Sama Veda Sandhya Vandanam

Dr. Ravi S Iyer

1 Argya Pradhanam
1.1 Aachamanam
Take small quantity of water (a few drops would suffice) in the right hand and sip it after chanting each of the following mantras: Om Achyuthaya Namah, Om Ananthaya Namah, Om Govindaya Namah Then, with only the right hand

1. Touch both cheeks with thumb saying

D RA
2. Touch with ring finger both eyes saying Madhava - Govinda 3. Touch with the first finger both sides of nose saying Vishno - Madhusoodana 4. Touch with little finger both ears saying Trivikrama - Vamana 5. Touch with the middle finger both shoulders saying Sreedhara - Hrishikesa 6. Touch with all fingers the belly button saying 1

Kesava - Narayana

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Padmanabha 7. Touch with all fingers the head saying

Damodara.

1.2

Ganapathi Dhyanam

Recite the following mantra while gently tapping your temples with your fists Shuklambaradharam Vishnum Shashi Varnam ChathurBhujam Prasanna Vadanam Dyayeth Sarva Vigna Upa Shanthaye.

1.3 Pranayamam

Figure 1: Position of fingers for Pranayama Control your breathing by controlling the flow of air through your nostrils using your thumb, little and ring fingers of the right hand (see Fig. 1 and footnote) and recite the following Mantra 1 -1 The forefinger and the middle finger are folded into the palm; the thumb presses against the right side of the nose controlling the flow of air into the right nostril, while the ring finger and the little finger together press the left side of the nose, controlling air into the left nostril. Inhale through the left nostril by pressing the thumb firmly against the right side of the nose blocking the right nostril while simultaneously relaxing the pressure on the left side of the nose allowing air to flow in and out of the left nostril. Similarly, by relaxing the thumb while increasing the pressure with the index-little finger combine, one can control the flow of air through the right nostril while blocking the left. By applying pressure simultaneously on both sides of the nose, one can hold one's breath. Inhalation is called Puraka, the retention Kumbhaka and the exhalation Rechaka. the durations of these three (viz. Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka) should be in the ratio 1: 3: 2

1. Breathe through the left nostril while reciting Om Bhoohoo Om Bhuvaha Om Suvaha Om Mahaha Om Janaha Om Thapaha Ohum Sathyam 2. Close both nostrils while reciting Om Tat savithur varenyam Bargo devasya dhimahi Dhiyo yona prachodayath 3. Breathe through the right nostril while reciting Om Apa Jyothi rasa Amritam brahma Bhoorbuvasuvarom The transitions in breathing should be smooth and quick. Touch your ear lobes with both hands, three times saying Om, Om, Om

1.4

Sankalpam

Keep the right palm inside the left palm, with the left palm resting on the right thigh; recite the following mantra: Mamo partha samastha duritha kshaya dwara Sri Parameshwara preethyartham In the morning (typically between 4 am and 8 am -- Pratah Sandhya) Pratah sandhyam upasishye During the day (typically between 8 am and 4 pm -- Madhyannikam) Madhyaynikam karishye In the evening (typically between 4 pm and 8 pm -- Sayam Sandhya) Sayam sandhyam upasishye

1.5

Marjanam

a) Recite Sri Kesavaya Namah and write OM in water with the ring finger. b) Recite the following ten mantras. While reciting the first seven sprinkle water on the head; while reciting the eighth sprinkle water on your feet; for the ninth again, sprinkle on the head, and recite the tenth by taking a little water in your right palm and sprinkling it around your head in clockwise direction like a Pradakshinam 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Aapo hishta mayo bhuva Thana oorje dadha thana Mahe ranaaya chakshase Yova shiva thamo rasa Thasya bhajaya thehana Usatirava mathara Thasma aranga mamava

8 Sprinkle water on your feet (or touch your feet with wet hands) Yasya kshayaya jinwadha 9 Sprinkle on the head Aapo janayadha jana 10 Taking a little water on your right palm, sprinkle water around your head in the clockwise direction (like a pradakshinam) Om Bhorbuvassuva

1.6 Praasanam
Take in the hand small quantity of water in the palm (just sufficient to immerse one grain) recite the following mantra and drink it while telling "swaha". Pratah Sandhya Madhyahnikam Ahascha swaha maa adithyascha punathu

Aapa punanthu prithweem Prithwee pootha punathu maam Punanthu brahmanaspathir brahma pootha punathu maam Yad uchishta mabhojyam yadhwa ducharitham mama Sarvam punanthu mamopa asatham cha prathigraham swaha 4

