Sandhya Vandanam

Introduction

Sandhya Vandanam means “Salutation to the Goddess of Light" during the conjunction of two periods of a whole day, i.e during Dawn, Praathah Sandhya (when night and day meets), Mid-day, Maadhyaanhikam, (when morning and evening lights meet) and at Dusk, Saayam Sandhaya (when day and night meets).  The Praathah Sandhya should be performed before sunrise, the Madhyanhikam at Noon when the suns rays are straight and the Saayam Sandhya before sunset. Saint Thirumoolar has also advised that "Kaanaamal, Konaamal Kandu kodu"

All are advised by the Holy Vedhas to perform this ritual without fail after Upanayana (Initiation by a Holy Teacher). Though all are expected to do this, Scriptures have made it mandatory for Brahmins (Class of Teachers) to perform this. Sandhya Vandhanam contains Offering oblations to the God (Arghya Pradanam) along with Breathing Exercises (Pranayama) and Meditation (of Goddess Gayathri). This Manthra is initiated by the Father to the Son in presence of Teacher through the ceremony of Holy Thread (Brahmopadesam). Initiation to Gayathri is second birth and they are called “Dwija”. 

Our scriptures attach lot of importance to Sandhya vandanam .They prescribe that a dwija should do it without fail every day. They also say that the Person of Knowledge who salutes the Goddess, thrice daily would attains ever lasting peace. They further say that one who does not do Sandhya Vandanam is committing sin of dragging the world towards dark and doing injustice to the fellow creatures. 

As mentioned earlier, Sandhya Vandhanam has two parts of which Arghya Pradhanam or oblation to God in the form of Holy Water, is important part of Sandhya Vandhanam. Sun God or God of Light removes darkness from the world and from our mind. The dark or ignorance of our mind is to be purified and must be filled with light. God of Ignorance or Asuras reside in Dark. The Asuras who were constantly disturbed and removed by the Radiance of Sun God, requested Lord Maha Vishnu, the Universal Father, to give them power to take revenge on Sun God and to fight against him. Lord Maha Vishnu, was little hesitant and gave them the power to fight against Sun God, daily. If they fight, Sun God will lose his Energy and Power, which is dangerous to the Living beings. Hence, He advised the Humans to do Sandhya Vandhanam without fail.

While doing Sandhya Vandhanam, we pour oblation in the form of water. These oblations give energy to the Sun God in his fight against the Asuras. This Universe will come to Gloom, if we all stop doing Sandhya Vandhanam. A person doing Sandhya Vandhanam, he is doing immense service to the entire Living beings on this earth. So it is not a self-centric service, or religious duty or some thing irrational.     

The second and final part of Sandhya Vandhanam is Gayathri Japa or recitation and meditation on Gayathri Manthra. Gayathri literally means, "Protects one who recites" (Gayantham Thraayathe ithi Gayathri). Gayathri gives, power, energy, strength-mental and physical, knowledge, memory, calmness or mind, power to face and handle problems without any hiccups, etc. It can be recited by anybody who is mentally and physically pure. It is invented by Rishi Viswamithra. It does not belong to any caste or religion. It is universe. Those who think it is for Brahmins only they are mistaken. Rishi Viswamithra is not born Brahmin. Secondly Brahminism is not a caste which can be attained by Birth. It has to be attained after observing the rituals and in search of Brahma. Sage Viswamithra attained Brahminism and he invented the Gayathri, which is in the form of vibrant sound from this Universe. A brahmin who is not reciting Gayathri for three generations loses his brahminical identity and lost in this world. Such was the greatness of Gayathri. 

What is given below is the Sandhya Vandanam procedure prescribed for Yajur Vedis. All people are requested to do the Sandhya vandanam initially under the guidance of their “Guru” and use the procedure and manthras given below later. This is requested because English being not a very phonetic language is inadequate to transliterate Sanskrit slokas and that too those written in the Vedic Sanskrit.

