Tri Vedi Sandhya Vandanam

Procedure with Summary and Meaning

Compiled by P. R. Ramachander

Introduction
Sandhya Vandanam literally means either Salutation to the goddess of
Dawn and dusk or the prayers done during dawn and dusk. Hindus
considered the period just before dawn and just after dusk as well as
the exact period of noon, as extremely suitable for meditation. All
Brahmins after Upanayanam (prescribed to be done at the age of
seven), were required to do these prayers without fail. Essentially these
prayers are offering oblations to the devas (arghya pradanam), doing
breathing exercises (pranayamam) and then meditating on Gayathri by
chanting the king of all manthras Gayathri. This Manthra is taught to
every boy by his own father during the ceremony of brahmopadesam.
After learning Gayathri every boy is supposed to have taken a second
birth and is entitled to be 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 knowledgeable
Brahmin who salutes the Sun god daily thrice would attain whatever he
wants. They further say that one who does not do sandhyavandanam is
a sinner and is not eligible for any Vedic duties. What is given below is
the Sandhya Vandanam procedure prescribed for Yajur Vedis. But the
manthras to be chanted by followers of the other Vedas is also
mentioned wherever there is a difference. All people are requested to
do the Sandhya Vandanam initially for a few times 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. A summary meaning of all the manthras chanted
is appended at the end.

Sandhya Vandhanam - Part-I - Argya Pradhanam

Sandhya Vandhana has two parts, the first one normally to be done
either standing in a river or sitting with hunched legs on the feet outside
the house and the second part is done by sitting on firm ground using
the lotus pose. (Padmasana). It is normally done facing east during
dawn and noon and facing west during dusk..
1. Perform Achamanam
Take small quantities of water (just sufficient to soak one grain of black
gram) three times in the right hand and take it with the following
manthra:
Om Achyuthaya Namah, Om Ananthaya Namah, Om Govindaya
Namah

Then
Touch with thumb both cheeks saying Kesava - Narayana
Touch with ring finger both eyes saying Madhava - Govinda
Touch with the first finger both sides of nose saying Vishno -
Madhusoodana
Touch with little finger both ears saying Trivikrama - Vamana
Touch with the middle finger both shoulders saying Sreedhara -
Hrishikesa
Touch with all fingers the belly button saying Padmanabha
Touch with all fingers the head saying Damodara

2. Ganapathi Dhyanam*:
Recite the following manthra slowly hitting the forehead with both fists
together:
Shuklambaradharam Vishnum Sasi Varnam ChathurBhujam,
Prasanna Vadanam Dyayeth Sarva Vigna Upa Santhaye.
*This prayer is not recited by Vaishnavas. They are requested to go to
the next section.

3. Do Pranayamam:
Hold both Nostrils with Thumb and the little and third finger of the hands
and recite the following Manthra:
Om Bhoo
Om Bhuva
Ogum Suva
Om Maha
Om Jana
Om Thapa
Ogum Sathyam
Om Tat savithur varenyam Bargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yona
prachodayath
Om Apa
Jyothj rasa
Amrutham brahma
Bhoorbuvasuvarom
Touch the ears three times saying
Om, Om, Om

4. Sankalpam
Keep the right palm inside the left palm and keep the palms on the right
thigh and recite the following manthra:
Mamo partha samastha duritha kshaya dwara, Sri Parameshwara
preethyartham*,
pratha sandhyam upasishye (for madhyannikam instead tell
"madhyaynikam karishye" and for evening sandhya vandhanam tell
"sayam sandhyam upasishye")
*Vaishnavas may instead tell "shri bhagavadaagnaayaa
shriimannaaraayana priityartham"

5. Marjanam
Sri 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 and complete by reciting the tenth with Take little
water on your right palm and throw around your head in clockwise
direction like pradakshinam:
Aapo hishta mayo bhuva (1) thana oorje dadha thana (2) Mahe ranaaya
chakshase (3) Yova shiva thamo rasa (4) Thasya bhajaya
thehana (5) usatheeriva mathara (6) Thasma aranga mamava (7)
Yasya kshayaya jinwadha (8)
Aapo janayadha jana (9)
Om bhorbuvassuva (10)

6. Praasanam
Take in the hand small quantity of water in the palm (just sufficient to
immerse one grain) recites the following manthra and drink it while
telling "swaha".