Sayam Sandhya

Rathrischa ma varunascha punathu swaha

1.7

Achamanam

Perform Achamanam. Use the procedure given in section 1.1

1.8

Punar Marjanam

Recite the following 14 mantras. While reciting the first eleven-sprinkle water on the head; while reciting the twelfth touch your feet; while reciting the thirteen sprinkle on your head, and recite the fourteenth by taking a little water in your right palm and sprinkling it around your head in a clockwise direction like a Pradakshinam: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Dadhi kravinno akarisham Jishno raswasya vajina Surabhino mukha karaath Prana ayuhumshi tharishath Aapo hishta mayo bhuva Thana oorje dadha thana Mahe ranaaya chakshase Yova shiva thamo rasa Thasya bhajaya thehana Usatirava mathara Thasma aranga mamava

12. Sprinkle water on your feet (or touch your feet with wet hands) Yasya kshayaya jinwadha 13. Sprinkle on the head Aapo janayadha jana 14. Taking a little water on your right palm, sprinkle water around your head in the clockwise direction (like a Pradakshinam) Om Bhorbuvassuva

1.9 Argya Pradhanam

Join both hands, taking care not to let either thumb touch other fingers. Gather sufficient water in your palms. Pour the water through your fingers while reciting the following mantra -Om Bhorbuvassuva Tatsa vithur varenyam bhargo devasya deemahi Dhiyo yona prachodayath Pratha Sandhya Face east and repeat thrice. Madyannikam Face North and repeat twice. Sayam Sandhya Face West and repeat twice.

1.10 Prayaschitha Argyam

1. Do Pranayama as detailed in section 1.3 2. Then offer one more Argyam. Join both hands, taking care not to let either thumb touch other fingers. Gather sufficient water in your palms. Pour the water through your fingers while reciting the following mantra -Om Bhorbuvassuva Tatsa vithur varenyam bhargo devasya deemahi Dhiyo yona prachodayath This is a Prayaschitha (atonement) for doing the argya pradhanam late. 3. Take small quantity of water in your right hand and sprinkle it clockwise around your head while reciting as under: (this is called Athma Parishechanam) Pratha Sandhya Om yadathya gacha vruthrahan. Udayaa abhisoorya sarvaan dathindra they vache Om uthkedthbhi sruthamagam vrushabham naryabasim Astharameshi soorya Om na thasya maya yachana Ripureeseetha marthya yo agnaye dathacha havyadathaye

Madyannikam

Sayam Sandhya

1.11 Ikya-anusandhanam
With both hands touch the middle of the chest. Close your eyes, meditate and recite Asaavadhityo brahma. Brahamaivahamasmi 6

1.12

Achamanam

Perform Achamanam (see section 1.1)

1.13 Deva Tharpanam

Pratha Sandhya Squat facing east. Madyannikam Squat facing east/north. Sayam Sandhya Squat facing north. Take a little water in the hand and pour it out down the finger-tips after each mantra. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Aadithyam tharpayami Somam tharpayami Angarakam tharpayami Budham tharpayami Brahaspathim tharpayami Shukram tharpayami Sanaiswaram tharpayami Rahum tharpayami Kethum tharpayami Kesavam tharpayami Narayanam tharpayami Madhavam tharpayami Govindam tharpayami Vishnum tharpayami Madhusoodhanam tharpayami Trivikramam tharpayami Vamanam tharpayami Sreedharam tharpayami

19. 20. 21.

Hrishikesam tharpayami Padmanabham tharpayami Damodharam tharpayami

1.14 Achamanam
Perform Achamanam. Use the procedure given in section 1.1

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2.1

Japam
Japa Sankalpam
1. Recite the following mantra while gently tapping your temples with your fists -Shuklambaradharam Vishnum Shashi Varnam ChathurBhujam Prasanna Vadanam Dyayeth Sarva Vigna Upa Shanthaye. 2. Do Pranayamam (refer section 1.3) 3. Sankalpam Keep the right palm inside the left palm and keep the palms on the right thigh and recite the following mantra: Keep the right palm inside the left palm and keep the palms on the right thigh and recite the following mantra: Mamo partha samastha duritha kshaya dwara Sri Parameshwara preethyartham Pratha Sandhya Madhyannikam Sayam Sandhya Prathah sandhya gayathri mantra japam karishye maha

Madhyaynika gayathri maha mantra japam karishye Sayam sandhya gayathri maha mantra japam karishye

2.2

Pranava Japam

1. Touch the top of your head with four fingers (thumb excluded) Pranavasya Rishi Brahma 2. Touch the gap between the nose and the upper lip Devi gayathri Chandaha 8

