Basic Version : Sandhya Vandana is to commence with ‘Achamana’( Taking water into the right palm and sipping it thrice) as an opening action of Sandhya saying  Om  Kesavaya svaha, Om Narayanaya Swaha and Om Madhavaya Svaha while  washing the hands; continue to recite  Om Govindaya namah / om Vishney namah; touch the lips with right thumb from right to left saying Om Madhusunanayh /Om Trivikramaya namah; after wiping the lips, say Om Vamanaya namah / Om Sridharaya namah; sprinkle water on the left hand to say Om Hrishikesa namah; then say Om Padmanabhya namaha and sprinkle water on legs; Om Damodaraya namaha sprinkle water on head; Om Sankarshayana  namah touch mouth with the three fingers of the right hand; Om Vasudevaya namah / Om  Pradyumnayana namah  touch nostrils with right forefinger; Om Aniruddhaya namah/ Om Purushottamaya touch eyes with right thumb and  ring finger; touch both the ears saying  Om Adhokshaya Namah / Om Narasimhaya namah;  Touch navel, right thumb and little finger and say Om Achyutaya namah ; say  Om  Janardanaya namaha while touching breast with palm; then Om Upendrayana Namah touch the head ; and finally Om Haraye Namaha / Om Sri Krishnayana Namah touching the two arm roots. Then perform Achamana by sipping pea size drop of water from the hollow of right hand palm, with the fingers tight and drawing the thumb and little finger together, silently recite Pranava Mantra and Pranayama comprising the processes of Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka three times minimum and reciting Om Bhu, Om Bhuvah, Om Svah, Om Mahah, Om Janah, Om Tapah, Om Satyam, followed by Gayari Mantra : Tat Savithuh Varenya Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi Dhiyoyona Prachodayat Om Apojyoti Rasomritam Brahma Bhur Bhuvavatsuvarom. This would be followed by Aghamasana Marjana Mantra: Om Apohishtha mayo bhuvah tana Urje tadha -tana Maheranaya Chakshase/  yovassivatamo rasah tasya bhajahathehanaha usiteeriva -matarah/ tasma aranga mamavaha/ Yassyakshayaya  jinvadha Apojana yadhachanahah. [Deva! As you are kind to accept our prayers, do favour us with the means of our existence like Food and so on; do bless us with your endless kindness our sincere desire to have Your divine appearance which is blissful eternally].  Marjana Mantra is to be used along with Pranava, Vyahritis viz. Om Bhu, Om Svah etc. and Gayatri Mantra. Then follows Achamana Mantras preceding morning, mid-day and evening Gayatri Mantras  viz. Suryascha mamanuscha manu patayascha manu krutebhyaha papebhyo rakshantam etc; Apah punantu prithiveem tha punatumam punantu BrahmanasrutirBrahma punatunam etc; Agnischa ma manuscha manupatayascha manu kritebhyah papebhyo rakshantam etc.respectively preceding morning, mid-day and evening Gayatri Mantra. Later on, Punah Marjana Mantra  viz. Hiranya varnassuchaha pavakaya sujataha etc. Papa vimochana Mantra follows. The next step is Arghya pradana Mantras relevant to morning :Udyantamantam aditya mabhidhyanan etc. while performing ‘Pradakshina’; noon time: Hagumsasuchishadva surantariksha etc. and evening: sama sankalpa as morning west faced. The  Common Pradakshina Mantra for morning, noon and evening is: Udyantamastam Adityamabhidhyayan kurvan etc. Thereafter  Achanamam and Sandhyanga