Morning (Pratha Sandhya)

For Rig Vedis and Yajur vedis
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
Soorya jyothishi juhomi swaha

For Sama Vedis

Ahascha maa adithyascha punathu swaha

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

Evening (Sayam Sandhya)

For Yajur and Rik Vedis
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

For Sama Vedis

Rathrischa ma varunascha punathu swaha.

7. Achamanam
Use the same manthras and action as 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:
Dadhi kravinno akarisham (1) Jishno raswasya vajina (2) surabhino
mukha karaath (3) Prana ayugumshi tharishath (4) Aapo hishta mayo
bhuva (5) Thana oorje dadha Thana (6) Mahe ranaaya
chakshase (7) Yova shiva thamo rasa (8) Thasya bhajaya
thehana (9) usatheeriva mathara (10)Thasma aranga mamava (11)
Yasya kshayaya jinwadha (12)
Aapo janayadha jana (13)
Om bhorbuvassuva (14)

Some Rik vedis after doing this punar marjanam recite the following
manthra with little water in hand, smell the water and pour it in
southwesterly direction.
Ruthancha sathyancha thapasodyadha thadho rathri jayatha thada
samudhro arnavaa
Samudhradarnavaa dadhi samvadvaro ajayatha.
Aho rathraani vidhathat viswasya mishadho vasi.
Soorya chandrama sow dhatha yadha poorva magalpayath.
Divancha prithweem santharishmatho Suva.

9. Argya Pradhanam
Join both hands together and take hand full of water taking care not to
join both thumbs with other fingers (facing east during Pratha Sandhya,
facing north during Madyannikam, and facing west during Sayam
Sandhya) repeat the following manthra and pour it, thrice during pratha
sandhya, twice during Madhyannikam and twice during Sayam
sandhya:
Om Bhorbuvassuva. Tatsa vithur varenyam bhargo devasya deemahi.
Dhiyo yona prachodayath
Rik vedis in all the three times offer three argyas always standing.

10. Prayaschitha Argyam

Do Pranayama (refer S. No. 3 above)
Then offer one more Argyam in a similar fashion as 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 Bhorbuvassuva

Rik and Sama Vedis use a different manthra for this prayachithargyam:
Morning (Pratha Sandhya)
Om yadathya gacha vruthrahan. Udayaa abhisoorya sarvaan dathindra
they vache.

Noon (Madyannikam)
Om uthkedthbhi sruthamagam vrushabham naryabasim
Astharameshi soorya

Evening (Sayam Sandhya)

Om na thasya maya yachana
Ripureeseetha marthya yo agnaye dathacha havyadathaye (Rik vedis
end it as havyadathibhi)

11. Ikyaanusandhanam
With both hands touch the middle of the chest. close the eyes, meditate
and chant
Asaavadhityo brahma. Brahamaivahamasmi
Then do Achamanam.

12. Deva Tharpanam

Sit facing east during pratha sandhya, facing north during
madhyannikam, and facing east during sayam sandhya, take water in
the hand and pour it out through its tips after each manthra.Take care to
take water separately each time.
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
Hrishikesam tharpayami
Padmanabham tharpayami
Damodharam tharpayami

Then do aachamanam
Thus ends the first part of Sandhya Vandana
Sandhyavandhanam - Part-II - Japam

This is done sitting cross-legged or in the Padmasana pose, sitting on a

mat or wooden Palagai placed on the floor either on the shores of the
river or inside the house. This is done facing east during pratha
sandhya, facing north during madyannikam and facing west during
sayam sandhya.

