Monday, November 11, 2024

Whether doing SandhyA Vandanam and Gayatri Japam by Brahmanas living abroad is fruitful?

The Sastras clearly declare that Bharata Desa is the Karma Bhumi fit for the performance of various Karmas in order to be fruitful. But the question remains to be answered as to whether the Karmas performed by the Brahmanas who have gone abroad due to various reasons are fruitful or not.
It has to be admitted that place (desa) is an important aspect of performance of Karma which tilts heavily towards Bharata Desa. In the light of Bhagavad Gita, it is advisable to perform a karma and surrender the fruit to the Suporeme Lord ( Karma phala tyaga) instead of not doing anything (karma tyaga) irrespective of the fact that the karma performed outside is not as fruitful as done in Bharata Desa. SandhyA Vandanam is a Nitya Karma which has to be done as long as one is alive and fit. Even while some one is abroad, he has to do that sincerely. When a dvija lives abroad under certain inevitable circumstances, it is always preferable to perform the nitya karma to the extent possible rather than giving up the same totally, quoting the SAstras.
SandhyA Vandanam is nothing but chanting and celebrating the splendor and glory of the Supreme and his manifestations in different forms. The mental framework (bhAva) of the doer (KartA) is more important than the physical ritualistic aspects involved.
What is not possible through proper performance of VarNASrama dharma in such difficult circumstances can be compensated through devotionally chanting the mahAmantra. Thus, the deficiencies (lopas) of karmAnushthAna can be addressed through devotional surrender to the Supreme.
One should not condemn the changing yuga dharmas and those dvijAs who follow those, as the dvijAs are suited to the yuga concerned.
yuge yuge ca ye dharmAs tatra tatra ye dvijAh ।
teshAm nindA na kartavYA yugarUpa hi te dvijAh ॥
--- ParAsara
dhyAyan krute yajan yajnaih tretAyAm dvAparercayan ।
yadApnoti tadApnoti kalau sankIrtya keSavam ॥
--- VyAsa
YAvanna kIrtayet rAmam kalikalmasha sambhavam ।
tAvattishthati dehesmin bhayam cAtra pravartate ॥
--- Sivasarvasvam
SrutismrutipurANeshu rAma nAma samIritam ।
tannAma kIrtanam bhUyas tApatrayavinASanam ॥
--- Chyavana smruti
sarvapApa prasaktopi dhyAyannimishamacyutam ।
punastapasvI bhavati panktipAvana pAvanah ॥
--- PaiThInasI
natAvatpApamedhena yannAma hatam hareh ।
atireka bhayAdAhuh prAyascittAntaram vrithA ॥
--- YogayAjnavalkya
prAyascittAnyaSeshANi tapah karmAtmakAni vai ।
yAni teshAmaSeshANAm krishNAnus smaraNam param ॥
---SrI VishNu PurANa
kalau kalmasha chittAnAm pApadravyopa jIvinAm ।
vidhikriyA vihInAnAm gatir govinda kIrtanam ॥
In conclusion, Brahmanas should endeavor to do karmas to the extent possible and offer the fruit to BhagavAn in the true spirit of karma yoga. They should also daily do nAma japam and surrender unconditionally to BhagavAn. A vipra who does vihita kamAnushthAna should not find fault with others who do not do, as each one is driven by his own PrArabdha karma. He should not think that he is superior to someone who does not do kamAnushthAna properly nor to a dedicated Bhakta who is always immersed in the thought of the Supreme.
जय जय श्रीराधे