Yajur Veda:  Pratah  Sandhya Vandanam

Index


Punyah Prokshanam Notes

Procedure  Notes

 
  • Notes

 

  • This is a process for external purification of the body. This is also referred to as "Mantra Snanah" - a purificatory bath through mantras.
  • Nyasa indicates the name of the sage, chandas and the deity to whom it is addressed.
  • The "Dadikrava" hymn has power or potential to create a protective energy body, so that the effect of what follows is retained.This is explained by the following analogy. A room is swept clean and doors, windows etc. are closed so that no further dust enters the room. Afterwards a second cleaning is made. The reciting of the "Apohista" hymn in the later part of the "Dadikara" hymn, resembles the second cleaning after the doors are closed.
    It is for this reason that all purificatory rituals are recited first so that effect of subsequent hymns are retained in the vessel with water.
  • The "Dadikrava" hymn is addressed to the Lord himself for purification. He is addressed as "Dadikravno" (one who in exchange for butter gave himself to the gopis), "Jishno Ashwasya" (Vanquisher of horse shaped demon). 
  • "Dadhikravno" hymn meaning: I offer my soul to the Lord who gave himself in exchange for butter, and who killed horse named kesi. May that Lord give fragrance to our faces; may that Lord make our life bright (purposeful)
  • "Apohista" hymn meaning: Oh! ye deities of water, you are in a position to confer on evberyone facilities of every kind. Give us strength (energy) to worship the Lord who is exalted; charming with attractive eyes. Oh ye deities, just as a loving mother does,  make us acquire in this world the essence of bhakti. We meditate on you to attain that God whose pleasure you have earned by being his abode. Oh ye waters help us to live a real life.
  • Note: A detached soul is like milk, while an attached soul is like curd. When milk and curd are mixed, the resultant is curd only. In the same way a soul that has entered a body is like curd and forgets its entry. When curd is churned, we get butter. In the same way a soul that has entered a body, if churned through the advice of a teacher, will also realise his true form and surrender to God. Just as the Lord killed the horse shaped demon, by uttering his name (Keshava), he will help to control our senses running like horse and remove all obstacles in the path of God realisation.