1. Japa Sankalpam
Recite the following manthra slowly hitting the forehead with both fists
together:
Shuklambaradharam Vishunum Sasi Varnam ChathurBhujam,
Prasanna Vadanam Dyayeth Sarva Vigna Upa Santhaye.
*This prayer is not recited by Vaishnavas.They are requested to go to
the next section.

Do Pranayamam.
Hold both Nostrils with Thumb and the little and third finger of the hands
and recite the following Manthra:
Om Bhoo
Om Bhuva
Ogum Suva
Om Maha
Om Jana
Om Thapa
Ogum Sathyam
Om Tat savithur varenyam Bargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yona
prachodayath
Om Apa
Jyothj rasa
Amrutham brahma
Bhoorbuvasuvarom
Touch the ears three times saying
Om, Om, Om

Keep the right palm inside the left palm and keep the palms on the right
thigh and recite the following manthra:
Mamo partha samastha duritha kshaya dwara, Sri Parameshwara
preethyartham*,
pratha sandhya gayathri maha manthra japam karishye (for
madhyannikam instead tell "madhyaynika gayathri maha manthra japam
karishye" and for evening sandhya vandhanam tell "sayam sandhya
gayathri maha manthra japam karishye")
*Vaishnavas may instead tell "shri bhagavadaagyayaa
shriimannaaraayana priityartham"

2. Pranava Japam
Pranavasya Rishi Brahma (touch the forehead with fingers), Devi
gayathri Chanda (touch below the nose), Paramathma devatha (touch
the middle of the chest)
Bhooradhi saptha vyahrudeenam athri - brugu - kuthsa - vasishta -
gowthama - kasyapa - aangeerasa rishaya (touch forhead)
Gayathree - ushnig - anushtup - brahathi - pankthi- trushtup- jagathi -
chandamsi (touch below the nose)
Agni - vayu - arka - vageesa - varuna - indra - viswe deva -
devatha (touch the middle of the chest.)

Do pranayama as given below ten times:

Hold both Nostrils with Thumb and the little and third finger of the hands
and recite the following Manthra:
Om Bhoo
Om Bhuva
Ogum Suva
Om Maha
Om Jana
Om Thapa
Ogum Sathyam
Om Tat savithur varenyam Bargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yona
prachodayath
Om Apa
Jyothj rasa
Amrutham brahma
Bhoorbuvasuvarom
Touch the ears three times saying
Om, Om, Om

3. Gayathri Avahanam
Aayadithya anuvagasya vamadeva rishi (touch head), Anushtup
chanda (touch below nose), Gayathri devatha (touch the middle of the
chest)
Aayathu varada devi aksharam brahma samhitham.
Gayathri chandasam mathedam brahma jushaswana.
Oojosi, sahosi,balamasi, brajosi, devaanaam dhama naamaasi.
viswamasi,
viswayu sarvamasi, sarvayu abhipoorom, Gayathrim avahayami,
Savithrim avahayami, saraswathim avahayami (while reciting the last
three manthras, after avahayami, keep both the palms together with
little fingers touching and then slowly take the fingers towards oneself,
and bring it back to original position after one rotation)

For Rik Vedis

Om ithyekaksharam brahma. Agnir devatha brahma. Ithyarsham
Gayathram chandam paramathmam swaroopam Sayjyam viniyogam
Aayathu varada devi akshatram brahma samhitham.
Gayathri chandasam mathedam brahma jushaswana.
Oojosi, sahosi,balamasi, brajosi,devaanaam dhama naamaasi.
viswamasi,
viswayu sarvamasi, sarvayu abhipoorom, Gayathrim avahayami,
Savithrim avahayami
saraswathim avahayami, chanda rishinaam avahayami, Sriyam
avahayami, Gayathrya gayathrischando viswamithra rishi (touch
forehead), savitha devatha (touch below nose), Agnir mugam brahma,
siro Vishnu, hrudaya Rudra, shikaa pruthvi, yoni prana apana vyano
dana samano sapranaa, Swetha varna, sankhyayana sagothra, gayathri
cha dur visathyakshara tripada shadrushi pancha seershopanayane
viniyoga.

