Sandhya Vandanam is a specially devised efficient spiritual ritual for the realization of the Divinity of the Self (Atman). It is a Nitya Karma or an obligatory daily ritual whose object is to bring about self-purification and attunement to Cosmic Reality. It is an all-round complete ritual which incorporates the principles of the Supreme Divinity (Brahman).
RITUALS OF THE SANDHYA
Each part of the ritual is meant to give expression externally to an internal mental attitude and spiritual feeling (Bhava). Some necessary changes are introduced in the Mantras and ritual according to the time of the Sandhya-- dawn, noon, or sunset, and according to the Veda (Rg, Yajur, or Sama) to which the votary is affiliated. However, the main purpose as well as most of the Mantras, the procedures, and rituals are all common.
The procedure involve :
| 1. |
Achamanam : |
| 2. |
Apo-Marjanam : |
|
3. |
Pranayama : Regulated breathings, as per prescription, for establishing psycho-somatic harmony, using the Gayatri-Mantra. |
| 4. |
Punar-Achamanam : |
| 5. |
Punar-Marjanam : |
| 6. |
Aghamarsanam : |
| 7. |
Suryopasthanam : |
| 8. |
Gayatri-Upasanam : |
| 9. |
Visarjanam : |
| 10. |
Antya-prakaranani : |
Preparation for the Performance of Sandhya :
Before performing the Sandhya, one should be physically clean, mentally calm and restrained and have a prayerful attitude. One should sit in a clean quiet place on a mat or Deer-skin, in a straight position with legs tucked in (ordinary Padmasana).
DETAILS OF THE PRACTICE OF SANDHYA WORSHIP
1. Achamanam
Sipping water sanctified by mantras
Sit in a squatting position, facing east or north. The hands should be between the knees. Bend all the fingers other than the thumb and the small finger slightly so that a hollow is produced in the palm. Take a very small quantity of water in the palm and sip, uttering the following three mantras (one sip for each mantra):-
Achyutaya namah
Anantaya namah
Govindaya namah
Then
Utter Kesava and Narayana touching the right cheek and the left cheek respectively with the thumb of the right hand.
Utter Madhava and Govinda, touching the right eye and the left eye respectively with the ring finger.
Utter Vishno and Madhusudana, touching the right nostril and the left nostril respectively with the index finger.
Utter Trivikrama and Vamana, touching the right ear and the left ear respectively with the small finger.
Utter Sridhara and Hrsikesa, touching the right shoulder and the left shoulder respectively with the middle finger.
Utter Padmanabha and Damodara touching the naval and the head respectively with all the fingers.
Meaning 1
By these actions the various parts of the body are sanctified and the person is made fit to proceed with the worship.
2. Vighnesvara Dhyanam
Meditation on Lord Vighnesvara
While reciting the following mantra, gently tap the two sides of the forehead with the fists five times with the thought that thereby the nectar (amrta) in the head flows down through all the nerves and invigorates them.
Shuklambaradharam Vishnum
Sasivarnam Chaturbhujam,
Prasannavadanam dhyayeh,
Sarva-vighnopasantaye
Meaning 2
For the removal of all obstacles I meditate on Lord Vighnesvara who is clad in white, is all-pervading, is white like the moon, sports four arms and is always of serene aspect.
3. Pranayamah
Regulation of breath
Bend the index finger and the middle finger and press the right nostril with the thumb and left nostril with the ring finger and the small finger. First draw in the breath through the left nostril while mentally chanting the following mantra. Then hold the breath within, mentally chanting the same mantra again. Thereafter, let the breath out through the right nostril, again mentally chanting the same mantra. These three actions of inhaling, holding the breath and exhaling, during which the mantra is chanted three times, together make up one Pranayamah.
Om Bhuh, Om Bhuvah, Om Suvah, Om Mahah
Om Janah, Om Tapah, Om Satyam
Om Tat Saviturvarenyam
Bhargo devasya dhimahi,
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat
Om apo jyoti raso amritam Brahma
Bhur Bhuvas suvar om
Meaning 3
Om is all the lokas - bhuh, bhuvah, suvah, mahah, janah, tapah, satyam. We meditate on the adorable effulgence of the Lord who creates everything, so that it may energize our consciousness.
Om is water, light, the earth that yields tasty food, the air that sustains life, the all-pervading either and the mind, intellect and the 'I' sense marked by the terms bhuh, bhuvah and suvah.
