What is a Sacred Thread?
Known as Yajnopavita, the sacred thread is a hand-spun cotton thread worn across the chest and resting on one's left shoulder (the stavya position of the thread) most commonly by the priestly Hindus.
This sacred thread of the Brahmins is made of cotton, that of a Kshatriya of hempen threads and that of a Vaisya of woolen threads.
The sacred thread finds its origins in the Vedic rites, as a garment worn during the rituals. This is perhaps the reason why the first time it is worn (during an Upanayana ceremony), it is attached to a piece of skin (known as krishajina). In today's Hindu society, the sacred thread symbolizes the ancient history of the custom as well as the caste of the person wearing it.
Upanayana and Yajnopavita are two different things and were related to two different things. Yajnopavita (sacred thread) was performed to bring (tie) person to his father Gotra and Upanayana was to initiate teaching of Veda and teaching started with Gayathri Mantra. Later These two ceremonies were merged. even today also First Yajnopavita is performed before Upanayana to avoid Acharya taking (tieing ) person to his (Acharya’s) Gotra.
If we go little more back in time(Vedic time), we can notice that there were no mention of “Yajnopavita” but only Upanayana. Initially, Upanayana was very simple -a person who wanted to study Veda can go to Acharya with Samidh (a Grass blade)[ even today also we take "kusha" when performing any ritual] and request Acharya to teach him Veda But later this ceremony was glamorized and few things were made mandatory.
The things which were essential (till now) for Upanayana
1: Two pieces of cloths
2: Danda-Woodedn Stick
3: Mekhala or grass girdle tied around the waist . .
There is no mention of Sacred Thread. Also, there is enough direct evidence to show that there was a time when both women and Shudras had the right to Upanayana and did have it performed.
Later Yajnopativa was introduced to tie the person to his father’s gotra. This is when people started getting tied to specific caste (Gotra) and when the caste system was evolving.
1: Two pieces of cloths
2: Danda-Woodedn Stick
3: Mekhala or grass girdle tied around the waist . .
There is no mention of Sacred Thread. Also, there is enough direct evidence to show that there was a time when both women and Shudras had the right to Upanayana and did have it performed.
Later Yajnopativa was introduced to tie the person to his father’s gotra. This is when people started getting tied to specific caste (Gotra) and when the caste system was evolving.
Wearing the Thread the First Time
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Wearing of the Yajnopavita for the first time involves teaching the young boy (known as vatu or understudy) the sacred Gayatri mantram and providing a three-threaded Yajnopavita.
Boy Becomes Man -- The Hindu Ordaining Ceremony
Brahmin's mark this transition with the "Upanayanam Samskara" (the sacred thread ceremony) and is usually performed between the ages of seven and fourteen. If for some reason, it has not been done during this age period, then it needs to be completed before he gets married. This ceremony is a very ancient one. So long the boy does not wear the janeu or the sacred thread, he could not be reckoned among the "Dvija" (twice-born).
The janeu thread is not only worn by the brahmins but also by Kshatriyas and by Vaishyas. If a Brahmin wishes to become learned in the Vedas, he should wear the janeu at the age of 5 years; if a Kshatriya wishes to gain strength, he should wear the thread at 6, and for a Vaishya, if he wishes for success, he should wear the Janeu at the age of 8.
After the man is married, the three-threaded Yajnopavita is replaced by a six-threaded one, symbolic of the additional responsibility.
Typically women do not wear the Yajnopavita (although they may wear other sacred threads). However, practitioners of Arya Samaj philosophies practice equalities of the same sex and perform all rituals for both the sexes.
Form of the Janeu
The form of the Janeu is different for different caste groups or sects. These forms are as follows :
Brahmgandh: With 5 knots for the higher grades of Brahmins and 3 knots for the lower grades Brahmin
Vishnugandh: The thread is with one knot for all other castes.
Typically women do not wear the Yajnopavita (although they may wear other sacred threads). However, practitioners of Arya Samaj philosophies practice equalities of the same sex and perform all rituals for both the sexes.
Form of the Janeu
The form of the Janeu is different for different caste groups or sects. These forms are as follows :
Brahmgandh: With 5 knots for the higher grades of Brahmins and 3 knots for the lower grades Brahmin
Vishnugandh: The thread is with one knot for all other castes.
Meaning of the Three Strands of the Janeu
The janeu thread used by the Brahmins consists of three strands. There are various interpretations of the three strands of the janeu.
These are as follows:
The three strands symbolize the Hindu trinity-Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
Some symbolizes with Mahasarasvati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali.
Some interpret with past, present and the future.
The three qualities-sattva, rajas and tamas.
The three states-wakefulness, dream, and deep sleep.