4. Gayathri Nyasam
Savithrya rishi brahma (touch the forehead), nichrud gayathri
chanda (touch below the nose), savitha devatha (touch the middle of the
chest)

5. Gayathri Japam
Repeat 108 times the Gayathri facing east in the morning, west in the
evening :
ॐ भूभुरवसवः ।
तत् सिवतुवररेणयं ।
भगो देवसय धीमिह ।
िधयो यो नः पचोदयात् ॥

Om Bhur Vhuvah Svah

Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat

[take care that the manthra is not heard to any one and if possible
without the lips moving. The counting is done by using japa mala or
counting 10 with using the thumb the ten phalanges except the bottom
two of the ring finger. Some people insist that the counting should not
be known to others and cover the counting hand with towel.]

Some people repeat Gayathri manthra only 54 times during

madhayannikam.

6. Gayathri Upasthanam
Do pranayamam and 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)

Then repeat
Uthame shikare devi, bhoomyam parvatha vardhini,
Brahmanebhyo anugnanam, gacha devi yada sukham.

7. Surya Upasthanam
During morning (Pratha Sandhya)

For Yajur Vedis

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 manho asnoth yanthitho na
doorath

For Rik Vedis

Mithrasya charshani drutho aavo devasya sanaasi
DyumNamah chitra sravasthamam
Mithro janan yathayathi bruvaano mithro dathaara prithveem udathyam
Mithra srushtir nimishaa abhishte mithraaya havyam gruthava jjuhodha
Prasamithra martho asthu prayaswaan yastha adhithya sikshathi
vruthena
Na hanyathe, na jeeyathe dwotho sanNamah aho asnodhyanthitho na
doorath
Jatha vedase sunavaama soma marathi yadho nitha hadhi veda
Sa na parshathathi durgaani viswaa naaveva sindhum durithath yagni
Pisanga brushti mam brunam pisasi mindra sam mruna
Sarvam raksho nibarhaya (rotate hand over face)
Badhram karnobhi srunyama deva
Badhram pasye makmaa akshabir yajathraa
Sthirai rangaisdushtuvaangsathaubhi
Vyasema deva hitham yadayu (touch ears)
Kesya agnim kesee visham kesi pibarthi rodani
Kesi viswam swarduche keseetham jyothi ruchyathe (touch hair)

For Sama Vedis

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

During Noon (Madyaneekam)

For Yajur Vedis

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

For Rik Vedis

Aakrushno na rajasa varthamano nivesayan amrutham marthyancha
Hiranyayena savitha ratheno devo yadhi bhuvanani pasyan
Thachakshur devahitham purasthaschakra mucharath
Pasyema sarada satham
Jeevema sarada satham
Hamsa suchishath vasur anathreeksha sath hotha vedishadathir drona
sath
Nrushatvarasath ruthasath vyomaasa thabja koja ruthaja adrija rutham
bruhath
Uduthyam jatha vedasam devam vahanthi kethava
Druse viswaya sooryam
Apathye dayavo yada nakshatrayandyakthubhi
Sooraaya viswa chakshase
Chithran devanam udagadaneekam chakshur mithrasya varunasyagne
Aapradyava pruthvee anthareeksha soorya athma jagatha sthas
dushacha
That sooryasya devathvam than mahithwam
Madhya karthor vidhatham sancha bhara
Yadeda yuktha haridas sadasthath
Aadrathri vasa sthanu they simasmai
Than mithrasya varunasya abhi chakshe
Sooryo roopam grunuthe dyo roopasthe

For Sama Vedis

Aadhithya navamaroksham poorna maparipaddhineem
Acchithram bharayishnaveem sadarithraam swasthaye
Om Namah adithyaya, Namah adhithyaya, Namah adhithyaya
Uduthyam jatha vedasam devam vahanthi kethava
Druse viswaya sooryam
Chithram devaanam udaganeekam chakshur mithrasya varunasyagne
Aa pra dyava pruthvi anthareeksha soorya athma jagadas tha dushacha
Thachkshur deva hitham purasthac chukramussarth
Om bhorbuvaswarom
Soorya iva druse bhooyasam agneeriva thejasa, vayuriva pranena,
soma iva ganthena, brahaspathher iva budhya, aswina iva roopena,
indragni iva balena, brahma bhaga evaham bhooyasam paap mabhaga
me dwishantha.

