[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c8.1638 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.1638 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c8.1638 - **Language:** English ### [c8.1638](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1638) Night is called Uṣā and day, Vyuṣṭi. Sandhyā (dusk) is the time between Uṣā and Vyuṣṭi. When the fierce and terrible Sandhyā commences, a set of ferocious demons called Mandehas desire to eat the Sun. A fight ensues then between the Sun and the demons and by a curse of Prajāpati the demons die daily though their bodies never perish. At that time the best of Brahmins with the sound of 'OM' vibrating recite the gāyatrī and throw water upwards. That water transforms itself into Vajrāyudha and burns to death the wicked demons. The first oblation to the sacrificial fire is performed reciting the mantra which begins with "Sūryojyotiḥ". 'OM' is but Bhagavān Viṣṇu, lord of the Vedas with the lustre of Ṛk, Yajus and Sāma. The very utterance of the word 'OM' therefore, destroys the demons Mandehas. (Chapter 8, Aṃśa 2, Chapter 5, Aṃśa 1, Viṣṇu Purāṇa). - [Previous: c8.1637](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1637) - [Next: c8.1639](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1639) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8) ## Cites (1) - [Viṣṇupurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1638](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.1638) · Pramāṇa