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== Origin of Yajnopavita ==

== Origin of Yajnopavita ==

Early Vedic references such as Rigveda, mention about the Brahmachari and their characteristics. Yajnopavita by itself, during Upanayana, was insignificance in ancient times. It seems that '''the upper garment''' (a dupatta of northern India or the Uparane of Maharashtra) which was offered to the youth was the proto-type from which the sacred thread descended, though both the prototype (not used for yajnas) and the imitation (sacred thread) were retained by the later authorities during Upanayana samskara. Grammatically, Yajnopavita is an adjective and refers to something that was worn at the time of the yajna. यज्ञाय उपवीतं यज्ञोपवीतम्।<ref name=":02" /> It is compound of two words यज्ञ (Yajna) and उपवीत (Upaveeta), 'meaning a thread which has been sanctified by yajna'.<ref name=":4">''Sanskarprakash'' by Gita Press, Gorakhpur. (Pages 175 - 192)</ref>

Early Vedic references such as Rigveda, mention about the Brahmachari and their characteristics. Yajnopavita by itself, during Upanayana, was insignificance in ancient times. It seems that '''the upper garment''' (a dupatta of northern India or the Uparane of Maharashtra) which was offered to the youth was the proto-type from which the sacred thread descended, though both the prototype (not used for yajnas) and the imitation (sacred thread) were retained by the later authorities during Upanayana samskara. Grammatically, Yajnopavita is an adjective and refers to something that was worn at the time of the yajna. यज्ञाय उपवीतं यज्ञोपवीतम्।<ref name=":02" /> It is compound of two words यज्ञ (Yajna) and उपवीत (Upaveeta), 'meaning a thread which has been sanctified by yajna'.<ref name=":4">''Sanskarprakash'' by Gita Press, Gorakhpur. (Pages 175 - 192)</ref>

Bharatiya dress decorum and decency required that the upper part of the body should be properly covered when one was engaged in yajnas, danas and svadhyaya.<ref name=":02" /><blockquote>उत्तरं वासः कर्तव्यं पञ्चस्वेषु कर्मसु । स्वाध्याय-उत्सर्ग-दानेषु भोजन-आचामयोस्तथा।। (Baud. Dhar. Sutr. 2.3)<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%BF/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%BF Baudhayana Dharmasutras]</ref></blockquote>Yajnopavita denoted the upper garment when it was worn in the proper manner prescribed for sacred occasions. '''Taittriya samhita''' explicitly says that Yajnopavita means wearing the garment in a particular manner - when it is passed under the right and over the left shoulder, it becomes Yajnopavita as per the authority of Brahmana texts. The upper garment that was thus used was normally a, piece of cloth. But in prehistoric times when the art of spinning and weaving was not known, it was a piece of deer-skin. Taittriya Aranyaka states that it should be a piece of deer-skin, rather than a piece of cloth. <blockquote>अजिनं वासो वा दक्षिणत उपवीय। (Tait. Aran. 2.1.1)</blockquote>In the course of time when clothes became common the upper garment also became a cotton product, but earlier tradition of the deer-skin was, in a way preserved by continuing the use of a small patch of deer-skin on such occasions. In later times when Yajnopavita as a piece of cloth was replaced by Yajnopavita in the form of the thread, this piece of deer-skin was strung into it. This custom still continues at the time of Upanayana.<ref name=":02" /> Some scholars regard that the custom of wearing Yajnopavita is ancient, since creation, with the creator Brahma wearing it.<ref name=":4" />

Bharatiya dress decorum and decency required that the upper part of the body should be properly covered when one was engaged in yajnas, danas and svadhyaya.<ref name=":02" /><blockquote>उत्तरं वासः कर्तव्यं पञ्चस्वेषु कर्मसु । स्वाध्याय-उत्सर्ग-दानेषु भोजन-आचामयोस्तथा।। (Baud. Dhar. Sutr. 2.3)<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%BF/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%BF Baudhayana Dharmasutras]</ref></blockquote>Yajnopavita denoted the upper garment when it was worn in the proper manner prescribed for sacred occasions. '''Taittriya samhita''' explicitly says that Yajnopavita means wearing the garment in a particular manner - when it is passed under the right and over the left shoulder, it becomes Yajnopavita as per the authority of Brahmana texts. The upper garment that was thus used was normally a, piece of cloth. But in prehistoric times when the art of spinning and weaving was not known, it was a piece of deer-skin. Taittriya Aranyaka states that it should be a piece of deer-skin, rather than a piece of cloth. <blockquote>अजिनं वासो वा दक्षिणत उपवीय। (Tait. Aran. 2.1.1)</blockquote>In the course of time when clothes became common the upper garment also became a cotton product, but earlier tradition of the deer-skin was, in a way preserved by continuing the use of a small patch of deer-skin on such occasions. In later times when Yajnopavita as a piece of cloth was replaced by Yajnopavita in the form of the thread, this piece of deer-skin was strung into it. This custom still continues at the time of Upanayana.<ref name=":02" /> Some scholars regard that the custom of wearing Yajnopavita is ancient, since creation, with the creator Brahma wearing it.<ref name=":4" />