Tarpanam is as follows:- Morning: Sandhyam Tarpayami, Gayatreem Tarpayami, Brahmeem Tarpayami and Nimrujeem Tarpayami; Mid day: Sandhyam Tarpayami, Savitreem Tarpayami, Roudreem Tarpayami and Nimrujeem Tarpayami; Evening: Sandhyam Tarpayami, Sarasvateem Tarpayami, Vaishnaveem Tarpayami. Then the Key invocation or ‘Avahana’ to Gayatri Devi and other manifestations of the Super Energy is as per the following Mantra: Omithyekaksharam Brahma Agnirdevataa Brahmaityarsham Gayatram Chhandam Paramatmam saarupam Sayujyam viniyogam Aayatu varada Devi Aksharam Brahma Sammitham Gayatreem Chhandasammatedam Brahama- jushasvame adahnat kurutey papam thadahnat pratimuchyatey yadratrya kuruthye papam tadratyat pratimuchyatey Sarvavarnye Maha Devi Sandhya Vidye Sarasvati Ojosi Sahosi balamasi bhraajosi Devaanam dhaamanamasi Visvayurssarvamasi Sarvaayurabhi bhurom Gayatrimavahayami Savitrimavahayami Sarasvatimavahayami Chhandarshinamavahayami Sriyamavahayami Gayatrya Gayatichando Visvamitr Rishi Savita Devatagnirmukham Rudrassikha Pridhiviyoni Pranapana vyanodana samanasaprana sveta varna Samkhyaya Sa Gotraa Gayatri Chaturvigamsat AksharaTripada Shutkuscchih Pancha Sirshopa Nayane Viniyogaha. [ The word OM is Para Brahma, Agnihotra is Devata, Brahma is Rishi, Paramatma is Svarupam; this Mantropasana is the fruit of Salvation. Gayatri Mother, we are your meditators, kindly fulfil oue desires. You are the Mother of Vedas and Vedantas; let our sins committed during the day and night be abolished at once. You are the Energy of our limbs and sensory organs, the entire source of our Being.We have the honour of inviting you to our prayers as Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Savitri, Vedas and their Meters, Visvamitra and other Rishis. Gayatri Mantra’s Chhandas or Meter is Gayatri Herself, Rishi is Visvamitra, Sun is the Deity, Fire is the Face, Brahma is the head, Vishnu is the heart, Rudra is the tuft, Earth is the Creative Force, the Five types of Air,viz. Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana, Samana; Fair Complextion, Samkhya Gotra, Comprising Twenty four Letters, three feet or steps, Six Stomachs, Five Faces ( Manas, Buddhi, Chitta, Ahamkara and  Pragna indicative of five directions of north, east, west and north plus the above)]. After the Ahvaana or welcome, Sroutachamana  and  Apohishta Mantra, Anganyasa  is presented. The Mantras are as follows: Om Bhu padabhyam Namaha ( touch legs),Om bhuvah Janubhyam Namah(touch two knees), Om Svaha Katibhyam namah (touch hip),Om Maharnabhyai namah ( navel), Om Janat hridayaya namah ( heart), Om Tapah Kanthyaya namah (throat), Om satyam Lalataya namah ( forehead). Karanyasa of the six body parts is executed viz. Om tatsavithuh : Brahmatmane Angushtham Namah Hridayaya namah; Varenyam Vishnatmane Tarjaneebhyam namah Sirase Svaha; Bhargo Devasya Rudratmaney Madhyamabhaym Namah Sikhaya vashat; Dhimahi Satyatmaney Anamikabhyam NamahaKavachaya hum; Dhiyoyonah Jnatatmane Kanishthi -kabham Nanah Netra trayayavoushat ; Prachodayat Sarvatmane Karathala prushthabyam Namah Karathala prushthabhyam namah Astraya phut /Bhurbhuvassoromiti Digbandhah. Gayatri Mantra Japa Samkalpa  is then made.  