என்று (வாஸிஷ்ட ஸ்ம்ருதி'யில்) சொல்லியிருக்கிறது:"ப்ராஹ்மணஸ்ய சரீரம் து நோபபோகாய கல்பதே!இஹ க்லேசாய மஹதே". லோக க்ஷேமத்திற்காக மந்த்ரங்களை அப்யஸிக்க வேண்டும் என்பதற்காகவேதான் செலவு பண்ணி உபநயனம் முதலியவைகளைச் செலவு பண்ணி உபநயனம் முதலியவைகளைச் செய்து கொள்வது. வேத மந்திரங்களை ரக்ஷிப்பதற்காகவே-


    அதன் மூலம் ஸகல ஜீவ ஜந்துக்களையும் ரக்ஷிப்பதற்காகவே - தேஹத்தை வைத்துக் கொள்ள வேண்டும். 'எல்லோரும் ஸெளகரியமான தொழில் பண்ணுகிறார்களே!ஏன் நாம் செய்யக் கூடாது?என்று பிராம்மணன் நினைக்கக் கூடாது. தன்னுடைய கடமையை நன்றாகச் செய்துவிட்டுப் பிறகுதான் ஜீவனோபாயத்தை நினைக்க வேண்டும். முன்பு இவன் பிராம்மண தர்மங்களைச் செய்தாலே போதுமென்று ராஜாவும் ஸமூஹமும் இவனுக்கு மானியம், ஸம்பாவனை செய்து வாழ வசதி தந்தார்கள்.


    இப்போது நிலைமை மாறிவிட்டதால், பணத்துக்கும் கொஞ்சம் பிரயத்தனப்பட வேண்டியதுதான். ஆனால் நிரம்பப் பணத்தை ஸம்பாதிக்க வேண்டுமென்று ஆசைப்படக்கூடாது. இதற்காக அநாசார வழிகளில் பிரவேசிக்கக் கூடாது. பிராம்மணர்களுக்கு தரித்திர நிலை வேண்டியதுதான். இன்பங்களைத் தேடாமல் காயக் காயக் கிடந்தால்தான் இவனுக்கு ஞானப் பிரகாசம் உண்டாகும். அதனால் லோகம் வாழும். கண்ட தேசங்களுக்குச் சென்று ஆசார அநுஷ்டானங்களை விட்டுவிட்டு ஸம்பாதிக்கிற ஐச்வர்யம் இவனுக்கு வேண்டாம். அதுபடி ஸம்பாதிக்காவிட்டால் ஒன்றும் முடியாது என்பது இல்லை.


    லோகத்தில் மந்திர சக்தியைக் காப்பாற்றிக் கொண்டு தன்னுடைய தர்மத்தை அநுஷ்டிப்பது முதல் கடமை. ஸம்பாதிப்பது secondary (இரண்டாவது) தான். மந்திர சக்தி என்ற அக்கினியை இவன் காப்பாற்றிக் கொண்டு வந்தால் அது எல்லோருக்கும் க்ஷேமத்தை உண்டாக்கும். லோகத்தில் எவருக்குக் கஷ்டம் வந்தாலும் அதை நிவர்த்திக்கும் சக்தி பிராம்மணனுக்கு மந்திர சக்தியின் மூலம் இருக்க வேண்டும். யாராவது கஷ்ட காலத்தில் வந்து பிரார்த்தித்தால், அவன் பண்ணுவதைத்தான் நானும் பண்ணுகிறேன், உனக்கு இருக்கிற சக்திதான் எனக்கும் இருக்கிறது"என்று ஒரு பிராம்மணன் சொன்னால் அவனுடைய ஜன்மா வீண்.


    மந்திர சக்தியாகிய அக்கினி இப்பொழுது பெரும்பாலும் அணைந்திருக்கிறது. பிராம்மண தேஹம் விகாரம் ஆகிவிட்டது. அதில் அசுத்தமான பதார்த்தங்கள் சேர்க்கப் படுகின்றன. ஆனால், ஒரு பொறி மட்டும் அணையாமல் இருக்கிறது. அதை விருத்தி பண்ணவேண்டும். அப்படிச் செய்தால் எப்பொழுதாவது பற்றிக்கொள்ளும். அந்த நெருப்புப் பொறிதான் காயத்ரீ. அது பரம்பரையாக வந்திருக்கிறது.