Meaning of the manthras chanted is furnished in Green Colour after the Manthras in Red Colour. The directions to perform the duty are mentioned in Blue Colour texts. Sandhya vandhana has two parts, the first one (Arghya Pradhaanam) normally to be done either standing in a river or sitting with hunched legs on the feet outside the house and the second part (Gayathri Japa) is done by sitting on firm ground in lotus pose (Padmasana). It is normally done facing east during dawn and noon and facing west during dusk.

A. Sandhya Vandhanam Part - I (Argya Pradhaanam)

1. Achamanam:

Take minute quantities of water (just sufficient to soak one grain of black gram) in right hand and take one by one by reciting the following three manthras. After Achamanam, cleanse the mouth with little water twice. 

Om Achyuthaya Namah:, Om Ananthaya Namah:, Om Govindaya Namah:

Salutation to the Immortal, Salutations to the Endless and Salutations to the Protector of Creatures.

Kesava - Narayana (Touch with thumb both cheeks), Madhava – Govinda (Touch with ring finger both eyes), Vishnu - Madhusoodana (Touch with the first finger both sides of nose)  Trivikrama - Vamana (Touch with little finger both ears), Shreedhara - Hrishikesa (Touch with the middle finger both shoulders), Padmanabha (Touch with all fingers the belly button) Damodara (Touch with all fingers the head)

We guard ourselves by reciting the Twelve important Names of Lord Maha Vishnu. 

2. Ganapathi Dhyanam

Recite the following manthra slowly hitting the forehead with both fists together:-

"Shuklambaradharam Vishnum Sasi Varnam Chathur Bhujam,

Prasanna Vadanam Dhyayeth Sarva Vignopa Shanthaye".

Oh Lord, Dressed in white thou art, Oh, all pervading one, And glowing with the colour of moon, With four arms, thou art, Vishnu, I meditate on thine ever-smiling face, And pray, “ Remove all obstacles on my way”.

3. Pranayama.

Block the left Nostril with little and ring finger of the right hand and inhale the air in the right nostril slowly and recite the following Manthra:

Om Bhooh:, Om Bhuvah:, Ogum Suvah:, Om Mahah:, Om Janah:, Om Thapah:, Ogum Sathyam, Om Tatsa vithur varenyam Bargo devasya dhi mahi dhiyo yonah: prachodayaath.

“I meditate on that Savitha (the sun or the enlightenment within ourselves) which helps us in our thought process, that God which is within me and that power which engulfs all the seven worlds, viz., Bhooloka, bhuvarloka, suvarloka, maharloka, janaloka, thapaloka and satya loka.”

Block the right nostril also by thumb and keep the air inside the lungs for few seconds and then release the air slowly through the left nostril by blocking the right nostril with thumb and removing the little and ring fingers from the left nostrils and recite the following manthras.

Om Apah:, Jyothee rasa Amrutham brahma Bhoorbuvasuvarom. 

“ Om is water, it is the light, it is the earth which gives the food, it is the air which supports life, and it is the ether which is spread all around. It is also the holy seven worlds.”

Then touch the right ear by right hand (The hand that becomes dirt by touching the exhaled air is purified by touching the right ear, where Goddess Ganga resides)

4. Sankalpam:

Keep the right palm inside the left palm and keep the palms on the right thigh and

recite the following manthra:-

Mamo paktha samastha duritha kshaya dwara, Sri Parameshwara preethyartham,

pratha sandhyam upasishye (during Morning) madhyaynikam karishye (during mid-day) sayam sandhyam upasishye (during Evening)

To become dear to the Lord Parameshwara and to destroy all the effects of sins committed by me, I pray the Goddess of dawn (noon, dusk)”

5. Marjanam:

Recite Om Kesavaya Namah: (write OM in water with the ring finger) 

Recite the following ten manthras. While reciting the first seven sprinkle water on the head, while reciting the eighth touch the feet, nine again sprinkle on the head. Take little water on your right palm and throw around

your head in clockwise direction like pradakshinam with the tenth. 