Main Dhyanam is as follows: Muktavidruma hema nila dhavala chhayirmukhayir streekshanayir yuktamindu nibaddha ratna makutam tatvartha varnatmikam Gayatrrem varadabhayam kuskasassubhramka palam gadam sankham chakra dharavinda ugalam hastyirvahanteem bhaje. [Devi Gayatri’s five faces are white like pearl; one is red like coral, second is yellow like gold, third is blue like neelam, fourth white like milk, and the fifth is of ‘trinetra’ or three eyed. We meditate Her gem studded headgear with half- moon like jewel on Her Head, and eight hands with Benedictine mudras, ‘Ankusam’, Gada (mace), Sankham, Chakram, Skull, and Two Lotuses.] The Mudra Dharana  or  performing Twenty four Mudras, as taught by Guru would be next step in the Gayatri vandanam. The relevant Mantra is: Sumukham Samputamchaiva vitatam vistrutam tadha/ dvimukham trimukhamchaiva chatuh Pancha mukham tadha Shanmukhotho mukhamchaiva vyapakaamanjalim thadha sakatam Yama Pasamcha gradhitam sanmukhom pralambam mushtikam chaiva Matsyah Kurma Varahakou Simhakrantam Mahakrantham mudgaram pallavam tadha. Lamityadi Pancha Puja to Five Elements viz. ‘Lum’ Prithivi tatvatmane Tripada Gayatri Devatayi Namah-Gandham parikalpayami; ‘hum’ Akasa tatvatmane Pushpam samarpayami; ‘yam’ Vayu tatvatmane Dhupam aghrapayami; ‘Ram’ Vahni deepam darshayami; ‘Vam’ Amrita tatvatmane Amrita Naivedyam; and ‘Sum’ sarvatvatmake Sarvopachara Pujaam parikalpayami namah. Before performing Gayatri Japam, the permission of Guru be obtained.[ The word-by-word meaning of Gayatri Mantra is: Om : Almighty God; Bhur (Embodiment of Vital Energy); Bhuvaha ( Destroyer of Suffering);Svaha ( Embodiment of Happiness); Tath ( That Almighty); Savitur ( Bright like Sun); Varenyam (The Supreme); Bhargo (demolisher of Sins); Devasya ( the Divine Force); Dhimahi ( May receive); Yo ( Who); Na ( Our), Prachodayat ( Let inspire in right direction). In other words : Oh Almighty, You are the Creator of Life, Slayer of Sorrow, Bestower of Happiness and Creator of the Univerese. May we receive Your Supreme  Energy to raze our sins and guide us in our intellect in the right direction.] While performing Gayatri Japam mentally, one should not shake head and neck or show teeth.The number of the Japam could be hundred and eight times or fifty eight timed or at least ten times.The Japam is not performed while bathing, for Gayatri is like Fire or  ‘Agnimukha’. Soon after the Japam, recite the Mantra of ‘Mukta vidruma hema neela etc.’ keeping a mental picture of Gayatri as just mentioned earlier and then  perform Eight Mudras  reciting  Surabhi Jnana yonischa nischa sankham chakram cha Pankajam Linga nirvana mudraschyeshta Mudrah prakirtithah. ‘Tri -achamanam’ - Achamanam thrice- follows and then proposing ‘Suryopasthanam’ or taking leave of Sun God in the morning and afternoon Sandhyas and in the Evening Sandhyas propose ‘Varuno pasthanam’ as per Mantras relevant to morning, mid-day and in the evenings respectively. Dik devata namaskaram or salutations to the Deities in charge of six directions of East, South, West, North, Upper and Nether Regions is executed followed by concluding Dhyanam, Tri achamanam and the concluding and formal Salutation from Brahma downward :  Aa Brahma lokadaseshadaa lokaloka parvatat / ye santhi Brahmanaa Devasthebhyo nityam Namonamaha. Ye tatbhavam tat Parameswara arpanamastu.

Sandhya Vandana-Applied Version

While taking bath for purification before ‘Sandhyopasana’ a devotee may recite the following Mantra: Gangecha Yamunechaiva Godavari Saraswathi, Narmadey Sindhu Kaveri Jalosmin sannidhim kuru/ Pushkaraadyaani Tirthaani Gangaadyaah Saritastatha, Aagacchhantu Mahaabhaagaah Snaana kaaley sadaa mama/ Ayodhya Mathuraa Maayaa Kaashi Kaanchihyavantika, Puri Dwaravati Jneyaah Saptaitaa Moksha –daayikaah/ (May the waters flowing in the Rivers of Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri be present in the waters that I am bathing in. May Pushkara and other Tirthas as well as the Sacred Rivers like Ganga be present here. May also the Seven Sacred Kshetras of Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya (Haridwar), Kashi, Kanchi, Avanti (Ujjain) and Dwaravati as renowned be also present.) After bath, ‘Arghya’ (Water) / Dhyana (meditation) are offered to Surya Deva; the devotee would then wear clean, two white robes, settle down on a ‘kushaasana’(mat) facing ‘Ishana’(North-East) direction, commence ‘Achamana’ with Harih Om and Pavitra Mantra viz. Apavitrah pavitrova sarvaavasthaangatopivaa, yasmaret Pundareekaaksham sa Baahyaantarah suchih/ (Let me remember the name of ‘Pundarikaaksha’always-whether physically clean or otherwise-with cleanliness from within or without); while doing ‘Achamana’or sipping spoonfuls of water thrice with Gayatri Mantra, utter the Mantras viz. Om Rutamcha Satyam cha abheedaat tapasodhyajaayata, tato Ratrasya Jaayata tatassamudro Arnavah/ (Even before meditation, the Self-illuminated Para Brahma created the authentic Truth and from that Truth generated darkness which created the waters of the Oceans); Samudraarnavaat Adhi Samamvatsaro Ajaayata, Ahoraatraani vidadhat Vishvashya mishato vashee/ (Days/ nights as also Years and the concept of Time got  materialized only after the waters of Oceans were generated and Paramatma held the Universe in His full control); Suryaa Chandra masow Dhaata Yathaa purvamakalpayat, Divamcha Prithiveem chaaantariksha mathosvah/(As in the past, Dhata (Paramatma) created Surya Chandras, Celestial Region including Heaven, besides the Sky and Earth).Then the devotee performing Sandhya Vandana sips water by way of ‘Achamana’once again. Thereafter, the devotee is to spraywater in all the directions as also on the self. Then, he readies himself to do ‘Praanaayaam’ and recites Pranava while proposing the seven ‘Vyahritis’(relevant expressions of Gayatri) viz. Om Bhuh, Om Bhuvah, Om Suvah, Om Mahah, Om Janah, Om Tapah, Om Satyam, Om tatsavatir varenyam bhargo devasya dheermahi dhiyo yonah prachodayaat, Om Apo Jyoti  rasomritam Bharma Bhurbhuvatswarom/ simultaneously sprinkle drops of water on one’s own head. Pranayama (Control of Prana) is performed by  touching the nose by the thumb and  second finger and air must be taken in slowly through the left nostril and sent out by the right nostril; inhalation is known as ‘Puraka’, retaining is ‘Kumbhaka’ and exhalation is Rechaka, the three tasks done by 1:3:2 ratio, completing one Pranayama.                                                                                                                                      