Eleventh Skandha · Chapter 17
Sourceसन्ध्यादिकृत्यवर्णनम् श्रीनारायण उवाच भिन्नपादा तु गायत्री ब्रह्महत्याप्रणाशिनी । अभिन्नपादा गायत्री ब्रह्महत्यां प्रयच्छति ॥ १ ॥ अच्छिन्नपादागायत्रीजपं कुर्वन्ति ये द्विजाः । अथोमुखाश्च तिष्ठन्ति कल्पकोटिशतानि च ॥ २ ॥ सम्पुटैका षडोङ्कारा गायत्री विविधा मता । धर्मशास्त्रपुराणेषु इतिहासेषु सुव्रत ॥ ३ ॥ पञ्चप्रणवसंयुक्तां जपेदित्यनुशासनम् । जपसंख्याष्टभागान्ते पादो जप्यस्तुरीयकः ॥ ४ ॥ स द्विजः परमो ज्ञेयः परं सायुज्यमाप्नुयात् । अन्यथा प्रजपेद्यस्तु स जपो विफलो भवेत् ॥ ५ ॥ सम्पुटैका षडोङ्कारा भवेत्सा ऊर्ध्वरेतसाम् । गृहस्थो ब्रह्मचारी वा मोक्षार्थी तुरीयां जपेत् ॥ ६ ॥ तुरीयपादो गायत्र्याः परोरजसे सावदोम् । ध्यानमस्य प्रवक्ष्यामि जपसाङ्गफलप्रदम् ॥ ७ ॥ हृदि विकसितपद्मं सार्कसोमाग्निबिम्बं प्रणवमयमचिन्त्यं यस्य पीतं प्रकल्प्यम् । अचलपरमसूक्ष्मं ज्योतिराकाशसारं भवतु मम मुदेऽसौ सच्चिदानन्दरूपः ॥ ८ ॥ त्रिशूलयोनी सुरभिमक्षमालां च लिङ्गकम् । अम्बुजं च महामुद्रामिति सप्त प्रदर्शयेत् ॥ ९ ॥ या सन्ध्या सैव गायत्री सच्चिदानन्दरूपिणी । भक्त्या तां ब्राह्मणो नित्यं पूजयेच्च नमेत्ततः ॥ १० ॥ ध्यातस्य पूजां कुर्वीत पञ्चभिश्चोपचारकैः । लं पृथिव्यात्मने गन्धमर्पयामि नमो नमः ॥ ११ ॥ हमाकाशात्मने पुष्पं चार्पयामि नमो नमः । यं च वाय्वात्मने धूपं चार्पयामि ततो वदेत् ॥ १२ ॥ रं च वह्न्यात्मने दीपमर्पयामि ततो वदेत् । वममृतात्मने तस्मै नैवेद्यमपि चार्पयेत् ॥ १३ ॥ यं रं लं वं हमिति च पुष्पाञ्जलिमथार्पयेत् । एवं पूजां विधायाथ चान्ते मुद्राः प्रदर्शयेत् ॥ १४ ॥ ध्यायेत्तु मनसा देवीं मन्त्रमुच्चारयेच्छनैः । न कम्पयेच्छिरो ग्रीवा दन्तान्नैव प्रकाशयेत् ॥ १५ ॥ विधिनाष्टोत्तरशतमष्टाविंशतिरेव वा । दशवारमशक्तो वा नातो न्यूनं कदाचन ॥ १६ ॥ तत उद्वासयेद्देवीमुत्तमेत्यनुवाकतः । न गायत्रीं जपेद्विद्वाञ्जलमध्ये कथञ्चन ॥ १७ ॥ यतः साग्निमुखी प्रोक्तेत्याहुः केचिन्महर्षयः । सुरभिर्ज्ञानशूर्पं च कूर्मो योनिश्च पङ्कजम् ॥ १८ ॥ लिङ्गं निर्वाणकं चैव जपान्तेऽष्टौ प्रदर्शयेत् । यदक्षरपदभ्रष्टं स्वरव्यञ्जनवर्जितम् ॥ १९ ॥ तत्सर्वं क्षम्यतां देवि कश्यपप्रियवादिनि । गायत्रीतर्पणं चातः करणीयं महामुने ॥ २० ॥ गायत्री छन्द आख्यातं विश्वामित्रऋषिः स्मृतः । सविता देवता प्रोक्ता विनियोगश्च तर्पणे ॥ २१ ॥ भूरित्युक्त्वा च ऋग्वेदपुरुषं तर्पयामि च । भुव इत्येतदुक्त्वा च यजुर्वेदमथो वदेत् ॥ २२ ॥ स्वर्व्याहृतिं समुक्त्वा च सामवेदं समुच्चरेत् । मह इत्येतदुक्त्वान्तेऽथर्ववेदं च तर्पयेत् ॥ २३ ॥ जनः पदान्त इतिहासपुराणमितीरयेत् । तपः सर्वागमं चैव पुरुषं तर्पयामि च ॥ २४ ॥ सत्यं च सत्यलोकाख्यपुरुषं तर्पयामि च । ॐ भूर्भूर्लोकपुरुषं तर्पयामि ततो वदेत् ॥ २५ ॥ भुवश्चेति भुवर्लोकपुरुषं तर्पयामि च । स्वः स्वर्गलोकपुरुषं तर्पयामि ततः परम् ॥ २६ ॥ ॐभूरेकपदा नाम गायत्रीं तर्पयामि च । भुवो द्विपदां गायत्रीं तर्पयामीति कीर्तयेत् ॥ २७ ॥ स्वश्च त्रिपदां गायत्रीं तर्पयामि ततो वदेत् । ॐभूर्भुवः स्वश्चेति तथा गायत्रीं च चतुष्पदाम् ॥ २८ ॥ उषसीं चैव गायत्रीं सावित्रीं च सरस्वतीम् । वेदानां मातरं पृथ्वीमजां चैव तु कौशिकीम् ॥ २९ ॥ साङ्कृतिं वै सार्वजितिं गायत्रीं तर्पणे वदेत् । तर्पणान्ते च शान्त्यर्थं जातवेदसमीरयेत् ॥ ३० ॥ मानस्तोकेति मन्त्रं च शान्त्यर्थं प्रजपेत्सुधीः । ततोऽपि त्र्यम्बको मन्त्रः शान्त्यर्थः परिकीर्तितः ॥ ३१ ॥ तच्छंयोरिति मन्त्रं च जपेच्छान्त्यर्थमेव तु । अतो देवा इति द्वाभ्यां सर्वाङ्गस्पर्शनं चरेत् ॥ ३२ ॥ स्योनापृथिविमन्त्रेण भूम्यै कुर्यात्प्रणामकम् । यथाविधि च गोत्रादीनुच्चरेद्द्विजसत्तमः ॥ ३३ ॥ एवं विधानं सन्ध्यायाः प्रातःकाले प्रकीर्तितम् । सन्ध्याकर्म समाप्यान्तेऽप्यग्निहोत्रं स्वयं हुनेत् ॥ ३४ ॥ पञ्चायतनपूजां च ततः कुर्यात्समाहितः । शिवां शिवं गणपतिं सूर्यं विष्णुं तथार्चयेत् ॥ ३५ ॥ पौरुषेण तु सूक्तेन व्याहृत्या वा समाहितः । मूलमन्त्रेण वा कुर्याद्ह्रीश्च ते इति मन्त्रतः ॥ ३६ ॥ भवानीं तु यजेन्मध्ये तथैशान्यां तु माधवम् । आग्नेय्यां गिरिजानाथं गणेशं रक्षसां दिशि ॥ ३७ ॥ वायव्यामर्चयेत्सूर्यमिति देवस्थितिक्रमः । षोडशानुपचारांश्च षोडशर्ग्भिर्हरेन्नरः ॥ ३८ ॥ देवीमभ्यर्च्य पुरतो यजेदन्याननुक्रमात् । न देवीपूजनात्पुण्यमधिकं क्वचिदीक्ष्यते ॥ ३९ ॥ अत एव तु सन्ध्यासु सन्ध्योपास्तिः श्रुतीरिता । नाक्षतैरर्चयेर्द्विष्णुं न तुलस्या गणेश्वरम् ॥ ४० ॥ दूर्वाभिर्नार्चयेद्दुर्गां केतकैर्न महेश्वरम् । मल्लिकाजातिकुसुमं कुटजं पनसं तथा ॥ ४१ ॥ किंशुकं बकुलं कुन्दं लोध्रं तु करवीरकम् । शिंशपाऽपराजितापुष्पं बब्धूकागस्त्यपुष्पके ॥ ४२ ॥ मदन्तं सिन्दुवारं च पालाशकुसुमं तथा । दूर्वाङ्कुरं बिल्वदलं कुशमञ्जरिकां तथा ॥ ४३ ॥ शल्लकीमाधवीपुष्पमर्कमन्दारपुष्पकम् । केतकीं कर्णिकारं च कदम्बकुसुमं तथा ॥ ४४ ॥ पुन्नागश्चम्पकस्तद्वद्यूथिकातगरौ तथा । एवमादीनि पुष्पाणि देवीप्रियकराणि च ॥ ४५ ॥ गुग्गुलस्य भवेद्धूपो दीपः स्यात्तिलतैलतः । कृत्वेत्थं देवतापूजां ततो मूलमनुं जपेत् ॥ ४६ ॥ एवं पूजां समाप्यैव वेदाभ्यासं चरेद्बुधः । ततः स्ववृत्त्या कुर्वीत पोष्यवर्गार्थसाधनम् । तृतीयदिनभागे तु नियमेन विचक्षणः ॥ ४७ ॥