3. Touch the middle of your chest Paramathma devatha 4. Touch the top of your head with your fingers Bhooradhi saptha vyahruteenam athri brugu - kuthsa - vasishta - gowthama kasyapa - aangeerasa rishayaha 5. Touch the gap between the nose and the upper lip Gayathree - ushnik - anushtup - brahathi - pankthi- trushtup- jagathi - chandamsi 6. Touch the middle of your chest Agni - vayu - arka - vageesa - varuna indra - viswe deva - devatha

2.3

Pranayamam

Do Pranayama ten times (see section 1.3)

2.4

Gayathri Avahanam

1. Touch the top of your head with four fingers (thumb excluded) Aayaathu Ithi anuvakasya vamadeva rishi 2. Touch the gap between the nose and the upper lip Anushtup chanda 3. Touch the middle of your chest Gayathri devatha 4. Perform the Avahani mudra (see Fig 2) Aayathu varada devi aksharam brahma samhitham Gayathri chandasam mathedam brahma jushaswana Ojosi, sahosi,balamasi, brajosi Devaanaam dhama naamaasi Viswamasi viswayus sarvamasi sarvayurabhipoorom Gayathrim avahayami Savithrim avahayami Saraswathim avahayami 9

(For each of the last three mantras, i.e., after ``avahayami'', bring your palms close together with only the little fingers touching and then slowly take the fingers towards oneself, and bring them back to original position after one rotation)

Figure 2: Avahani Mudra

2.5

Gayathri Nyasam
Savithriya rishi Vishwamitraha

1. Touch the top of your head with four fingers (thumb excluded)

2. Touch the gap between the nose and the upper lip Nichrud-gayathri chandaha 3. Touch the middle of your chest Savitha devatha

2.6

Gayatri Japam

Repeat 108 times2 the Gayathri facing East in the morning and afternoon, West in the evening Pratha Sandhya Stand or sit facing East, palms joined in namaste mudra (see Fig. 3) and held in front of the face Madhyannikam Stand or sit facing East, palms joined in namaste mudra and held in front of the chest Sayam Sandhya Sit facing West, palms joined in namaste mudra and held in front of the naval Om Bhur Vhuvah Svah Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat
2 54 or 27 when rushed

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Figure 3: Namaste Mudra

2.7

Gayathri Upasthanam

Do Pranayamam Stand up facing the direction given below (same as the direction for the Gayatri Japam). Join palms in the Namaste mudra, and recite Pratha Sandhya Facing East Prathaha sandhya upasthanam karishye Madhyannikam Facing East Adithyo upasthanam karishye Sayam Sandhya Facing West Sayam sandhyo-upasthanam karishye Next, chant Uthame shikare devi bhoomyam parvatha moordhini Brahmanebhyo hyanugyanam, gachcha devi yatha sukham

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2.8

Surya Upasthanam
Pratha Sandhya: Yaso aham bhavami brahmananaam Yaso ragnam yaso visaam Yasa sathyasya bhavami Bhavami yasasaam yasa Adithya naava maroksham poornamparipadinim Achithram bharayishnaveem satharithraam swasthye om Namah adithyaya Udyantham dwa aadithyanu deeyasam Aadhithya navamaroksham poorna maparipaddhineem Acchithram bharayishnaveem sadarithraam swasthaye Om Namah Adithyaya, Namah adhithyaya, Namah adhithyaya Uduthyam jatha vedasam devam vahanthi kethava|| Drushye vishwaya sooryam Chithram devaanam udaga-daneekam chakshur-mithrasya varunasyagneh Aa pra dyava prithvi anthareeksha soorya athma jagatas-thu-shacha Thachakshur deva-hitham purasthachchukramuchcharth Om bhorbuvaswarom Soorya iva drishya bhooyasam agneeriva thejasa Vayuriva pranena Soma iva ganthena Brahaspathhir iva budhya Aswina iva roopena Indragni iva balena Brahma bhaga evaham bhooyasam paap mabhaga me dwishantha

Madhyannikam:

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Sayam Sandhya:

Yaso aham bhavami brahmananaam Yaso ragnam yaso visaam Yasa sathyasya bhavami Bhavami yasasaam yasa Adithya naava maroksham poornamparipadinim Achithram bharayishnaveem satharithraam swasthye Om Namah adithyaya, Namah adhithyaya, Namah adithyaya Prathi thishtantham thavar adhithya anu prathi thishtassam

2.9

Samashti Abhivadanam

Starting from the direction facing which the Japam was done turn 90 degrees to the right after each mantra. Say the next mantra and so on. Turn right Turn right Turn right Saraswathyai Namah Gaythryai Namah Savithryai Namah Sandhyayai Namah