The ‘Viniyogas’ or attributions of Gayatri / Shiro Mantras are as follows:                                         Gayatri Mantra –Omkaarasya Brahma Rishih, Devi Gayatri Chhandah, Paramaatmaa Devataa, Sapta Vyahriteenaam Prajaapatirrishih Gayatri ushnik anushtup Brihati Pankti trishtup  jagatyah chhandaamsya , AgnirVaayu Surya Brihaspati Varunendra Vishvadeva Devatah/                                    (PraanaayamaViniyogah)                                                                   Shiro Mantra –Tatsavituriti Vishwamitra Rishih Gayatri chaandah Savitaa Devataa Apojyotiriti Sirasah Pajapatirishi yajuschhando BrahmagniVaayu Suryaa Devataah/ (Praanaayaamey Viniyoga. After the Pranayaama Viniyoga, the devotee has to perform Kara Nyasa and Anga Nyasa as follows: Kara Nyasa: Om Angushthaabhyaam Namah (Touch both the thumbs); Om Bhuh Tarjanibhyam namah (Touch both thumbs with both fore-fingers); Om Bhuvah Madhyamaabhyaam Namah (Touch both thumbs with both middle fingers); Om Swaha Anaamikaabhyaam Namah (Touch the thumbs with ring wearing finger); Om Bhur bhuvah kanishtikaabhyaam namah (Touch the thumbs with little fingers) and Om Bhur bhuvah swah karatala hastaabhyaam namah (Touch both the back sides of the palms) Anganyasa:: Om Hridayaa Namah (Touch the heart with right hand); Om Bhu Sirasey swaha (Touch the head); Om Bhuvah Shikhaya vashat (Touch the tuft); Om Swah kavachaaya hum (Touch shoulders with both the hands); Om Bhurbhuvaha  netraa -bhyaam voushat (Touch the eyes with respective hand-fingers); Om Bhurbhuvah swaha Astraya phat ( take the right hand behind the back and clap to rest it on left palm). After Pranayama as above, then Gayatri Avahana Sankalpa states: Mamopaattha Samasta duritakshaya dwara Shri Parameswara preetyartham Praatah Sandhyaamupaasishy/ or Maadhyaahnikam Karishey/ or Saayam Sandhyaamupaasishey (May I begin to worship Goddess Sandhya in the morning/afternoon/evening by destroying all of my sins by the grace of Parameswara). In the morning Gayatri is in the form of ‘Tryaikshari’, Veda Maataa and Brahma Vaadini: Aaagachha varade Devi Tryaiksharey Brahma Vaadini, Gayatricchandasaam Maata Brahmayoney Namostutey; In the afternoon she arrives as Savitri by a vrishabha (bull) with white robes as Rudra Vaadini: Madhyaahney Vrishabha aruudhaam Savitreem Rudra yonim chaavaahayerudravaadineem; in the evening Gayatri appears mounted on Garuda as Sarasvati with crimson robes as VishnuVaadini : Saayamtu Garudhaarudhaam Peetaambharasamaavitaam, Sarasvatim  Vishnuyoni maahvayed Vishnu Vaadineem/                                                                                                                                           After the Sankalpa follows Maarjanam by the Mantra : Aapohishta mayo bhuvah, tana oorje dadhaatana/ maheranaaya chakshase, yo vah Shiva tamo rasah/ tasya bhajayateha nah/Usiteeravah Matarah, Tasma arangamama vah, yasya kshayaya jinvath/ Apo janaa yahta cha nah/ Om bhurbhuva suvah/ (Aapohishtha: The Goddesses of Water indeed; Mayo bhuvah: are the causes of granting happiness; tah nah: Such Goddesses; Mahe Ramaaya chakshasey : are Great and charming to view; oorje dadhaatana :provide nourishment ; sivatamo rasah: most propitious bliss; Usitih Matara iva: like loving mothers; Bhajayateha yasya kshayaaya: make us worthy of that bliss; Jinvatha tasmaa vah aram gamaamah :we go in for that bliss with great eagerness; Apo janaayata: may we be born in rebirth with pure knowledge.                                                                                                                            