34.T for Twelve/Dwadasa Namam & Touching twelve places: When Brahmins do Achamanam, they touch their bodies with cold water in twelve places. They also recite twelve names of Lord Vishnu starting with Kesava,Narayana-------. Each of these names has a detailed story.
Touching 12 places in the body with cold water makes a person alert. Even Christians do it but touching only three places. It is an abridged version of what Brahmins do.
35.T for Twilight: The very word Sandhya means twilight. Nature can take anyone to SAMADHI and give concentration power very easily. One day Sri Ramkrishna Paramahamsa was walking along the ever green paddy fields of West Bengal. The sky was darkening due to gathering thick clouds. At that time, beautiful white cranes were flying in the sky. Emerald green Paddy fields, Dark blue clouds, Pure white cranes- When Ramakrishna looked at this beautiful colour combination as creation of God , he fell in to Samadhi. His disciples had to carry him home. Knowing the power of Nature ,ingenious Brahmins selected the twilight time for Sandhya.
36.U for Upanishad Mahavakyas: The ultimate aim of all the Hindu prayers is to elevate man to the status of GOD. Our Vedas have four Maha Vakyas.
(a)PRAJNANAM BRAHMA: Consciousness is Brahman (Aitareya Upanishad of Rik Veda)
(b)AHAM BRAHMA ASMI: I am Brahman (Brihadaranya Upanishad of Yajur Veda)
(c) TAT TVAM ASI : That Thou Art (Chandokya Upanishad of Sama Veda)
(d)AYAM ATMA BRAHMA: This self is Brahman (Mandukya Upanishad of Atharva Veda)
When Brahmins say Asavaadityo Brahma, Brahmaivahamasmi, it reminds us of the highest goal.
Even Valluvar says man can become God:
வையத்துள் வாழ்வாங்கு வாழ்பவன் வான் உறையும்
தெய்வத்துள் வைக்கப்படும்
37.V for Vedic Gods : Throughout Sandhya Vandhana we invoke all the Vedic Gods from Agni to Varuna. Veda starts with the letter A. AGNI MEELE PUROHITHAM is the first mantra of Rik Veda. Lord Krishna says in the Gita ‘Aksharanam Akaarosmi’-I am the first letter of the alphabet. Tamil Poet Valluvar also says அகர முதல எழுத்தெல்லாம் -------------
The beauty in the Sandhyavandhana is all the ancient Gods like Agni, Vayu, Indra, Yama, Varuna and the later Gods like Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva(Rudra) are all covered.
We can’t see such higher thoughts anywhere else in the daily prayers. That is why I think Brahmins deserve a place in the Book of Records.
Touching 12 places in the body with cold water makes a person alert. Even Christians do it but touching only three places. It is an abridged version of what Brahmins do.
35.T for Twilight: The very word Sandhya means twilight. Nature can take anyone to SAMADHI and give concentration power very easily. One day Sri Ramkrishna Paramahamsa was walking along the ever green paddy fields of West Bengal. The sky was darkening due to gathering thick clouds. At that time, beautiful white cranes were flying in the sky. Emerald green Paddy fields, Dark blue clouds, Pure white cranes- When Ramakrishna looked at this beautiful colour combination as creation of God , he fell in to Samadhi. His disciples had to carry him home. Knowing the power of Nature ,ingenious Brahmins selected the twilight time for Sandhya.
36.U for Upanishad Mahavakyas: The ultimate aim of all the Hindu prayers is to elevate man to the status of GOD. Our Vedas have four Maha Vakyas.
(a)PRAJNANAM BRAHMA: Consciousness is Brahman (Aitareya Upanishad of Rik Veda)
(b)AHAM BRAHMA ASMI: I am Brahman (Brihadaranya Upanishad of Yajur Veda)
(c) TAT TVAM ASI : That Thou Art (Chandokya Upanishad of Sama Veda)
(d)AYAM ATMA BRAHMA: This self is Brahman (Mandukya Upanishad of Atharva Veda)
When Brahmins say Asavaadityo Brahma, Brahmaivahamasmi, it reminds us of the highest goal.
Even Valluvar says man can become God:
வையத்துள் வாழ்வாங்கு வாழ்பவன் வான் உறையும்
தெய்வத்துள் வைக்கப்படும்
37.V for Vedic Gods : Throughout Sandhya Vandhana we invoke all the Vedic Gods from Agni to Varuna. Veda starts with the letter A. AGNI MEELE PUROHITHAM is the first mantra of Rik Veda. Lord Krishna says in the Gita ‘Aksharanam Akaarosmi’-I am the first letter of the alphabet. Tamil Poet Valluvar also says அகர முதல எழுத்தெல்லாம் -------------
The beauty in the Sandhyavandhana is all the ancient Gods like Agni, Vayu, Indra, Yama, Varuna and the later Gods like Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva(Rudra) are all covered.
We can’t see such higher thoughts anywhere else in the daily prayers. That is why I think Brahmins deserve a place in the Book of Records.
