Is Performing Sandhyavandanam Compulsory for Chanting?
A male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Hare Krishna prabhuji I hope you are doing well and also i read your posts daily from the telegram channel and love reading them
Prabhuji i am also born in a brahmin family and one pandit ji told me that if we don’t do sandhya-Vandanam (3 times a day) daily then whatever sadhna we do like ekadashi fasting, chanting holy name…etc the lord won’t accept it.
I felt sad after hearing this so is it really that krishna won’t accept our service ???”
REPLY:
Sandhyavandanam is a practice recommended by Vedas for Dwija communities and those who got initiated as brahmana.
It should be performed three times a day.
It is targeted at Sun God.
Sun God is not meant for giving liberation from birth and death.
So, Sandhyavandanam won’t stop further births.
(Feeling Headache while chanting – Solutions! READ HERE!)
It is a purification process for brahmanas. By performing Sandhyavandanam thrice a day and chanting gayathri manthra, a brahmnana’s mind is purified from contaminations.
So, he can lead a disciplined life as a brahmana.
However, Chanting Holy names of Krishna and observing ekadasi fasts do not have any conditions.
Anyone of any state can chant Hare Krishna and observe ekadasi fast.
Sandhyavandanam is recommended for Brahmanas or dwija communities.But, Chantinng is recommended for all without any restrictions.
Why?
Sandhyavandanam is targetted at Sun god. Chanting Hare Krishna and fasting are targetted at Krishna.
In front of the worship of Krishna, all other practices, Varnashrama duties become secondary.
That means, Harinam itself is powerful to purify everyone. So, he does not require any other practices to get purified.
Sandhyavandanam is good to perform for brahmanas.
But, it is not a condition to chant Hare Krishna and observe fast for ekadasi.
But, Chanting Holy Names of Krishna too will give sincerity and involvement and also take us to Krishna Himself.
(What if chanting Hare Krishna reminds a lover Krishna for a girl? READ HERE!)
For kaliyuga, Chanting Harinam alone is sufficient.
Getting a formal diksha from a guru is also not a precondition for Chanting the Holy names of Krishna. However, getting diksha gives more dedication in chanting.
Similarly, performing Sandhyavandanam gives more sincerity and involvement in religious practices. That’s all.
Sandhyavandanam is a Vedic ritual that won’t stop further births. But, Chanting Hare Krishna is above Vedic rituals.
So, Chant Hare Krishna as much as possible and be relieved. It will give Krishna Himself.
No need for guilt.
Hope you are clear whether performing Sandhyavandanam Compulsory for Chanting.
(No Improvement in the Quality of Chanting for many years? Tips! READ HERE!)