Pratah Sandhya (Morning) Mantra Sandhya states: Suryascha ma manyuscha manyupatayascha manukriteebhyah/ Paapebhyo rakshantaam/ Yadraatriya paapamakaarsham/ manasaa vaachaa hastaabhyaam/ Padhmyamudarena sisna/ Raatristadavalumpatu/ yat kimcha duritam mayi idamaham mamaamritayanau/ Surye Jyotishi Juhomi swaha (Protect me from sins committed due to rage and temper as also by the Sun and the Deity of Fury apart from the wrongdoings by my mind, conversation, limbs, stomach and sex; once such sins are excused, may the Great Radiance of Sun God make me worthy of Salvation).By so saying, sip water from the hollow of right palm. Madhyaahna Sandhya (Noon time) Mantra : Apah punantu Prithivim Prithivi puta punatumaam, Punatu Brahmanaspatih Brahma puta punatu maam/ Yaduchhistam abhojam yadva duscharitam mama, Sarvam punatu maamaposatam chapratigrahagg swaha ( Let the Deity of Water clean up the Earth, me and my Guru who is a depository of Vedas and let Vedas sanctify me. May the wrong food that I consumed, the questionable deeds that I did or the dubious presents that I received from doubtful characters be all mollified, as I propose myself to get purified by the flames of the Swaha or Paramatma.) After this Mantra, the devotee should sip water signifying it as a vow.                           Sayamkala Sandhya (Evening) Mantra states: Agnischa ma manyuscha manyupatayascha manyu kritebhyah Paapebhyo rakshantaam yadanha paapamakaarsham, Manasa vaachaa hastaabhyam Padbyaam udarena sishnaa Ahastadalumpatu, yat kincha duritam mayi idamaham maamamritayonau satye jyothishi juhomi swaha/ ( Let all the Deities of Fire, fury and ferocity safeguard me from their attack on me due to the unpardonable sins perpetrated by me by the day by my mind, stomach, sex organ; may I be purified me of despicable deeds and qualify me to proceed on the path of Moksha. Achamana-Punarmarjana and Marjana be followed with the Mantra viz. Dadhikravinno akaarisham jishnorasvasya vajinah, surabhi no mukha karat prana Aagumshi tarishat/     (May the Lord who is the Sustainer, Administrator and Evaluator in the form of Hayagriva the Victorious and the Seat of knowledge be worshipped to facilitate our Life without any obstacle). This Mantra may be followed by the afore-mentioned Mantra Aapo hi shtha while sprinkling water on the head of the devotee and touching the feet and thereafter recite Apo janayata cha nah while water is thrown round the head.                                                                                                                                 Arghya pradaanam: Recite the Gayatri Mantra pour water thrice to the East in the morning, face north and pour water twice in standing position and face west in sitting posture as follows:                                     Om Bhurbhuvassavah, Tat Saviturvarenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi, dhiyo yo nah prachodayaat/ Praanaayama should be done there after.                                                                                                                          Deva Tarpana:Adityam Tapayami, Somam Tarpayami, Angaarakam Tarpayami, Budham Tarpayami, Brihaspatim Tarpayami, Sukram Tarpayami,Shanaischaram Tarpayami, Rahum Tarpayami, Ketu Tarpayami//  Keshavam Tarpayami, Narayanam Tarpayami, Govindam Tarpayami, Vishnum Tarpayami, Madhusudanam Tarpayami, Trivikramam Tarpayami, Vaamanam Tarpayami, Shridharam Tarpayami, Hrishikesham Tarpayami, Damodaram Tarpayami.

