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"Behold the wonderful organization of the physical body! How the learned are wonder-struck with it? First, there is the osseous frame-work girt with a network of vessels - veins, arteries, and nerves, etc., - invested with flesh and the whole covered by skin with its appendages - nails and hairs. Then how beautifully are the different organs, such as the heart, the liver, the spleen and the lungs - ventilating apparatus - laid out. The formation of the brain, of the optic nerve with the most reticulate formation of the retina, the demarking of the paths of indriyas - the principles of sensation and action -, the linking of the soul with the body, the assigning of definite places to it for wakeful state, slumber and deep sleep, the formation of different kinds of dhaatus - tissues and secretions, such as muscle, bone marrow, blood, reproductive elements - and the construction of various other wonderful structures and mechanisms in the body who but God could have caused." The Light of Truth

"The earth studded with various kinds of precious stones and metals, the seeds of trees of a thousand different kinds with their wonderful exquisite structures, leaves with myriads of different colors and shades, flowers, fruits, roots, rhizomes and cereals with various scents and flavors none but God could create. Nor could anyone except God create myriads of earth, suns, moon, and other cosmic bodies, and sustain, revolve and regulate them." Light of Truth

"By One Supreme Ruler is this universe pervaded, even every world in the whole circle of nature, He is the true God, Fear Him, O man! and covet not justly and wealth of any creature existing. Renounce all that is unjust and enjoy pure delight, true spiritual happiness, by the practice of justice and righteousness which is another name for true religion." Yajur Veda

1. Omnipotent (All-powerful). God does not need the assistance of son, holy ghost, angels and prophets to do His work, during humankind's earthly existence.


2. Omniscient (All-pervading or knower of all). There is no need for God to test our faith, in pleasure or pain, He already knows all periods (past, present and future) of time.


3. Omnipresent (everywhere). God does not come or go, up or down, as He is always present, here, there and everywhere.


All whose faiths oppose these three characteristics are a clear exibition of ignorance in under estimating His Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent power.


"The wearing of jewelry (gold, silver, pearls, rubies, diamonds. etc.) adds no beauty to the soul. It only arouses vanity and other lower passions, gives rise to fear of robbery, and may even be the cause of death. Many have been known to lose their lives at the hands of cut-throats because of wearing jewelry."

The Light of Truth

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अथ सन्ध्योपासना विधि
ATHA SANDHYO-PAASA-NAA VIDHIH

(
Accessories and art of Sandhya)
Ritual online
For those who are keen on learning the chants of the mantras.
Pyschology of Vedic worship - Sandhaya's meaning, history & procedure
(Morning and evening Prayer)

MANTRA 1
प्रथम विधि
आचमन
Aa-cham-ana:
Sipping water (sacramental) as amrita, the nectar of deathlessness, and asking for a life filled wiht happiness. Chant the mantra once and sip water thrice.

ओ३म।
शन्नो॑ दे॒वीर॒भिष्ट॑य॒ऽआपो॑ भवन्तु पी॒तये॑।
शँयोर॒भिस्त्र॑ वन्तु नः
- यजुँ ३६।१२
OM SHANNO DEVEER ABISHTHTAYA
AAPO BHAVANTU PEETAYE
SHANYOR ABHI-SRAVANTU NAH
देवी-स्वरूप ईश्वर पूरण अभीष्ट कीजे।
यह नीर हो सुधामय कल्याण दान-दीजे॥
नित ऋद्धि-सिद्धि बरसे हित हो सदा हमारा।
बहती रहे हृदयमें सद्धर्म प्रेम-धारा॥
Devee swaroop eeshwar pooran abheesht keeje
yah neer ho sudhaa-mai kalyaan daan deeje.
Nit riddhi siddhi barse it ho sadaa hamaraa
behtee rahe hridai me sad-dharm prem dhaara
अर्थ - (देवीः आपः) सबका प्रकाशक, सबको आनन्द देनेवाला
और सर्वव्यापक ईश्वर (अभिष्टये) मोवाच्छित आनन्द के
लिऍ और(पीतये) पूर्णानन्द की प्राप्-ति के लिए
(नः) हमको (शम्) कल्याणकारी (भवन्तु) हो अर्थात् हमारा
कल्याण करे। वही परमेश्वर (नः) हमपर
(भवन्तु) सुख की (अभिस्त्रवन्तु) सर्वथा वृष्ट करे।
O All-pervading Mother, Sweet and Divine
Be pleased to bless the cravings of my soul
To reach thy bosom may this world of mine
Be filled with peace and bliss from pole to pole.

Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 1

May the All-Pervading Divine Mother the Bestower of light and happiness, be helpful to us in satisfying the cravings of our body and soul and may She shower on us Her blessings and happiness from all around. May the Divine Waters be for our drink and fulfillment. May they continually flow from the fountain of peace all around us.

MANTRA 2
दिव्तीय - अथेन्द्रियस्पशर्मन्त्राः
Indriya sparsha: Touching the limbs with water, and praying that these limbs may earn fame (yasha) and strength (bala).
पश्चात् पात्र से वाई हथेली में जल लेकर दक्षिण हाथ की मध्यमा और अनामिका अंगुलियों से जल स्पशर् करके प्रथम दक्षिण और पश्चात् वाम पाश्त्रर् का निम्नलिखित मन्त्रों से स्पशर् करे -
ओं वाक् वाक् - इस मन्त्र से मुख का दक्षिण और वाम पाश्वर्।
ओं प्राणः प्राणः - इससे दक्षिण और वाम ने।
ओं चक्षुश्चक्षः - इससे दक्षिण और वाम नेत्र।
ओं श्त्रोत्रं श्त्रोत्रं - इससे दक्षिण और वाम श्त्रोत्र।
ओं नाभिः - इससे नाभि।
ओं हृदयम् - इससे हॄदय।
ओं कण्ठः - इससे कण्ठ।
ओं शिर। - इससे मस्तक।
ओं बाहुभ्यां यशोबलम् - इससे दोनों भुजाओं के मूल स्कन्ध
ओं करतलकरपृष्ठे - इससे दोनों हाथों के उपर-तले स्पर्श के
Om vaak vaak................(Touch lips)

Om praanah praanah..........(nostrils

Om chakshuh chakshuh........(eyes>

On shrotram shrotram........(ears)

Om naabhih..................(navel)

Om hridayam.................(heart)

Om kanthah..................(throat)
Om shirah...................(head)

Om baahu-bhyaam yasho-balam.(shoulders)
Om kara-tala kara-prishthe..(palms and their sides)

तन-मन-वचनसे होंगो हम शुद्ध कर्मकारी।
दुष्कर्मसे बचेंगी सब इन्द्रियॉ हमारा।
वाणी विशुद्ध होगी, प्रिय प्राण पुण्यशाली।
होंगी हमारी ऑखें यह दिव्य ज्योतिवाली।
ये कार ज्ञान-फुषित, यह नाभि पष्टिकारी॥
होगा हॄदय, दयामय! सम्यक् युधर्मधारी।
भगवान्! तेरी गाथा, गायेगा कण्ठ मेरा।
सिरमें सदा रमेगा, गौरव-गुरूत्व तेरा॥
होंगे ये हाथ मेरे यश-ओज-तेजधारी।
मेरी हथे़लियॉ भी हथोंगी पवित्र-प्यारी॥
Tan man vachan se honge, ham shuddh karm kaaree
Dus-karm se bachengee, sab indriyaa hamaaree
Vaanee vishuddh hogee, priya praan punya-shaalee
Hongee hamaaree aakhe, ye divya jyoti-waalee
Ye kaan jyaan bhooshit, ye naabhi pushti-kaaree
Hogaa hridai, Dayaamai! samyak sudharm dhaaree
Bhagawaan! teree gaathaa, gaayegaa kanth meraa
Sir me sadaa ramegaa, gaurav gurutwa teraa
Honge ye haath mere yash oj tej-dharee
Meree hathe-liyaa bhee hongee pavitra pyaare
अर्थ - हे ईश्वर! आपकी कृपा से
(वाक् वाक्) मेरी वाणी और रसना (प्राणः प्राणः)
मेरा श्वासोच्छ्वास अथवा प्राण और अपान(चक्षुः चक्षुः) मेरे दोनों
नेत्र, (श्त्रोत्रं श्त्रोत्रं) मेरे
दोनों कान (नाभिः) मेनी नाभि, प्रजनन-यन्त्र का केन्द्र (हृदयम्) मेरा हृदय (कणठः) मेरा कण्ठ (शिरः) मेरा शिर,
(बाहुभ्याम्) मेरी
दोनों भुजाए और (करतलकरपृष्ठे)
मेरे हाथ की हथेली और पीठ - सभी
अङग् मुदृढ़, यश और बल से युक्त हों।
I make a vow before Thy sacred Throne
To try and hold my mortal heart away
From sin; my human organs shall be prone
To keep the world I give Thee on this day.
My tongue, my nose and both the sides of palm,
My eyes, my ears, the genitals and my heart
My hands, my throat, and head, serene and calm,
Will sure remain from sinful deeds apart.

Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 2
O Supreme One! May you inspire virtue and grace in all the limbs of my body, that they may earn me fame and strength. May my speech be sweet and fulfilling. May my breathing provide my body with enough vital air. May I absorb the best influences from the outside world through my eyes and ears. May I exercise control in my sensual passions, and my heart possesses harmonizing emotions. May I consume righteous and healthy food (vegetarian), and sustain pious thoughts. And may I use my hands only to worship You and perform good actions.
MANTRA 3
Maarjana: Touching the limbs again with water, and invoking God's help in cleansing them of impurity.

तृतीय विधि - अथेश्वरप्रार्थनापूर्वकमार्जनमन्त्राः
पश्चात् मार्जन अर्थात और अनामिका अंगुली के अग्रभाग से नेत्रादि अङोग पर जल छिड़कें -
ओं भूः पुनातु शिरसि - इस मन्त्र से सिर पर।
ओं भूवः पुनातु नेत्रयोः - इस मन्त्र से दोनों नेत्रों पर।
ओं स्वः पुनातु कण्ठे - इस मन्त्र से कण्ठ पर।
ओं महः पुनातु हॄदये - इस मन्त्र से हृदय पर।
ओं जनः पुनातु नाभ्याम् - इसे नाभि पर।
ओं तपः पुनातु पादयों - इससे दोनों ;पैरों पर।
ओं सत्यं पुनातु पुनश्शिरसि - इससे पुनः मस्तक पर।
ओं खम्ब्रहम् पुनातु सव्रत्र - इस मन्त्र से सब अङोंग फर छींटे दें।
OM BHOOH PUNAATU SHIRASI (Forehead)

OM BHUWAH PUNAATU NETRAYOH (Eyes)
OM SWAH PUNAATU KANTHE (Throat)

OM MAHA PUNAATU HRIDAYE (Heart)
OM JANAH PUNAATU NABHYAAM (Navel)

OM TAPAH PUNAATU PAADAYOH.....(Feet)
OM SATYAM PUNAATU PUNAH SHIRASI (Head)

OM KHAMBRAHMA PUNAATU SARVATRA..(All over)

जीवन-स्रूप जगपति! मस्तक पवित्र कर दो।
दयार्द्र हो दयामय! नयनोंमें ज्योति भरदो॥
आनन्दमय अधीश्व! हमको सुकण्ठ दीजें।
भगवन्! हॄदय-सदनमें हरदम निवास कीजे॥
जके जनक! हमरी हो नाभि निर्विकारी॥
पद भी पवीत्र होवॆ, हे सर्वज्ञानधारी॥
पुनि-पुनि पुनीत सिर हो, हे सत्यरूप स्वामी।
सर्वाङग् शुद्ध होवे, व्यापक विभो! रमामी॥
Jeewan swaroop jag-pati! mastak pavitra kardo
Dayaar-dra ho dayaamai! nai-no me jyoti bhardo
Aanand roop adheesh-war! hamko sukanth deejee
Bhagawan! hridai sadam me, hardam niwaas keeje
Jag ke janak hamaaree ho naabhi nir-vikaaree
Pad bhee pavitra howe, he sarv jyaan dhaaree
Puni puni puneet sir ho, he satya roop swaamee
sarvaang shuddh owe, vyaapak vibho namaamee
अर्थ (भुः पनात शिरसि) सत्यस्वरूप ब्रहम् सिर मे पवित्रता करे।
(भुवः पुनातु नेत्रयो) चित्स्वरूप=ज्ञानस्वरूप ब्रहम् हमारे नत्रों में पवित्रता
करे। (स्वः पनातु कण्ठे) आनन्दस्वरूप ब्रहम् कण्ठ में पवित्यता करे। (महः
पिनातु हदये) सबसे बड़ा और सबका पुज्य ब्रहम् हमारे हदमें पवित्रता
करे। (जनः पुनातु नाभ्याम्) सब जगत् का उत्पादक ब्रहम् हमारी नाभि में
पवित्रता करे। (तपः पुनातु पादयोः) दुष्टों को सन्तापकारी और ज्ञानमय
ब्रहम् हमारे पैरों में पवित्रता करे। (सत्यं पुनातु पुनः शिरसि) अविनाशि ब्रहम्
पुः हमारे सर में पवित्रता करे। (खम्ब्रहम् पुनातु सर्वत्र) आाकाश के तुल्य
व्यापक ह्रहम् सर्वत्र हमारे सब अङोंग् में पवित्रता करे।
इस प्रकार ईश्वर के नामों के नामों के अथों का स्मरण करते हुए मार्जन करें।
But Glorious Father! I am weak and fail
And hence depend on Thy Loving Grace,
My sole efforts will not, O Lord , avail
The frightful host of heinous sins to face.
So, therefore, Lord, I meekly pray to Thee
To make me pure in mind, and too strong
To yield to tempting sins. O make me free
To sit in peace and sing Thy Glory's song.
O Living, Holy, Happy Father, Great,
The Wise and Omnipresent King of all,
The Sole Eternal Master of my fate,
My mind and soul Thy gracious blessings call
To make my head, my eyes and passions pure,
To change my vicious heart; and guide my feet,
To grace my brain and throat, and make it sure
That sin will nowhere find a welcome seat.
He is complete purity in my entire personality, I pray that The Lord, the Basis of all existence, may purify my thinking; He is the Dispeller of pain, may purify my vision; He is the Bestower of happiness, may purify my speech; He who is Supremely Great, may purify my speech; Him, the Creator, may purify my sensual impulses; Him, the Impeller of action, may purify my movements; Him the Embodiment of Truth, may purify my understanding; He Who is extensive like space, may purify my entire personality. Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 3
MANTRA 4
Praanaa-Yaama: Controlling the breath and contemplating the qualities of the Supreme Lord.

चतुर्त विणायाम
(Forcefully exhale, and keep the breath out for as long as you can. Then, inhale gently, slowly, and deeply, while mentally chanting the following mantra. This is one Praanayam. Perform three Pranaayaam.)
ओं भूः ।
ओं भुवः ।
ओं स्वः ।
ओं महः ।
ओं जनः ।
ओं तपः ।
ओं सत्यम् ॥
- तैत्ति० प्र० १।२७
OM BHOOH
Om BHUWAH
OM SWAH
OM MAHAH
OM JANAH
OM TAPAH
OM SATYAM
सर्वेश सर्वव्यापक समçपूर्ण सर्वज्ञाता।
शिव-सत्यरूप सुन्दर सर्वत्रहि सुहाना॥
सक्रिय सगुण सचेतन सर्वज्ञ सध्यदाता।
तेरी शरणमें आया हूँ आर्त हो, विधाता॥
Sarvesh sarva-vyaapak, sampoorn sarva-jyaataa
Shiv satya roop sundar, sarvatra hee suhaataa
Sakriya sagun sachetan sarvaj-ya sadhya daataa
Teree sharan me aayaa hoo aarta ho vidhaataa
I hold my breath in sacred awe and pray
O God of Life, O Holy God of Bliss;
O Father, Great and Wise, and True, this day
My soul arrives Thy Glorious Feet to kiss.
The Supreme Lord is:
Bhooh - Dearer than breath, and Basis of all existence.
Bhuwah- Dispeller of all pains, Origin of all becoming
Swah - Bestower of happiness
Mahah - Worthy of worship, and the Fount of greatness
Janah - Origin of creativity
Tapah - Impeller of action
Satyam - Personification of Truth
I meditate on these qualities of God and I pray that I may be like Him as far as my capabilities would permit. May I be dear to others (on the path of righteousness) as He is to me. May I relieve people of their pains, and make them happy. May I earn respect from others (the righteous) and be creative in my dealings. In being motivated to act righteously, may I be a channel for God's Truth. Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 4
MANTRA 5
FIFTH PERFORMACE

