The junction between the brows and the nose is the junction (Sandhya) of the Akasa and Paraloka.
By the knowledge of the unity of Paramatma and Atma, the idea of their separate existence is destroyed. The process of meditating upon this junction is called as "Sandhya Vandanam". The union of the individual self with universal self.
Kurukshetram, Samantha panchakam, Avmukhtam, Varanasi and Mahasmasana all point to one locality, the agna-chakra between the eye brows which the yogis understand as the ‘sixth chakra’ which in effect is called the ‘Sandhya’ (agna chakra).
The five ‘Sandhya’s below are as follows starting from the bottom:
1) Mooladhara
2) Swadhistana
3) Manipura
4) Anahata
5) Visuddhi and
6) Agna Chakra (the pure mind).
While the first five are called Plexus (the five elements) the 6th is the pure mind.
Agna chakra (Sandhya) is the seat of pure mind where all the complex evolutions below are destroyed and a little Gnana (aa+gnya) or real knowledge is obtained and hence called ‘Kshetra” and Maha Samsara.
The Sandhya is regarded as an important Dharmic ceremony to be performed by the Hindus and it has now virtually become a meaningless ritual seldom cared for by the younger generation among the western educated Hindus.
The fault could not be attributed to modern education which ‘undoubtedly ‘improves the intellectual capacities of its sincere votaries.
The real difficulty is when education naturally demanded a reasonable explanation for the ceremony, the pundit authorities owing to their utter want of religious education were unable to furnish necessary explanations.
The Sandhya being one of the simplest daily ceremonies ordained by religion (read as dharma), it is a pity that everyone is groping in the dark at present with regard to its real significance.
Sandhya Vandanam is not a superstitious absurdity, nor mysterious occultism. The worship of the surya at the Sandhya is explained as referring to the adoration of the internal atma.
The rakshasas named “Mandehas’ are said to represent the sins of man obstructing the requirement of real knowledge of the Atma.
No Hindu is asked to worship the Sun for his Sandhyavandanam which is productive of final liberation. It is the Almighty Easwara who directs and controls even the Sun. More in my next blog.....................................
HariOm
HV Nath
Source:
1) Meru Thantharam
2) Skandoupanishad
3) Gayathri upanishad