sandhyādikṛtyavarṇanam śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca bhinnapādā tu gāyatrī brahmahatyāpraṇāśinī | abhinnapādā gāyatrī brahmahatyāṃ prayacchati || 1 || acchinnapādāgāyatrījapaṃ kurvanti ye dvijāḥ | athomukhāśca tiṣṭhanti kalpakoṭiśatāni ca || 2 || sampuṭaikā ṣaḍoṅkārā gāyatrī vividhā matā | dharmaśāstrapurāṇeṣu itihāseṣu suvrata || 3 || pañcapraṇavasaṃyuktāṃ japedityanuśāsanam | japasaṃkhyāṣṭabhāgānte pādo japyasturīyakaḥ || 4 || sa dvijaḥ paramo jñeyaḥ paraṃ sāyujyamāpnuyāt | anyathā prajapedyastu sa japo viphalo bhavet || 5 || sampuṭaikā ṣaḍoṅkārā bhavetsā ūrdhvaretasām | gṛhastho brahmacārī vā mokṣārthī turīyāṃ japet || 6 || turīyapādo gāyatryāḥ parorajase sāvadom | dhyānamasya pravakṣyāmi japasāṅgaphalapradam || 7 || hṛdi vikasitapadmaṃ sārkasomāgnibimbaṃ praṇavamayamacintyaṃ yasya pītaṃ prakalpyam | acalaparamasūkṣmaṃ jyotirākāśasāraṃ bhavatu mama mude'sau saccidānandarūpaḥ || 8 || triśūlayonī surabhimakṣamālāṃ ca liṅgakam | ambujaṃ ca mahāmudrāmiti sapta pradarśayet || 9 || yā sandhyā saiva gāyatrī saccidānandarūpiṇī | bhaktyā tāṃ brāhmaṇo nityaṃ pūjayecca namettataḥ || 10 || dhyātasya pūjāṃ kurvīta pañcabhiścopacārakaiḥ | laṃ pṛthivyātmane gandhamarpayāmi namo namaḥ || 11 || hamākāśātmane puṣpaṃ cārpayāmi namo namaḥ | yaṃ ca vāyvātmane dhūpaṃ cārpayāmi tato vadet || 12 || raṃ ca vahnyātmane dīpamarpayāmi tato vadet | vamamṛtātmane tasmai naivedyamapi cārpayet || 13 || yaṃ raṃ laṃ vaṃ hamiti ca puṣpāñjalimathārpayet | evaṃ pūjāṃ vidhāyātha cānte mudrāḥ pradarśayet || 14 || dhyāyettu manasā devīṃ mantramuccārayecchanaiḥ | na kampayecchiro grīvā dantānnaiva prakāśayet || 15 || vidhināṣṭottaraśatamaṣṭāviṃśatireva vā | daśavāramaśakto vā nāto nyūnaṃ kadācana || 16 || tata udvāsayeddevīmuttametyanuvākataḥ | na gāyatrīṃ japedvidvāñjalamadhye kathañcana || 17 || yataḥ sāgnimukhī proktetyāhuḥ kecinmaharṣayaḥ | surabhirjñānaśūrpaṃ ca kūrmo yoniśca paṅkajam || 18 || liṅgaṃ nirvāṇakaṃ caiva japānte'ṣṭau pradarśayet | yadakṣarapadabhraṣṭaṃ svaravyañjanavarjitam || 19 || tatsarvaṃ kṣamyatāṃ devi kaśyapapriyavādini | gāyatrītarpaṇaṃ cātaḥ karaṇīyaṃ mahāmune || 20 || gāyatrī chanda ākhyātaṃ viśvāmitraṛṣiḥ smṛtaḥ | savitā devatā proktā viniyogaśca tarpaṇe || 21 || bhūrityuktvā ca ṛgvedapuruṣaṃ tarpayāmi ca | bhuva ityetaduktvā ca yajurvedamatho vadet || 22 || svarvyāhṛtiṃ samuktvā ca sāmavedaṃ samuccaret | maha ityetaduktvānte'tharvavedaṃ ca tarpayet || 23 || janaḥ padānta itihāsapurāṇamitīrayet | tapaḥ sarvāgamaṃ caiva puruṣaṃ tarpayāmi ca || 24 || satyaṃ ca satyalokākhyapuruṣaṃ tarpayāmi ca | oṃ bhūrbhūrlokapuruṣaṃ tarpayāmi tato vadet || 25 || bhuvaśceti bhuvarlokapuruṣaṃ tarpayāmi ca | svaḥ svargalokapuruṣaṃ tarpayāmi tataḥ param || 26 || oṃbhūrekapadā nāma gāyatrīṃ tarpayāmi ca | bhuvo dvipadāṃ gāyatrīṃ tarpayāmīti kīrtayet || 27 || svaśca tripadāṃ gāyatrīṃ tarpayāmi tato vadet | oṃbhūrbhuvaḥ svaśceti tathā gāyatrīṃ ca catuṣpadām || 28 || uṣasīṃ caiva gāyatrīṃ sāvitrīṃ ca sarasvatīm | vedānāṃ mātaraṃ pṛthvīmajāṃ caiva tu kauśikīm || 29 || sāṅkṛtiṃ vai sārvajitiṃ gāyatrīṃ tarpaṇe vadet | tarpaṇānte ca śāntyarthaṃ jātavedasamīrayet || 30 || mānastoketi mantraṃ ca śāntyarthaṃ prajapetsudhīḥ | tato'pi tryambako mantraḥ śāntyarthaḥ parikīrtitaḥ || 31 || tacchaṃyoriti mantraṃ ca japecchāntyarthameva tu | ato devā iti dvābhyāṃ sarvāṅgasparśanaṃ caret || 32 || syonāpṛthivimantreṇa bhūmyai kuryātpraṇāmakam | yathāvidhi ca gotrādīnuccareddvijasattamaḥ || 33 || evaṃ vidhānaṃ sandhyāyāḥ prātaḥkāle prakīrtitam | sandhyākarma samāpyānte'pyagnihotraṃ svayaṃ hunet || 34 || pañcāyatanapūjāṃ ca tataḥ kuryātsamāhitaḥ | śivāṃ śivaṃ gaṇapatiṃ sūryaṃ viṣṇuṃ tathārcayet || 35 || pauruṣeṇa tu sūktena vyāhṛtyā vā samāhitaḥ | mūlamantreṇa vā kuryādhrīśca te iti mantrataḥ || 36 || bhavānīṃ tu yajenmadhye tathaiśānyāṃ tu mādhavam | āgneyyāṃ girijānāthaṃ gaṇeśaṃ rakṣasāṃ diśi || 37 || vāyavyāmarcayetsūryamiti devasthitikramaḥ | ṣoḍaśānupacārāṃśca ṣoḍaśargbhirharennaraḥ || 38 || devīmabhyarcya purato yajedanyānanukramāt | na devīpūjanātpuṇyamadhikaṃ kvacidīkṣyate || 39 || ata eva tu sandhyāsu sandhyopāstiḥ śrutīritā | nākṣatairarcayerdviṣṇuṃ na tulasyā gaṇeśvaram || 40 || dūrvābhirnārcayeddurgāṃ ketakairna maheśvaram | mallikājātikusumaṃ kuṭajaṃ panasaṃ tathā || 41 || kiṃśukaṃ bakulaṃ kundaṃ lodhraṃ tu karavīrakam | śiṃśapā'parājitāpuṣpaṃ babdhūkāgastyapuṣpake || 42 || madantaṃ sinduvāraṃ ca pālāśakusumaṃ tathā | dūrvāṅkuraṃ bilvadalaṃ kuśamañjarikāṃ tathā || 43 || śallakīmādhavīpuṣpamarkamandārapuṣpakam | ketakīṃ karṇikāraṃ ca kadambakusumaṃ tathā || 44 || punnāgaścampakastadvadyūthikātagarau tathā | evamādīni puṣpāṇi devīpriyakarāṇi ca || 45 || guggulasya bhaveddhūpo dīpaḥ syāttilatailataḥ | kṛtvetthaṃ devatāpūjāṃ tato mūlamanuṃ japet || 46 || evaṃ pūjāṃ samāpyaiva vedābhyāsaṃ caredbudhaḥ | tataḥ svavṛttyā kurvīta poṣyavargārthasādhanam | tṛtīyadinabhāge tu niyamena vicakṣaṇaḥ || 47 ||
