VIII
Vaiṣṇava Nityānusthānam
Sandhyāvandanam, Yajñopavīta Dhāraṇam, Tarpaṇam and Śrāddham — the daily and occasional karmānushtānas. Each entry includes the mantras and the method.
Note: The procedures below are given in the Yajur-śākhā Vaiṣṇava order and are intended as a starting reference. Please always confirm details with your family ācārya, especially for śrāddha rites where dates, gotras, and śākhā-specific mantras vary.
The thrice-daily worship of Sūrya-Nārāyaṇa, prescribed for every dvija after the sacred thread. Performed at prātaḥ (dawn), mādhyāhnika (noon) and sāyam (dusk). The following is the Yajur-Vaiṣṇava order.
Step 01
Ācamanam
ॐ अच्युताय नमः । अनन्ताय नमः । गोविन्दाय नमः ।
Sipping water thrice with the names of Achyuta, Ananta, Govinda.
Step 02
Prāṇāyāma
ॐ भूः । ॐ भुवः । ॐ सुवः । ॐ महः । ॐ जनः । ॐ तपः । ॐ सत्यम् । ॐ तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि । धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥ ॐ आपोज्योतिरसोऽमृतं ब्रह्म भूर्भुवस्सुवरोम् ॥
One round of prāṇāyāma with the seven vyāhṛtis, the Gāyatrī, and the closing āpo-jyoti mantra.
Step 03
Saṅkalpa
मम उपात्त समस्त दुरितक्षय द्वारा श्री परमेश्वर प्रीत्यर्थं प्रातः / मध्याह्न / सायं सन्ध्यामुपासिष्ये
The formal declaration of intent — at the given time of day.
Step 04
Mārjanam
आपोहिष्ठा मयोभुवः ॥ ता न ऊर्जे दधातन ॥ महे रणाय चक्षसे ॥
Sprinkling of water with the āpo-hi-ṣṭhā mantras of the Ṛg-veda.
Step 05
Prāśanam
सूर्यश्च मामन्युश्च मन्युपतयश्च मन्युकृतेभ्यः पापेभ्यो रक्षन्ताम्
Sipping water while reciting the prāśana mantra — for absolving sins of the day.
Step 06
Arghya-pradāna
ॐ भूर्भुवस्सुवः तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि । धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Offering of water thrice to Sūrya with the Gāyatrī mantra (four times at noon, thrice at dawn and dusk).
Step 07
Gāyatrī Japa
ॐ भूर्भुवस्सुवः । तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि । धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Silent recitation of the Gāyatrī — a minimum of 10, 28, or 108 times.
Step 08
Upasthānam & Digvandanam
मित्रस्य चर्षणीधृतः ॥ ... ॐ प्राच्यै दिशे नमः ...
Standing hymn to the Sun (varying by time), followed by salutations to the eight directions and to Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Rudra.
Step 09
Abhivādanam & Samarpaṇam
अभिवादये ... गोत्रः / प्रवरान्वित / सूत्रः / शाखाध्यायी / नामाहम् अस्मि भोः ।
Announcement of one's gotra, sūtra, śākhā and name; and dedication of the ritual to Bhagavān.