पञ्चम विधि - अघमर्षण
Mantra 5, 6, 7 - Agha-marshana: Discovering the process of the creation of the universe, and indentifying God as the Creator, Sustainer and Desolver, in an effort to decrease the tendency to commit sin.
तत्पश्चात् सृष्टिकर्ता परमेश्वर और सृष्टिक्तम का विचार नीचे लिखे मन्त्ऺों से करें और जगदिश्वर को
न्यायकारी, सर्वत्र, सर्वदा सब जीवों के कर्मों के द्रष्टा को निश्चित मानके पाप की ओर अपने
आत्मा और मन को कभी न जाने दें, किन्तु सदा धर्मयुक्त कर्मो का वर्तमान रखें -
ओ३म् ।
ऋ॒तं च॑ स॒त्यं चा॒ भी॑ध्दात्तप॒सो
ध्य॑जायत।
ततो॒ रात्र्य॑जायता ततः॑ समु॒द्रो
अ॑र्ण॒वः ॥१॥
OM RITANCHA SAT-YANCHAA BHEED
DHAAT-TAPASO `DHAYA-JAAYATA.
TATO RAATR-YA-JAAYATA
TATAH SAMUDRO ARNAVAH
ऋत सत्यके सहारे संसारको सजाया।
तेरा महान कौशल है सिन्धुने दिखाया॥
Rita satya ke sahaare sansaar ko sajaayaa
Teraa mahaan kaushal hai sindhu ne dikhaaya
By God's command His Nature brought to light
The principles and the atoms of this earth.
Then came chaos and heat and motion bright,
And then the waves of ocean got their birth.
In the beginning, the Cosmic laws were first generated to govern the order in which the universe had to be created; and then, the universe itself became manifest, all through the conscious Creative Will-force of God. After each cycle of creation, there follows a grand dissolution of all created things, resulting in darkness. When this prolonged period of dissolution comes to an end, new cycle of creation begins, with atomic particles become agitated in one big ocean-like mass. Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 5
MANTRA 6
स॒मु॒द्राद॑र्ण॒वादधि॑ संवत्स॒रोअ॑जायत।
आ॒होरा॒त्राणि॑ वि॒दध॒ध्दिश्व॑स्य मिष॒तो
व॒शी॥२॥
SAMUDRAAD ARNAVAAD ADHI
SAMVATSARO AJAA-YATA.
AHO-RAA-TRAANI VIDA-DHAD
VISHWASYA MISHATO VASHEE
पहलेके कल्प जैसे रवि-चन्द्र फिर बनाये।
दिन-रात-पक्ष-संवतयमें कालक्रम चलाये॥
Pehle ke kalpa jaise
ravi chandra phir banaaye
Din raat paksh samvat
me kaal kram chalaaye
And after these the planets moved aright
Along the annual course of heaven blue.
The King of all creates the day and night,
Without effort and their order due.
The agitated, heated particles, in this ocean, combine in their own way, resulting in the formation of the stars, planets and other luminous bodies, and these begin to rotate in their own orbits. This rotation causes the concept of Time to be born. The Controller of this immense cosmos, as if without effort, causes this Time to be divided into day and night.Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 6
MANTRA 7
सू॒र्याच॒न्द्र॒मसौ॑ धाता य॑तापू॒र्वम॑कल्पयत्।
दिवं॑ च पृथि॒वीं चा॒न्तरि॑क्ष॒मथो॒ स्वः॑॥३॥
SOORYAA CHANDRA-MASAU DHAATAA
YATHAA POORVAM AKAL-PAYAT
DIVAM CHA PRITHIVEEM
CHAANTA-RIK-SHAM ATHO SWAH.

(Rig Veda X, 190)
ध्यौ-अन्तरिक्ष-धरणी नित नेम पर टिकाये।
ती रम रहा सभीमें, तुझमें सभी समाये॥
Dyau antariksh dhar-nee nit nem par tikaaye
Too ram rahaa sabhee me, tujhme sabhee samaaye
And, as before, the Maker made again
The sun, the moon, and bodies dark and bright,
The sky above, the place unknown to pain -
The home of bliss the Realm of Holy Light.
In this cycle of creation, God created the sun, moon, earth and sky, and all the natural elements like air, fire, and water, and all life-forms. These He crated exactly as He did in past creations, and as He would do in future ones, too.
Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 7
MANTRAS 8


Mantra 8 - 13 (Atharva Veda)- Manasaa pari-kramaa: Certifying the Presence of God in all directions, and expressing gratitude for the bounties He provides for achieving perfection.
OM PRAACHEE DIG-AGNIR ADHI-PATIR
ASITO RAKSHITA DITYA ISHAVAH
TEBHYO NAMO `DHIPATI-BHYO NAMO
RAKSHI-TRIBHYO NAMA
ISHU-BHYO NAMA EBHYO ASTU.
YO'S MAAN DWESHI YAM VAYAM DWHISHMAS
TAM WO JAMBHE DADHMAH.

He jyaan punj ganapat! Bandhan viheen nyaare
Poorab me ram rahe ho, rakshak pitaa hamaare
Ravi-rashmiyo se jeevan poshan-prakaash paataa
Vijyaan mai vidhaayak brahmaand ko chalaataa
Ham baar baar bhagavan! Karte tumhe namaste
Yadi dwesh bhaa-wa-naa ho, to nyaaya tere haste. Yadi...

Thou art before us, Father Good and Wise!
The Mighty King Who saves the world from woes
Who made the sun that from the East does rise
And on this earth its beams of luster throws-
The lustrous beams which shower life on earth
And make us living through Thy blessed grace.
O Lord, to thank Thee for Thy gift of life
We bend our knees before Thy Holy Face.
We also thank thee for thy rule benign
Thy kind protection and thy blessings sweet
And those who are the dreaded foes of mine
I lay them humbly at Thy Gracious Feet.

In the eastern direction, we discover the supreme presence of Agni, the Lord of Light, under whose control the morning sun rises. He is free from limitations, and protects by sending us arrow-like rays of inspiration from His sun of Divine Wisdom. We acknowledge, O Radiant One, Your Rulership, Your Protection, and the blessed gift of rays that keep us away from the darkness of ignorance. We also commend into your Justice whatever ill-feeling anyone may have for us. Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 8
MANTRAS 9
DAKSHINA DIG INDRO `DHI-PATIS
TIRASH-CHI-RAAJEE RAKSHITAA PITARA ISHAVAH
TEBHYO NAMO `DHIPATI-BHYO NAMO
RAKSHI-TRIBHYO NAMA
ISHU-BHYO NAMA EBHYO ASTU.
YO'S MAAN DWESHI YAM VAYAM DWHISHMAS
TAM WO JAMBHE DADHMAH.

He Indra roop eeshwar dakshin me bhee dikhaate
Jar jeev-jantu-o se satwar sadaa bachaate
Vaidik sudhaa pilaate, ho jyaaniyo ke dwaara
Tumse lagan lagee hai sarvastwa ho hamaara
Ham baar baar bhagavan! karte tumhe namaste
Yadi dwesh bhaa-wa-naa ho, to nyaaya tere haste.

O Mighty Sovereign! Thou art to our right
The Great protector from the dreaded brood
Of boneless reptiles. Lord of Vedic Light!
Thy sages come to teach us what is good.
We also thank thee for thy rule benign
Thy kind protection and thy blessings sweet
And those who are the dreaded foes of mine
I lay them humbly at Thy Gracious Feet.

In southern direction, we discover the supreme presence of Indra, the Lord Who scatters and finally destroys the dark clouds of ignorance that impede the free functioning of our intellect. He possesses heavenly, infinite Glory, and protects by sending us learning through (righteous) parents and teachers on earth.
We thank You, O Glorious One, for Your Rulership, Your Protection, and for the blessed gift of teachers (altruistic) who stimulate our intellect. We also commend into Your Justice whatever ill-feeling anyone may have for us. Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 9
MANTRAS 10
PRATEECHEE DIG VARUNO `DHI-PATIH
PRI-DAA-KOO RAKSHITAAN-NA MISHAVAH.
TEBHYO NAMO `DHIPATI-BHYO NAMO
RAKSHI-TRIBHYO NAMA
ISHU-BHYO NAMA EBHYO ASTU.
YO'S MAAN DWESHI YAM VAYAM DWHISHMAS
TAM WO JAMBHE DADHMAH.

