Inspirational Sayings of the Great on Sandhya-Upasana

(I)

Jagadguru Sri Sankarachary of Kanchi

Brahmibhuta Sri Chandrasekharendra Sarasvati Mahasvaminah

(Picked from the Acharya’s Call (1971), pp. 74-77)

“The Sandhya period is a time when Isvara performs his cosmic dance and draws all creatures towards Him. At the setting of the sun, birds flock back to their nests and cattle return to their sheds. An atmosphere of peace and calm prevails. When Isvara dances at such a time, bliss-generating peace radiates around Him. Those watching the dance get permeated with that peace and their mind and heart get merged with the Supreme. ...

Sri Paramesvara destroyed Tripura by the smile that appeared on His face on a contemplation of the humour of the situation. In relation to ourselves, the Tripura is the physical body in the three states of sthuala, sukshma and karana. The consciousness of these three states of our body can be overcome only when we realise the Supreme Bliss that radiates from Isvara. To attain this bliss, Sri Adi Sankara has asked us to study the Vedas, perform the anusthanas enjoined therein, in a spirit of dedication to God, and to practice devotion without any thought of asking for favours.

वेदो नित्यमधीयतां तदुदितं कर्मस्वनुष्ठीयताम् ।

तेनेशस्य विधीयतामपचितिः ...

[vedo nityam adhiyatam 
taduditam karma svanusthiyatam

tenesasya vidhiyatam apacitih ...]

In the Kural [350], it is stated that to get free of attachment, we should attach ourselves to the unattached.

பற்றுக பற்றற்றான் பற்றினை அப்பற்றைப்

பற்றுக பற்று விடற்கு.

[patruka patratraan patrinai appatraip

patruka patru vidarku]

Both these ideas are contained in a song of Sri Sambandar [Tirumurai, 1.80] about Chidambaram. He asserts that if we perform our anusthanas properly, Kali or evil can come nowhere near us.

கற்றாங் கெரியோம்பிக் கலியை வாராமே

செற்றார் வாழ்தில்லைச் சிற்றம் பலமேய

முற்றா வெண்திங்கள் முதல்வன் பாதமே

பற்றா நின்றாரைப் பற்றா பாவமே.

[katrang keriyompik kaliyai varame

setrar vazh tillaic citrampalameya

mutra ventingal mutalvan padame

patra ninraraip patra pavame.]

We can move fast only when we sail with the wind. The Sandhyakala is the time when the Cosmos is ripe to respond to correct vibrations emanating from us. Is it proper on our part to waste such a propitious time, either in eating houses or in clubs? A majority of those belonging to the new religions observe prayers at the prescribed hours. But we who belong to this ancient religion have neglected our duty. Therefore, at the approach of Sandhya, wherever we may be, we must wash our hands and feet, wear vibhuti, perform our anushthana and spend a little time in praying to Isvara.”