Sandhya Vandanam - II

Namah savitre jagateka chaksuse,
Jagat prasuti, sthiti nasa hetave,
Trayimayaya trigunatma dharine,

Virinchi narayana sankaratmane

Dhyeyah sada, savitrmandala, madhyavarti,
Narayanah sarasijasana samnivistah

Keyuravan makarakundalavan kiriti Haari,

hiranmayavapu rdhrta sankha chakrah

Sankha chakra gadapane dvarakanilayachyuta

Govinda pundarikaksa raksa mam saranagatam

Akasat patitam toyam yatha gacchati sagaram,
Sarvadeva namaskarah kesavam pratigacchati,
Kesavam pratigacchati om nama iti

Explanation

Namah savitre jagateka chaksuse, Jagat prasuti, sthiti nasa hetave,

Namah : I prostate  before 
Savitre : Sun
Chakshuse : who acts as eye of the 
Jagat : entire world

He who is responsible for the 

Prasuti : Creation
Stithi : Protection and 
Nasa : Destruction of the world (Jagat).

Trayimayaya trigunatma dharine, Virinchi narayana sankaratmane

He who using three gunas take manifestations of Narayana, Sanakara and Brahma.(Note: Seeking a better explanation with corrections from learned here)

Dhyeyah sada, savitrmandala, madhyavarti, Narayanah sarasijasana samnivistah

Keyuravan makarakundalavan kiriti Haari, hiranmayavapu rdhrta sankha chakrah

Sankha chakra gadapane dvarakanilayachyuta, Govinda pundarikaksa raksa mam saranagatam

sada : We always 
Dhyeyah : medidate on Narayana who resides 
madhyavarti : at the centre of the 
savitramandala : solar system 
sarasijasana : Narayana who sits on lotus  with  
Keyur : amulet / bracelet - golden ornament worn on biceps
makara kundala : earrings shaped like a fish
kiriti : crown
haari : garlands
hiranamayavapu :  golden color body 
sankha : conch
chakra  : disucss - weapon
gadha : mace - the weapon

achyutha : the one who is infallible

Akasat patitam toyam yatha gacchati sagaram, Sarvadeva namaskarah kesavam pratigacchati, Kesavam pratigacchati om nama iti

Just as all the waters that fall from the sky inescapably reach the sea, all salutations to all the deities reach only Keshava; indeed they reach only Keshava.

sandhya vandanam

oM | suuryashcha maa manyushcha manyupatayashcha manyukR^itebhyaH |
paapebhyo rakshantaam.h | yadraatryaa paapamakaarshham.h | manasaa vaachaa hastaabhyaam.h |
padbhyaamudareNa shishnaa | raatristadavalumpatu | yatkiMcha duritaM mayi |
idamahaM maamamR^itayonau | suurye jyotishhi juhomi svaahaa ||

Though I have not been able to get word by word meaning - The general meaning of the above is a kind of pleading guilty and apologize for the wrong deeds done the previous day.

yadraatryaa paapamakaarshham.h : sins done in the previous night
paapebhyo rakshantaam.h : to help protect from the sins done
yadraatryaa paapamakaarshham.h : those done the previous night
manasaa vaachaa hastaabhyaam.h : those done by thought, words or hands
padbhyaam udareNa shishnaa : those done by legs, stomach or genitals

Following is what I have understood. Any correction from learned is welcome

raatristadavalumpatu : others related or depended on other actions of the previous night
yatkiMcha duritaM mayi : to wipe off (mayi) of sins (durita) done
idamahaM maamamR^itayonau : I (aham) am doing this (idam)  (maamamR^itayonau : help needed)
suurye jyotishhi juhomi svaahaa : homa to Him (represented by Sun)

This is sometimes also considered as request to protect from all the sins committed the last day, so that we do not repeat it today

Some Vedic Mantras - Gayatri Mantra

Though I intended to write and explain each mantra in sandhyavandanam, now restrict myself to few mantras whose meaning I could find out. Hoping to find more and add to this blog. If any reader is able to contribute, nothing better than that

I will start with Gayatri Mantra:

Om Bhuh Bhuvah Svah Tat Saviturvarenyam
Bhargodevasya Dhimahi Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat


We contemplate the glory of Light illuminating the three worlds: gross, subtle, and causal. I am that vivifying power, love, radiant illumination, and divine grace of universal intelligence. We pray for the divine light to illumine our minds.

Om: The primeval sound
Bhur: the physical world
Bhuvah: the mental world
Suvah: the celestial, spiritual world
Tat: That; God; transcendental Paramatma
Savithur: the Sun, Creator, Preserver
Varenyam: most adorable, enchanting
Bhargo: luster, effulgence
Devasya: resplendent, supreme Lord
Dheemahi: we meditate upon
Dhiyo: the intellect, understanding
Yo: May this light
Nah: our
Prachodayath: enlighten, guide, inspire

Mahabarata - Symbolism

Long gap but just thought of scribbling a thought that came in my mind. It is about the episode in Mahabarata where in Draupadi is brought to court by Dushasana after Yudhistir loses her as well in the game of dice.

As has been said in few of my blogs before, Pandavas represent the five senses or may be to some extent the few good characterisitcs we can have as humans and Kauravas the bad ones. Recently I read in a site which I thought explains the 100 numbers. The Indriyas or senses add up to 10. 5 Jnanendriyas and 5 karmendriyas. These 10 indriyas if allowed at their will can lead to 10 * 10 = 100 combinations; which represents the Kauravas.

Thus, Mahabarata war is basically the fight of this bad and good with in us and the battlefield is nothing but our minds.

Coming back to the court scene, the bad thoughts (Kauravas) can be very luring  and use various tricks and techniques (Shakuni) to overpower the good thoughts (Pandavas). And if Pandavas yield to it and surrender themselves to Kauravas what is tossed in the public is the Pride or the Self Esteem or the Self (Draupadi)

Now when Draupadi or Pride is being lost, it makes no sense of asking the society, blaming the circumstances or even taking help of senses. What helps is only the surrender of oneself to Him, the LORD. And when this happens, He comes to your rescue and Pride can be restored.

Though a very small instance, and thought triggered by one of the questions in forum in Orkut, I felt it is worth mentioning here.

I plan to write more in future and hope I succeed

Long Long Gap... and still more gaps to follow

Not able to read much and to be frank, not able to brood much on spiritual lines. After deciding to get married (on Apr 26th), it seems I am being more materiliastic ???? However, I continue to do all actions as offerings to HIM. Kayenavach manasaeendriyirva.............

Of late, I have discovered the pleasure of doing actions with no attachments to its results. Truly, the dettachment from the outcome, relieves one of the pains and sufferings that attachments brings along with it.

Currently I am reading M.K. Gandhi's autobiography and I am just struck by his simplicity and the determination to stick to what is true. A book I believe should be read by people atleast during teenage. This can really be a guide to how to lead your life in a simple, truthful manner and yet accomplish what others even fail to think of.