The three dimensions-Heaven (Swarga), Earth (mrityuloka) and nether regions(pataloka).
The most important of all is-ida, pingala and susumna nadi, through which the kundalini energy manifests as prana and consciousness.
Three debts:
The three strands sometimes symbolize three debts (ऋण, rin) that must never be forgotten:
the debt to one's teachers (गुरु ऋण, guru rin), i.e. those who have taught the wearer;
the debt to one's parents and ancestors (पितृ ऋण, pitr rin), i.e. those who have nurtured the wearer and made possible his existence;
the debt to the sages/scholars (ऋषि ऋण, rishi rin), i.e. those who discovered knowledge, both spiritual and secular, over the ages, which now enriches the wearer's life.
In some versions, the debt to the sages is replaced with debt to God (देव ऋण, dev rin). Upon marriage, sometimes the number of strands increases to six because the man is expected to assume the debts of his wife as well.
The three strands symbolize the Hindu trinity-Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
Some symbolizes with Mahasarasvati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali.
Some interpret with past, present and the future.
The three qualities-sattva, rajas and tamas.
The three states-wakefulness, dream, and deep sleep.
The three dimensions-Heaven (Swarga), Earth (mrityuloka) and nether regions(pataloka).
The most important of all is-ida, pingala and susumna nadi, through which the kundalini energy manifests as prana and consciousness.
Three debts:
The three strands sometimes symbolize three debts (ऋण, rin) that must never be forgotten:
the debt to one's teachers (गुरु ऋण, guru rin), i.e. those who have taught the wearer;
the debt to one's parents and ancestors (पितृ ऋण, pitr rin), i.e. those who have nurtured the wearer and made possible his existence;
the debt to the sages/scholars (ऋषि ऋण, rishi rin), i.e. those who discovered knowledge, both spiritual and secular, over the ages, which now enriches the wearer's life.
In some versions, the debt to the sages is replaced with debt to God (देव ऋण, dev rin). Upon marriage, sometimes the number of strands increases to six because the man is expected to assume the debts of his wife as well.
Different Methods of Wearing the Thread
There are different methods of wearing the Sacred Thread at different occasions.
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For example :
While performing an auspicious ceremony one should be Upaviti that is, the Sacred Thread should hang from his left shoulder.
While performing an inauspicious ceremony one should be Prachnaviti, that is, the Sacred Thread should hang from the right shoulder.
At times he is called Niviti when the Sacred Thread is worn around the neck like a garland.
The thread should be lifted and the upper part should be put behind ears when a person goes for his daily ablutions or doing impure tasks.
Both males and females can wear the thread. However, the woman should wear it on the neck. Otherwise, she may wrap it on a naariyal (brown coconut), and place it in worship place.
After birth or death in the family, it should be taken out and then a new thread should be worn 15 days after the event. The old or broken thread should be replaced, etc.
The Thread Changing Festival
A full-moon day of the year is observed by those who wear the sacred thread (typically brahmins and followers of Arya Samaj) as a day of spiritual renewal and the thread the ritually replaced by a new one.
When on one's shoulder, it's the person's responsibility to keep the thread clean (washing every time one takes a both) and honor it.
There are different methods of wearing the Sacred Thread at different occasions.
.
For example :
While performing an auspicious ceremony one should be Upaviti that is, the Sacred Thread should hang from his left shoulder.
While performing an inauspicious ceremony one should be Prachnaviti, that is, the Sacred Thread should hang from the right shoulder.
At times he is called Niviti when the Sacred Thread is worn around the neck like a garland.
The thread should be lifted and the upper part should be put behind ears when a person goes for his daily ablutions or doing impure tasks.
Both males and females can wear the thread. However, the woman should wear it on the neck. Otherwise, she may wrap it on a naariyal (brown coconut), and place it in worship place.
After birth or death in the family, it should be taken out and then a new thread should be worn 15 days after the event. The old or broken thread should be replaced, etc.
The Thread Changing Festival
A full-moon day of the year is observed by those who wear the sacred thread (typically brahmins and followers of Arya Samaj) as a day of spiritual renewal and the thread the ritually replaced by a new one.
When on one's shoulder, it's the person's responsibility to keep the thread clean (washing every time one takes a both) and honor it.
Stavyam and Apastavyam
There are essentially two positions of the thread on a person. The Stavya position is the default one, is when the thread us hanging from the left shoulder. If you study most Hindu idols of worship you will notice this position of the thread.
The opposite position, hanging from the right shoulder is called the exceptional position and is used during funerals and when answering nature's calls.
The opposite position, hanging from the right shoulder is called the exceptional position and is used during funerals and when answering nature's calls.