    மூன்று தலைமுறையாக காயத்ரீயை விட்டு விட்டவன் பிராம்மணனாக மாட்டான். அப்பேர்ப்பட்டவர்கள் இருக்கிற தெரு அக்ரஹாரம் ஆகாது. அது குடியானவர் தெருதான். ஆனால் இன்னும் மூன்று தலைமுறை ஆகவில்லையாகையால் இன்னும் ப்ராம்மணர்கள் என்று பெயரளவாது சொல்லலாம் என்று நினைக்கிறேன்.


    மூன்று தலைமுறை யக்ஞம் இல்லாவிட்டால் அவன் துர்ப்ப்ராம்மணன்; கெட்டுப்போன ப்ராம்மணன். கெட்டாலும் 'ப்ராம்மணன்' என்ற பேராவது இருக்கிறது! மறுபடியும் பிராம்மணனாவதற்குப் பிராயச்சித்தம் சொல்லப் பட்டிருக்கிறது. ஆனால் காயத்ரீயை மூன்றுதலைமுறையாக விட்டுவிட்டால் பிராம்மணத்வம் அடியோடு போய் விடுகிறது. அவன் மறுபடியும் பிராம்மணனாக மாட்டான். அவன் பிரம்மபந்துதான்;அதாவது, பிராமணர்களை உறவுக்காரர்களாக உடையவன்தான்!அப்படியே க்ஷத்ரியன் காயத்ரீயை விட்டுவிட்டால் க்ஷத்ரிய பந்துவாகிறனான்;வைசியன் வைசிய பந்துவாகிறான்.


    ஆகையால் அந்த நெருப்புப் பொறியை ஊதிப் பெரிசு பண்ண வேண்டும். சின்ன நெருப்புப்பொறி எதற்கும் உபயோகப்படாது. ஆனால் உபயோகப்படுமாறு பெரிசாக்கப் படுவதற்கு அதில் ஆதாரம் இருக்கிறது.


    ஆகையால் ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமையாவது பூணூல் உள்ளவர்கள் ஆயிரம் காயத்ரீ பண்ண வேண்டும். கண்ட இடத்தில் கண்ட ஆஹாரத்தை உண்ணலாகாது. இது வரைக்கும் அநாசாரம் செய்ததற்குப் பிராயசித்தம் பண்ணிக் கொள்ள வேண்டும்.​





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Most interesting.

The pendulum appears to have swung to the opposite extreme.

Earlier, the solemn advice was that arghyam and tharppanam was enough for sandhya vandanam, and can be done within 15 minutes. No need for any gaayathri japam or recitation of guru parampara.

Now the even more solemn advice is that gaayathri japam is the be-all and the end-all of Brahmins. Do the japam 1,000 times!

My 8-year-old grandson from the US has recently had his upanayanam done in Chennai in the traditional manner including chanting of udakashaanthi by 12 shaasthrigals and myself, brahmopadesham, biksha, maadhyaahnikam and sighting of noonday sun, praatha samidaa-daanam, naandhi shobhana vaibhavam.

He is struggling to do his daily praatha sandhya with 108-gaayathri-japam and his praatha samidaa-daanam in the morning. He has school to attend to, piano practice, games practice, Tamil language class, music instrument class, homework. Ad infinitum.

To force him to chant 1008 gayathri on top of all this is to turn him off from brahmanism. He is already withstanding subtle but steady pressure from classmates and their parents to turn to "easy" Christianity.

Asking gruhasthas contemplating vivaaham of their daughters and upanayanam of their sons to chant 1008 gaayathris one mandalam (six weeks) or even two weeks before the contemplated event is understandable and to be applauded when achieved.

But asking 8-year-olds and partly bed-ridden partly-sick old men to do that? Are we really serious? Or just quoting something in the books to salve our conscience and paper over our faux pas?

S Narayanaswamy Iyer
 
Sri Gopalan is a local expert of the forum and highly respected for his contributions in many areas such as ritual & details.

I interpreted his statement that it takes 15 minutes to mean ball park estimate so that one is not discouraged.

The number of Gayatri mantra recited for morning, afternoon and evening has to be viewed as a goal to strive towards. It is more important that the Nithya Karma is done at a regular time.

For one studying in a Veda Patashala, Sri Gopalan has provided the details of what would be desired as well.