Then chant with folded hands facing the same direction as the Japam Sarvebhyo devathabhyo namo Namah Kamo karshed manyura karshed namo Namah

2.10

Abhivadaye Namaskara

Face the direction in which you did the Japam. Touch both ears, bow slightly and chant (fill the blanks) Abhivadaye name of your Rishis number of Rishis Risheya your Pravara or blank pravaranvitha your Gothra gothra your Suthra Suthra your Veda shaka adhyayi Sri your Name sarmanama aham asmibhoh After this touch your feet with both hands and do Namaskaram. See Appendix for a table of some common Pravara Rishis. 13

2.11

Dik-Devatha Vandhanam

With folded hands offer salutations to the different directions facing that direction 1. Face East Pracyai dishe Namah 2. Turn 90 degrees to the right to face South Dakshinayai dishe Namah 3. Turn 90 degrees to the right and face West Pradeechai dishe Namah 4. Turn 90 degrees to the right and face North Udichyai dishe Namah Then again face the direction in which did the Japam, and chant 1. Look up Oordwaya Namah 2. Look down Adharaya Namah 3. Look at the sky Anthareekshaya Namah 4. Look at the earth Bhoomyai Namah 5. Look straight ahead Brahmane Namah 6. 7. Vishnave Namah Mrutuyuve Namah

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2.12

Yama Vandanam

Stand facing South and chant Yamaya Namah Yamaya dharma rajaya, mrutyuve cha anthakaya cha Vaivaswathaya kalaya sarva bhootha kshayaya cha Oudhumbharaya dhadhnaya neelaya parameshtinay Vrukodharaya chithraya chithra gupthaya vai Namah Chithra gupthaya vai Namah om Namah ithi

2.13

Harihara Vandhanam

Stand facing West and chant Ritam sathyam para brahma purusham Krishna pingalam Oordhwrethwam viroopaksham Viswa roopaya vai Namah Viswa roopaya vai Namah om Namah ithi

2.14

Soorya Narayana Vandhanam

Stand facing the direction in which the Japam was done and chant

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Namah savithre jagadeka chakshushe Jagat prasoothi sthithi naasa hethave Trayin mayaya trigunathma dharine Virinchi Narayana sankara athmane Dyeya sada savithru mandala Madhyavarthi Narayana sarasijasana sannivishta Keyuravan makara kundalavaan Kiriti haari hiranya vapur drutha sankha chakra Shanka chakra gadha pane dwaraka nilayachythe Govinda pundarikaksha raksha maam sharana-gatham Aakasath pathitham thoyam Yada gachathi sagaram Sarva deva Namaskara Sri kesavam prathi gachathi Sri kesavam prathi gachathi om nama ithi

2.15

Samarpanam

Hold a small quantity of water in your palms while chanting the following mantra. Pour it on the ground over your fingertips after chanting the mantra. Kaye na vacha Manasendriyair va Budhyathma nava Prakruthai swabhavat Karomi yadyat sakalam parasmai Narayana yethi samarpayami

2.16

Achamanam

Perform Achamanam. Use the procedure given in section 1.1

2.17

Raksha

Sprinkle some water on the place where Japam was [performed reciting the mantra below, then touch the ground with ring finger and place it between the eyelids:

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Adhya no deva savitha prajavath saavihi soubhagam Para dushswapnyam suva Viswani deva savitha - durithani paraa suva Yad bhadram thanma asuva Om

Appendix
A few common Rishi families (Gothras) Gothra Pravara Athreya Athreya, Archanaanasa, Syavaaswa Baradwaja Angeerasa, Barhaspathya, Bharadwaja Chandilya Kashyapa, Aavathsara, Naidruva, Reba, Raibha, Choundilya, Chandilya Gargeya Aangeerasa, Chainya, Gargya Aangeerasa, Barhaspathya, Baradwaja, Chainya, Gargya Gowthama Aangirasa, Aayasya, Gowthama Haritha Aangeerasa, Ambareeksha, Younaswa Koundinya Vasishta, Maithra-Varuna, Koundinya Koushika Vaiswamithra, Aagamarshana, Koushika Naidruva Kashyapa Kashyapa, Avathsara, Naidruva Sounaka Garthsamadha Rishiya Traya-Rishiya Traya-Rishiya Saptha Rishiya

Traya-Rishiya Pancha-Rishiya Traya-Rishiya Traya-Rishiya Traya-Rishiya Traya-Rishiya Traya-Rishiya Ekarsheya

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