Pash-chim me bhee prakat ho, tum ho Varun kahaate
Vish-dhaari-yo ke baadhaa-vigraha viphal banaate
Sab praani-yo kaa poshan karte ho anna dwaaraa
Dukh me dayaa dikhaate such me tumhee sahaaraa
Ham baar baar bhagavan! karte tumhe namaste
Yadi dwesh bhaa-wa-naa ho, to nyaaya tere haste

Thou are behind us, gracious King, adored,
As Great Protector from bony beasts
Thou savest our humble lives having stored
The hungry earth, O Lord, with human feast.
We also thank thee for thy rule benign
Thy kind protection and thy blessings sweet
And those who are the dreaded foes of mine
I lay them humbly at Thy Gracious Feet.

In the western direction, we discover the supreme presence of Varuna, the Lord worthy of our final choice and acceptance. He inspires into our thinking principle the inner sounds of intuition that destroy our animal tendencies. Eh protects by providing us natural and pious food.
We express our gratefulness, O Choice-worthy One, for Your Rulership, Your Protection, and blessed gift of grains that provide sanctity to our mind.
We also commend into Your Justice whatever ill-feeling anyone may have for us. Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 10
MANTRAS 11

Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 11
UDEECHEE DIK SOMO `DHI-PATIH
SWAJO RAKSHITAA SHANIR ISHAVAH
TEBHYO NAMO `DHIPATI-BHYO NAMO
RAKSHI-TRIBHYO NAMA
ISHU-BHYO NAMA EBHYO ASTU.
YO'S MAAN DWESHI YAM VAYAM DWHISHMAS
TAM WO JAMBHE DADHMAH.

He Soma roop swaamee! uttar upaang teraa
Sarvatra sab dishaa me hai aap-kaa baseraa
Vidyut-vidhaan dwaara jagtee ko jagma-gaayaa
Jeevo me chet-naa kaa sanchaar kar dikhaayaa
Ham baar baar bhagavan! karte tumhe namaste
Yadi dwesh bhaa-wa-naa ho, to nyaaya tere haste

And Thou art to our left, O Peaceful King
To save us from the self-borne insects bane
By Nature's heat. Thy praise we humbly sing,
O Loving Savior from the pangs of pain!
We also thank thee for thy rule benign
Thy kind protection and thy blessings sweet
And those who are the dreaded foes of mine
I lay them humbly at Thy Gracious Feet.

In the northern direction, we discover the supreme presence of Soma, the Essence of devotional peace. Her Light, Peace and Beauty are all self-created in Her. She protects by sending arrow-like sparks of Her Natural Peace into our troubled hearts.
We offer our appreciation, O Peaceful one, for Your Rulership, Your Protection, and blessed gift of sparks of Peace that replace tension and discontent.
We also commend into Your Justice whatever ill-feeling anyone may have for us.
MANTRAS 12
DHRUVAA DIG VISHNU RADHI-PATHIH
KAL-MAASHA-GREEVO RAKSHITAA VEE-RU-DHA ISHAVAH
TEBHYO NAMO `DHIPATI-BHYO NAMO
RAKSHI-TRIBHYO NAMA
ISHU-BHYO NAMA EBHYO ASTU.
YO'S MAAN DWESHI YAM VAYAM DWHISHMAS
TAM WO JAMBHE DADHMAH.

He Vishnu sarva vyaapin! neeche niwaas karte
Phal phool per pallav sab me tumhee vicharte
Tum kar rahe ho rakshan santaan-wat hamaara
Dukh sukha sabhee samai me saathee sakhaa sahara.
Ham baar baar bhagavan! karte tumhe namaste
Yadi dwesh bhaa-wa-naa ho, to nyaaya tere haste

Thou art below us, Omnipresent King
To nourish life with plants of tuberous roots
And verdant trees that leafy shelter bring,
And yield to us ten thousand kinds of fruits.
We also thank thee for thy rule benign
Thy kind protection and thy blessings sweet
And those who are the dreaded foes of mine
I lay them humbly at Thy Gracious Feet.

In the lower direction, we discover the supreme presence of Vishnu, the Lord Who pervades every particle of the earth on which we live. He creates and sustains the diversity of colors and shapes that make life interesting. He protects by providing trees and plants.
We graciously accept, O All-Pervading One, Your Rulership, Your Protection, and the blessed gift of vegetation that neutralizes the poison of gases in the atmosphere. We also commend into Your Justice whatever ill-feeling anyone may have for us. Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 12
MANTRAS 13
OOR-DHWAA DIG BRIHAS-PATIR ADHI-PATIH
SHWI-TRO RAKSHITAA VARSHA
TEBHYO NAMO `DHIPATI-BHYO NAMO
RAKSHI-TRIBHYO NAMA
ISHU-BHYO NAMA EBHYO ASTU.
YO'S MAAN DWESHI YAM VAYAM DWHISHMAS
TAM WO JAMBHE DADHMAH.
Atharva Veda 3:27:1-6

Antar digo se dig-pati! oopar bhee drishti aate
Ritu siddh vrishti hotee sab srishti ko chalaate
Bhautik vibhoo-tiyaa hai sab aap-kee nishaanee
Kaise kahegee vaanee ad-bhut a-kath kahaanee
Ham baar baar bhagavan! karte tumhe namaste
Yadi dwesh bhaa-wa-naa ho, to nyaaya tere haste

Thou art above us, Great and Holy King
To develop and protect us on this earth.
Thy grace the vital drops of rain doth bring
To fill with corn the seat of mortal birth.
We also thank thee for thy rule benign
Thy kind protection and thy blessings sweet
And those who are the dreaded foes of mine
I lay them humbly at Thy Gracious Feet.

In the upper direction, we discover the supreme presence of Brihaspati, the Lord of great powers, Who has produced the sun, moon and countless stars found in the skies above. She is Pure and Wondrous, and of golden color like the sun. She protects by sending rainfall.
We offer our devotion, O Mighty One, for Your Rulership, Your Protection, and the blessed gift of rain that increases fertility in the earth, quenches our thirst, washes our impurity, and cools the fire of vice that burns our divine energy. We also commend into Your Justice whatever ill-feeling anyone may have for us. Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 13
MANTRA 14
Mantra 14- 17 - Upa-sthaana: Feeling the living presence of God after having a direct vision of Him.


OM UD-VAYAM TAMA-SAS PARI
SWAH PASHYANTA UT-TARAM.
DEVAM DEVATRAA SOORYAM
AGANMA JYOTIR UT-TAMAM
- Yajur Veda 32:12

Ravi rasmi ke ramaiyyaa!
paawan prabhaa dikhaa do
Ajyaan kee tamisraa
bhoo-lok se mitaa do
Devo ke dev anudin
ho divya drishti pyaare
Shruti gaan ko na bhoole
ras-naa kabhee hamaaree

May I obtain the glorious
God of Light
The wisest God of Bliss
and Lord Supreme
The Sun that keeps the souls
of mortals bright
And forms my humble prayer's
sacred theme.

Transcending the dazzling wonders of the world, and realizing the even more wondrous potentials of my own soul, may I come face to face with the most wondrous resplendence of God. He is the Sun that gives light to the sun, moon and stars. Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 14
MANTRA 15
UDUT-YAM JAATAVEDASAM
DEVAM VAHANTI KETAVAH.
DRISHE VISH-WAAYA SOORYA
- Yajur Veda 33:31

Sundar supath dikhaayaa
mad moha lobha taaraa
Ajyaan tam mitaayaa
var deva jyaan dwaaraa
Jeevan me jyoti praano
me prera-naa tumhee ho
Man me mannan badan me
bal-saadhanaa tumhee ho

The various objects of this wondrous earth
Are beacon flags to guide us on to know
The Glorious Sun of Life Who gave us birth
And sent his Veda the righteous path to show.

