Dear Bhagavatas:
I entirely agree with the statements of Sri Ramachandran and Sri Sudarshan.
Sandhyavandanam is a "Nityakarma" that cannot be missed under any
circumstances and nothing else can be equal to or a substitute to its efficacy.
At best, Nama Sankeertanam, visit to temples, staying in holy places etc can
only be props and accessories (anugjnaa kainkaryam) and can never be deemed
to replace the necessity for performing Nitya Karmas that are but the
command of the Lord (Aagjnaa)
In other words, a Nitya karma is one that, if done, may not result in
"PuNyam" but will result in Paapam if given up!. Conversely,Anugjnaa
kainkaryam like Nama Sankeertanam etc, if done, may, result in Punyam but no
Paapam will accrue if not done.
(Daksha-smriti) clearly lays down that one who does not perform Sandhya is
deemed forever unclean (a-suchi:-nityam) and therefore unfit (anarha:) to
perform any other religious rites.
"sandhyAhInO' a-shuchi-nitya-m anarha: sarvakarmasu"
In the absence of the prior condition of Sandhyavandanam as the "sin qua
non", if one does other rites, such performance will be futile.
(na phalabhaag bavEt)
Also, the Lord declares that the procedures prescribed in the Sruti, Smriti
etc are His Commands (Sruti Smriti mamaiva Aagjnaa) and one who transgresses
the same (tad ullangya VartatE) is a traitor to Him (mama drOhi) and cannot
hope to have redemption, even if one calls himself as a VishNU bhakta
(VaishaNavOpi). Sandhyavandanam is one of the foremost command of the
Saastras.
This is the least that one has to do for having inherited the priceless
treasure of Vedas and Saastras.
If due to circumstances (like shift duties, travel when facility is not
available etc), should one miss it once, there is a "Praayaschitta
Sankalpam" like this:
"PoorvEdhyuh ananushTitam Praatah / Madhyaahnika/ Saayam Sandhyaam adya aham
karishyE"
(asmad Aachaaryan, Srimad Andavan of PounDarikapuram Swami Asramam used to say
this)
The bottomline is that it can never be missed and if any omission should
arise beyond one's control, the arrears would have to be made up
subsequently as soon as possible and without fail.
One may wax eloquant on the Saastras having acquired a smattering of
knowledge (including myself) but in the absence of AnushTaanam, such
knowledge is a total waste and is characterized as "Sunah pucham iva" like a
dog's tail that does not even hide its private parts!
Please do not give a hoot to the sayings of pseudo Gurus who claim knowledge
and may have the gift of the gab and strut about the world, but who are found
to have given up the basic and essential Nityakarma of Sandhyaa vandanam.
It is encouraging to note that this realization is dawning on many now.
Several groups are functioning both in India (like Sri C. Seshadri Swami's)
and elsewhere outside India where Sandhyavanadanam is taught and learned. No
one need to feel ashamed of having given up doing Sandhyavandanam in the
past. It is never too late to correct oneself. They may join one of these
groups to salvage their anushTaanams.
I am proud to say that several kids who had their Upanyanam in the recent
past, (and their parents who have long forgotten doing Sandhyaavandanam)
have come to my classes seeking instructions on the procedure of doing
Sandhyaavandanam.
Some of these elders are also learning "Tiruvaaraadanam" in my classes.
Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy
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