=== Preparation ===

=== Preparation ===

The grhyasutras further mention the procedure to make the yajnopavita. It is spun by the person himself, or a virgin Brahman girl or from a specific kind of cotton and twisted by a Brahmana. In it as many knots are made as there are Pravaras amongst the ancestors of the wearer.

The grhyasutras further mention the procedure to make the yajnopavita. A yajnopavita is spun either by the person himself, or a virgin Brahman girl or by a married lady from a specific kind of cotton and twisted by a Brahmana. Its length is ninetysix times as the breadth of the four fingers of a man, which is equal to his height. The three cords are tied together by a knot called' Brahmagranthi; the three knots are termed Brahmasutra, Savitasutra and Yajnasutra. Besides, extra knots are made in the cords to indicate the various Pravaras of a particular family. Then it is called as a Yajnopavita after being sanctified by the utterance of Pranava and Savitri mantras. Based on these aspects, a yajnopavita is prepared with utmost sanctity following all rules of soucha.<ref name=":4" />

The Yajnopavita is made up of three cords each of nine strands (tantus) well twisted with a knot for each thread. A Brahmacārī has to wear a single Yajñopavītam whereas a householder should wear two or three. The composition of Yajnopavita is full of symbolism and significance. Its length is ninetysix times as the breadth of the four fingers of a man, which is equal to his height. Each of the four fingers represents one of the four states the soul of a man experiences from time to time, namely, waking, dreaming, dreamless sleep and absolute Brahmanhood. The three folds of the cord are also symbolical. They represent the three Gunas, reality, passion and darkness, out of which the whole universe is evolved. The care is taken that the twist of the thread must be upward. It was done, so that the Sattvaguna or the good quality of reality may predominate in a man, and so he may attain spiritual merits.<ref name=":12" /> The three cords are tied together by a knot called' Brahmagranthi, they are termed Brahmasutra, Savitasutra and Yajnasutra. Besides, extra knots are made in the cords to indicate the various Pravaras of a particular family.

The Yajnopavita is made up of three cords each of nine strands (tantus) well twisted with a knot for each thread. The composition of Yajnopavita is full of symbolism and significance. Each of the four fingers represents one of the four states the soul of a man experiences from time to time, namely, waking, dreaming, dreamless sleep and absolute Brahmanhood. The three folds of the cord are also symbolical. They represent the three Gunas, reality, passion and darkness, out of which the whole universe is evolved. The care is taken that the twist of the thread must be upward. It was done, so that the Sattvaguna or the good quality of reality may predominate in a man, and so he may attain spiritual merits.<ref name=":12" />  

Who wears a yajnopavita?

Devatas wear the yajnopavita as seen from many texts. Yajnopavita samskaras of Shri Rama and Shri Krishna are well described in Ramayana and Shrimad Bhagavatam. Some evidences point to the fact that since Yagnopavita has been mentioned in the Vedas, it is not a later day modification of the upper garment as claimed by some scholars. It has been highly acclaimed in many texts and thus it should be revered and not treated as a just any thread worn by the Dvijas.<ref name=":4" />

Number of sets to be worn

Number of sets to be worn

* A brahmachari can wear only one set

* A brahmachari can wear only one set

* A grhastha is given the privilege to wear two

* A grhastha and Vanaprastha is given the privilege to wear two

== Positions of the Yajnopavita ==

=== Positions of the Yajnopavita ===

The Yajñopavītam would have three positions.

The Yajñopavīta would have three positions.

#'''Upavītam''': The cord will be sitting on the left shoulder and hanging under the right hand. For all rites related to deities (Vedic) one should maintain Upavītam.

#'''Upavītam''': The cord will be sitting on the left shoulder and hanging under the right hand. For all rites related to deities (Vedic) one should maintain Upavītam.

#'''Prācīnāvītam''': This is opposite to Upavītam, i.e. the cord would sit on the right shoulder and hangs under the left hand. This position is to be used while performing any rite related to forefathers (Pitṛkarma).

#'''Prācīnāvītam''': This is opposite to Upavītam, i.e. the cord would sit on the right shoulder and hangs under the left hand. This position is to be used while performing any rite related to forefathers (Pitṛkarma).