4. Sankalpah
Resolution
Place the left palm, turned upward, on the right thigh and place the right palm, turned downward on the left palm. Recite the following mantra :
Mamopatta samasta durita ksaya dvara sri paramesvara prityartham -
- In the morning Pratah sandhyam upasisye
- At noon Madhyahnikam karisye
- In the evening Sayam sandhyam upasisye
Meaning 4
I begin to worship the goddess of sandhya in the morning (at noon/in the evening) in order to merit God's grace which destroys all the sins acquired by me.
5. Marjanam
Purification of the body and mind
Uttering Om keshavaya namah, write Om on water with the finger and touch the spot between the two eyebrows with that finger.
Then, while reciting the first seven of the following nine mantras, sprinkle water on the head with the ring finger. While reciting the eighth mantra, sprinkle water on the feet. Again sprinkle water on the head while reciting the ninth mantra.
Aapo hi stha mayo bhuvah
Ta na urje dadhaatana
Mahe ranaya chaksase
Yo vah sivatamo rasah
Tasya bhajaya teha naha
Usatiriva matarah
Tasma aram gamama vah
Yasya ksayaya jinvatha
Aapo janayatha cha naha
Now take a little water in the palm and rotate the palm around the head with the following mantra:
Om Bhur bhuvah suvah
Meaning 5
It is well-known that you, the deities of water, are the cause of great happiness. Please nourish us with the divine vision which brings glory and loveliness. Please make us worthy of imbibing the auspicious bliss even as a mother feeds her children. We approach you with eagerness for that bliss to distribute which you have taken a form and are shining. Bestow on us the boon of a next life sanctified by knowledge.
6. Prasanam
Sipping water with mantra
Take a little water in the palm and sip, after reciting the following mantra :
(Pratah) Suryascha ma manyuscha manyupatayascha, manyukritebhyah.
Papebhyo raksantam. Yadratrya papamakarsam. Manasa vacha hastabhyam.
Padbhyam udarena sisna. Ratris-tadavalumpatu.
Yatkincha duritam mayi. Idam aham mamamarita yonau.
Surye jyotisi juhomi svaha
Meaning 6
(In the morning) May the sun who stimulates everything, anger which enslaves all and the gods who preside over anger, protect me from the sins committed through anger. May the deity of the night absolve me of the sins committed by me at night with the mind, lips, hands, legs, stomach as also of whatever other sins may linger in me. This "me" devoid of all sins, I offer as sacrifice in the effulgence of the sun who is the source of immortality. May this sacrifice be well done.
(Madhyahne) Apah punantu prithivim prithvi puta panatu mam.
Punantu brahmanas patirbrahma-puta punatu mam.
Yaducchistam abhojyam yadva duscaritam mama.
Sarvam punantu mamapo asatam ca pratigraham svaha
Meaning 6
(At noon) May the deity of water sanctify the earth which is its base. May the sanctified earth purify me. May it sanctify the teacher who is the channel for the Veda. May the ever pure Veda purify me. May the deity of water absolve me from sins incurred through consuming food left by others or food unfit to be eaten, through bad contact and through receiving gifts from the wicked. Thus purified I offer myself as sacrifice in the Supreme effulgence.
(Sayankale) Agnischa ma manyuscha manyupatayascha manyukritebhyah.
Papebhyo raksantam. Yadahna papamakarsam. Manasa vacha hastabhyam.
Padbhyam udarena sisna.
Ahastadavalumpatu. Yatkincha duritam mayi.
Idam Aham mamamrita yonau. Satye jyotisi juhomi svaha
Meaning 6
(In the evening) May the Fire who stimulates everything, anger which enslaves all and the gods who preside over anger, protect me from the sins committed through anger. May the deity of the day absolve me of the sins committed by me at day-time with the mind, lips, hands, legs, stomach as also of whatever sins lingering in me. This "me" devoid of sins, I offer as sacrifice in the effulgence of Truth who is the source of immortality. May this sacrifice be well done.
7. Punarmarjanam
Sprinkling water again
Sprinkle water on the head with the following mantra:
Dadhikravnno akarisam. Jisnorasvasya vajinah.
Surabhi no mukhakarat. Prana ayumsi tarisat.
Aapo hista mayo bhuvah……
End with Om Bhurbhuvah suvah
Meaning 7
I make obeisance to the Supreme Person who supports, rules and sustains all the worlds, who is ever victorious and who has taken the form of Hayagriva the repository of all knowledge. May He make our faces and other organs fragrant. May He protect our lives continuously. It is well-known.…knowledge (as in No.5 above)
8. Arghya-pradanam
Offering water
Morning :
Stand facing east. Take plenty of water in both palms and raising the heels a little, pour the water down through the tips of the fingers other than the thumb uttering the following mantra. This is to be done three times.
