1.Must Sandhyavandanam mantras be recited aloud or should they be chanted silently like the Gayatri mantra? 2.Must Amavasyai tharpanam be performed facing the southern direction? Some do it facing east. 3.During Sandhyavandanam, is the Ashtakshara mantra japam done before or after the Gayatri upasthanam? 4.If morning Sandhyavandanam is to be performed standing, must the entire Sandhyavandanam be done standing?

1.No need to recite aloud the Sandhyavandanam mantras; it is enough if they are uttered softly.
2.It is a practice to perform Amavasyai facing east; a few do so facing south; since both traditions exist, check up with elders.
3.Traditional differences exist for the Ashtakshara mantra japam – the followers of Ahobila Mutt perform it before upasthanam and followers of Munitrayam do it after upasthanam. There are several differences in this which we shall look into in detail at a future date.
4.Pranayamam, and Gayatri mantra japam must be done standing during morning Sandhyavandanam; they must be done seated during evening Sandhyavandanam. Arghya pradanam is to be done standing.