Sandhyavandanam

Sandhyavandanam (Sanskrit: ) is a religious practice performed by Hindu men initiated into the rite by the ceremony of Upanayanam, and instructed in its execution by a Guru (a qualified spiritual teacher). Sandhyavandanam is to be performed thrice daily. One during sunrise(when day proceeds from night), next during midday(which is the transition from ascending sun to descending sun) and during sunset(when night takes over from day).
It is known by a different name at each hour - in the morning (), at noon (), and in the evening (). Sivaprasad Bhattacharyya defines it as the "Hindu code of liturgical prayers."For definition see: Bhattacharyya, Sivaprasad. "Indian Hymnology", in: Radhakrishnan (CHI, 1956), volume 4, p. 474. 
The term is a Sanskrit compound consisting of , meaning "union", or more specifically the union or junctions of day and night which takes place in the morning or evening twilight,For definition of as "twilight devotions, morning or evening prayers" see: Macdonell, p. 334. and meaning worship.For derivation of compound and definition as morning and evening prayers, see: Apte, p. 957.For definition of as worship see: Apte, p. 829. In addition to dawn and dusk, noon is considered the third juncture of the day, and hence meditations and prayers are performed daily at those times.
The term is also used by itself in the sense of "daily practice" to refer to the performance of these devotions at the opening and closing of the day.For use of the term as meaning "daily practice" see: Taimni, p. 7.For as juncture of the two divisions of the day (morning and evening), and also defined as "the religious acts performed by Brahmans and twice-born men at the above three divisions of the day" see: Monier-Williams, p. 1145, middle column.
Chanting of the Gayatri mantra, 28, 32, 54 or 108 times, depending upon the prescriptions of the practitioner's Veda and Sutra, is an integral part of Sandhyavandanam.For chanting of the Gayatri mantra as part of practice see: Taimni, p. 1. In addition to the mantra, the ritual of also includes certain other rites that are purificatory and preparatory (Sanskrit: mantras), serving to prevent distracting thoughts and bring focus to the mind. Some of these are: propitiatory libations of water to the Gods of the planets and of the months of the Hindu calendar, atoning for Sandhyavandanams not performed and atoning for sins committed since the last hour of Sandhya. In addition, one of the most important rituals of Sandhyavandanam involves worshiping the Sun as Mitra in the morning and worshiping Varuna, in the evening.
Furthermore, Brahmacharis () are required to perform a fire-sacrifice, the Samithadhanam, on the conclusion of the main portion of the Sandhyavandanam.
Other aspects of the ritual, though, speaking strictly, not to be included in Sandhyavandanam, may include meditation, chanting of other mantras (Sanskrit: japa), and devotional practices specifically for divinities that are preferred by the practitioner. However, these are entirely at the discretion of the performer and carry no ritualistic sanction whatsoever. For meditation, japa, and chosen deity practices, see: Taimni, pp. 171-204. Regarding the connection with meditation practices, Monier-Williams notes that if regarded as an act of meditation, the may be connected with the etymology .For see: Monier-Williams, p. 1145, middle column.
==Notes==
==References ==
* (fourth revised & enlarged edition).
* (fourth revised & enlarged edition).
* Second edition, four volumes, revised and enlarged, 1956 (volume IV).
* (Second Revised Edition).
Category:Hindu traditions
Category:Hindu prayer
Category:Meditation
te:సంధ్యావందనం