Om bhurbhuvas suvah. Tat saviturvarenyam
Bhargo devasya dhimahi. Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat.
[Meaning - see no. 3 We meditate .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. consciousness]
Noon :
Stand facing north and do the same twice
Evening :
Squat facing west and do the same three times
9. Prayaschittarghyam
Offering of water in atonement for failure to perform the worship at the proper time
Do Pranayamah once, as in No.3. Thereafter offer arghya once, as in No.8. Then uttering Om Bhurbhuvas suvah turn round once and sprinkle a little water around you.
10. Aikyanusandhanam
Meditation on the identity of the individual self and the Supreme Self
Sit down, close the eyes and mentally chant
Asavadityo brahma. Brahmai vaham asmi
Meaning 10
This sun is Brahman. I too am Brahman.
Do achamanam once, as in No.1.
11. Deva-Tarpanam
Offering of water to the devas
Morning: Squat, facing east.
Noon: Squat, facing north.
Evening: Squat, facing north
Pour water through the finger tips of both hands reciting the following mantras :
Adityam tarpayami
Somam tarpayami
Angarakam tarpayami
Budham tarpayami
Brhaspatim tarpayami
Sukram tarpayami
Sanaischaram tarpayami
Rahum tarpayami
Ketum tarpayami
Keshavam tarpayami
Narayanam tarpayami
Madhavam tarpayami
Govindam tarpayami
Vishnum tarpayami
Madhusudanam tarpayami
Trivikramam tarpayami
Vamanam tarpayami
Sridharam tarpayami
Hrsikesam tarpayami
Padmanabham tarpayami
Damodaram tarpayami
Meaning 11
I make my offering to the presiding deities of the nine planets - Aditya, Soma, Angaraka, Budha, Brhaspati, Sukra, Sani (who moves slowly), Rahu, and Ketu; and Narayana with twelve names - Kesava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda, Vishnu, Madhusudana, Trivikrama, Vamana, Sridhara, Hrsikesa, Padmanabha, Damodara.
Do achamanam once, as in No.1.
12. Japasankalph
Sankalpa for Japa
Sit on a wooden plank or small carpet. The eyes should be half-closed and the mind should be concentrated on the mantras which are to be uttered mentally.
Morning: Sit facing east.
Noon: Sit facing north.
Evening: Sit facing west
The vessel of water should be kept in front. First chant :
Suklambaradharam…. Vighnopasantaye (as in No.2) Om Bhurbhuvassuvarom
Then do one pranayamah
Now chant the following, with the palms as in No.4 :
Mamopatta samasta duritaksayadvara sri paramesvara prityartham
Morning : Pratah sandhya gayatri mahamantra japam karisye
Noon : Madhyahnika gayatrimahamantra japam karisye
Evening : Sayam sandhya gayatrimahamantra japam karisye
Meaning 12
I start performing the great mantra of gayatri in the morning (noon/evening) in order to get the grace of God by removing all the sins incurred by me).
13. Pranava japah
Japa of Pranavah
Touching the head with the fingers of the right hand recite :
Pranavasya rishi Brahma
Touching the upper lip, recite :
Devi gayatri chandah
Touching the chest, recite :
Paramatma devata
Again touching the head, recite :
Bhuradi sapta vyahritinam atri bhrigu kutsa vasistha
gautama kasyapa angirasa risayah
Touching the upper lip, recite :
Gayatri ushnik anustup brhati pankti tristup jagatyah chandamsi
Touching the chest, recite :
Agni vayu arka vagisa varuna indra visvedeva devatah
Now do ten pranayamas as in No.3.
Meaning 13
For Omkara, Rsi is Brahma; chandas is Devi gayatri, deity is Paramatman.
For the seven vyahrtis commencing from Bhuh, the rishis are Atri, Bhrgu, Kutsa, Vasistha, Gautama, Kasyapa and Angirasa
The chandas are gayatri, usnik, anustup, brhati, pankti, trstup and jagati.
The deities are Agni, Vayu, Arka, Vagisa, Varuna, Indra and Visvedevah.
Then do three Pranayamas repeating the mantra (as in section 3) thrice for each Pranayama - thus chanting the mantra nine times.