All words of wisdom and all objects in the world point out God's existence, so that we can see Him as we see the sun everyday. It is He who is the Origin of all Wisdom and is present in all created things. Psychology of Vedic worship mantra 15
MANTRA 16
CHITRAM DEVAANAAM UD-AGAAD ANEEKAM
CHAKSHUR MITRASYA VARUNASYA AGNEH
AAPRAADYAAWA PRI-THI-VEE ANTARIKSHAM
SOORYA AATMAA JAGATAS TAS-THU-SHASH CHA, SWAAHA!
- Yajur Veda 7:42

Aash-chrya-mai alaukik ad-but apoorva karnee
Hai aap-me awas-thit adhi anta-riksh awa-nee
Maayaa mrishaa mitaakar mantavya mag dikhaa-o
Bhav bandhano se bhagawan! is bhakta ko chhuraa-wo

How wondrous is this Lord
of Holy Light
The sun's support, the God of moon, the Source
Of shining bodies, the Lord of fire bright
The heaven's Lord, the King of earth, the Force
That made the sky and countless kinds of things
That move and do not move.
O Lord of might,
My humble heart thy sacred prayer sings
To let me think,
speak and act aright.

In Samaadhi, in Divine Realization, I come face to face with God's wondrous Light which has suddenly become manifest in my harmonized self. This Light is a Path-finder for any man who has given up infatuation and hate, who has chosen the path of good works, and who is knowledgeable. It is the same Light that pervades heaven, earth and sky. This Divine Sun is the In-dweller in all that moves and does not move. Swaahaa! Yes, indeed, this is the truth!! Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 16
MANTRA 17
TACH CHAKSHUR DEVAHITAM
PURASTAACH CHHUKRAM UCH-CHARAT
PASHYEMA SHARADAH SHATAM
JEEVEMA SHARADAH SHATAM
SHRINU-YAAMA SHARADAH SHATAM
BHOOYASH CHA SHARADAH SHATAAT.
- Yajur Veda 36:24

Vidh-naa vinai yahee hai, mai veer-var kahaa-oo
Hokar shataayu swaamin,
tumse lagan lagaa-oo
Sau saal tak hamaaree
aakhe ho jyoti-dhaare
Ho shrot shravya-shaalee
sak-sahma sadaa sukhaaree
Vaanee viraat vibhu kee
vir-daa-walee suanaawe
Par-tantra-taa hai paatak
swaa-tan-tra mantra mantra gaawe
Sau varsh se adhik bhee
jeevit rahe karaa-ree
Sarvang kee kriyaa-ye ye sthir rahe hamaaree

That Ever-wakeful Eye, Eternal, Pure
That watches close the deeds of right and wrong
Whose Holy Grace the learned souls secure
May bless in life my prayer's sacred song.
And may we live and see a hundred years,
A hundred autumns hear His Holy Name,
And sing His Glory free from human fears
That close attend the heels of earthly fame.
And if we live for more than a hundred years,
The same delight attend us all the days
We live, and bring us all the sacred cheers
For which the heart to gracious heaven prays.

His is the Divine Eye that shows the way to all righteous people. Everywhere we turn, we find His Eye present in front of us, shedding Light, and ever watchful of our movements.
May we live for a hundred years and, in our daily life perceive His living Presence in all our actions. May we listen to His Glory and Majesty as described in the Knowledge He revealed, and even proclaim such Glory for all to hear.
With God as our Guide, may we never be subjected for a hundred years, and even for more than a hundred years. Psychology of worship re-mantra 17
MANTRA 18
Atha Brahma Gaayatree Saavitree Guru Mantra:

Chanting the Gaayatree Mantra, which is the sacred-most of all Vedic Mantras, and which ahs been taught in a disciple succession, so that we can discover a source of inspiration.
OM BHOOR BHUWAH SWAH
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI
DHIYO NAH PRACHO-DAYAAT.
- Yajur Veda 36:3

Omkaar aadya akshai, adwait aj anoopam
Ad-bhut ajar ajanmaa, av-yai a-nagh aroopam
Ho satya roop swamee, chit chaaru chet dhaaree
Aanand oj-mai ho, aadarsh aart-haaree
Praanesh praar-tha-naa hai, path punya-mai dikhaa-o
Mith-yaa ma-matwa mat-sar mal moha mad mitaa-o
Sewaa suman pirokar maalaa mahat banaa-oo
Anu-raag bhaa-wa-naa se bhagawan par char-haa-oo
Mud maangalik man se mai moksha dhaam jaa-oo
Sarvochch shaanti sukh-kar saatt-wik samriddhi paa-oo
Vishwaat-maa vinai hai, var deejiye vichaaree
Dhee dharma-mai dhawal ho, dhruv dhairya dhyaan-dhaaree

O Soul of Life, the Holy King of kings!
O God of all the regions, high and low,
O Lord of Joy, Whose Glory Nature sings,
Who shapes the earth and lets the mortals grow.

We seek Thy blessed Feet to meditate
Upon Thy Glorious Form of Holy Light
Which drives away the gloom of sins we hate
And makes the souls of righteous people bright.

My heart, O Father, meekly prays to Thee
To win Thy Grace, to make me good and wise,
And bless my mind with knowledge, full and free
From dark and vicious thoughts of sins and lies.

God is Dear to me like my own breath. He is the Dispeller of my pains, and the Giver of happiness. I meditate on the supremely adorable Light of the Divine Creator, that it may inspire my thought and understanding. Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 18
MANTRA 19


Samarpana: Surrender and Dedication
HE EESH-WARA DAYAA-NIDHE!
BHAWAT KRIPA-YAA `NENA
JAP-PAA-SANAA-DI KARMANAA
DHAR-MAARTHA KAAMA MOK-SHAA-NAAM
SADYAH SIDDHIR BHAWEN-NAH

O Lord! O Infinite Treasure of Mercy! By Your Grace, may we very soon realize Dharma (righteous living), Arthaa (righteous wealth), Kaama (righteous enjoyment), and Moksha (emancipation from the world) through our Japa (recitation of God's Name) and Upaasanaa (communion with God.

MANTRA 20


Namaskaara: Tata Eeshwaram Namas-kuryaat - Final Obeisance
OM NAMAH SHAM-BHAWAAYA CHA
MAYO BHAWAAYA CHA
NAMAH SHANKA-RAAYA CHA
MAYAS-KARAAYA CHA
NAMAH SHIVAAYA CHA
SHIVA TARAAYA CHA.
- Yajur Veda 26:42

He mangalesh shankar!mangal karo hamaaraa
Paawan prakash paa-e, para-maarth punya dwaaraa
Parijyaan paya pilaado, awa-dhar a-gaadh daanee
Teree sharan me aayaa, hai bhakta yah Bhawaanee

And now I bow to Thee, O God of calm,
O God of Peace, and Lord of Bliss Divine!
Thy Grace supplies to burning hearts a balm,
Thy blessings in my right desires shine!

Salutations unto You, Lord, the Embodiment and Bestower of Peace and Bliss! Salutations unto you, Benevolent and Auspicious One! Yes, indeed, I offer my salutation unto You, since You are more benevolent than anyone else in this immense creation. Psychology of Vedic worship re-mantra 20

OM SHAANTIH - Cosmic peace!
SHAANTIH - Spritual peace!!
SHAANTIH - Material peace!!!

Iti Sandhyo-paasa-naa vidhih
Here comes to an end the Sandhyaa Meditation


Psychology of worship Vedic re-shanti mantra
HOMA/HAVAN
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF VEDIC WORSHIP
SANDHYAA
The Vedic Sandhyaa is a meditation by the embodied soul. One meditates on God and the Universe. One desires to know one's own soul, Lord and the world in which one lives, and thereby discover the relationship one enjoys with both.
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MEANING OF THE TERM
Sandhyaa is made up of the prefix sam and the verbal root dhyai. Dhyai means to think, and sam means in an ordered manner. The mere fact that one errs is proof enough that one does not think in an ordered manner, at all times. There are times that one thinks properly and does not err, and so, reaps the fruits of good actions. In an effort to teach one how to think in a focussed way, the Rishis of Ancient India devised a system of meditation based on the revealed wisdom of God. This system is called Sandhyaa.
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HISTORY
Sandhyaa is as old as the Veda itself - as old as the first Rishis to whom the Vedas were revealed in the beginning of human creation. They used the verses (mantras) of the Veda to focus their minds and represent thinking that would be standard for later generations.The later Rishis meditated on these mantras and, realiziing their meanings, purified their own thought-process. Hence, the MANTRA has always been the means to achieve this much-needed focused thinking. Man means the mind, and tra means that which protects. MANTRA is that which protects the mind from being confused, and creates the scope for logical, focussed thinking.

