Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 291

THE MORNING SANDHYA
251
perform the ablutions that form part of the first part of
the sandhya, he must at any rate try to accomplish the
second part by attentively and devoutly repeating the
He first stands with his face
prayers that belong to it.
He begins by knotting
to the east or towards the sun.
the little lock of hair which grows on the top of his head,
then he takes a little darbha grass in his left hand, and in
his right hand a larger quantity which he cuts to the length
of his palm.
The Morning Sandhya.
He
prayer
begins
his
religious
exercises
with
the
following
:
Apavitraha pavitrova sarva vastam,
Gatopiva yassmaret pundareekaksham,
Sabahiabhiantara suchihy.
Whether a man be pure or impure, or in
whatsoever station in life he may find himself, if he thinks
of him who has eyes like the lotus l he shall be pure within
This means
'
:
and without.'
He then
prays to the water in the following words
:
Water of the sea, of the rivers, of tanks, of wells, and
of any other place whatsoever, hear favourably my prayers
and vows
As the traveller, fatigued with the heat, finds
rest and comfort under a tree's shade, so may I find in
you solace and assistance in all my ills, and pardon for all
'
!
my
sins
!
you are the eye of sacrifice and battle
you have the bowels of
agreeable flavour
I call
a mother for us, and all her feelings towards us
upon you with the same confidence with which a child at
the approach of danger flies to the arms of a loving mother.
Cleanse me from my sins, and all other men of their sins.
Water at the time of the Flood Brahma the omniscient,
whose name is spelt with one letter, existed alone, and
existed under your form.
This Brahma brooding over you
and mingling with you 2 did penance, and by the merits
of his penance created night.
The waters which covered
'
Water
!
!
You have an
;
!
!
1
2
That is, Vishnu.
These words recall the words
of Genesis.
Dubois.
of the
second verse of the
first
chapter