1. Om Aapo hishta mayo bhuvah:,  2. thana oorje dadha thana, 3,  Mahe ranaaya chakshase, 4. Yova shiva thamo rasa, 5. Thasya bhajaya thathana, 6. usatheeriva mathara, 7. Thasma aranga mamavah:, 8. Yasya kshayaya jinwadhah:, 9. Aapo janayadha jana, 10. Om bhorbuvassuvah:

Salutations to Lord Kesava. It is well known that you Gods of water are the source of greatness in life. Please grant us the ethereal vision. Like the holy and dear mothers, grant us please the ultimate essence of happiness that you have. We are praying you for that essence of happiness to posses, which you are personification of pleasure. You gods of water should through knowledge help us to be born holy in the next birth.

6. Praasanam:

Take in the hand small quantity of water in the palm (just sufficient to immerse one grain) recite the following manthra and drink it while telling “swaha” at the end.

During Morning (pratha sandhya):

Sooryascha ma manyuscha manyu patayascha manyukruthebhya, Paapebhyo rakshantham Yad rathrya papa ma karsham Manasa vacha hasthabhyam padbhyam udarena sisnaa Rathri sthadha valumbathu Yad kincha duritham mayi Idham aham mam amrutha yonau Soorye jyothishi juhomi swaha

Let the sun God, the anger that makes every one its slave and the powers of God, which control anger save me from the sins committed while being angry. Let the God of night remove the sins done by me using my mind, my voice, my hands, my legs, my belly and my penis and also any other sins that remain with me. I offer myself to the great light of sun, after the purifications of my sins as a result of this prayer. Let this offering be done well

Noon (madhyahnika):

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 

Let the god of water purify the earth, which is its source, and let the earth thus purified purify me. Let it also purify my teacher who is the source of Vedas to me. Let Vedas, which are ever holy, purify me. Let the god of water purify me of my action in eating the remnants of food eaten by some one else, which are fit not to be eaten and also my bad habits, which are within me. Let it also purify me of my action in following the actions of bad people. I offer myself to thee God. 

Evening (sayam sandhya)

Agnischa ma manyuscha manyu pathayascha manyu kruthebhya Papebhyo rakshantham Yadahna papama karsham Manasa vaacha hasthabhyam Padbhyam udarena sisna Ahasthada valumbathu Yad kinchid duritham mayi Idamaham maam amrutha yonau Sathye jyothishi juhomi swaha

Let the God of fire, the anger that makes every one its slave and the powers of God, which control anger save me from the sins committed while being angry. Let the God of day remove the sins done by me using my mind, my voice, my hands, my legs, my belly and my penis and also any other sins that remain with me. I offer myself to the great light, which gives Holy Communion with the ever shining, after the purifications of my
sins as a result of this prayer. Let this offering be done well 


7. Achamanam:

(Recite same manthras with action given in “1” above)

8. Punar marjanam:

Recite the following fourteen manthras. While reciting the first eleven-sprinkle water on the head, while reciting the twelfth touch the feet, thirteen again sprinkle on the head and complete by reciting the fourteenth with Take little water on your right palm and throw around your head in clockwise direction like pradakshinam

1. Dadhi kravinno akarisham, 2. Jishno raswasya vajina, 3. surabhino mukha karaath 4. Prana ayugumshi tharishath 5. Aapo hishta mayo bhuva 6. Thana oorje dadha Thana, 7. Mahe ranaaya chakshase, 8. Yova shiva thamo rasa, 9. Thasya bhajaya thehana, 10. usatheeriva mathara, 11. Thasma aranga mamava, 12. Yasya kshayaya, jinwadha, 13. Aapo janayadha jana, 14. Om bhoorbuvassuva. 

I salute that great God who holds the earth, who rules the world, who measures the world, who is victorious, and who has taken the form of Hayagreeva (Avatar of Lord Mahavishnu with Horse head) who is the source of all knowledge and who is speed himself. Let him make my face and all other organs smell good. Let him manage my life without problems.
It is well known that you Gods of water are the source of greatness in life. Please grant us the ethereal vision. Like the holy and dear mothers, grant us please the ultimate essence of happiness that you have. We are praying you for that essence of happiness to posses, which you are personification of pleasure. You gods
of water should through knowledge help us to be born holy in the next birth.