Gayatri Avahaana: Omityekaaksaram Brahma, Agnirdevata Bhrahma ityaarsham Gayatreem Chhandam Paramaatmam Swarupam, Sayujyam viniyogam/(The unique word AUM is of Parabrahma form, Agni is Main Devata, Brahma is related to Rishi, Gayatri is related to Chhanda, Paramaatma is all-pervasive and the terminal point of Moksha); Aayaatu varada Devi Akhsharam Brahmasammitam, Gayarimchhandasaam Maatedam Brahma jushaswa me (May I  humbly request Gayati to guide me about Brahma); Yadannaatkurutey paapam tadhanaat pratimuchyatey, Yadraatrikurutey paapam tadraatriyat pratimuchyateyi( Let the sins committed during the day be destroyed in the day itself; let the sins done during the night be destroyed on the same night) Sarva varney Mahadevi Sandhya vidyey Sarasvati, Ojosi Sahosi Balamasi Bhraajosi Devaanaam Dhaamanaamasi Vishvamasi Vishvaayuhu sarvamasi Sarvaaurabhibhuurom ,Gayatriimaavaayahayaami Savitreemaavaahayami Saraswateemaavaahayayami,Shriya maavaahayaami, Balamaavaayaha yaami ( Sarva Varna! Sandhya Vidya! Sarasvati! Maha Gayatri! You are the embodiment of Radiance, the Grip Holder and of the Strength; the Shakti of Devatas, the Life of the World, the Veritable Universe and the Totality! May I invoke You Omkara Swarupa Savitri! May I invoke Chhandasas, Rishis and Lakshmi!); Gayatryah Gayaree Chhandah Vishwamitra Rishih, Savitaa Devataa, Agnirmukham, Brahma Shiro,Vishnur hridayam, Radrah Sikhaah, Prithivi Yonih, Praanaa paana vyaanodaana samaanaa sa praanaa swetavarnaa saamkhyaayana sa gotra Gayatree Chaturvimsatyaksharaa Tripadaa Shatkukshih, Panchaseershopanayaney viniyogah (I invoke Gayatri, whose Chhanda is Gayatri, Rishi is Vishwamitra, Agni is Face, Brahma is head,Vishnu is heart, Rudra is the tuft, Prithi is the generator as also Gayatri with Five Praanaas viz. Praana, Apana, Vyana, Udana and Samaana; white coloured; with the Gotra of Rishi Samkhyayana; with twenty four Alphabet Letters; Three feet; six bellied; five heads and the main deity of ‘Upanayana’).                                                                                                Gayatri Karanyaasah: Om tatsavituh Angushthabhyaam namah, Om varenyam tarjanee –bhyam namah, Om bhargo Devasya Madhyamaabhyam namah, Om Dheemahi Anamikabhyam namah, Om Dhiyoyonah kanishthikabhyaanamah, and Om Prachodayaat Karatalaprishthaabhyaam namah. Gaytri Anganyasah: Om tatsavituh hridayaayanamah; Om Varenyam Sirasey Swaaha; Om Bhargo Devasya Shikhaayavoushat; Om dheemahi kavachaayahum; Om dhiyoyonah netratrayaaya voushat; Om prachodayaat Astraaya phat; Om Bhurbhuvassurom iti dikbhandhayah.                                                                                                                         Dhyaanam : Muktaa vidruma hema neela dhavala cchaayair mukhyai stryakshanair yuktaamindu nibaddha ratna makutaam tatvaartha varnaatmikaam, Gayatreem varadaa -bhayamkusa kasaa shrubhram kapaalam gadaam shankham chakra madaara vinda –ugalaam hastairvaham teem bhajey/ (I pray to Gayatri who has five faces with the colours of Pearl, coral, golden, blue and white; three Aksharas or Letters, Moon-ornamented headgear, tatwas and varnaas, seated on kusha grass mat denoting purity and also possessing Kapaalam or skull, Gada or mace, Shankham or conchshell, chakram or wheel and two lotuses).In the morning Gayatri is of Rigveda Swarupa as a baby Girl with Brahma Shakti possessing four faces, seated on a soft hamsa / Swan and with shining jewellery; in the afternoon she is called Savitri as a grown-up youth with Rudra Shakti, three eyes, tiger skin, having Mudras of khatvanga (cut-limbed), trishula, Aksha valaya and Abhaya/ Protective Mudras; as mounted on a bull. In the evening, Gayatri assumes the form of Saraswati with Vishnu Shakti wearing purple silk dress exuding black colour as an elderly woman seated on a ‘Garud’. Visioning Devi Gayatri according to the timings, the devotee would then commence the recitation of Gayatri Mantra saying Mamopaattha samasta duritakshayadwara Sri Parameswara preetyartham : Pratah Sandhya Gayatri Maha Mantra japam karishye/ Madhyahnika Gayatri Maha Mantra Japam karishey/ Saayam Sandhya Maha Mantra japam karishey viz.

