Sadachar and Sandhyavandanam

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Sadachar is that ethical code of conduct which leads to Absolute Reality . It is founded on the Eternal Dharma as revealed in the Vedas. Sadachar is very essential for peace and prosperity of the entire mankind. Scientific and Economic advancements are not the sufficient conditions of establishing peace in the world.

The main aim of Sadachar is to develop an inner vision that sees unity and oneness of all beings. It awakens the intellect (Buddhi) and brings about a spiritual transformation of the being.

Sandhyavandanam is one of the most important Sadachar. It is a daily obligatory and purificatory ritual which aims at the three-fold purification of the body, life and mind and then enlightens the intellect through Gayatri Upasana.

This book inculcates virtues in the seeker through the practice of Sadacahar like Sandhyavandanam. It gradually turns the seeker towards the knowledge of the Self. This book brings a synthesis of Karma, Upasana and Jnana by presenting the philosophies of Sadachar-anusandhanam of Bhagavadpada Sri Adi Shankaracharya and the Isavasya Upanishad.

The author is an Engineering Graduate from National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu. He later went on to pursue Masters Degree in Business Administration from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh.

Since his childhood he has had deep interest in Indian Spirituality and has dedicated his life in search of the ultimate Truth. Presently, he is residing at the Ashram in Prasanthi Nilayam, the abode of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He is leading a holy life by practising Sadachar and rendering services at the Ashram. He is also the author of books entitled 'Eight Minor Upanishads', "Bhagavad-Gita" and "Spiritual Life and Liberation".

Sadachar sustains Dharma and brings peace to the individual as well as to the entire humanity. Practice of Sadachar has been laid down in every religion. Sadachar has to be practised at three planes, viz., physical, verbal and mental. The true characteristic of a holy person is unity in thought, word and deed. Sadachar awakens the intuitive faculty of the seeker. The one who practises Sadachar as laid down in the Dharma Sastras becomes purified in the mind and intuitively realises the true nature of Atman. Sadachar helps in transcending the law of Karma. It leads the seeker on the good path (Shreyas) and confers the felicity of immortal life.

Sandhyavandanam has been prescribed as one of the most important Sadachar in the Dharma Sastras. Sandhyavandanam is daily obligatory ritual (Nitya Karma) which aims at purification of the being. Sandhyavandanam Mantras release the human soul bound by the triple cord (physical, verbal and mental) of sin through the divine power of Agni, Surya and Varuna. This ritual gradually wipes out all . Worldly impressions from the sense organs, life force, mind and intellect and bestows purity. Daily performance of this ritual brings forward the divine will inherent in the individual and manifests soul personality. It confers inner strength through which the performer overcomes the evil influences of six vices and leads a righteous life. The one who daily performs Sandhyavandanam with necessary discipline is called Dvija, the twice-born.

Though the Sandhya ritual effaces worldly impressions from the mind, it is an extrovert path which seeks a higher kind of happiness in the three lower worlds of matter, life and mind. The intelligence in these three lower worlds is diversified and is incapable of arriving at the unity. The main theme of the Vedas is to elevate the soul from these three lower worlds into the three higher spiritual worlds of Sat, Chit and Ananda where the intelligence is unified and free from falsehood.

Gayatri Upasana is enjoined during Sandhyavandanam for ascending to these three higher spiritual worlds. It opens a link between the three lower worlds and the three higher worlds. It stimulates the higher faculty of Upasaka (worshipper) called Dhi or Buddhi. The deity invoked through Gayatri Mantra is Savitri, the supreme creator possessing three aspects of illumination (Gayatri), life energy (Savitri) and wisdom (Sarasvati). Gayatri Upasana brings communion with the supreme creator. It is said, `Gayantam Trayati Sa Gayatri - Gayatri protects those who chant this Hymn of Illumination.' Gayatri Upasana like any other Upasana confers Krama Mukti, gradual liberation pertaining to the three spiritual worlds of relative immortality. However, if the Upasaka is free from all desires of enjoyments in seen and unseen worlds, it confers Self-knowledge and grants Sadyo Mulct!, instantaneous liberation here and now. Therefore, Gayatri Upasana is considered as an important means to realise Brahman.