Srimad Bagavatham - Time of Sunset - Sandhya !!Part I

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

In  Srimad Bagavatham  - Pradhama Skandam -  (1 – 3 – 14 ) Shuka Brahamam explains  to King  Parikshit about the Time of Sunset – Sandhya - as  Demonic Time.

Sunset  is  the end of the day and the beginning of the night.   During sunset, one should not do the things  which are forbidden.   Sage Kashyapa explains to his wife Dithi about ‘Sandhya Kal’. 

Sage Kashyapa addressing his wife as Fearful nature  of woman, it is the responsibility of a husband to  fulfill  all  her desires as a husband.   Hinduism  has given so much of respect to women.  During the time of Yaga , Yagnam  and Dhanam, a man cannot perform any auspicious rituals without a woman.  She carries so much importance to perform any kind of sacrifices and rituals.  When Lord Rama decided to perform Ashwamedha yagam, the Yagam took place only after keeping an idol of Sita next to Him.  Veda declares women are  half of men.  That is why she is known as  'Grahalakshmi'.   The families where  women are  respected and honored is where all the deities live.  It is believed that in houses where the cruelty and injustice to woman takes place, all the deities refuse to step.

A Woman makes her husband  capable to face any kind 0f struggle in  his life .  The rest of the three Ashramas depend on Gruhastha.  Any kind of difficulty or grief  in the  ocean of human life,   husband  faces  everything courageously  with the help of a woman.  Gurukulashram, Grahastha, Vanaprastha , Sanyasam  are the four Ashrama Dharmas .  The sanyasin asks for food and  Donations to Grahasthas only.  During Unchavruthi, women provide grains to the Sanyasins.  During Vanaparastha, the couple come to have food from  Gruhasthas.  Ashramadharma is  just a transition of the journey in one’s life.  It is the duty of the wife to receive the guests, cook for them and serve them.  It is the right of a woman to honor the guest.  Even if the King receives sanyasins in his Palace,  the Queen is the one who serves food for the Sanyasins.

The responsibility of home is taken care by them.  The daily routine,  even the simplest things in the home is taken care by them. Women are the ones who have the right to lighten the lamp at home.  Control over the five senses   is possible only with the help of  a wife.  Who are righteous would not do anything against his wife.  When any argument arises, it is the responsibility of the husband to handle it properly. Everyone desires to have virtuous children  in their  life, capable to  follow  all the righteousness and  it is possible only through  the togetherness of husband and wife during the times ( Muhurthams - auspicious times ) which were followed by our ancestors .  The  time of Sunset is forbidden to do such things.

The time of sunset is known as  evil time -  Pradosha.  This is the time for the spirits and Ghosts to wander along with Lord Shiva to punish whoever commit sins.  The time of sunset is the morning for the spirits and ghosts.  Just like human beings have sunrise as beginning of  their day,  the spirits and ghosts are Ganas of  Lord Shiva –  Who is the destroyer of sins.    These spirits and Ghosts follow Lord Shiva wherever He goes.   During the time of Sunset , Lord Rudra travels on His bull with His ganas in search of  sinners. His hairlocks are covered  with ashes and his body is smeared with ashes.  His Three eyes represent Lord  Surya,  Moon and Agni .  He measures the entire Universe with His three eyes which are capable to bring down the sinners into ashes, thereby  taking care of the entire Universe.  He is  more active during the  time of Sunset - Sandhya.  His duty is destroy and support things which are able to destroy them  in future.  Sage Kashyapa explains to Dithi (one of the daughters of Dakshaprajapathi – Sister of Sati) that Lord Rudra thus protects the Universe.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!