Across the various traditional beliefs and the dictates of theism, a morning invocation is often stressed as a practice to follow. In Hindu practices, it is Sandhayvandam. Let us understand the intent and meaning to gain clarity. You can then decide to adopt or omit this practice.

The phrase sandhyavandanam in its root form is a conjunction of two verbs. In the Sanskrit language, sandhi is a term to denote conjunction. Sandhya means transitional moments, leading to conjunction. vandanam means salutations.

The practice involves offering salutations at the transitional moments – dawn, dusk, and midday. Through sandhyavandanam, an act of gratitude and recognition of divinity occurs. Salutations to various forces, material elements, and energies that propel this living universe.

The practice consists of a series of hymns and chants with breathing techniques. These are to help bring the focus of our mind on representations of various energy forces.

The purpose of this article is to highlight the meaning and intent of this practice. The purpose of this article is to highlight the meaning and intent of this practice. For reference, this article contains links to the common hymns and chants. It is best to consult a Hindu priest or an elder in the family for guidance on the rituals in a specific tradition.

Primarily the morning invocation of sandhyavandanam involves:

• Offer gratitude to the light which illuminates the universe. This is the morning and evening sun.
• Sip water from a cupped hand while chanting hymns. Water is an active carrier of energy, and the cupped hand simulates an energy connection between body and mind. The sipping is an expression of a statement of intent, commitment, and faith in divinity.
• Invoking the names of the twelve energy forces responsible for the cycle of time.
• Practicing pranayama or rhythmic breathing with control of breath.
• Invoking the feminine form of divinity, the sustaining mother earth. This is through chanting a hymn called the gayatrimantra.
• Making a commitment to perform actions with a sense of humility and gratitude. Focusing on the action and letting the universe play its part in arriving at the outcome.
• Recognizing that we are responsible for our actions, and we have a choice to act. We will choose the path of righteous action when we exercise that choice.

According to Hindu traditions, sandhyavandam is only for individuals wearing a yagnopaveetham. Please see the variations sections if you don’t have the yagnopaveetham.

The purpose of this practice is four-fold:

• There is an element of spirituality through the expression of gratitude to the natural and material elements (sun, earth, air, and water).
• A sense of mindfulness and peace is being propagated through rhythmic breathing and control of breath.
• Directing our attention to symbolic and visual aspects of the universe around us makes us compassionate.
• And there is an attitude of discipline or abhyasa inculcated through a regular schedule.

Sometimes practical realities become obstacles to executing these practices. If you are in such a situation then the best option is to take a step back and assess the inhibitors vis a vis your importance towards rituals and traditions. When faced with practical obstacles, you can look to spiritual variations.

Variations:

• Chant thousand names of the supreme. Also called vishnusahasranama (vishnu – one who pervades, sahasranama – thousand names).
• Chant the verses of adhityahridayaam (aditya – sun, hridayam – contemplated from the heart).
• Make it a habit to read chapter 12 of Bhagavad Gita at least once a day.
• Reciting the ultimate verse of the Gita, Chapter 18 verse 66, catapults you into a spiritual experience

I cannot claim or recommend spiritual variations are equal to a practice. Having said that, you can energize the outcomes of sandhyavandanam through the variations. Chanting them or contemplating on their meaning causes the energy bits within and around you to vibrate. They vibrate at a frequency leading to mindfulness, gratitude, and rhythmic discipline.

What about the practice and women? There isn’t a credible or commanding traditional answer on women and sandhyavandanam.

It is quite possible that the traditional practices rooted in spirituality recognized the dexterity and compassionate nature of a woman and did not see a need for a separate practice like sandhyavandanam. The spiritual variations are universal and have no gender, caste, or age affinity to them.

sandhyavandanam or a spiritual morning invocation falls in the category of upadhanam (preparation of worship) and is a recommended practice.