14. Gayatri-avahanam
Invoking Gayatri devi
Touching the head, recite -- Ayatu ithi anuvakasya vamadeva rishi
Touching the upper lip, recite -- Anustup chandah
Touching the chest, recite -- Gayatri devata
With the following mantras invoke gayatri devi in the heart by means of the Avahani mudra ( to be learnt from the teacher).
Ayatu varada devi aksaram brahma sammitam
Gayatri chandasam mata idam brahma jushasva nah
Dhamanamasi visvamasi visvayuhu, sarvamasi
Sarvayurabhibhurom gayatrim avahayami
Savitrim avahayami sarasvatim avahayami
Meaning 14
For the anuvaka ayatu the rishi is Vamadeva, chandas anustup and deity gayatri May gayatri devi who bestows all the boons we seek, who is eternal, who is to be known through the Vedas and who is the Mother of the Vedas, appear here and now and accept this hymn of Vedic praise.
GAYATRI, You are the vital force, the power of the sense organs, you quell enemies; You are superbly healthy in your limbs; You are the light of knowledge; You are the famous effulgence of the celestials; You are the cosmos; You are the life of he world marked by time; You are everything; You are the life of all; You transcend everything.
Then,
Touching the head, recite -- Savitrya rishihi visvamitrah
Touching the upper lip, recite -- Nichridgayatri chandah
Touching the chest, recite -- Savita devata
Meaning 14
For the gayatri mantra, the rishi is visvamitra, chandas nicrdgayatri and the deity Savita.
15. Gayatri japah
Gayatri japa
Morning : Stand facing east, the palms joined and held in front of your face
Noon : Stand or sit facing east, the joined palms in front of the chest
Evening : Sit facing west, the joined palms in front of your navel
The hands should be covered with the Angavastra. The mantra should be chanted mentally without movement of the lips. After each of the following lines you should pause for a second. There will thus be a total of five pauses. The mind should be concentrated on the meaning of the mantra..
Om Bhurbhuvas suvah
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dhimahi
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat
Meaning 15
[ Meaning : see No.3 We meditate …. Consciousness ]
This gayatri should be chanted 108 times. If there is not enough time, chant at least 64 or 28 times. But make up the deficit when you get time.
16. Gayatri upasthanam
Prayer to gayatri to return to Her abode
First do pranayama once, sitting down.
Then stand up, facing the same direction as in No.15, join the palms and recite :
Morning :
Pratah sandhya upasthanam karisye
Uttamey sikharey devi bhumyam parvata murdhani
Brahmanebhyo hyanu jnanam gaccha devi yathasukham
Noon :
Adityopasthanam karisye
Uttamey yatha Sukham
Evening :
Sayam sandhyopasthanam karisye
Uttamey yatha sukham
Meaning 16
O radiant gayatri bless us on earth who are worshipping Brahman. Please return joyously to your divine abode on the highest pinnacle of Mount Meru.
17. Suryopasthanam
Worship of the Sun-god
Stand facing the same direction in which the japa is done, join the palms and salute the Paramatman who is shining in the centre of the rising sun.
Morning :
Mitrasya charsani dhritah shravo devasya sanasim
Satyam chitrsra vastamam
Satyam chitrsra vastamam
Prithivimutadyam. Mitrah kristi sabhichasthe
Satyaya havyam ghritavad vidhema
Pra sa mitra marto astu prayasvan. yasta aditya
Siksati vratena. Na hanyate, na jiyate, tvotho
Nenam agmho asno tyantito na durat
Meaning 17
I meditate on the glory and fame of the all-protecting sun which is adorable, eternal, bewitching the hearts of all listeners.
The sun guides all, knowing everything. He supports the earth and the sky. He watches all creation unwinkingly. To Him we offer cooked rice soaked in ghee for attaining eternal fruits.
O sun who is Mitra, may he who longs to worship You scrupulously get the full benefit of righteousness.
One protected by you will not suffer from any disease; sin will not approach him from far or near.