The Ramayana of Rishi Valmiki records Shri Raam as doing Sandhyaa:

PRABHAATA-KAALE CHOTTHAAYA POORVAAM SANDHYAAM UPAASAYA CHA
PRASSHUCHEE PARAMAM JAAPYAM SAMAAPYA NIYAMENA CHA - (Baalkaand 26 Sarga)
Goswami Tulsidas, in his Ramcharitmaanas, echoes Rishi Valmiki:
NISHI PRAVES MUNI AAYASU DEENHAA
SABHI SANDHYAA-BANDANU KEENHAA - (Baalkaand, Dohaa 225)
The Mahabharata also record Shri Krishna Chandra as doing the same meditation.
ATHA DURYODHANAH KRISHNAM SHAKUNISH CHAAPI SAUBALAH
SANDHYAAM TISHTHANTAM ABHYETA DAASHAARHAM APARAAJITAM - Mahabharata, Udyyoga Parva 64:7
Books like the Manu Smriti (3:101) talk of the value of performing Sandhyaa. However, the Sandhyaa procedure mentioned in these books is not fully known. In the present Age, members of the International Arya Samaj Movement practice a form of Sandhyaa that is made up of nineteen mantras taken principally from the four Vedas. It would appear as if some of these mantras have come down as traditionally belonging to an ancient Sandhyaa procedure, and that the Sandhyaa procedure found in Maharishi Dayananda's Pancha Mahaa Yajna Vidhi is an extension of what was in vogue among the Aryans of Ancient and Middle Age India.
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THE PROCEDURE
The first act ordained in the Procedure of the Sandhyaa is that of Aachmana - sipping of the sacramental water, accompanied by the chanting of a Mantra. We chant the mantra once, and sip water thrice.

Why sip thrice? This body is called pinda (microcosm) in Vedic Literature, whereas the big Universe is called Brahmaanda (Macrocosm). This body reproduces the plan of the cosmos. Laws that govern the universe also govern the body. The universe has three worlds - earth, sky and heaven. the body has these same three worlds. The human earth extends from the feet to the navel, the sky from the navel to the neck, and heaven from the neck to the thousand-petalled Lotus in the head. That which the sun of knowledge, the intellect, shines is called heaven (dyau- dyau, to shine). In the word Achamana, ana means the act of, cham means to sip, and aa means from all sides. Man's constant effort is to drink, as it were, the purifying waters that flow continually from all possible sources, to purify these three worlds.

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WATER - Its importance
Water occupies a position of exalted importance in Vedic ritualistic and meditational exercises. In sipping water, one is reminded of its wondrous qualities. Water has the qualities of cleansing, cooling and being humble. These qualities, if inculcated (by study and practice) will makes us rise above the animal in our personality, transcend the human, and attain to the divine.
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THE FIRST MANTRA
May the All-Pervading Mother, Bestower of Light and Happiness, be helpful to us in satisfying the cravings of our body and soul, and may She shower us her blessings and happiness from all around.

We can identify the following ideas in Mantra 1:

  1. We experience two types of cravings -those of body and soul.
    We need a happy material life, and spiritual satisfaction.
  2. We need to satisfy bodily cravings, before satisfying those of the soul. (Abhi+ishti: We must certify that our bodily cravings reconcile with those of the soul, i.e. whatever we desire daily must not take us away from achieving Liberation.)
  3. We need Divine Grace to satisfy both sets of cravings. This Divine Grace can be bequeathed only by a Being Who is Himself an All-Pervading Source of Happiness (Deveeh Aapah).
The body craves for health in sense-organs, mind, and intellect. Without sensual, mental and intellectual health, the body cannot function. Without proper bodily function (abhishti), there can be no spiritual fulfillment (peeti). In every minute of our life, the five fires of lust, anger, greed, infatuation and vanity constantly consume our personality and interfere with bodily health. We need to cool these fires (sham to cool) with the continual flow of cool waters, the water of right knowledge. These cool waters can only flow forth from a source that is itself cool. This source is called shanyu

Peeti, spiritual fulfillment, is a realm of existence unknown to the embodied soul bound to ignorance. Still, in the opening mantra, one aims at achieving this realm. To travel in the direction of this unknown destination, one has to start from some known point. There is nothing more known to the soul than one's own body. The bound soul knows his body more than anything else. So, in starting life's journey towards achieving the realm of peeti, the embodied soul starts from one's own body. This is the car one is using on this travel.

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THE SECOND MANTRA
The saadhaka (aspirant who meditates) touches various parts of the body with sacramental water. Symbolically one edits the body-limbs, the sense-organs, just as a car driver, before beginning a long journey, has the car checked and serviced. "Do I use my organs to acquire fame and strength (yashobalam), or have I brought disgrace and ruin to my soul?" one asks oneself. One begins the first with one's speech. Why? Because speech is the principal sense that projects one's true nature - animal, human or divine. If one grumbles in fury, one is still animal. If one expresses discontent, unhappiness, fear, anxiety, and such emotions, then one is still human. But, if one projects tranquility, harmony, and peace, if the speech inspires joy into rational minds, then one has risen to the divine state, and becomes truly famous.

And, continues, by examining what divinity, if any, one has in the rest of the bodily organs. One surveys and thinks of:

  • one's breath
  • one's vision
  • one's hearing
  • one's sensual umpulses
  • one's emotions
  • one's food (vegetarian)
  • one's thoughts
  • one's actions, and how well society (noble) thinks of one and, one's private and public life, whether they reconcile with each other, or not.
One cannot speak untruth and gain tremendous strength, but if one speaks the truth, even if it offends, one can gain righteous fame. One can think of God in one's breaths, and thereby enhance one's inner conviction, but if one saves the life-breath of creatures, human and animal, nee can gain extensive fame (among the noble). One can read (eyes) and hear (ears) words of wisdom and become strong, but if one sees God in living beings and hear and respond to their cry for help, one becomes famous. He can practice sexual discipline and become bodily strong, and if he gives birth to noble offspring, one makes himself famous.

If one uses his sense-organs in the manner described above, then one qualifies for peeti. However, in the majority of cases, we see one using speech to speak falsely and harshly, and one's eyes and ears to perceive and practice evil. This causes so much dirt to accumulate that the voice of his inner soul is stifled, and one needs a complete purificatory process. This one sets out to do in the third mantra.

Back to Mantra 2
THE THIRD MANTRA
In this mantra, one's saadhaka invokes purity in one's sense-organs, and looks for this purity from the Divine Source Itself, God. One relates a specific quality of God to a specific part of his body. The Saadhaka (the aspirant who meditates) does not seek a mere purification of a certain part of the body. Such a purification is physical in nature, and one can have it from one's own effort. One rather seeks a purification of the Sanskaaras (habitual-potencies) that influence the functions of the particular sense-organ under review. For example, one invokes God Who is Bhooh, the Origin of all cosmic being, to purify one's thoughts, because thoughts are the basis of all that one is. The Name of God that one invokes is invariably realistic to the sense-organ one mentions, as can be seen from the following table.
Name of God Meaning of Name Sense-Organ
Bhooh Being - Basis of
Cosmic existence
Head- Thoughts - Basis
of man's existence
Bhuwah Becoming -Application
of Divine Laws
Eyes - Seeing - Applica-
tion of man's thoughts
Swah Bestower of
Happiness
Throat - Speech -
cause of happiness
in human society
Mahah Supremely Great Heart - Seat of greatness
Janah Progenitor Navel - Genitals -
sexual discipline
Tapah Impeller Feet - Movements
Satyam Absolute Truth Head - understanding
The table above posits that thoughts transform into actions. Actions make up our personality, and the first outer indicator of our personality is our speech. Our speech is influenced by the state of our heart. Hate in the heart causes abrasive speech. Compassion engenders sweet speech. The emotions in the heart are directly influenced by our sexual discipline. A person with poor sexual discipline is incapable of sublimated emotions in the heart. Our sexual discipline is fostered by an active life. An active life, called Karma Yoga is a pre-requisite to understand and grasp Truth. And, without grasping Truth, there is not realization of God in His All-Expensiveness.
Back to Mantra 3
THE FOURTH MANTRA
The saadhaka is now ready for a subtler discipline that of breath-control. Studies have proven that the way a man breathes has a lot to do with his personality. When a person breathes gently, deeply, and slowly, and things of the Super Soul, he prepares his personality to receive the gift of grace, of peace and harmony. Such regulated breathing would not only act against traits of anger, lust, greed, infatuation and vanity consuming his personality, but would also induce a heightened state of consciousness.

