Vipro Vraaksastasya Mulam Cha Sandhya, Veda h Sakha Dharmakarmani Patram |
Tasyanmulam Yatnato Raksaniyam, Chinne Mule Naiva Sakha Na Patram ||
ref- Chanakya Niti. 10-13
Meaning: Sandhya ( upasana ) is the root of the tree of ( health y, hearty and enlightened) life . The Veda s (i.e. source of righteous knowledge) constitute its branches and religious activities are its leaves. Blossoming growth of a tree is dependant on the life of its roots. Without the roots there will be no possibility of any branch or leaves. In essence, the above sloka (likewise many guidelines in the Shastric Literature), conveys that sandhya ( upasana ) is the basis of human life in the truest sense. The rituals of satkarmas 2 namely, pavitrikarana, achamana, sikhabandhana, pranayam, nyasa and praathvi-pujan are simple but effective practices for psychological boosting of the mind and energizing the body. If possible, one should try to practice sandhya-vandan thrice a day. In any case, one must do it twice once in the morning and once in the evening may be, for ten minutes only, if it is difficult to find more time. The best time-slots are (as the word sandhya implies) the junctions (sandhi) between successive phases of the day.
- Chanakya Niti. 10-13