It is most useful when one understand the detailed significance of each of the steps. This is beyond what is stated in a book one can buy at Giri Trading such as those by 'Anna'. It will be useful to learn the significance of the Gayatri Mantra by learning from a qualified teacher who can go over the Sankara Bhashya on Gayatri Mantra in depth.

In other words, there are many ways to benefit from Sandhyavandanam. For starters learning to recite the Mantras properly with Shraddha and doing Sandhyavandanam once a day is excellent in my opinion.

If too many rules are imposed thinking children will rebel and go in opposite direction when they get a chance.
 
1. Sri Gopalan is a local expert of the forum and highly respected for his contributions in many areas such as ritual & details. ....................

2.If too many rules are imposed thinking children will rebel and go in opposite direction when they get a chance.
1. Gopalan Sir is an asset to our forum. He patiently clarifies the doubts raised by members.

2. Very very true!
 
Sri Gopalan is a local expert of the forum and highly respected for his contributions in many areas such as ritual & details.

I interpreted his statement that it takes 15 minutes to mean ball park estimate so that one is not discouraged.

The number of Gayatri mantra recited for morning, afternoon and evening has to be viewed as a goal to strive towards. It is more important that the Nithya Karma is done at a regular time.

For one studying in a Veda Patashala, Sri Gopalan has provided the details of what would be desired as well.

It is most useful when one understand the detailed significance of each of the steps. This is beyond what is stated in a book one can buy at Giri Trading such as those by 'Anna'. It will be useful to learn the significance of the Gayatri Mantra by learning from a qualified teacher who can go over the Sankara Bhashya on Gayatri Mantra in depth.

In other words, there are many ways to benefit from Sandhyavandanam. For starters learning to recite the Mantras properly with Shraddha and doing Sandhyavandanam once a day is excellent in my opinion.

If too many rules are imposed thinking children will rebel and go in opposite direction when they get a chance.
hi

just info....i studied in veda patashala.....i was vedic studies more than seven yrs...nobody thought the meaning of

Gayatri mantra in veda patashala...we learned later in our life....veda patashala is teaching is different from shakara

bhashya learnings later stage in life...
 
hi

just info....i studied in veda patashala.....i was vedic studies more than seven yrs...nobody thought the meaning of

Gayatri mantra in veda patashala...we learned later in our life....veda patashala is teaching is different from shakara

bhashya learnings later stage in life...

My comment about Veda patashala was only restricted to the Sri Gopalan's detailed descriptions in Tamil

My other comments do not have anything to do with Veda Patashala.

Even from Sri Sankara's time, ritualists and Poorva Mimamsa people never could agree with teachings of Vedanta. In fact even today there is a very sharp divide in this regard. It is very rare to find someone qualified to teach using Bhashya. I was merely stating how one can progress as they grow in maturity and the significance of the very same ritual like Sandhyavandanam takes on a different meaning with deeper understanding.
 
In continuation of post #5:

The whole prayer of Gayatri has been trivialized here by stressing what is not important, by even mocking at the practice of sandhyavandanam etc., So summarily the following is the gist of the importance of this nityakarma. This is for those who believe in vedas, believe in the wisdom of Sastras and elders. Not for those who would like to do a dukhrinjkarane of everything and waste time.

1. The opener of this thread has not answered my questions. So I give here the answers myself presuming a few things.

Argya, Pranayama, Gayatri -avahana, dhyana etc., upasthana etc are well explained in readily available books and one needs to get the right book and learn them. In case of doubt one can always reach an acharyan for clarifications and meanings. Whether one is a Vajasaneyin, a Rigvedin or a Samavedin the details of performing the sandyavandanam varies depending on his sampradaya.

In todays life of a brahmin grhasta, with all his other engagements and yet to chant 108 Gayatri three times a day may be a difficult thing to adhere to. So one can chant as many as he can in the time that is available.

To the one who asked what were the brahmins doing before Viswamitra the answer is this. The Gayatri existed even before Viswamitra. It is not as if Viswamitra bringing out of his intellect wrote down the Gayatri first time on a palm leaf and then it was published to the humanity. The Rishis are called drishtas of mantra. They visualised and grasped the preexisting knowledge called the mantra and captured it and gave it to humanity. So perhaps the humanity did not perceive the mantra before Viswamitra and after him they did that and benefited. There might have been many other such drishtas of the same mantra too who lived at different times in the continuum called time. Period.

Vaishnavites follow the golden rule of "sruthi smritir virodedhu srutireva gareeyasi".