English translation
1-5. Narayana said If one divides or separates the padas while reciting or making Japam of the Gayatri, one is freed from the Brahminicide, the sin of Brahmahatya. But if one does so without breaking the padas, i.e., repeats at one breath, then one incurs the sin of Brahmahatya. Those Brahmanas who do the Japam of the Gayatri without giving due pause to the padas, suffer pains in hells with their heads downwards for one hundred Kalpas. O Gayatri!
Thou art of one foot, of two feet, of three feet and of four feet. Thou art without foot, because Thou art not obtained. Salutation to Thy Fourth Foot beautiful and which is above the Triloki (Rajas). This cannot obtain that. Firstly, Gayatri is of three kinds “Samputa,” “Ekomkara,” and “Sadomkara.” There is also the Gayatri, with five Pranavas, according to the Dharma S’astras and Puranas. There is something to be noted while muttering or making the japam of the Gayatri Note how many lettered Gayatri you are going to repeat (make japam). When you have repeated one-eighth of that, repeat (make japam) the Turiya pada of Gayatri (i.e., the fourth Pada, the mantram parorajase Savadoma prapat) etc., (see the daily practices, page 107) once and then complete repeating the Gayatri. If the Brahmana makes the Japam (the silent muttering) in the above way he gets himself united with Brahma. Other modes of making the Japam do not bear any fruit. Om Gayatryasye kapadi dvipapi Tripadi chatus padasi nahi padyase namaste Turyaya dars’atayapadaya pare Rajase Sabado ma prapat. Gayatri is one-footed in the form of Triloki, two-footed, the Trayi Vidya from thy second foot; tripadi (all Pranas are thy third foot, chatuspadi, as the Purusa apadi without any foot, Parorajase above the Rajas, the dust; asau-that; adah this not prapat may obtain. The Yogis who are Urdharetas (hold Brahma charyam, continence) are to make Japam of the Samputa Gayatri (i.e., with Om). Gayatri with one pranava and as well the Gayatri with
six pranavas. The householder Brahmachari or those who want moksa are to make Japam of Gayatri with Om prefixed.
