Another important Samskara is; Upanayana which means initiation ritual is done to introduce the Vedas to the male child is the next.The sacred Upnayana ceremony that invests the wearer with the sacred Yajñopavītam is often considered a socially and spiritually significant rite It has varying formats across Hindu-Buddhist communities and performed on an auspicious day.
*Yajñopavītam is known by many names (varying by region and community), such as Bratabandha, Janivaara, Jandhyam, Poita, Poonal, Janeu, Lagun, Yajnopavita,Yagyopavit, Yonya and Zunnar. The other Sanskrit term for it is Avyanga.
The Upanayana is called by variying names such as, Upanayanam, Brahmopadesham, Munji, Munj, Janeu Rasm and Bratabandha. Among Hindus, the ceremony was once associated with the higher castes. Upanayana (lit. "leading closer" to the Brahma) is a version of the sacred thread ceremony where the concept of Brahman is introduced to a boy. Traditionally, the ceremony was performed to mark the point at which boys began their formal education. The ceremony is performed when the boy is seven years old (Gharbheshu Ashtame Varshe) in the Brahmin Varna, at least 13 years in the Kshatriya Varna. The youngster is taught during the ceremony the secret of life through Brahmopadesam (revealing the nature of Brahman, the Ultimate Reality) or the Gayatri mantra. The child then becomes qualified for life as a student or Brahmachari, as prescribed in the Manusmriti. According to an appendix of the Manusmriti, girls were allowed to study the Vedas in the previous kalpa (Creation). Orthodox Hindus, however, do not accept this reference, because no Hindu canonical text allows this ceremony for a girl in the present kalpa. However, some sects, especially Arya Samaj, perform this ceremony for girls as well on the basis of this statement.
Brahmins and Kshatriyas are called dvijas meaning "twice born". A man of these castes is born once in the womb of his mother and again during the Upanayana when he learns the Gayatri Mantra. The Upnayana is practiced by the three higher castes in India.
The main point of having gone through the Upanayana ceremony is the wearing of the Yajñopavītam on the body. The Yajñopavītam is circular, being tied end-to-end (only one knot is permissible); it is normally supported on the left shoulder (savya) and wrapped around the body, falling underneath the right arm. The length of the Yajñopavītam is generally 96 times the breadth of four fingers of a man, which is believed to be equal to his height. Each of the fingers represents one of the four states that the soul of a man experiences: waking, dreaming, dreamless sleep and knowledge of the absolute.
It denotes that one who wears the sacred Yajñopavītam should be pure in his thought, word and deed. The sacred Yajñopavītam reminds a Brahmachari to lead a regulated life with purity in his thought, word and deed. This Yajñopavītam also represents the debt that is owed to the guru, parents and society.
The knot in the middle represent the formless Brahman, the pure form of energy which pervades all. The three strands of Yajñopavītam again represent the manifestation of Brahman as Srishti, Sthithi and Vinasa. The sacred strands of Yajñopavītam illustrates the fact that everything in the universe emerge from and then merge with Brahman.
Ancient texts refer to the wearing of the Yajñopavītam in three forms:
- Upavītam, where the Yajñopavītam is worn over the left shoulder and under the right arm. This is for Gods. Upavītam is also called savya (Katyayana Shrauta Sutra, etc.).
- Nivītam', where the Yajñopavītam is worn around the neck and over the chest. Nivītam form is to be used during Rishi Tharpana, sexual intercourse, answering the calls of nature, etc., and during ancestor worship/funeral rites (Shadvimsha Brahmana, Latyayana, etc.).
- Prachīnavītam is where the Yajñopavītam is worn above the right shoulder and under the left arm. This is for Spirits and is used by men when performing the death ceremonies of an elder. Prachīnavītam is also called apsavya (Katyayana Shrauta Sutra, Manusmriti, etc.).
In some communities, later, at the occasion of wedding, a further three strands of Yajñopavītam are added to make for a six-strand bunch. In some communities, the custom is of one thread more being added at the birth of every child. In some interpretations, these strands of Yajñopavītam are intended to constantly remind the man of his worldly responsibilities. Three original strands of Yajñopavītam (each consisting of three) make up nine strands of Yajñopavītam, to which three are added for wife and one for children, making a total of 13 individual strands of Yajñopavītam in some communities.