For us the all-consuming ananyaprayojana bhakti or love for God is more important than the ritualistic discipline. Even in the performance of sandyavandana vaishnavites perform it because it is a nityakarma ordained by scriptures. They give more importance to the chanting of Tirumantram than the chanting of Gayatri. Even during the three times sandyavandana, they chant the Tirumantram more number of times than the Gayatri. Their belief is that the Tirumantram is more important than the Gayatri.

We interpret "Gayatri chandasam mata" as Gayatri is the mother of all chandas (syntactic expression of thoughts in written down form in any language) and just that. Nothing more.

Source: Interpretation of Tirumangai Azhwar's "பெற்ற தாயினும் ஆயின செய்யும்.......நலம் தரும் சொல்லை நான் கண்டுகொண்டேன் நாராயணா என்னும் நாமம்" by learned acharyas. They interpret பெற்ற தாய் here as Gayatri mantra because Gayatri is chandasaam maata and it does a lot of good (ஆயின செய்யும்) to one who chants it regularly. Hence vaishnavites during every sandyavandanam chant Tirumantram more number of times than Gayatri. They do not give up Gayatri either because of its value and the scriptural injunction.

So the answer to the opener is:

Do sandyavandana regularly three times a day without fail. It is complete only when you perform all the processes involved. As for Gayatri chanting, chant as many as you can in the time you allocate for this. Try to know and understand the meaning of the mantras as that will increase your shraddha. If you are a vaishnavite chant Tirumantra at the end enough number of times and it is simple. Every pranayama you do during the sandyavandana helps you clean up your lungs and strengthen your breathing and circulation system. These are fringe benefits. It is a great treasure that our culture has endowed us with. Better not to ignore it. All the best.
 
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"In todays life of a brahmin grhasta, with all his other engagements and yet to chant 108 Gayatri three times a day may be a difficult thing to adhere to."

Not at all.

First, get the facts right. Then put pen to paper. (Or take to the computer keyboard.) You DO NOT chant 108 gaayathris three times a day. You do that once. In the morning. At noon you chant 42, at sunset 64.

As a gruhastha I have had, and am having, NO DIFFICULTY performing sandhya vandanam as it should be performed. As I wrote earlier in this forum, cultivate the self-discipline to get up two before sunrise every day. You will have plenty of time for gaayathri japams for praatha sandhya and maadhyaahnikam. Set aside 35 minutes before sunset. That will enable you to do your saayam sandhya without rushing. Reserve these times as a vital priority.

Second, please note that self-praise is no praise. It is all very well for Vaishavaites to thump their chests in this forum. It only provokes, tempts, encourages shaakthaas, shaivaites, gaanapathyaites, kaumaraites to prick the balloon. Thirumanthiram is superior to mahaa-gaayathri? What a laugh! Aalvaars superior to Naayanmaars? Why start a controversy in your enthusiasm?

"naaraayanaaya vidmahe vasudevaaya deemahi, thanno vishnoo prachothayaayaath" is a gaayaathri we all know. There are other gaayathris s well. Read Book IV of the Thayithireeya Upanishad. Mahaa Vishnu is not the exclusive possession of self-proclaimed Vaishnavaites.

"As for Gayatri chanting, chant as many as you can in the time you allocate for this."

This is clearly standing the matter on its head. The correct advice is: measure the time needed for chanting the gaayathri: 108 at sunrise, 32 at noon, 64 at sunset, and set aside this time in full without stingeing. Then attend to your other laukeeka matters. As a responsible gruhastha, set an example for the brahmachaaris in your household to follow. Do not shrink.

S Narayanaswamy Iyer
 
Correction:

In an earlier posting I wrote, "At noon you chant 42, at sunset 64." Sorry, my finger slipped. At noon you chant 32 gaayathris, NOT 42. Mannikkavum.

S Narayanaswamy Iyer
 
"In todays life of a brahmin grhasta, with all his other engagements and yet to chant 108 Gayatri three times a day may be a difficult thing to adhere to."
Not at all.

Not at all--perhaps for you. Certainly not for me and there are many like me. I simply have no time that large in my schedule every day. Period.

First, get the facts right. Then put pen to paper. (Or take to the computer keyboard.) You DO NOT chant 108 gaayathris three times a day. You do that once. In the morning. At noon you chant 42, at sunset 64.

And your figures were not right and needed a correction by yourself. LOL.