Noon :
Asatyena rajasa vartamano nivesayannamrtam
Martyam cha. Hiranyayena savita rathenadevo yati bhuvana vipasyan
Udvayam tamasaspari pasyanto jyotiruttaram
Devam devatra suryamaganma jyotiruttamam
Udutyam jatavedasam devam vahanti ketavah. Drise visvaya suryam
Chitram devanamudagadanikam chaksurmitrasya
Varunasyagneh. A pra dyava prthivi antariksam
Surya atma jagatastasthusachva. Tacchakshurdevahitam
Purastacchukramuccharath
Pasyema saradassatam jivema saradassatam
Nandama saradassatam, modama saradassatam
Bhavama saradassatam, srinavama saradassatam
Prabravama saradassatam ajitasyama
Saradassatam jyok cha suryandrise
Ya udaganmahato arnavadvibhrajamanah
Sarirasya madhyat sama vrishabho lohitaksassuryo
Vipascvin manasa punatu
Meaning 17
The Sun riding a golden chariot goes round scrutinizing all the worlds and shining with self-effulgence and directing by means of His radiance celestials and humans in their respective tasks. The Sun rises swallowing darkness, with great splendour, protecting the celestials also. We who gaze at the Sun shall attain the great radiance of the Self.
For inspecting the worlds the horses of the Sun in the form of His rays bear Him, the god who knows everything.
Up rises the Sun who is like an eye to Mitrah Varunah and Agnih and who is of the form of all the celestials. He the Lord of all moving and unmoving things pervades the heavens, the earth and the middle regions.
May we see and adore for a hundred years that orb of the Sun which rises in the east and looks after the welfare of the celestials like an eye. May we live thus for a hundred years. May we rejoice with our kith and kin for a hundred years. May we live gloriously for a hundred years. May we speak sweetly for a hundred years. May we live for a hundred years undefeated by the forces of evil. We desire to enjoy gazing at the Sun for a hundred years.
May my whole mind be sanctified by the Sun who bestows all our needs, whose eyes are red, who is omniscient and who rises from amidst the waters of the ocean illuminating all the quarters.
Evening :
Imam me varuna srudhi havam. adya cha mridaya
Tvam avas yurachake
Tattva yami brahmana vandamanastadasaste Yajamano
Havirbhih. Ahedamano varuneha bodh. yurusam sa
Ma na ayuh pramosih
Yacchiddhite viso yatha pradeva varuna vratam
Minimasi dyavi dyavi
Yatkinchedam varuna daivye jane abhidroham
Manusyascharamasi. Achittiyattava dharma yu yopima
Ma nastasmadenaso deva ririsah
Kitavaso yadriripurna divi yadvagha satyamuta
Yanna vidma. Sarva ta visya sithireva devatha te
Syama varuna priyasah
Meaning 17
O Varuna, please fulfil this prayer of mine and make me happy here and now. I pray for Thy protection.
I seek refuge in Thee uttering the Vedic mantras. The sacrificers seek Thee with the ingredients of offering.
O famous Varuna, please accept my prayer and don't ignore it. Please do not shorten my span of life.
O Lord Varuna, Please protect us without punishing us for sins committed by us in different ways - by omitng to perform daily. Thy worship like the ignorant folk, by committing frauds on the celestials because of human ignorance or by infringing the path of righteousness laid down by you.
O Varuna, please expunge the sin like those arrtibuted to me unjustly by wicked people like gamblers who go where the good do not go or the sins committed by me consciously or unconsciously. We must ever remain beloved of you.
18. Samastyabhivadanam
Prostration to all
Stand facing the same direction as in No.17. Turn round to the next direction after each of the first four mantras. Then stand facing the original direction for the remaining mantras, palms joined :
Sandhyayai namah. Savitryai namah. Gayatryai namah. Sarasvatyai namah
Sarvabhyo devatabhyo namo namah. Kamo akarsit manyurakarhsit namo namah
Meaning 18
Salutations to goddessess Sandhya, Savitri, Gayatri, Sarasvati and all the deities. The sins I committed were impelled by desire and anger and not of my own free will. The sins that arose out of ignorance under the compulsion of desire must all be forgiven. O gods, I bow to you again and again.
Now cover both the ears with the fingers of the two hands and recite the following, touching the ground at the end with the hands. (The Rishis etc, vary for each gotrah and are therefore to be learnt from the teacher; and hence those portions are given in parantheses).
Chant -
Abhivadaye (Vaisvamitra, Aghamarsana, Kausika, traya- ) arseya pravaranvita (Kaushiks) gotrah, (Apastamba) sutrah, (Yajuh) sakhadhyayi, sri (Your name) namaham asmi bhoh
Meaning 18
O all-formed Devi, I salute your lotus feet. I am born in the gotrah which has (Visvamitra, Aghamarsana, Kausika) rsi-triad as the patriarchs. I follow the (Apastamba) sutra and study (Yajur) Veda. I am called Sri (Your name).