9. Argya pradhanam:

This is the most important part of Sandhya Vandhanam. Do it carefully, with unified mind fixed on God. Stand facing east (during Pratha Sandhya and during Madyannikam) or North (during Sayam Sandhya), join both hands together and take hand full of water, taking care not to join both thumbs, with other fingers. Recite the following manthra and pour it on the floor, thrice one by one. While pouring just lift your knee. Pour thrice during pratha sandhya and saayam sandhya and twice during Madhyannikam

"Om Bhorbuvassuvah: Tatsa vithur varenyam bhargo devasya deemahi Dhiyo yonah: prachodayath"

The God who is OM, I meditate on that glittering form of God who sharpens the intellect of those in the world of earth, the ether world of Bhuvar and the heaven Suvar and who has created all of us.

10. Prayaschitha Argyam:

Do Pranayama (refer S. No. 3 above) Then offer one more Argyam in a similar fashion as told in S.No.9 above. This is a Prayaschitha (atonement) for doing the argya pradhanam late. Take small quantity of water in the right hand and rotate it above ones own head saying (this is called Athma parishechanam) Om Bhorbuvassuvah:

11. Aikyaanusandhanam:

With both hands touch the middle of the chest . close the eyes , meditate and chant

"Asaavadhityo brahma. Brahamaivahamasmi"

This Sun god, this Brahmam and myself are one and the same.

Then do Achamanam as in Sl. No. 1.

12. Deva Tharpanam:

Sit hunched legs facing east during pratha sandhya and madhyannikam and facing North during sayam sandhya , take spoon in the left hand and fill water and pour on the base of the right palm in a slanting manner so that water drains through the middle finger. Recite the following manthras and pour water separately each time.

Aadithyam Tharpayami, Somam Tharpayami, Angarakam Tharpayami, Budham Tharpayami, Brahaspathim Tharpayami, Shukram Tharpayami, Sanaiswaram Tharpayami, Rahum Tharpayami, Kethum Tharpayami

I satisfy the sun, moon, mars, mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Kethu. 


Kesavam Tharpayami, Narayanam Tharpayami, Madhavam Tharpayami, Govindam Tharpayami, Vishnum Tharpayami, Madhusoodhanam Tharpayami, Trivikramam Tharpayami, Vamanam Tharpayami, Sreedharam Tharpayami, Hrishikesam Tharpayami, Padmanabham Tharpayami, Damodharam Tharpayami. 

I satisfy Lord Kesava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda, Vishnu, Madhusoodhana, Trivikrama, Vamana, Sreedhara, Hrishikesa, Padmanabha and Damodhara, the different forms of Lord Vishnu. 

Then do aachamanam and leave to next place for Gayathri Japam. 

Sandhyavandhanam Part II Japam

This is done sitting cross-legged or in the Padmasana pose. Sitting on a Dharba mat or wooden Plank placed on the floor either on the shores of the river or inside the house. This is done facing east during pratha sandhya and during madyannikam and facing west during sayam sandhya.

13. Japa sankalpam:

Recite the following manthra slowly hitting the forehead with both fists together.:-

"Shuklambaradharam Vishunum Sasi Varnam Chathur Bhujam,

Prasanna Vadanam Dhyayeth Sarva Vignopa Shanthaye".

Dressed in white thou art, Oh, all pervading one, And glowing with the colour of moon, With four arms, thou art, Vishnu, I meditate on thine ever-smiling face, And pray, “ Remove all obstacles on my way”.

Do Pranayamam as in S. No. 3 above. 

Mamo paktha samastha duritha kshaya dwara, Sri Parameshwara preethyartham, pratha sandhya gayathri maha manthra japam karishye. (for madhyannikam tell 'madhyaynika gayathri maha manthra japam karishye' and for evening tell 'sayam sandhya gayathri maha manthra japam karishye”)

14. Pranava japam:

Pranavasya Rishi Brahma(touch the forehead with fingers), Devi gayathri Chanda (touch the nose), Paramathma devatha (touch the middle of the chest) 

For “Om” , the sage is Lord Brahma himself, the meter is Gayathri, and the ultimate Brhman is its God.

