atharva veda prAtaH sandhyA prayoga

The foundation of Braahman, the essence of being a Braahman, is Sandhyaavandanam. All Braahmanans not only must need to wear the sacred thread (yagnopavitam) but also observe the appropriate rites of SandhyAvandanaM . Sandhya prayoga for atharva veda is based on sandhyA parishisthA. Yet there are slight variations in actual practice. In the end I have given the prayoga , first instructions are described.( I have marked numbers in prayoga and  instruction.)
In the general topic of atharva
Sandhyaavandanam the following are included:
1) AchamanaM
2) mArjanaM
3) prAnAyAm
4) jala prAshanaM
5) arghya dAnaM
6) surya upasthAnaM
7) gAyatri japaM
8) prArthana
9) sAvithrI visarjanaM
10) sAvithrI upasthAnaM

Some genral codes to be followed:

1) The hair must be styled into a lock (Sikha) . Those without long hair must ensure that a few strands of hair must be twisted together to replicate a lock of hair.
2) Clothing should either be a loin cloth or the “dhothi” trussed up in traditional braahminical fashion.
3) Hands and feet should be duly washed.
4) One must face the east or north or optionally any body of (fresh) water.
5) When at a body of water like a pool or lake, observe the following posture: Squat with one foot in the water and the other ashore; bring your arms between the two knees; dip your left hand in the water (if at a faucet, hold the left hand under it) and perform the AchamanaM with the right hand.

1) AachamanaM

By Aachamanam it is intended the cleansing of the indriyams, loosely translatable as “sense organs”. Sit in squatting position ( if you are doing it on land rather than in water body )take few drops of water in your right palm and ingest it three times.  Finally, touch the heart by reciting following mantra.
This makes one AchamanaM. To complete the ritual, repeat the whole process all over again. Wherever it says “wash your feet and do AchamanaM” remember that the ritual is complete only with the duplication.

2) mArjanaM

Aachamanam is followed by mArjanaM which is internal cleansing with Manthrams and dedication. there are three Manthrams to be recited, Take water in your hand and after reciting each Manthram, sprinkle the water on your head .With pada yasya kshayaaya jinwattha sprinkle water on  Big Toes .

3) prAnAyAm

Close the left nostril with ring finger of right hand and exhale from right nostril slowly.  Close the right nostril with thumb of right hand . Now, open the left nostril and inhale slowly. a. While inhaling, recite mentally the following Mantra:  Afterwards, close the left nostril also as before, so that air is held inside the body. Holding breath, recite mentally the  Mantra,  Close the left nostril with ring finger of right hand and exhale from right nostril slowly. While exhaling, recite mentally the mantra.  The thumb and first finger of the left hand should be in contact with the left hand palm facing skywards.Do the above thrice.

4) jala prAshanaM

jala prAshanaM   is recommended after  performance of AachamanaM  and mArjanaM . It is ordained as a penitence ritual for any sinful acts one may have committed, in thought or deed, knowingly or unknowingly. While in our tradition we perform it routinely, it does not appear in vidhi described by sandhyA parishishthA. It may be a later addition in mula vidhi due to yajurvedic influences .
Sit down in squatting position. Take water in the right hand crooked to hold it, recite the Manthram and ingest the water as one would a Brahma thIrtham. It is important to keep the thumb turned away from the palm not touching the index finger.

5) arghya dAnaM

arghyadaanaM is propitiation of the Sun God.  Perform arghyadAnaM four  times with the sun ahead of you.( 4 times arghyadana is peculiar to atharvan tradition)  Face east at dawn and midday, and west at dusk.
Stand erect holding tumbler in the left hand between thumb and first finger.  Hold both palms together, separating the thumb of the right hand from rest of fingers. Take water in both palms – holding palms at the level of the face. Recite mantra verbally with sound waves emanating from the mouth; throw the water up in the air, looking at the sun, while doing so the heels of both legs should be raised.( in morning ). That is arghyam is offered standing on toes.
In case of prayachhita arghya offer another arghya i.e. 5 th one by the same mantra for atonement due to any delay.

6) surya upasthAnaM

Stand facing the sun with anjali mudra (Namaste posture). Recite the  mantrams.

7) gAyatri japaM

Before commencing gayatri japam some preliminaries such  gayatri aavahanam should be completed. For pratah and madhyanika it is done standing, while for sayam it is done sitting.  The japam is done 8,10, 28, 32, 108 or 1008 times. The counting is done in fingers, with thumb moving to different positions to indicate the number. By using right hand for units and left hand for tens we can count upto 100. The hands for counting should be covered by the upper garment. The hands are held at neck level for pratah, chest level for madhyanika and navel level for sayam.

8) prArthana

Recite the mantras in namaskaram mudra.

9) sAvithrI visarjanaM

Perform the udvaasana mudra with the palms stand up and hold the palms in praNaama/namaste posture and recite the mantras.

10) sAvithrI upasthAnaM

Recite the mantras in standing position with namaskara mudra.
With last mantra do samarpan to bramhan the all mighty.

AbhivAdan :

It is also not mentioned in the parishishtA but it is in tradition to perform it. The palms of the hands are kept near ears, the body is bent at waist level and Abhivadanam is recited.
abhivAdaye  (..your pravara rishi’s name…{e.g. svayambhu}……){+optionally ( ……..) (………) thrayarsheya or pancharsheya pravarAnvita}  (..gothra… {e.g. vaitAyana}…..)  (..suthra … {e.g. kaushika-vaitAna suthra}….)  (..your veda’s name …… {e.g.atharvan veda saunaka }……) shaakhaa adhyaayI shrI (…..{e.g. animesh }………) sharmAnAmAhaM asmibhoH ||

After completing the recitation, the right forehand crosses above the left forehand, and touch the feet of elders.  By this  an individual expresses his descent namely dynastic rishis, gotra, sutra, veda, shAkha and name.  

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