19. Digdevata-vandanam
Prostration to the deities of the directions
Stand facing the same direction as in No.15, Turn round and make obeisance to the deities of the four directions etc :
Prachyai dise namah. Daksinayai dise namah
Pratichyai dise namah. Udichyai dise namah
Urdhvaya namah Adharaya namah. Antariksaya
Namah. Bhoomyai namah. Brahmane namah
Vishnave namah. Mrityave namah
Meaning 19
Obeisance to the deities of east, south, west, north, above, below, middle and earth. Obeisance to Brahma, Vishnu and Rudrah
20. Yama vandanam
Prostration to the Lord of Death
Stand facing south, palms joined.
Yamaya namah
Yamaya dharmarajaya mrityave chantakaya cha
Vaivasvataya kalaya sarvabhuta kshayaya cha
Audumbaraya dadhnaya nilaya paramesthine
Vrikodaraya chitraya chitraguptaya vai namah
Chitraguptaya vai nama om nama iti
Meaning 20
Obeisance to Yamah who controls everything, who is the Lord of dharma, who is death and who is Time, who disintegrates all beings, who is very powerful, who is called dadhna, who is black in complexion, who is worshipped by all, who has an ample stomach, who keeps secrets marvellously and who is a wonder himself. Obeisance again to Chitragupta.
21. Harihara vandanam
Prostration to Harihara
Stand facing west
Rutam satyam param brahma purusham krishna pingalam.
Urdhvaretam virupaksam visvarupaya vai namah.
Visvarupaya vai nama om nama iti
Meaning 21
I bow down before Harihara who is Parabrahman, the ground of beauty in all visible things, who pervades all bodies, who is the confluence of the darkness of Vishnu, and the redness of Siva, who transcends sex, who is three-eyed, and all-formed. Obeisance again and again to the all-formed.
22. Suryanarayana vandanam
Prostration to Suryanarayana
Namah savitre jagateka chaksuse,
Jagat prasuti, sthiti nasa hetave,
Trayimayaya trigunatma dharine,
Virinchi narayana sankaratmane
Dhyeyah sada, savitrmandala, madhyavarti,
Narayanah sarasijasana samnivistah
Asavadityo brahma. Brahmai vaham asmi
Keyuravan makarakundalavan kiriti
Haari, hiranmayavapu rdhrta sankha chakrah
Sankha chakra gadapane dvarakanilayachyuta
Govinda pundarikaksa raksa mam saranagatam
Akasat patitam toyam yatha gacchati sagaram
Sarvadeva namaskarah kesavam pratigacchati
Kesavam pratigacchati om nama iti
Now as in No.18, chant
Abhivadaya ….. bhoh
Meaning 22
Salutations to the sun who functions as the sole eye of the world, who is the cause of the creation, sustenation, and dissolution of the worlds, who is of the form of the veda, and who appears as Brahma, Vishnu and Siva by the manifestation of the three gunas.
We must always meditate on Narayana, who is centred in the solar orb, who is seated on a lotus in the padmasana pose, who is decked with bracelet, earrings shaped like Makara fish, with head adorned by a crown, with a garland of flowers dangling on His breast, sporting the conch and discuss and whose complexion rivals gold.
May I who have taken refuge in Thee be protected by Thee, who sports the conch, discuss and mace, whose permanent abode is Dvaraka, who protects the whole universe and whose eyes rival the lotus.
Just as all the waters that fall from the sky inescapably reach the sea, all salutations to all the deities reach only Keshava; indeed they reach only Keshava.
O all-formed… as in No.18 chant.
23. Samarpanam
Dedication
Sit down, take a little water in the palm and pour it down through the fingers after reciting the following mantra :
Kayena vacha manasendriyair va, buddhyatmana va, prakriteh svabhavat
Karomi yadyat, sakalam parasmai, narayanayeti samarpayami
Meaning 23
I dedicate to the Supreme person Narayana all that I do by means of the body, words, mind, the organs of action, the organs of knowledge and by the impulsion of nature.
Do achamanam.
24. Raksa
Protection
Chanting the following mantra, sprinkle a little water at the spot where the japa was performed. Then touch that spot with the ring finger and touch the forehead between the eyebrows.
Adya no devasavitah prajavat savih saubhagam
Para dusvapnyam suva
Visvani deva savitarduritani para suva
Yadbhadram tanma asuva
Meaning 24
O Savita, deign to bestow on us prosperity including many children. Please remove the cause and the effects of bad dreams. Please remove all sins; bestow on us what is good for us.
Acknowledgment : Swami Mukhyananda
Shri Ramakrishna Math