During Evening (Sayam Sandhya)

For Yajur Vedis

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

For Rik Vedis

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
Jatha vedis sunavaama soma maarathi yadho nitha hadhi Veda
Sa na parshathathi durgaani viswaa naaveva sindhum durithath yagni
Pisanga brushti mam brunam pisasi mindra sam mruna
Sarvam raksho nibarhaya (rotate hand over face)
Badhram karnobhi srunyama deva
Badhram pasye makmaa akshabir yajathraa
Sthirai rangai sdushtuvaan sasathaubhi
Vyasema deva hitham yadayu (touch ears)
Kesya agnim kesee visham kesi pibarthi rodani
Kesi viswam swarduche keseetham jyothi ruchyathe (touch hair)

For Sama Vedis

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.
8. 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 Namah
Savithryai Namah
Gaythryai Namah
Saraswathyai Namah

Then chant with folded hands facing the same direction

Sarvebhyo devathabhyo namo Namah

Then chant facing the same direction

Kamo karshed manyura karshed namo Namah.

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
Sri (tell your name) sarmanam aham asmibho

After this touch your feet with both hands and do Namahskaram.

Some examples of Pravara Rishis

Gothra pravara rishaya
Athreya Athreya Archanaanasa, syavaaswa traya risheya
Naidruva kasyapa Kasyapa, Avathsara, Naidruva traya risheya
Gargeya Aangeerasa, Chainya, Gargya traya risheya, Aangeerasa,
Barhaspathya, Baradwaja, Chainya-Gargya pancharisheya
Koundinya Vasishta, Maithra varuna, Koundinya traya risheya
Koushika Vaiswamithra, Aagamarshana, Koushika traya risheya
Gowthama Aangirasa-aayasya-gowthama traya risheya
Baradwaja Aangeerasa, Barhaspathya, Bharadwaja traya risheya
Haritha Aangeerasa, Ambareeksha, Younaswa trayarsheya
Sounaka Garthsamadha Ekarsheya
Chandilya Kasyapa, Aavathsara, Naidruva, Reba, Saptha risheya
Raibha, Choundilya, Chandilya

9. Dig Devatha Vandhanam

With folded hands offer salutations to the different directions facing that
direction:
Pracyai dishe Namah (East)
Dakshinayai dishe Namah (South)
Pradeechai dishe Namah (West)
Udichyai dishe Namah (North)

Then again face the direction in which you were doing japa and
continue
Oordwaya Namah (above)
Adharaya Namah (below)
Anthareekshaya Namah (straight)
Bhoomyai Namah (earth)
Brahmane Namah
Vishnave Namah
Mrutuyuve Namah

10. Yama Vandanam

Yamaya Namah
Yamaya dharma rajaya, mrutyuve cha anthakaya cha
Vaivaswathaya kalaya sarva bhootha kshayaya cha
Oudhumbharaya dhagnaya neelaya parameshtine
Vrukodharaya chithraya chithra gupthaya vai Namah
Chithra gupthaya vai Namah om Namah ithi

11. Harihara Vandhanam

Ruthagum sathyam para brahma purusham Krishna pingalam,
Oordhwrethwam viroopaksham Viswa roopaya vai Namah
Viswa roopaya vai Namah om Namah ithi

12. Soorya Narayana Vandhanam

Namah savithre jagadeka chakshushe,
Jagat prasoothi sthithi naasa hethave,
Trayin mayaya trigunathma dharine
Virinchi Narayana sankara athmane