Bhooradhi saptha vyahrudeenam athri- brugu – kuthsa – vasishta – gowthama – kasyapa – aangeerasa rishaya (touch forhead), Gayathree- ushnig- anushtup -brahathi –pankthi- trushtup- jagathi –chandamsi (touch

the nose), Agni- vayu- arka- vageesa- varuna- indra- viswe deva- devathah: (touch the middle of the chest.)

For the seven worlds, the rishis are Athri, Brugu, Kutsa, Vasishta, Gowthama, Kasyapa, Angeerasa and the corresponding meters are Gayathri, Ushnik, Anushtup, Bruhathi, Pankthi, Trushtup and Jagathi are the respective meters and Fire God, Wind God, Sun God, God of words, God of Rain, God of Devas and God of the universe are Gods respectively.

Do pranayama as  in Sl. No. 3, for ten times. 

15. Gayathri avahanam:

Aayadhvidhi anuvagasya vamadeva rishi (touch head), Anushtup chanda (touch nose), Gayathri devathah: (touch the middle of the chest)

For this Manthra starting with the word “Ayanthu”, the sage is Vama Deva, meter is Anushtup and Goddess is Gayathri.

Aayathu varada devi aksharam brahma samhitham. Gayathri chandasam mathedam brahma jushaswana. Oojosi , sahosi ,balamasi, brajosi ,devaanaam dhama naamaasi. viswamasi, viswayu sarvamasi, sarvayu  abhipoorom,

The goddess Gayathri who can give all desired boons, who is ever permanent, who is known by Vedas and who is the mother of all meters should come in me. Let this my prayer be granted.

Gayathrim avahayami, Savithrim avahayami, saraswathim avahayami (while reciting avahayami, keep

both the palms together with little fingers touching and then slowly take the fingers towards the heart and then bring it back to normal position after one rotation)

Hey mother Gayathri, you are the power of soul supporting air, you are the power of all organs, You have power to win over all enemies, You are the resplendent light, You are the brightness of all Gods, You are the universe, You are time –the soul of the universe, You are soul of everything, You are victorious over all and So I pray you who are the meaning of the word “Om”. I request Gayathri to come within me, I request Savithri to come inside me, and I request Saraswathi to come inside me.

16. Gayathri nyasam:

Savithrya rishi brahma (touch the forehead), nichrud gayathri chanda (touch the nose), savitha devathah: (touch the middle of the chest)

For The Savithri Manthra, the sage is Viswamithra, meter is Nichruth-Gayathri and the God is Savitha

17. Gayathri Dhyaanam: 

Mukthaa Vidhruma Hemaneela Dhavalachchayair Mukhais threekshanair yukthaamindhu nipadhdha rathan makutaam thathvaartha varnaathmikaam Gaayathreem varadhaabhayankusa kachaa shubhram kapaalam gunam Shanka Chakramaravindha yugalam hasthair vahanthim Bhaje. 


(Meditate placing Gayathri in the center of Heart)

18. Gayathri japam:

Recite 108 times the Gayathri facing east in the morning, 28 times facing east in the noon and 64 times in the  evening, facing west. 

“Om Bhorbuvaswa, tat sa vithur varenyam , bhargo devasya deemahi, dhiyo yonah prachodayath" 

We meditate on that resplendent form of God, who is the meaning of the word “OM”., Who sharpens our intellect, and who is the creator.

(take care that the manthra is not heard to any one and if possible without the lips moving. The counting is done by using japamala or counting 10 with using the thumb the ten phalanges except the bottom two of the middle finger, in a clock wise direction. The counting should not be known to others and cover the counting hand with towel)

19. Gayathri upasthanam:

Do pranayama as in Sl. No. 3, then stand up and chant facing the same direction:-

Pratha sandhyam upasthanam karishye(during pratha sandhya)

Adithyam upasthanam karishye (during madyannikam)

Sayam sandhyaupasthanam karishye (during sayam sandhya)

I am requesting the Goddess of Morning (Evening) to go back to her place. In the noon, I am requesting the Sun God to go to his place. 

Uththame shikare devi, bhoomyam parvatha moordhini, Brahmanebhyo Hyanugnanam, gacha devi yada sukham.



After blessing us who pray you, please be kind enough to bless us and go and occupy your place, which is in the holy peak, and be ever happy.