One achieves total surrender to God when one thinks of Him, in one's breath-meditations, as:

Basis of all Being
Origin of all becoming
Bestower of happiness
Seat of Greatness - Worthy of Reverence
Origin of austere Creativity
Impeller of all Cosmic and individual Activity
Embodiment of Truth
To strive to be like Him is the natural result fo thinking, constantly about Him. This prepares the saadhaka for peeti, for spiritual fulfillment, for the Brahma State, the state of total blessedness. The saadhaka chants:
I hold my breath in sacred awe and pray
O god of Life! O Holy God of Bliss!
O Father Great! And Wise! And True! this day
My soul arrives Thy Glorious Feet to kiss.
After such a purificatory process, the human soul proceeds to reconcile his body, the little world, with the universe, the big world, and understand how this immense creation became possible.
Back to Mantra 4
THE FIFTH, SIXTH & SEVENTH MANTRAS
Maharishi Swami Dayananda Sarawati, in his Pancha Mahaa Yajna Vidhi, categorizes these three mantras as the Aghamarshana Mantras. Agha means sins, and marshana means rubbing into nothingness, i.e. destroy tendencies to commit sins.

It may interest us to ask: Why did Maharishi Dayananda make it a rule for us to think of the process of creation of the universe? In answering this, we first need to understand that there are two causes that impel us to sin - Abhiman (extreme egotism) and avamaan (low self-esteem). Abhimaan is considering ourselves too superior in life to be subjugated to laws, and avamaan is considering ourselves too inferior, too fallen in life, to share in the bounties of the world, to be catered for in the immense creation, and to qualify for emancipation. Doing away with both of these is indispensably necessary to destroy the tendency to commit sin. Sin is that wall that separates one from God.

A study of the Aghamarshana Mantras yields the following facts:

  1. In the beginning, Knowledge (Rita) and the Cosmos (Satya) were both produces effortlessly through the Conscious/Indomitable/Ignited (Abheeddhaat) Will-force (Tapasah) of God. The plan of the creation was in the Cosmic Mind of the Creator before the actual act of creation took place.
  2. The cosmos is dissolved by this same Will-force. After a prolonged state of dissolution, a new cycle of cosmic creation (arnava samudra) commences. Each cycle of creation is followed by a cycle of dissolution (raatri), and then again, and other cycles of creation. Creation (dynamics, movement) and dissolution (statics, inertia) both make up the order in which Nature functions.
  3. In the process of the creation of the universe, the planets out in space, rotate while revolving around the sun (samvatsara).
  4. Rotation causes the concept of time to be realized. Time is divided basically into day and night, principally because of the influence of the sun and moon.
  5. In creating the universe God separated it into three parts called heaven, sky, and moon.
  6. In addition to these three main divisions, He created other regions filled with natural objects that are meant to yield happiness (Swah) for humanity.
  7. The present creation is just like the past one, and the future one will resemble this current creation. This uniformity in all cycles of creation points to the intelligence of a Conscious Creator. There is nothing like spontaneous or magical creation. It is all the result of a Cosmic Plan that existed in the Cosmic Mind.
The fact of the creation of the universe removes our abhimaan. In thinking of God as the One Who created this immense, multiform Cosmos, we understand that we are nothing compared to His Super Power. One supersedes even the mightiest of the sovereigns on earth. Who am I to be vain and haughty in life? Who am I to consider others inferior to me, and to oppress or hurt (unless it is for their own good) their feelings? Material possessions, in excessive abundance, more than often becomes the root of all abhimaan. Can I truly claim ownership of the things of this world? God not only created the high heavens, the vast skies, and the different planets, but He also oversees even the smallest, infinitesimal unit of life - the ant, the fly, and every other little speck of living organism, - insignificant as it may appear in our estimation. Nothing escapes justice through His Law (of Karma). How can I now commit a sin, thinking that I would escape without being penalized after such an act?

And, the fact of the final destruction of the universe even further removes my abhimaan. When I know that God created this world in this cycle of creation exactly as He had done in the past cycle and that He will destroy this creation as He did the last one, why would I want to be greedy and covet what belongs to others? Why would I want to build up and down a mountain of useless things when, in actual fact, it would all come to an end someday?

Furthermore, the fact of the re-creation of the universe after destruction, would remove my avamaan. If the Merciful God can, and does, re-create the immense universe after the period of total destruction (that follows each cycle of creation), why can't I be re-created by the same Merciful God into a new individual after being ruined by sin?

Such a approach will ultimately make me realize that there is an All-Pervading Being Who creates and destroys the world, and re-creates it for the benefit of souls. He has His changeless (immutable) Laws that govern this entire cosmic operation. I would always fear Him and His Laws - and yet, I would always love Him for having created me, and for having made provisions for me and earn Liberation. Thus, I would not succumb to any tendency to commit sin.
So far, the sadhaaka has come to the following conclusions:

  1. His mission in life is to travel to the realm of peeti.
  2. His body is the car to take him to this realm.
  3. This being so, this care needs to keep healthy for life's long travel.
  4. The human soul, the Passenger, would be uncomfortable in an unkept car.
  5. Constant thinking about the Glory and Majesty of the Super Soul, as reflected in the creation, sustenance and dissolution of the universe, keeps the human soul free from temptation and sin.
Back to Mantra 5, 6 & 7
MANTRAS EIGHT to THIRTEEN MANTRAS
This super soul is Omnipresent. He is found in every nook and corner of the universe. In His Supreme Benevolence, God had filled this universe with all instruments for the soul to use in his life-long travel towards achieving spiritual fulfillment. In these mantras, the human soul uses his mind to move around the Universe, in an effort to truly discover the Presence of this Supreme One, and ascertain all the instruments He has provided for all His children. Hence, the use of the words Manasaa Paari-kramaa (mental circumambulation), to describe these six mantras. The Rishi of these mantras seems to be telling us,
"Come, my friend of the world, you have used your feet to walk several miles around the earth, and you have discovered little worth its name. Come let us walk around not only this earth but this entire Universe. Whatever you will discover will make you acknowledge the Creator, and also make you deserving of His Bliss."
And so, the sadhaaka walks, with the mind as it were, to the East, South, West, North, and even the upper and lower directions. Using the contemplative Eye of inner discrimination, discovers God in His varied Cosmic Functions, and also the several bounties He has provided for the physical and spiritual growth of His Children.

While we make use of all these bounties, our approach to the world must teach us the concept of the Universal Brotherhood of Man and the Universal Fatherhood of God. Love must replace hate in our mutual dealings. If a child in a home were to have ill-feelings for another, then the father of them both would take corrective measures against the guilty one. In the same way, the Universal Father would in no way tolerate feelings of hate and ill-will from anyone Child for His other Children. Hating God's Children only takes away from us any inherent right that we have to the reassuring Presence of our Supreme Father. For this reason, in each of these six mantras, the sadhaaka chants:

Ham baar baar bhagawan, karte tumhe namaste!
Yadi dwesh bhaawanaa ho, to nyaaya tere haste!!

I also thank thee for Thy Rule Benign,
Thy kind protection and Your Blessings sweet,
and those who are the dreaded foes of mine,
I lay them humbly at Thy Gracious Feet.

Medial Summary: So far, purification at several levels have been taking place. The aspirant sips water and touches bodily organs to purify his body system. One practises breath-control to purify one's mind, contemplates the Divine Hand in the creation, sustenance and dissolution of the universe to purify one's intellect, and identifies the presence of the Creator in all creatures and in all directions to purify one's Chitta (storehouse of one's habitual potencies). Now in mantras 14 to 16, one seeks to purify one's ahankaara (sense of I-ness) with which to realize and see God face to face. This one does through the Upasthaana (stand near to) mantras (14-16).
Back to Mantra 8 - 13
THE FOURTEENTH MANTRA
Mantras Fourteen to Sixteen: In the fourteenth mantra, one expresses a desire to see God:

Ut vayam tamasas pari - "As long as I give back to the sun (God), my dark shadow, indicative of my ignorance, will stare me in the face. So far in my life, I have hugged the world, enjoyed the pleasure of such an embrace, built up a mountain of attachments and refuse to care about the One True God. I now seek to face the sun (God) in its full glory, and put my shadow (my ignorance) behind me for all time." The soul thus purifies one's ahankaara, and strengthens his resolve.