Could you please explain what is the significance of these figures 32, 64 etc.,? What is the logic that gives these figures? Why 32 and not 33 (33 is more beautiful because of symmetry in the first place and looks. And why not 69 instead of 64. Look at 69 how beautiful it looks.LOL)You may kindly quote your sources too.

The point I would like to stress is that the counting of the Gayatri chanting is itself a source of distraction for me and so I have given up counting. I rely on my intuition to reach the required numbers I set for myself. And please enlighten us as to what will happen if the chanting is less by one or two or more by one or two.

There is a limit for even indulging in dukhrinjkarane. Certainly nahi nahi nahi nahi (extra two nahi here for emphasis)rakshathi.......

As a gruhastha I have had, and am having, NO DIFFICULTY performing sandhya vandanam as it should be performed. As I wrote earlier in this forum, cultivate the self-discipline to get up two before sunrise every day. You will have plenty of time for gaayathri japams for praatha sandhya and maadhyaahnikam. Set aside 35 minutes before sunset. That will enable you to do your saayam sandhya without rushing. Reserve these times as a vital priority.

That is ok. You have no difficulty. But I have difficulty and many others like me have difficulties and the world is made up of all of us.

Second, please note that self-praise is no praise. It is all very well for Vaishavaites to thump their chests in this forum. It only provokes, tempts, encourages shaakthaas, shaivaites, gaanapathyaites, kaumaraites to prick the balloon. Thirumanthiram is superior to mahaa-gaayathri? What a laugh! Aalvaars superior to Naayanmaars? Why start a controversy in your enthusiasm?

How shallow can a mind get in understanding a counter point and a differing viewpoint!!

I demand the following from you and you owe it to the members here:

1.Where have I indulged in self-praise? My saying the vaishnavite's method of Sandhya practice is not a self-praise. Nor is quoting Alwar. You can not close your eyes and believe with all your might that there does not exist a school of thought called vaishnavism. The world is too large and there are many schools of thought. And this forum is that of Tamil Brahmins and vaishnavites are Tamil Brahmins.

2. Which balloon is going to be pricked? Please do try pricking it if you could catch one such entity. Let us enjoy the tamasha. Please fly it before us and then prick.

3. I stated vaishnavites consider Tirumantram to be superior to Gayatri. I did not require you to accept it. I am a vaishnavite and I have every right to speak about the vaishnavite belief here. You can laugh and I am least bothered whether you laugh or cry.

4. When did I say Alwars are superior to Nayanmaars? Your straight answer please. No escapist vazha vazhaa kozha kozhaa answer.

5. I have not started any controversy. It is you who have gone ballistic against a non-existent adversary. LOL.

"naaraayanaaya vidmahe vasudevaaya deemahi, thanno vishnoo prachothayaayaath" is a gaayaathri we all know. There are other gaayathris s well. Read Book IV of the Thayithireeya Upanishad. Mahaa Vishnu is not the exclusive possession of self-proclaimed Vaishnavaites.

LOL and I leave it at that.

This is clearly standing the matter on its head. The correct advice is: measure the time needed for chanting the gaayathri: 108 at sunrise, 32 at noon, 64 at sunset, and set aside this time in full without stingeing. Then attend to your other laukeeka matters. As a responsible gruhastha, set an example for the brahmachaaris in your household to follow. Do not shrink.

A sure way to drive the brahmacharys to madness. Poor fellows will die of anxiety and miss the real benefit , keeping count of the Gayatris chanted and missed or exceeded. And the whole contrived effort will be a huge waste of precious time.The best advice would be to tell them to allocate as much time as they can and chant Gayatri with shradhdha and knowing the meaning. That is the need of the times.

I will not be answering your next post as you appear to be prejudiced about vaishnavites and their faith. God bless you with enlightenment.
 
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"I will not be answering your next post as you appear to be prejudiced about vaishnavites and their faith. God bless you with enlightenment. "

Against such a prejudiced and closed mind, I shall not waste my breath. "When the boys came out to play, Georgie Porgie ran away"!

'Bye, poor Porgie.

S Narayanaswamy Iyer
 
"I will not be answering your next post as you appear to be prejudiced about vaishnavites and their faith. God bless you with enlightenment. "

Against such a prejudiced and closed mind, I shall not waste my breath. "When the boys came out to play, Georgie Porgie ran away"!

'Bye, poor Porgie.