Ancient Hindu texts specify an age for the Upanayana ceremony based on the caste (8 for Brahmins, 11 for Kshathriyas, 12 for Vaishyas (Manu Smriti sloka 2:36)). Upanayana marks the start of learning of "Brahman" and Vedic texts. The age for Upanayana supports this as Brahmins devote their life in pursuing the knowledge of "Brahman" and hence makes sense to start early and continue for a longer time. Kshathriyas, on the other hand, study additional skills and go through "Brahman 101". In the communities where three strands of Yajñopavītam are added at the time of wedding, there is another interpretation.
Once a student achieves a certain level of Brahma knowledge ("Brahma Vidya"), the guru adds three more strings signifying "graduation" and the student goes on to study. In South Indian wedding ceremonies, the addition of the three more strings is followed by "Kashi Yatra". This signifies the Yatra student intends for advanced study. At this point, the father of the bride convinces the youth to get married and then go to Kashi (Varanasi) with his new bride. In modern days, the ceremony is packaged in the wedding ceremony.
The sacred Yajñopavītam is supposed to be worn for the rest of one's life after the ceremony has been performed. A new Yajñopavītam is worn and the old Yajñopavītam discarded every year; the change-over ceremony is held on a specific date calculated as per the Hindu lunar calendar. Among Brahmins, this date varies depending on which of four Vedic Shakhas one belongs to.
The sacred Yajñopavītam has close and essential connection with the concept of pravaras related to brahmin gotra system, which reflects the number of most excellent Vedic Rishis belonging to the particular gotra to which the wearer of sacred Yajñopavītam belongs.
Generally, there are either three or five pravaras. While tying the knots of sacred strands of Yajñopavītam, an oath is taken in the name of these excellent sages. The full affiliation of a Vedic Brāhamana consists of
Once a student achieves a certain level of Brahma knowledge ("Brahma Vidya"), the guru adds three more strings signifying "graduation" and the student goes on to study. In South Indian wedding ceremonies, the addition of the three more strings is followed by "Kashi Yatra". This signifies the Yatra student intends for advanced study. At this point, the father of the bride convinces the youth to get married and then go to Kashi (Varanasi) with his new bride. In modern days, the ceremony is packaged in the wedding ceremony.
The sacred Yajñopavītam is supposed to be worn for the rest of one's life after the ceremony has been performed. A new Yajñopavītam is worn and the old Yajñopavītam discarded every year; the change-over ceremony is held on a specific date calculated as per the Hindu lunar calendar. Among Brahmins, this date varies depending on which of four Vedic Shakhas one belongs to.
The sacred Yajñopavītam has close and essential connection with the concept of pravaras related to brahmin gotra system, which reflects the number of most excellent Vedic Rishis belonging to the particular gotra to which the wearer of sacred Yajñopavītam belongs.
Generally, there are either three or five pravaras. While tying the knots of sacred strands of Yajñopavītam, an oath is taken in the name of these excellent sages. The full affiliation of a Vedic Brāhamana consists of
- gotra
- sutra (of Kalpa)
- shakha
- pravaras.
The Symbolism Of The Sacred Thread
The strands of the sacred thread have symbolic meaning that varies by community and region. In a nutshell the sacred thread symbolises the transference of spiritual knowledge.The sacred thread has three strands. A bachelor wears only one sacred thread; a married man wears two of them making it six strands. If the man has married and has fathered a child, he wears three, which makes nine strands.
What Does The Three Strands Of The Sacred Thread Signify?
The three strands sometimes symbolize three debts that must never be forgotten:- the debt to one's teachers, i.e., those who have taught the wearer;
- the debt to one's parents and ancestors, i.e., those who have nurtured the wearer and made possible his existence;
- the debt to the sages/scholars, i.e., those who discovered knowledge, both spiritual and secular, over the ages, which now enriches the wearer's life.
Three Devis
The three strands may symbolize:Parvati (Goddess of strength)
Laksmi (Goddess of wealth)
Saraswati (Goddess of knowledge)
Purity
The strands of the sacred thread could also represent purity in thought, word and deed expected from the wearer.| The Upanayana Ceremony |
Please add all actual events of ritual of Upanayana,matru bhojana,mantropadesha, sandhyavandana,ete.,
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