Chapter XXXVI - Mode of performing, the rite of Gayatri Nyasa

Hari said:—Hear, O Rudra, I will now describe the rites of Sandhya which destroy all sins. Having practised Pranayama, (suppression of vital airs), thrice the worshipper should bathe at the period of conjunction. That process of Yoga is called Pranayama in which a man, having controlled his vital breath, reads thrice the Gayatri with Pranava and Vyarhriti.^[1] By the yogic process of Pranayama a twice-born one destroys the impurities of the mind, speech and body and therefore practises it during all hours of the day. Then reciting the mantram “Sayam Agni (fire in the evening” as well as “Prata Surya (the sun in the morning” he should drink water. Then duly touching water in the noon and by reciting the Rik “Apohista” he should rub his body with the water of Kusha blades. Then adding to this mantram Pranava he should sprinkle water at every step. With nine he should destroy the nine-fold impurities originating from Rajas (darkness), Tamas (ignorance), Moha (stupefaction), from waking state, dreaming state and that of dreamless sleep, those originating from speech, mind and action. Taking up water in his two palms and reciting [the Gayatri) he should throw it quickly thrice, six, eight or twelve times. It destroys all sins. He should stand facing the sun and recite it. It destroys immediately all sins which a man commits day and night. Sitting in the west he should recite the first Sandhya—the Gayatri, consisting of the great Vyarhriti and Pranava. Gayatri destroys sins committed before in ten or a hundred births, and in three or a thousand yugas (cycles). Gayatri is crimson-coloured and Savitri is white-hued and Sarasvati is dark-blue. These are called the three Sandhyas. Having assigned the letters Om, bhur to the heart he should assign Om, bhuvas to the head and Om, Shvar to the tuft of hair on the head. A learned man should assign the first word of the Gayatri to the coat of mail, the second to the eyes, the third to the limbs and the fourth to every where. Having made this assignment at the period of junction he should recite the mother of the Vedas. This Gayatri consists of three padas and is identical with Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara. Having learnt its application, saintly author and verse one should begin its recitation. Being shorn of all forms of sins he repairs to the region of Brahma.