20. Surya upasthanam:

During morning (pratha sandhya)

Mithrasya charshanee drutha sravo devasya saanaseem, Sathyam chithra sravasthamam Mithro janan yathayathi prajanan mithro dhadhara prithveem udadhyam Mithra krushti ranimisha bichashte sathyaya havyam krudavath vidhema Prasa mithra martho aasthu prayaswan yastha adithya sikshathi vrathena

Na hanyathe na jeeyathe thwotho naina mahum ho asnoth yanthitho na doorath. 

I meditate on the greatness and fame of the Sun God who protects people, who is to be sung upon, who is forever and greatest among those who steal the mind. He knows everything and guides people. He carries the earth and the heaven. He sees the world without blinking his eye at any time and forever. To get results, which are forever, I offer him this offering made of ghee. Oh Sun God who is Mithra. , Let whosoever wants to worship you become fully capable of holy deeds. He who is protected by you never becomes sick and sins will not trouble him, from far and near.

During noon (madyaneekam)

Aasathyena rajasa varthamano nivesayan amrutham marthyancha Hiranyena savitha rathena aaadevo yathi bhuvana vipasyan. Udvayam thamasaparee pasyantho jyothirutharam Devam devathra soorya maganma jyothiruthamam Uduthyam jatha vedasam devam vahanthi kethava Druse viswaya sooryam. Chithram devaana mudagaa daneekam chakshu mithrasya varunasyagne Aa praa dyaava pruthvi aanthareeksha soorya aathma jagathasthushacha Tachakshur deva hitham purasthath chakra mucharath. 

The sun God who is resplendent in his light of the soul and who travels with his visible light which makes the people of earth and heaven do their allotted duties , travels in his golden chariot inspecting all the worlds, We who see the sun God, who rises daily after swallowing darkness and who with his light protects the devas attain the glittering shine of the soul. His horses, which are his rays, carry the Sun God who is well known in the Vedas and who knows everything and travel round the sky so that we the people of earth can all see him. The sun God who is like an eye to Mithra, Varuna and Agni and who is personification of all devas travels very high in the sky. The Sun god who is the soul of those who are mobile and also to those who are immobile spreads through out the heaven, earth and the atmosphere. Rising in the east and doing good to all the gods the sun is like an eye. We will see him for hundred springs, WE would live for hundred springs, We would enjoy life with all those who are dear for hundred springs, We would live with fame for hundred springs, We would hear sweet words for hundred springs, We would live without being won by bad deeds for hundred springs, Like this we wish to see our dear Sun God for a long long time. Let the Sun God who gives us all boons, who has reddish eyes, who knows everything, who shines in all directions and who rises from the middle of the vast ocean in the dawn make me holy with all his mind. 

Pasyema Saradhassadham, Jeevema Saradhassadham, Nandhaama Saradhassadham, Modhaama Saradhassadham, Bhavaama Saradhassadhaum, Shrunuvaama Saradhassadham, Prabravaama Saradhassadhamajeethaasyaama Saradhassadham, Jyokscha Suryam Dhruse.

Lets live hundred years seeing the Universe, live hundred years with relatives and friends, lets be happy for hundred years, lets have fame for hundred years, lets hear good for hundred years, lets speak good for hundred years, lets not be defeated by evil for hundred years. Thus we want to live for long seeing the Sun God. 


Ya udhagaan mathornavaadhviprajamaanah sarirasyamdhyaath samaa vrushabho lohithaakshah suryo vipaschin mansaa punaathu. 


Let the Sun God, who gives the boon we wish, who has red eyes, who knows everything, who illumines all the sides and rises in the east from the center of the ocean, cleanse me.  