Dyeya sada savithru mandala Madhya varthi

Narayana sarasijasana sannivishta
Keyuravan makara kundalavaan
Kiriti haari hiranya vapur drutha sankha chakra
Sanka chakra gatha pane dwaraka nilayachythe
Govinda pundarikaksha raksha maam sarana gatham

Aakasath pathitham thoyam,

Yada gachathi sagaram,
Sarva deva Namahskara
Sri kesavam prathi gachathi,

Sri kesavam prathi gachathi om na ithi

Some families face the North after this and chant the following Sarpa
Raksha Manthram:
Narmadayayi Namah-Prathar narmadayai namo nisi
Namosthu narmadhe thubhyam trahi maam visha sarpatha
Apa sarpa sarpa bhadram the Dooram gacha maha yasa
Janamejayasya yagnanthe aasthika vachanam smaran
Jarath karer Jarath karvam samuthpanno maha yasa
Aasthika Sathya santho maam pannagebhyo abhi rakshathu.

Then do sashtanga pranamahm after reciting Abhivadaye as explained

above.

Vaishnavites recite the following manthra before Abhivadaye in addition:

Namobrahmanya devaya Go brahmana hithaya cha,
Jagathidaya krishnaya Govindaya namo Namah
Sree ranga mangala nidhim karuna nivasam Sree Venkadadri
Shikaralaya kala megam
Sree Hasthi saila Shikarojwala Parijatham Sreesam Namahmi sirasa
yadu saila deepam.

13. Samarpanam
Take a small quantity of water recite the following manthra and pour it
on the ground
Kaye na vacha manase indriyair va
Budhyathma nava prakruthai swabhavat.
Karomi yadyat sakalam parasmai,
Narayana yethi samarpayami

Then do aachamanam

14. Raksha
Sprinkle some water on the place where japa was [performed reciting
the manthra below, then touch the ground with ring finger and place it
between the eyelids:
Adhya no deva savitha praja vath saavee soubhagam
Para duswapneeya suva
Viswani deva savitha - durithani paraa suvaa
Yad bhadram thama asuva
Summary Meaning of Sandhya Vandhanam in English

Sandhya Vandhanam - Part-I - Argya Pradhanam

1. Aachamanam
This is a preliminary purification ceremony. Gods Achyutha, Anantha
and Govinda are saluted and then chanting the twelve names of Vishnu
purifies the self.

2. Ganapathi Dhyanam (this is not done by Vaishnavites)

This is a prayer to the God Ganapathi who is supposed to remove all
obstacles on our way in performance of any rite, in this case,
"Tharpanam"
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. Pranayamam (Holy meditation )

This manthra is a guide to a breathing exercise as also a prayer. While
chanting Om bhoo,Om Bhuva, Ogum Suva, Om Maha, om jana, om
thapa, ogum satyam we are supposed to keep the left nostril closed and
inhale through the right nostril. While chanting, "Om tat sa vithur
varenyam bargo devasya dhee mahi, dhi yo yona prachothayad", we
are supposed to close both nostrils and hold the breath. After this the
left nostril is opened and air exhaled till the end of the manthra. Hindus
believed that that there were six holy worlds above the earth. These
along with earth are remembered in the first part. These worlds are
bhooloka, bhuvarloka, suvarloka, maharloka, janaloka, thapaloka and
satya loka. The second part is the famous Gayathri manthram. It means
"I meditate on that savitha (the sun or the enlightenment within
ourselves) which helps us in our though process, that god which is
within me and that all engulfing power."
Or
"I meditate on the most holy shining aspect of that God, who helps in
brightening our thought process." Then the third part means "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." By touching the nose the hands are supposed to get
polluted and this is removed by touching the ears thrice.