OM BHUHRBHUVASSAHA TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM  BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI

DHIYO YONA PRACHODAYAAT/

Each time, Gayatri Japa is best performed one thousand and eight times which is reckoned as Uttama; one hundred and eight times as Madhyama or fifty four /twenty eight  times as heena / minimum.                                                                                                                         Gayatri Upasthaanam:  First perform Pranaayama and recite: Uttamey Shikhare Devi Bhumyaam parvata murdhani, Brahmanebhoy hyanujnaanam gahha devi yathhaa sukham/ ( Devi Gayatri, You have the clearance to stay on top of the Meru Mountain by Brahmanas); Stuta maya varadaa Vedamataa prachodayanti pavaney dwijaataa, Ayuh Prithivyam dravinam Brahma varchasam  mahyam datvaa prayaatum Brahmalokam ( As extolled by us Devi Gayatri! You are the bestower of our desires and the epitome of Purity, Veda Rupa and of two forms; kindly bless me on Earth to provide me long life, prosperity, Brahma Teja!)                                                                                                       

Surya Upasthanam (Pratahkaala): Mitrasya charshani dhritah shravo devasya sanaasim/ Satyam chitrasravastamam Mitro janaan yaayaati prajaanan Mitrodaadhara Prithvee –mutadyaam/ Mitra krishtee ranimishaabhichashte Satyaaya havyam ghritavadvidhema// pra sa Mitra marto Astu Payaswaan yasta Aditya sikshati vratena/ Na hanyatey na jeeyatey twoto nainama gumho Asnotyantito na dooraat (Surya is omni-scient and supports earth, heaven and all Beings vigilantly. May I offer my oblations of ghee to secure lasting blessings to that Supreme God as he is the Univeral friend to sustain Dharma, to insulate us against diseases, worldly difficulties and sins from far and near, as also to give us longevity and happiness.)                                                                              

(Madhyahne):

Aasatyena rajasa vartamano nivesayannamritam martyam cha/  Hiranyayena Savita rathenaa devo yaati bhuvna vipasyan (Surya travels all over the Universe by his golden chariot with a special eye at the World and witnesess by the light of the souls of Gods and mortals of each one of their activities); Mitrasya Varunasya Agneh Chakshuh Devaanaam chitram Aneekam Jagatastasthushascha Atma Suryah Daivaa Prithiveem Antarihsham Aa Purasthat sukram ucharat Devahitam chakshuh tat Saradassatam pasyama jeevama saradassatam Nandaamaa saradassatam modaamaa saradassatam Bhaavanaa Saradassatam Shrunavaama saradassatam Prabravaamaa saradassatam Ajeetah Saradassatam jyok cha Suryam drsey (Let Surya who is the embodiment of Mitra, Varuna and Agnideva be empowered to dominate the soul of all moving and non moving Beings on Earth, Heaven and Atmosphere; May we vision and pray to him for hundred years and enjoy life for that time; May we be blessed with fame, hear pleasant things for hundred years, converse good words for hundred years, be victorious for hundred years and be with Sun God for hundred years.)                                                                                                                                               

(Saayam kaale):

 Imam me Varuna shrudhee havamadyaa cha mridaya, Tatvaamavasyuraachakey Tatva yaami Brahmanaa Vanda maanastadaasaastey Yajamaano havirbhih Ahedamaano Varuneha Bodhyurusagumsa maa na Ayuh pramosheeh// Yacchhiddhi te visho yataaa pradeva Varuna vratam/ mineemasi dyavidyavi/ Yat kinchedam Varuna daive janebhidroham manushaascharaamasi/ Acchitte yattava dharma yuyopima maa nastamaadenaso Deva Risheeah/ Kitavaaso yadriripurna deevi yadvaaghaa satyamuta yanna vidma/ Sarvaa taa vishya stitireva devataa te syaama Varun priyasaah / (Varuna Deva! Kindly consider my request and provide me protection as I seek shelter with Veda Mantras; do not ignore my appeal to reduce my life span. I might have omitted my daily prayer knowingly or otherwise but do save me of the sin of negligence. Hereafter, I should be careful).                                                                                                                           After the ‘Upasthana’ of Surya / Varuna there ought to be Samishtyabhivandanam or collective salutation to Deities: Sandhyayai namah Saavitrainamah Gayatrai namah Saraswatyai namah Sarvaabhyo devaatabhyo namo namah/ Kaamo kaarsheen manyurakaarsheen namo namah/ (My prostration to the Deities Sandhya, Savitri, Sarasvati and all others; do forgive my sins done under the influence of passion and fury).                                                                                                                                                      

Devata Vandanam:Praachai namah, Dakshinayai namah, Praachai namah,Urthvayai namah, Atharayai namah Antarikshayai namah, Bhumyai namah, Brahmaney namah, Vishnavey namah Mrityavenamah/ (Salutationns to the Deities of East, South, West and North as also to those in upper, lower and the Skies, to Earth, Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra). Aakaasaat Patitam toyam Yatha gachati Saagaram, Sarvadeva namaskarah Kesavam prati gacchati Om nanah iti//

(Just as waters from Sky descend to Oceans, all salutations reach Keshava);

Kayenavaachaa manaserviyairva buddhyaatmanaava prakriteh swabhaavaat

karomi yadat sakalamparasmai Naarayanayeti Samarpayami/

(I dedicate whatever has been done by body, speech, mind and senses to Narayana).