During evening (Sayam sandhya)

Imam me varuna sruthi hava Madhya cha mrudaya Thvaam mavsyu rachake Tathwayami brahmana vandamanas thadhasaasthe yajamano havirbhi Ahedamano varuneha bhodyurusa sa maa na aayu pramoshi

Yacchidithe visho yadha pradheva varuna vratham Minimasi dyavi dyavi Yat kinchedam varuna daivye jane abhidroham manushyascharamasi Achithee yath thava dharma yoyopima maa nasthasma thenaso deva reerisha Kitha vaso yad riripur na dheevi yad vagha Sathya muthayanna vidhma Sarvaa thaa vishya sithireva devathaa the syama varuna priyasa 

Oh god Varuna, please hear now this my prayer. Make me happy just now for I pray you beseeching for protection. I pray you using manthras of Vedas for that purpose and fall at your feet. One who does fire sacrifice with offerings to the fire is also requesting for the same thing. Of Famous God Varuna, without neglect be pleased to hear my prayer. Please never reduce my life span. Oh God Varuna, we might have neglected to worship you daily due to carelessness. Without knowing we men might have deceived the devas in worship, we might have spoiled your good deeds. Oh God Varuna, please do not punish us for these sins.
WE might have been defamed without basis by bad people like gamblers. We might have done sins fully knowing it. WE might have done sins without knowing it. Please destroy in to small pieces , all these without pain, Please keep me as one who is very dear to you.

21. Samashti abhivadanam:

Starting from the direction facing which the japa was done after each manthra turn 90 degrees to the right. Say the next manthra and so on.

Sandhyayai nama: Savithryai nama: Gaythryai nama: Saraswathyai nama: Sarvebhyo Devebhyo Namonama:

Salutations to the goddess of dawn and dusk. Salutations to Goddess Savithri, Salutations to goddess gayathri, Salutations to Goddess Saraswathi, Salutations and salutations to all Gods. 

Then chant with folded hands facing the same direction 

Then chant facing the same direction

Kamo karshed manyura karshed namo nama.



The crimes of passion and anger done by me were not done with full realization. I beseech you again and again to pardon all those sins, which were done unknowingly by me.

Then touch with both hands the ears slightly bow and chant

Abhivadaye (tell your rishis) (tell number) Risheya (tell your pravara) pravaranvitha (tell your Gothra) gothra

(tell your Suthra) suthra (tell your Veda) adhyay (tell your name) sarmanam aham asmibho

Learn from your family elders about your Rishi, their Numbers, Pravaram, Gothram, Sutram, Vedha and your Sharma Name and then practice. 



OH great one, I am follower of the pravara rishis called---------------------- belonging to ----------------- Gothra(clan), following the------------- Suthra and a student of -------------------- Veda and my name is -------------------- Sarma and I am following at thine feet.

After this touch your thumb of your feet with both hands and then touch your eyes. Then namaskaram.

[Example: Abhivaadhaye - Bhargava, Shyaavana, Aaplavaana, Aurava, Jaamdhagnya, Panchaarishaya Pravaraanvithah: - Srivathsa Gothrah: - Aapasthamba Sutrah: - Yaju Shaakhaadhyaayi - Sundararaama Sharmaanaam Aham Asmi Bho]


22. Dig devatha vandhanam:

With folded hands offer salutations to the different directions facing that direction:_

Pracyai dishe nama (east), Dakshinayai dishe nama (south), Pradeechai dishe nama (west), Udichyai dishe nama (North)

Then again face the direction in which you were doing japa and continue

Oordwaya nama (above), Adharaya nama (below), Anthareekshaya nama (straight), Bhoomyai nama (earth)

Brahmane nama, Vishnave nama, Mrutuyuve nama

Salutation to the east, Salutation to the South, Salutations to the west, Salutations to the north, Salutations to those Gods above, Salutations to the Gods below, Salutations to the Atmosphere, Salutations to the earth, Salutations to the Brahma, Salutations to Vishnu, Salutations to God of death. 

23. Yama vandanam:

Facing South: Yamaya nama, Yamaya dharma rajaya , mrutyuve cha anthakaya cha, Vaivaswathaya kalaya sarva bhootha kshayaya cha, Oudhumbharaya dhadhnaaya neelaya parameshtine, Vrukodharaya chithraya chithra gupthaya vai namah:

Salutations to Yama, the God of death, My salutations and salutations, To Him who can keep in control his senses, To Him who is the king of justice, To him who destroys, To him who can put to an end, To Him who is the son of Sun God, To him who represents march of time, To him who causes death to all beings, To him who is supremely strong, To him who is called the universal giver, To him who has a bluish body, To him who is being worshipped by all, To him who has a huge belly, To him who is really peculiar, And to him who guards his secret.