Swah Pashyanta uttaram - In putting the world behind me, I now realize who I am. I am greater than the world. The world is UT (great) in that it exists, but I am UTTARA (greater), because I not only exist, but I am also conscious.

Devan devatraa sooryam aganma jyotir utamam - In putting the world behind me, and in realizing that I am a soul, may I also realize the SuperSoul greater than me. He has something that I have always wanted - happiness. All my life I have seen the sun, moon, and stars shining, but saints teach that these do not shine on their own strength. If only I can behold Him Who is the Supreme Sun (God) present in these shining cosmic forces. How unfortunate a being is if one has not seen the sun his whole life. In the same vein, how unfortunate a soul is if it has not seen the Universal Sun of all suns, God. The world is UT (great), I am UTTARA (greater), but is UTTAMA (greatest), because He has happiness, a quality that is absent in the world, and which is not innate in me.

These three (eternal) entities, God, soul, and the World of matter encompass and summarize the extent of Reality. There is nothing more or nothing less than these three. They are all real and meaningful. The World of Matter, though dead and inert, provides the Soul the instruments to perform actions that would eventually free him from the state of Bondage. These actions are not performed in isolation. They are overseen by the Supreme, Who awards fruits commensurate with such actions committed. It is this same Supreme One that is the source of the Supreme State of Fulfilled Blessedness, peeti, that the human soul has now resolved to attain.

Back to Mantra 14
THE FIFTEENTH MANTRA
One now identifies the means for such a realization.
One finds out that:
Jaata-vedas: God is called Jaatavedas for the following reasons:
  • The Veda - revealed knowledge - came from Him.
  • He is found in every nook and corner of the World of Matter;
  • He knows every nook and corner because of His All-Pervasiveness.
Then why should a soul experience so much difficulty in coming face to face with God?

The Mantras of the Veda and the things of this world (ketavah all project (ut vahanti) the Splendor, Majesty and Glory of God. Everywhere we turn, we can see purpose and design. Nothing is an accident, nothing lacks purpose. All purpose and design point indisputably the Supreme Designer and Cause. We look at art-work and we understand the artist. We read a book of ideas, and we understand the author. In the same vein, we need to study Vedic Wisdom, and observe the rules of Nature for us all to understand and finally perceive the Supreme Artist and Author (drishe vishwaaya).

Back to Mantra 15
THE SIXTEENTH MANTRA
This mantra records the details of the sadhaaka's Divine Vision. When the soul comes face to face with it's Master, it sees Him in such supreme radiance that it cries out, "chitram aneekam, chitram aneekam - what extremely wondrous light, indeed! Such wondrous light has arisen in me only because I have become a divinely harmonized person (deva). This light is a path-finder (chaksuh) for any human who has given up attraction and aversion (mitra)), who is involved in performing good actions (varuna) and is extremely knowledgeable (agni). The light that has risen in me is no different from the light that fills the entire universe, and present in all living and lifeless objects. This is peeti, at last!"

Later books like the Bhagavad Gita do record this Vedic experience. On the battle-field of Kurukshetra, Yogeshwara Shri Krishna bestowed upon Arjuna the Inner Eye of Discrimination, the divya-chakshu, so that the latter could have had a vision of God. Krishna Dvaipaayana Vyaaasa, the author of the Bhagavad Gita, recording the details of Arjuna's Divine Vision, writes:

DIVI SOORYA-SAHASRASYA BHAVED YUGAPAD UTTHITAA
YADI BHAAH SADRISHEE SAA SYAAD BHAASAS TASYA MAHAATAMANAH..... (11:12)

If the light of a thousand suns were to blaze forth all at once in the sky,
that might resemble the splendor of that Exalted Being.

Back to Mantra 16
THE SEVENTEENTH MANTRA
This mantra continues giving details of the Divine Vision. This Path-finder, God, is the Benefactor of righteous people. He shows pious souls the true path of life. Everywhere we turn, we find Him Present, purastaat, and we also discover His Ever-watchfulness, uchcharat.

One of the principal reasons through which I am tempted to commit sin is my ability to know that that ever-watchful Eye watches my movements every moment of my life. Life is useless without the consciousness that the Divine Eye watches over erring humanity. May I see Him every day while I live a long and fruitful life. May I listen to His Words of Wisdom and proclaim His Supreme Glory to this current generation, and even to the forthcoming ones. In what other way can I find greater freedom? This is peeti.

Back to Mantra 17
THE EIGHTEENTH MANTRA
Divine Realization is never possible without Divine Knowledge. Knowledge keeps realization intact. Corruption in the soul's knowledge will interfere with the state of his realization. And because the soul suffers from inherent limitations, there exists the possibility that his knowledge can always become corrupt. In this mantra, significantly called Brahma Gaayatree Saavitree Guru Mantra, the sadhaaka prays that his capacity for thought may never lose sight of standards required for maintaining the state of Realization. This mantra, in being understood, blesses the soul with vast conceptional magnitude (brahma), and, in being chanted, protects the worshipper (gaayantam traayate iti Gaayatree). It is addressed to God Who ensures life (Saavitree), and throughout the ages of Vedic history it has been taught in a disciplic succession by the Vedic teacher (Guru).The psychology of the Gayatree-meditation is as follows:
1.Om In now sit in the lap of God. In the midst of life's joys
and disappointments, He is my Sole Protector.
2. Bhoor He is dearer to me than my own breath.
3. Bhuvah He will remove all difficulties and impediments
that stand in the way of my freedom.
4.Swah He is the Source of the happiness I seek.
5.Savitur He is the Origin of my life - He created me.
he is both my Fathe and Mother,
and He cares for me as His child.
6.Devasya He will bring light into my dark life.
7.Dheemahi I now sit to concentrate my though.
8.Tat
Bhargah
On His Light to lead me. So far I have been
obsessed with the light of the world,
and all I have had is little pleasure with a
a lot of disappointment. That Light will burn away
Bhrij - Bharjane and reduce into ashes all the
wordly inclinations that make me unhappy.
9.Varenyam His Light is most worthy of being chosen over
the light of the world.

After the human soul carries out his meditation, he says:

10. Dhiyo yo nah
prachodayaat
I have done what is required of me.
May God now inspire my intellect that
I may think logically and spiritually.
The Gaayatree mantra, chanted repeatedly and contemplatively, protects the thought-process of the sadhaaka, keeping it free from corruption.

In the act of Samarpana that follows, the worshipper inculcates in himself a sense of total surrender to the Presence of God, Who is now a living Reality for him. He prays for everyone to have success in all noble aims, and that life may culminate in total release for all souls from the trappings of material life.

Back to Mantra 18

THE NINETEENTH MANTRA
The time now comes for the sadhaaka to offer his/her final salutation and obeisance to his/her Lord, having achieved the fulfillment of his declared mission. When we take leave of our loved ones in human society, we tell them that we love them, more than anyone else in the world. This expression is not a mere mundane formality. It has its supra-mundane dimensions. With our palms clasped, we tell the Lord practically the same thing:

"Lord! I declare that You are my Ideal, My Goal. You are not only the Source of Happiness but in the dept of Your Mercy, You share that Happiness with all You consider worthy. You are the sole object of all my love and devotion, more than anyone else and anything else in this high, multiformed Universe.

NAMAH SHIVAAYA CHA! SHIVA-TARAAYA CHA!!

And now I bow to You, O God of Calm,
O God of Peace, and Lord of Bliss Divine.
Your Grace supplies to burning hearts a balm,
Your Blessings in my right desires shine.

Back to Mantra 20
SHAANTIH MANTRA
Om Shaantih! May all humanity enjoy peace from the atmosphere
filled with natural bounties.
Om Shaantih! May we enjoy peace form human society.
Om Shaantih! May we enjoy peace from our own intellect,
mind and sense-organs.
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