Gita-God-Hinduism

<Continued from the previous post where we set up the stage: Part 1: Sandhyavandanam > We accumulate various karmas over a life time, and some of the pApa karma (duritas) which becomes hurdles in our pursuit of performing righteous duties. It is only by taking the names of the Lord that these duritAs are destroyed or reduced (kshaya) and through that we can offer more salutations to the Lord to please Him.   मम उपात्त समस्त दुरितक्षयद्वार  श्री परमेश्वर प्रीत्यर्थं प्राथः संध्यां उपास्ये । mama - my, upAtta - accumulated, samasta - entire, durita-kshya-dvAra - through the annhilation of my sins and discomforts, shree paramEshvara preetyartham - to please the supreme Lord, prAtah sandhyAm - morning oblations, upAsye - I observe, perform!  I engage in the morning sandhyavandana karma for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord through the removal of all my accumulated impediments (sin, evil, discomfort). [At this time we look at the water, sprinkle it all over us ...

Doing Sandhyavanada everyday is a discipline that I have been cultivating for the past few years. As a parent if you are looking to perform upanayana for your child, start practicing now and be the role model to the child. Understanding the meaning as a first step is not critical, however knowing the meaning and purpose can help perform the ritual with more commitment. I started writing this blog more for myself than anyone else so that I can help my son better. ------ o ------ Sandhyavandana is a way to salute and thank the Sun for his role in our existence, and contribution to our life. Sun is an important diety and He is the first of all manifestations - He is the Aadi. That said, it is not just the external sun that we salute through Sandhyavandana. It is also the sun within, who sparks the life within. Note that sanatana dharma what is outside (bahya) is also within (antara). So whatever exists externally, also exists interally. So, whatever ritual we do externally is also to be...