Sandhya, aka: Sandhyā; 9 Definition(s)

Introduction

Sandhya means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Sandhyā (सन्ध्या) refers to the morning, mid-day or evening prayer. It is used throughout vedic and purāṇic literature.

Sandhyā (सन्ध्या).—One of the seven major rivers situated in Krauñcadvīpa, according to the Varāhapurāṇa chapter 88. It is also known by the name Raudrā. Krauñcadvīpa is one of the seven islands (dvīpa), ruled over by Jyotiṣmān, one of the ten sons of Priyavrata, who is the son of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was created by Brahmā, who was in turn created by Nārāyaṇa, the unknowable all-pervasive primordial being.

The Varāhapurāṇa is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, and was originally composed of 24,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 10th century. It is composed of two parts and Sūta is the main narrator.

1) Sandhyā (सन्ध्या).—The previous birth of Arundhatī, wife of Vasiṣṭha. (For more details see under Vasiṣṭha Para 1, Sub-Section 1).

2) Sandhyā (सन्ध्या).—Mother of the giantess Sālakaṭaṅkā. It is stated in Uttara Rāmāyaṇa that this Sālakaṭaṅkā. the daughter of Sandhyā was married by the giant Vidyutkeśa.

3) Sandhyā (सन्ध्या).—Time of union or conjunction. There are three Sandhyās in a day. These are morning sandhyā (Prātaḥsandhyā), noon sandhyā (Madhyāhna sandhyā) and evening sandhyā (Sāyaṃ Sandhyā). The meeting time of night and day, is morning Sandhyā, the joining time of the first half and the second half of the day, is noon (Madhyāhna Sandhyā), and the joining time of day and night, is evening Sandhyā (Sāyaṃ sandhyā). Brahmins should keep the three Sandhyās properly. The morning sandhyā is of three kinds. Good, Medium and Bad. When the morning stars are seen and the sunrise is approaching it is good morning; when the stars are not seen and the sun is not risen it is medium sandhyā and the morning time after the sunrise is bad Sandhyā. In sāyaṃsandhyā also there is this difference of time, as good, medium and bad. The time till the sunset is good; the time after the sunset and before the rising of the stars is medium and the evening after the rising of the stars is bad. In the Vedas it is metaphorically mentioned that Brahmins are trees, and the three sandhyās are their roots, the Vedas, their branches and the rites and rituals ordained in the Vedas their leaves. From this it is clear that Brahmins should on no account leave unobserved, worships at these three sandhyās. The Brahmin who does not observe these three sandhyās carefully will, in his life time, become a śūdra and after the death, will be born again as a dog. Moreover the Brahmin who does not do the three evening, morning and noon worships, will have no right to conduct any other Vedic rites.

After the sun-rise and sun-set, within three nāzhikas (a nāzhika-24 minutes) the morning and evening worship should be finished. There is atonement ordered for morning and evening prayers conducted after the stipulated time. (Devī Bhāgavata, Skandha 11).

4) Sandhyā (सन्ध्या).—A holy river who worships Varuṇa in his assembly. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 9, Verse 23).

5) Sandhyā (सन्ध्या).—The presiding Devatā of dusk. She is called Pratīcyādevī as well. (Udyoga Parva, Chapter 117, Verse 16).

Sandhyā (सन्ध्या) refers to a prayer uttered by Brahmins, according to the Śivapurāṇa 1.13, “Sandhyā prayer performed before the prescribed time is ineffective. Hence Sandhyā shall be performed at the prescribed time. The expiatory rite for the omission of Sandhyā prayer for a day is the repetition of Gāyatrī a hundred times more than the usual number of times for ten days. If the omission is for ten days or more, Gāyatrī must be repeated for a hundred thousand times as atonement. If one omits Sandhyā for a month one has to be re-invested with the sacred thread”.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

India history and geogprahy

Sandhyā (सन्ध्या) is the name of a river mentioned in the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—The spring of Sandhyā now known as Sundabrar is situated in a side valley opening to the south of the village of Devalgom circa 75° 22' long. 33° 32' lat.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

sandhyā (संध्या).—f (S) The period of evening twilight. 2 Religious meditation, repetition of mantras, sipping of water &c., to be performed by the three first classes of Hindus at particular periods in the day, especially at sunrise, sunset, and noon. 3 The period intervening between one Yuga or age and another. 4 Twilight (whether of the morning or evening). 5 An intervening period,--the forenoon, the afternoon, or midday.

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sāndhya (सांध्य).—a S Relating to the evening, vespertine.

sandhyā (संध्या).—f Evening. Religious repetition of mantra at sunrise, sunset, and noon.

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sāndhya (सांध्य).—a Relating to the evening.

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