6. Those householders who affix Om to the Gayatri do not get the increase of their families.
7-8. The Turiya pada (foot) of Gayatri is the mantra “Parorajase Savodoma prapat.” (Brihad. up. v.14.7). Salutation to Thy beautiful Fourth Foot which is above the Triloki (Rajas). This cannot obtain that. The presiding deity of this mantra is Brahma. I am now speaking of the full Dhyanam (meditation) of this Brahma so that the full fruit of the Japam (recitation) may be obtained. There is a full blown lotus in the heart; its form is like the Moon, Sun, and the Spark of Fire; i.e., of the nature of pranava and nothing else. This is the seat of the inconceivable Brahma. Think thus. Now on that seat is seated well the steady constant subtle Light, the essence of Akas’a, the everlasting existence, intelligence and bliss, the Brahma. May He increase my happiness (see page 107 the daily practice of the Hindus by R. B. Sris Chandra Basu, on the Invocation of the Gayatri).
Note Aum! Gayatryasyekapadi dvipadi, tripadi, chatuspadasi, nahi padyase namaste turyaya dars’ ataya padaya parorajase, savado maprapat O Gayatri! Thou art of one foot (in the farm of Triloki), of two feet (the Trayi vidya from Thy second foot) of three feet all Prana, etc., are Thy third foot and of four feet (as the Purusa). Thou art without foot because Thou art not obtained. Salutation to Thy beautiful fourth foot which is above the Triloki (Rajas). This cannot obtain that.
9. Now I am speaking of the Mudra of the Tunya Gayatri (1) Tris’ula, (2) Yoni, (3) Surabhi, (4) Aksamala, (5) Linga, (6) Padma and (7) Mahamudra. These seven Mudras are to be shewn.
10-14. What is Sandhya, that is Gayatri; there is no difference whatsoever between the two. The two are one and the same. Both are of the nature of Existence, Intelligence and Bliss. The Brahmanas would daily worship Her and bow down before Her with greatest devotion and reverence. After the Dhyanam, first worship Her with five upacharas or offerings. Thus
Om lam prithivyatmane gandham, arpayami name namah. Om Ham akas’atmane puspam arpayami name namah. Om ram Vahnyatmane dipam arpayami name namah. Aum vam amritatmane naivedyam arpayami name namah. Om yam ram lam vam ham puspanjalim arpayami name namah. Thus worshipping with five upacharas, you must shew Mudras to the Devi.
15-16. Then meditate on the Form of the Gayatri mentally and slowly repeat the Gayatri. Do not shake head, neck and while making japam, do not show your teeth. According to due rules repeat the Gayatri one hundred and eight times, or twenty-eight times. When unable, repeat ten times; not less than that.
17-20. Then raise the Gayatri placed before on the heart (seat) by the mantra “Gayatrasyai kapadi Dvipadi, etc., and then bid farewell to Her after bowing down to Her and repeating the mantra “Omuttame S’ikhare Devi bhumyam parvata murdhani Brahmana ebhyobhya anujhata Gachcha Devi yathasukham” on the highest top of the mountain summit in earth (i.e., on the Meru mountain) dwells the goddess Gayatri. Being pleased with Thy worshippers go back.
O Devi! to Thy abode as it pleaseth Thee.” (See page 110, The Daily Practices of the Hindus.)
The wise men never mutter nor recite the Gayatri mantra within the water. For the Maharsis say that the Gayatri is fire-faced (agnimukhi). After the farewell shew again the following mudras Surabhi Jhan, Surpa, Kurma, Yoni, Padma, Linga and Nirvana Mudras.
Then address thus “O Devi! O Thou who speakest pleasant to Kas’yapa! O Gayatri! Whatever syllables I have missed to utter in making Japam, whatever vowels and consonants are incorrectly pronounced, I ask Thy pardon for all my above faults.” O Narada! Next one ought to give peace offerings to the Gayatri Devi.
21-33. The Chchhanda of Gayatri Tarpanam (peace offerings to Gayatri) is Gayatri; the Risi is VisVamitra; Savita is the Devata; its application (Niyoga) is in the peace offerings.