4. Sankalpam (our reason for the action)

This is a preliminary rite in every Vedic action. We tell why we are doing
what we do.
We chant" To become dear to the Lord Parameshwara (in case of
Vaishnavas it is Lord Vishnu) and to destroy all the effects of sins
committed by me, I pray the Goddess of dawn (noon, dusk)"

5. Marjanam (Holy bath by sprinkling water)

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. Prasanam (drinking water powered by Manthras)

Morning (Really at dawn)
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
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 (really dusk)

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. Aachamanam (same as 1)

8. Punar Marjanam (repetition of the Holy bath by sprinkling water)

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 (a form of Human with horses 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.
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.

9. Argya Pradhanam (Offering of water)

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 (same as 9 for offered for the delay)

11. Ikkyanusandhanam (meditating on the oneness of truth)

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

12. Deva Tharpanam (satisfying the devas)

I satisfy the sun, moon, mars, mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu
and Kethu, I satisfy Lord Kesava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda,
Vishnu, Madhusoodhana, Trivikrama, Vamana, Sreedhara, Hrishikesa,
Padmanabha and Damodhara, which are the different forms of Lord
Vishnu. Ruling over the twelve different months.

Sandhyavandhanam - Part-II - Japam

1. Japa Sankalpam
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".

Pranayamam

This manthra is a guide to a breathing exercise as also a prayer. While

chanting Om bhoo,Om Bhuva, Ogum Suva, Om Maha, om jana, om
thapa, ogum satyam we are supposed to keep the left nostril closed and
inhale through the right nostril. While chanting, "Om tat sa vithur
varenyam bargo devasya dhee mahi, dhi yo yona prachothayad", we
are supposed to close both nostrils and hold the breath. After this the
left nostril is opened and air exhaled till the end of the manthra.

Hindus believed that that there were six holy worlds above the earth.
These along with earth are remembered in the first part. These worlds
are bhooloka, bhuvarloka, suvarloka, maharloka, janaloka, thapaloka
and satya loka. The second part is the famous Gayathri manthram. It
means
"I meditate on that savitha (the sun or the enlightenment within
ourselves) which helps us in our though process, that god which is
within me and that all engulfing power."
Or
"I meditate on the most holy shining aspect of that God, who helps in
brightening our thought process." Then the third part means " 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." By touching the nose the hands are supposed to get
polluted and this is removed by touching the ears thrice.

Sankalpam
This is a preliminary rite in every Vedic action. We tell why we are doing
what we do.
We chant To become dear to the Lord Parameshwara (in case of
Vaishnavas it is Lord Vishnu) and to destroy all the effects of sins
committed by me, I do meditation on Gayathri in the morning (noon,
evening)

2. Pranava Japam (Pranayamam as preliminary to meditation)

For "Om", the sage is Lord Brahma himself, the meter is Gayathri, and
the ultimate Brhman is its God.
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.
This is followed by Pranayamam whose meaning is given under
sankalpam.

3. Gayathri Avahanam (Requesting Goddess Gayhtri to come within

us)
For this Manthra starting with the word "Ayanthu", the sage is Vama
Deva, meter is Anushtup and Goddess is Gayathri.
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.
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.

4. Gayathri Nyasam (Preliminary to Gayathri Japa)

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

5. Gayathri Japa (Chanting of Gayathri)

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.

6. Gayathri Upasthanam (Requesting Gayathri to go back)

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.
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.

7. Soorya Upasthanam (asking the Sun God to go back)

Morning
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 hi, from far and near.

Noon
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.
Evening
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.

8. Samashti Abhivadanam (Prayer to all)

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

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.

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.

9. Dig Devatha Vandanam (Salutations to the Gods of Directions)

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

10. Yama Vandanam (Salutations to God of Death)

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.

Guards his secret continued.

11. Hari Hara Vandanam

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.

Salutation to personification of the universe continued

12. Soorya Narayana Vandanam

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. 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.

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.

13. Samarpanam (Giving away)

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. Then do the purificatory ceremony of
Achamanam (see section 1)

14. Raksha (Protective shield)

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.