S Narayanaswamy Iyer

LOL. I am amused. Thanks.
 
In continuation of post #5:

The whole prayer of Gayatri has been trivialized here by stressing what is not important, by even mocking at the practice of sandhyavandanam etc., So summarily the following is the gist of the importance of this nityakarma. This is for those who believe in vedas, believe in the wisdom of Sastras and elders. Not for those who would like to do a dukhrinjkarane of everything and waste time.

1. The opener of this thread has not answered my questions. So I give here the answers myself presuming a few things.

Argya, Pranayama, Gayatri -avahana, dhyana etc., upasthana etc are well explained in readily available books and one needs to get the right book and learn them. In case of doubt one can always reach an acharyan for clarifications and meanings. Whether one is a Vajasaneyin, a Rigvedin or a Samavedin the details of performing the sandyavandanam varies depending on his sampradaya.

In todays life of a brahmin grhasta, with all his other engagements and yet to chant 108 Gayatri three times a day may be a difficult thing to adhere to. So one can chant as many as he can in the time that is available.

To the one who asked what were the brahmins doing before Viswamitra the answer is this. The Gayatri existed even before Viswamitra. It is not as if Viswamitra bringing out of his intellect wrote down the Gayatri first time on a palm leaf and then it was published to the humanity. The Rishis are called drishtas of mantra. They visualised and grasped the preexisting knowledge called the mantra and captured it and gave it to humanity. So perhaps the humanity did not perceive the mantra before Viswamitra and after him they did that and benefited. There might have been many other such drishtas of the same mantra too who lived at different times in the continuum called time. Period.

Vaishnavites follow the golden rule of "sruthi smritir virodedhu srutireva gareeyasi".

For us the all-consuming ananyaprayojana bhakti or love for God is more important than the ritualistic discipline. Even in the performance of sandyavandana vaishnavites perform it because it is a nityakarma ordained by scriptures. They give more importance to the chanting of Tirumantram than the chanting of Gayatri. Even during the three times sandyavandana, they chant the Tirumantram more number of times than the Gayatri. Their belief is that the Tirumantram is more important than the Gayatri.

We interpret "Gayatri chandasam mata" as Gayatri is the mother of all chandas (syntactic expression of thoughts in written down form in any language) and just that. Nothing more.

Source: Interpretation of Tirumangai Azhwar's "பெற்ற தாயினும் ஆயின செய்யும்.......நலம் தரும் சொல்லை நான் கண்டுகொண்டேன் நாராயணா என்னும் நாமம்" by learned acharyas. They interpret பெற்ற தாய் here as Gayatri mantra because Gayatri is chandasaam maata and it does a lot of good (ஆயின செய்யும்) to one who chants it regularly. Hence vaishnavites during every sandyavandanam chant Tirumantram more number of times than Gayatri. They do not give up Gayatri either because of its value and the scriptural injunction.

So the answer to the opener is:

Do sandyavandana regularly three times a day without fail. It is complete only when you perform all the processes involved. As for Gayatri chanting, chant as many as you can in the time you allocate for this. Try to know and understand the meaning of the mantras as that will increase your shraddha. If you are a vaishnavite chant Tirumantra at the end enough number of times and it is simple. Every pranayama you do during the sandyavandana helps you clean up your lungs and strengthen your breathing and circulation system. These are fringe benefits. It is a great treasure that our culture has endowed us with. Better not to ignore it. All the best.


This is the key and I concur with it . Just one doubt - when you chant the Tirumantra , do you chant it as a separate sadhana after doing the Sandhyavandanam or is it part of the Sandhya Vandanam for Vaishnavites and how many times must one chant the Tirumantiram ? Is there a minimum prescribed number ?
 
"I am amused. Thanks. "

Glad to know there is life after desertion.

The nursery rhyme goes:

Georgie Porgie Pudding and Pie
Kissed the girls and made them cry;
But when the boys came out to play
Geogie Porgie ran away.

Regards,

S Narayanaswamy Iyer
 
"I am amused. Thanks. "

Glad to know there is life after desertion.

The nursery rhyme goes:

Georgie Porgie Pudding and Pie
Kissed the girls and made them cry;
But when the boys came out to play
Geogie Porgie ran away.

Regards,

S Narayanaswamy Iyer

Some jokers keep on entertaining non-stop even if the audience is yawning and is falling into a slumber. LOL. I enjoy this. Keep it up.
 
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