• Simply told, give benefits of doing Sandhyavandanam.

For thousands of years Hindus performed Sandhyavandanam - A set of Divine rituals to show faith and reverence to omnipresent God.

Growing up, I just saw priest doing Sandhyavandanam in our nearby temple in the noon or around sunset. I vividly remember both my maternal grandfather and paternal grandfather never performed Sandhyavandanam daily, and they did Sandhyavandanam only on Upakarma (Annual changing of the sacred thread) even though they were devout Hindus and initiated to perform Sandhyavandanam - a sacred thread ceremony known as Upanayana. 

I now realize my grandfathers never performed Sandhyavandanam every day because they never understood the profound meaning behind the rituals involved in Sandhyavandanam. I vividly remember my father started performing Sandhyavandanam every morning in his fifties after learning about the amazing benefits of performing sacred Sandhyavandanam. 

Sandhyavandanam is a profound ritual consisting of Achamanam (Purification of Body and Mind), Pranayama (Deep breathing), and Gayathri Japa (chanted 10, 21 or 108 times).

Traditionally Sandhyavandanam should be performed three times - before sunrise, noon and before sunset in the presence of glorious sunlight. Vedic Rishis believed that during these times, it is easier for the body and mind, to align with the Divine vibrations of the Universe.

Sandhyavandanam is synonymous with Brahmin priests in modern world. However, all men and even women performed Sandhyavandanam during Ramayan and Mahabharat period. Water is required to perform Sandhyavandanam.

In extreme conditions, such as traveling or sick, Sandhyavandanam can be performed in the mind, known as Manasik Sandhyavandanam. Sandyavandanam can be completed in 15 to 20 minutes when Gayathri Japa is chanted 10 times.

After understanding its profound meaning, many youth are inspired and motivated to perform Sandhyavandanam today. These days, I have seen many youngsters doing Sandhyavandanam atleast once in day. Thanks to so amazing Youtube videos explaining about performing and the reasons behind performing it, could be a reason for its growing popularity amongst the youth.  

An ancient saying says - Sandhyavandanam gives long life, sharp brain, good name and fame!

Here are five benefits of doing Sandhyavandanam in today’s digital era.

1. Discipline

Sandhyavandanam brings great discipline in one's life. Every day, human beings have about 50 to 60 thousand thoughts! Sandhyavandanam not only enforces discipline, it also purifies and uplifts the Mind by chanting Sanskrit mantras.

Waking up early, taking shower and performing Sandhyavandanam transforms the mind from Tamasic (negative and lazy mindset) to Sattvic (optimistic and positive mindset).  Sandhyavandanam acts as a powerful stage for a day filled with positivity, hope and enthusiasm to do good work.

Swami Vivekananda said, “The whole point is to discipline the Mind." In the book - Simplicity and Meditation, Swami Swaroopananda of Chinmaya Mission wrote, “Cultivate daily discipline, to make your life easy and foster meditation.”

Dharma (Righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desires) and Moksha (Liberation) are the four aims of human beings in Hinduism. A disciplined life will immensely help to attain the eternal goal Moksha, by following the Righteous path (Dharma), enjoy worldly pleasures (Kama) and use wealth for the welfare of all (Artha).

Agnipurana says that all human beings should cultivate Ahimsa (non-violence), love for all creatures, self-control, Compassion, Spiritual knowledge, meditation, and Dharma (Righteousness).

2. Pranayama (Deep Breathing)

About 10 Pranayama should be done before chanting the sacred Gayatri mantra. Studies have shown that regulated breathing such as Pranayama helps reduce anxiety, and pain. Focus breathing also calm the mind, as the thought-process becomes stable while performing Pranayama.

Today, doctors across the world recommend practice of “Deep Breathing” regularly to reduce anxiety, depression and emotional turmoil. Studies have shown that deep breathing increases cognitive function, a pivotal element for a healthy mindset. And chanting ancient Sanskrit mantras activates vagus nerve which plays an important role in relaxing the nervous system, which helps to keep the mind calm and balanced even in challenging situations.

3. Gayatri Mantra

Gayatri mantra is the pivotal of Sandhyavandanam. It is a powerful mantra originating from Rig Veda.

Gayatri mantra is a prayer to bestow light, wisdom and guide us to follow the path of Righteousness which is  Eternal Truth. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of Art of Living says, “You can only pray to the Cosmos to gift you Noble thoughts. The Gayatri mantra is for that.”

Today, Gayatri mantra is recited and heard not only in temples and Hindu homes, but everywhere from Yoga studios to Wellness retreats across the world. Chanting Gayatri mantra gives will power, mindfulness, noble virtues and reduces everything from anxiety to depression.

Chanting or listening Gayathri Mantra every day will enable one to follow Yama and Niyama - two importance limbs of Yoga every moment. Yama (External ethics) consists of - Ahimsa (non-violence), Truth, Asteya (non-stealing, hoarding), Bramhacharya (self -control), aparigraha (non-greed). Niyamas consists of - Saucha (Purity of mind and body), Santosha (Contentment), Tapas (Self-discipline), Svadhyaya (Self-study of scriptures and Mind), Ishwara Pradhana (Universal consciousness and seeing Divinity in all)

4. Helps in Spiritual Journey

Swami Vivekananda said, "Spiritual knowledge is the only thing that can destroy our miseries forever; any other knowledge satisfies wants only for a time."

Sandhyavandanam is a profound practice which will immensely help to start the exciting spiritual journey. Performing Sandhyavandanam every morning enables one to meditate, reflect and contemplate. Studies have shown that spiritually inclined people are better in overcoming inner turmoil, stress and anxiety.

Swami Swaroopananda says, “If you strive to develop a simple routine in life, life becomes truly simple. And if you make your life simple, meditation will also be simple and easy to practice.” In the book Hinduism-The Eternal Tradition Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri) wrote, “Meditation is important because it purifies the mind to allow us to perceive the Truth. Once we know the Truth we can act in harmony with it. The very knowledge of Truth is the greatest of all powers. Hence meditation is the greatest action that we can become involved in. it can gain all the worlds and all time.”

5. For inner peace and peaceful world

In modern world, a spiritual vision will enable a peaceful and kind world.

Swami Tejomayananda says, “The solution to all world problems should be from a spiritual viewpoint.” Sandhyavandanam will help you practice meditation regularly. This could transform you into a compassionate and optimistic human being.

As the number of people chanting Gayatri Mantra is increasing across the world, I recall Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda's words, “Spirituality is the most intelligent way of living your life. It is not merely knowing what you want but also understanding what you don't need.” These words of wisdom resonate with me.

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Also read

1. What are the different types of Pranayama and its benefits

2.  Health Benefits of Pranayana

3. Awakening to the Gayatri Mantra