Chithra gupthaya vai nama om nama ithi

Guards his secret continued.

24. Harihara vandhanam:

Facing West: Ruthagum sathyam para brahma purusham Krishna pingalam, Oordhwretham viroopaksham Viswa roopaya vai namah: 

I salute Him, Who is the beauty in all things I see, Who is the truth in what I tell, Who is the ultimate Brahmam, Who is the soul of every being, Who is the amalgam of black(Vishnu) and Red (Shiva), Who sees up from energy, Who is the three eyed God, And who is personification of the universe.

Viswa roopaya vai nama om nama ithi

Salutation to personification of the universe continued

25. Narmadaa Vandhanam: 

Face the North following Sarpa Raksha Manthram:-

Narmadayai Namah: - Prathar narmadayai namo nisi Namosthu narmadhe thubhyam trahi maam visha sarpatha Apa sarpa sarpa bhadram they Dooram gacha maha yasa Janamejayasya yagnanthe aasthika vachanam smaran

Jarath karor Jarath karvam samuthpanno maha yasa Aasthika Sathya santho maam pannagebhyah: abhi rakshathu. Pannagebhyo abhi rakshath Om namah ithi. 

26. Soorya Narayana vandhanam:

Facing the Same direction: Nama savithre jagadeka chakshushe, Jagat prasoothi sthithi naasa hethave, thrayee mayaya trigunathma dharine, Virinchi Narayana sankara athmane, dhyeya sada savithru mandala Madhya varthi Narayana sarasijasana sannivishta Keyuravan makara kundalavaan Kiriti haari hiranya vapur drutha sankha chakra 

My salutations to Lord Surya Narayana who is like an eye to the universe, Who is the cause of birth, upkeep and destruction of the worlds, Who is personification of Vedas and Who by his three qualities takes the form of the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, Lord Narayana is forever most suitable to be venerated for he is in the middle of the solar system, For he sits in the lotus pose, For he wears the crown on the head, chain on his neck, wears anklets in his Arms and wears global studs in his ears, For he holds the Conch and the wheel in his hands and has the glittering colour of gold.

Om Sanka chakra gadha pane dwaraka nilayachythe Govinda pundarikaksha raksha maam sarana gatham Aakasath pathitham thoyam Yada gachathi sagaram, Sarva deva namaskarah: Sri kesavam prathi gachathi,

Oh Lord who holds the conch and wheel in his hand, who forever lives in Dwaraka, Who never allows his devotees to fall, Who takes care f all beings of the earth and Who has lotus like eyes, please protect me who has come and fallen at your feet. Like all the water that falls from the sky reaches the sea, all salutations done to all gods reach Lord Narayana..

Sri kesavam prathi gachathi om na ithi

Then do sashtanga pranamam after reciting Abhivadaye as explained above, facing the japa direction.

27. Samarpanam:

Sit and do aachamanam as in S. No. 1

Take a small quantity of water in the right hand recite the following manthra and pour it on the ground. 

Kaye na vacha manase indriyair va Budhyathma nava prakruther swabhavat Karomi yadyat sakalam parasmai, Narayana yethi samarpayami

I give away To the Lord Narayana, all the actions done by me either by my body, or by my words, or by my mind, or by my organs, or my mind or by my intellect or by my soul or by my superior thought process or by my natural movements.

Drop water from the base of the right palm through the middle finger on the floor with the following manthras

Om That Sat Brahmaarpanamasthu

and again with 

Om That Sat. 

28. Raksha:

Sprinkle some water on the floor where japa was performed reciting the manthra below, then touch the water drops on the ground with ring finger. Place it between the eyebrows.

Adhya no deva savitha praja vath saavee soubhagam Para duswapneeya suva Viswani deva savitha –durithani paraa suvaa Yad bhadram thama asuva

Hey Lord Savitha (Sun), please rant good luck to me and my family. Please remove the ill effects of bad dreams. Please remove the punishment for all the sins committed by me. And please grant me what is great and good.