Guest guest Report post Posted November 28, 2002 http://www.chennaionline.com/specials/aavani/articles/tcloser.asp The significance of the sacred thread The sacred thread consists of three strands, joined by a knot known as Brahmagranthi or the knot of Brahma. The three strands symbolise the Hindu trinity - Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. There are various interpretations of the three strands to represent many of the other triads like Mahasarasvati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali. Or the three qualities known as sattva, rajas and tamas; past, present and the future; the three states - wakefulness, dream and deep sleep. Some even say that it represents the three dimensions known as heaven (swarga), earth (martyaloka) and nether regions (patala). But the most important meaning of the three strands is ida, pingala and susumna nadi, through which the kundalini energy manifests as prana and consciousness, says Sadguru Sant Keshavadas. Yajno-pavita means ‘thread of sacrifice.’ That is so called because it symbolises the sacrifice of ego, says Sadguru Sant Keshavadas. The Manusmrti specifies the following ages for the initiation ceremony to take place. In the eighth year after conception, one should perform the initiation (Upanayana ceremonies of sacred thread) of a Brahmana, in the eleventh year after conception (that) of a Kshatriya, but in the twelfth year that of a Vaisya. II.36 The sacred thread is a passport to obtain education. It is a prerequisite for education and also for marriage. For without it no man can dream of getting a bride for him. It was considered important because a person with Yajnopavita must have undergone all the oaths associated with wearing it and should have led a celibate life and should have completed a major portion of his education. Brahmachari or the bachelor (also, a learner) wears a single sacred thread. The householder or the married person wears two. A person who is married and has lost one or both of his parents wears three. There are different methods of wearing the Sacred Thread at different occasions. While performing an auspicious ceremony one should be Upaviti, that is, the Sacred Thread should hang from his left shoulder. At the performance of some inauspicious ceremony one should be Prachnaviti, that is, the Sacred Thread should hang from the right shoulder; and at times he is called Niviti when the Sacred Thread is worn round the neck like a garland. The investiture of Upanayana demands the chanting of Gayatri mantra. The description of the Gayatri Mantra is given in a different page. Harikrishnan According to the Gayathri, the nine strands of the poonool signify Knowledge about the Aathma Procurement of skills Achieving individual greatness Purity A divine mind Honesty Wisdom Humility Service The twice born In the introductory portion of the seventh chapter of Thirukkural (Makkat Peru or Offspring) Parimelazhagar says «·¾¡ÅÐ −ÕÀ¢ÈôÀ¡Ç÷ ãÅáÛõ −ÂøÀ¡¸ −Úì¸ÀÞ¯õ ¸¼ý ãýÈÛû ÓÉ¢Å÷ ¸¼ý §¸ûŢ¡Ûõ, §¾Å÷ ¸¼ý §ÅûŢ¡Ûõ, ¦¾ýÒÄò¾¡÷ ¸¼ý Ò¾øŨÃô ¦ÀھġÛõ «øÄ¡Ð −Úì¸ô À¼¡¨Á¢ý, «ì¸¼ý −Úò¾ü ¦À¡ÕðÎ ¿ýÁ츨Çô ¦ÀÚ¾ø. A free translation of this would mean, ‘The three of the twice born (namely, Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vysyas) owe a duty to the Rishis, the Celestials and the Ancestors. The duty to the Rishis can be discharged only by deep study. The duty to the celestials can be discharged by oblations and offertories alone. And the duty to the ancestors can be discharged only by begetting children and bringing them up properly. It may be noted that contrary to the popular belief these days that only a Brahmin is called a dvija or twice-born, it was customary to call the Kshatriyas and Vysyas also as twice-born. While the first birth is of course from the natural mother, a person is said to be born again when he is initiated into brahmacharya or a vow of celibacy until he completes his education. Yajnopavita samskara is the ceremony that initiates him into his duties that start with learning. Sadguru Sant Keshavadas says that the sacred thread is to be changed as a rule, once in four months (‘Gayatri, The Highest Meditation’ by Sadguru Sant Keshavadas). Even if this is not done, it has perforce to be changed on a specific time every year. The changing of the sacred thread is observed once in a year on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Avani on the star Avittam. This ceremony coincides with the Raksha Bandhan celebrated enthusiastically all over the country when women tie a string on the wrist of men and accept them as their brothers. The day therefore is associated with two different ‘string’ ceremonies. The followers of different Vedas however, observe different dates for performing this ceremony of changing the sacred thread. The followers of Rig and Yajur observe it on the above day, which falls on 4th August this year. For Sama Vedis, the ceremony always coincides with Vinayaka Chaturthi, falling on the 22nd of August this year. Harikrishnan Tat Twam Asi Hint Dropper - Avoid getting hideous gifts this Christmas with Hint Dropper! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
