History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v2.c24.s1.166

v2.c24.s1.166

According to most writers *japa* of Gāyatrī and other sacred mantras is the principal thing in saṁdhyā and other things such as mārjana are merely subsidiary, but Medhātithi on Manu II. 101 (where the words are 'japantiṣṭhet' and not 'tiṣṭhan japet') says that japa is subsidiary or secondary and the place of the prayer and the posture of the praying person are the principal items. When it is said 'one should perform the saṁdhyā' what is meant is that one should contemplate the deity called Āditya represented by the orb of the sun and should also contemplate on the fact that the same Intelligence dwells in his heart. The proper place for saṁdhyā prayer is outside the village (Āp. Dh. S. I. 11. 30. 8, Gaut. II. 16, Mānava gṛ. I. 2. 2), in a lonely place (Śāṅ. gṛ. II 9. 1 'araṇye') or on a river or other sacred spot (Baud. gṛ. II. 4. 1). But this does not apply to the agnihotrin,⁷⁴⁵ who has to perform vedic rites and repeat homa mantras at sun-rise and who therefore may perform saṁdhyā adoration in his house. Vasiṣṭha quoted by Aparārka says that saṁdhyā performed in a cowpen or on a river or near the shrine of Viṣṇu (or other deity) respectively is ten times, 100000 of times or numberless times better than saṁdhyāvandana in the house.⁷⁴⁶ All prescribe that the morning saṁdhyā is to be performed standing and the evening one in a sitting posture (Āśv. gṛ. III. 7. 6, Śāṅ. gṛ. II. 9. 1 and 3, Manu II. 102) and the morning saṁdhyā is to be performed facing the east and the evening one facing the northwest (Āśv. gṛ. III. 7. 4, Śāṅ. gṛ. II. 9. 1). He is to bathe, to sit in a pure spot on a seat of kuśa grass, should have the sacred cord in the usual position and restrain his speech (i. e. should be silent and not talk in the midst of saṁdhyā).