“Om Bhuhrigvedapurusam tarpayami.”
“Om Bhuvah Yajurvedapurusam tarpayami.”
“Om Svah Samaveda purusam tarpayami.”
“Om Mahah Atharvaveda purusam tarpayami.”
“Om Janah Itihasapurana purusam tarpayami.”
“Om Tapah Sarvagama purusam tarpayami.”
“Om Satyam Satyaloka purusam tarpayami.”
“Om Bhuh bhurloka purusam tarpayami.”
“Om Bhuvah bhuvoloka purusam tarpayami.”
“Om Svah svarloka purusam tarpayami.”
“Om Bhuh rekapadam Gayatrim tarpayami.”
“Om Bhuvo dvitiyapadam Gayatrim tarpayami.”
“Om Svastripadam Gayatrim tarpayami.”
“Om Bhurbhuvah Svas’chatuspadam Gayatrim tarpayami.”
Pronouncing these, offer the Tarpanams. Next add the word Tarpayami to each of the following words “Usasim, Gayatrim, Savitrim, Sarasvatim Vedamataram, Prithvim, Ajam, Kaus’ikim, Samkritim, Savajitim, etc.,” and offer Tarpanams. After the Tarpanam is over, offer the peace-chantings, (S’antivari) repeating the following mantras.
“Om data vedase sunavama romam, etc.” “Om Manastoka, etc.”
“Om Tryamvakam Yajamahe, etc.”
“Om Tachchhamyoh, etc.”
Then touch all the parts of your bodies, repeating the two mantra, “Om atodeva, etc.” And reciting the mantram “Svona Prithivi,” bow down to the earth, after repeating one’s name, Gotra, etc.
34-45. O Narada! Thus the rules of the morning Sandhya are prescribed. Doing works so far, bid farewell to the above-mentioned Gayatri. Next finishing the Agnihotra Homa sacrifice, worship the five Devatas, S’iva, S’iva, Ganes’a, Surya and Visnu. Worship by the
Purusa Sukta mantra, or by Hrim mantra, or by Vyahriti mantra or by S’rischate Laksmis’cha, etc., place Bhavani in the centre; Visnu in the north east corner, S’iva in the south-east corner; Ganes’a in the south-west corner, and the Sun in the north-west corner; and then worship them. While offering worship with the sixteen offerings, worship by repeating sixteen mantras. As there is no other act more merit-giving than the worship of the Devi, so the Devi should first of all be worshipped. Then worship in due order the five Devatas placed in five positions. As the worship of the Devi is the chief object, so in the three Sandhyas, the worship of the Sandhya Devi is approved of by the S’rutis. Never worship Visnu with rice; Ganes’a with Tulasi leaves; the Devi Durga with Durba grass and S’iva with Ketaki flower. The under-mentioned flowers are pleasing to the Devi Mallika, Jati, Kutaja, Panasa, Palasa, Vakula, Lodha, Karavira, S’ins’apa, Aparajita, Bandhuka, Vaka, Madanta, Sindhuvara,
Palas’a, Durbha, S’allaki, Madhavi, Arka, Mandara, Ketaki, Karnikara, Kadamba, Lotus, Champaka, Yuthika, Tagara, etc.
46-47. Offer incenses Guggul, Dhupa and the light of the Til oil and finish the worship. Then repeat the principal (male) mantra (make Japam). Thus finishing the work, study the Vedas in the second quarter of the next day; and in the third quarter of that day feed father, mother and other dependent relatives, with money earned by one’s own self according to the traditions of one’s family.
Here ends the Seventeenth Chapter of the Eleventh Book on the description of Sandhya and other daily practices in the Mahapuranam S’ri Mad Devi Bhagavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vyasa.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 24043, revision 84660 (2016-10-07T17:28:08Z). English is Swami Vijñanananda’s complete 1921–23 public-domain translation, controlled against the archival OCR and its chapter page at https://sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk11ch17.htm. Historic spelling and transliteration are lightly normalized; no verse-by-verse alignment is asserted.