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[[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]] or Maunjibandhana as it is called is an important Grhya samskara among the sixteen [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|samskaras]]. This ancient process of investiture of the [[Yajnopavita (यज्ञोपवीतम्)|yajnopavita]] is found mentioned in some of the world's oldest recorded texts. While [[Vidyarambha (विद्यारम्भः)|Vidyarambha]] is a more recently evolved samskara where writing the alphabet is done for the first time by a child, Upanayana has a hoary antiquity. Originally performed when a student commenced his Vedic studies, this samskara is said to have significantly contributed towards the maintenance of the oral tradition handed down through the ages.  

 

Upanayana or Maunjibandhana as it is called is an important Grhya samskara among the sixteen samskaras. This ancient process of investiture of the yajnopaveeta is found mentioned in some of the world's oldest recorded texts. While Vidyarambha is a more recently evolved samskara where writing the alphabet is done for the first time by a child, Upanayana has a hoary antiquity. Originally performed when a student commenced his Vedic studies, this samskara is said to have significantly contributed towards the maintenance of the oral tradition handed down through the ages.  

While samskaras are generally purificatory in purpose, Upanayana is a unique samskara to bring about mental or intellectual purification and thus shaping the child's virtues and character.

While samskaras are generally purificatory in purpose, Upanayana is a unique samskara to bring about mental or intellectual purification and thus shaping the child's virtues and character.

In this context we trace the origin and development of this educational samskara through the various ancient Indian texts. Starting from the oldest text [[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rigveda]] we find references to Upanayana in the [[Samhita (संहिता)|Samhitas]], [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmanas]], [[Upanishads (उपनिषदः)|Upanishads]], [[Kalpa Vedanga (कल्पवेदाङ्गम्)|Kalpa Vedangas]], and later on extensively in the [[Dharmashastras (धर्मशास्त्राणि)|Dharmashastras]]. As to the origin of Grhyasamskaras, scholars generally opine that these might have originated even before the Vedic texts were compiled and edited as we see them today. The mantras of the Samhitas and the Brahmanas that are chanted during the vivaha and antyeshti samskaras can be explained only in the context of the Grhyasamskaras.<ref name=":1">''The Upanayana ritual in the Satapathabrahmana'' by Dr. N. K. Sundareswaran, University of Calicut</ref>

In this context we trace the origin and development of this educational samskara through the various ancient Indian texts. Starting from the oldest text [[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rigveda]] we find references to Upanayana in the [[Samhita (संहिता)|Samhitas]], [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmanas]], [[Upanishads (उपनिषदः)|Upanishads]], [[Kalpa Vedanga (कल्पवेदाङ्गम्)|Kalpa Vedangas]], and later on extensively in the [[Dharmashastras (धर्मशास्त्राणि)|Dharmashastras]]. As to the origin of Grhyasamskaras, scholars generally opine that these might have originated even before the Vedic texts were compiled and edited as we see them today. The mantras of the Samhitas and the Brahmanas that are chanted during the [[Vivaha (विवाहः)|vivaha]] and [[Antyesti (अन्त्येष्टिः)|antyeshti]] samskaras can be explained only in the context of the Grhyasamskaras.<ref name=":1">''The Upanayana ritual in the Satapathabrahmana'' by Dr. N. K. Sundareswaran, University of Calicut</ref>

== Upanayana in the Vedas ==

== Upanayana in the Vedas ==

Brahmacharya in student life was the most important characteristic aspect that was stressed upon of the Vedic times. While we do not see direct references to Upanayana in the Vedas mantras in the samhitas describe the disciplined life of student, his attire, the importance of the Acharya etc.  

The antiquity of this ritual goes back to prehistoric times. Brahmacharya in student life was the most important characteristic aspect that was stressed upon of the Vedic times. While we do not see direct references to Upanayana in the Vedas mantras, the samhitas describe the disciplined life of student, his attire, the importance of the Acharya etc. Based on such evidences, scholars conclude that Upanayana as a process existed prior to even Vedic times. 

=== In Rigveda ===

=== In Rigveda ===

=== In Atharvaveda Samhita ===

=== In Atharvaveda Samhita ===

The Shatapatha Brahmana (Madhyandina shaka) has two brahmanas dealing entirely with the Upanayana and are named as उपनयनधर्माभिधायकं ब्राह्मणम्।Upanayana-dharmaabhidayaka brahmana(11.5.4)<ref>Shatapatha Brahamana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AB/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AA Kanda 11 Adhyaya 4])</ref> and brahmachari-dharma-nirupaka brahmana (11.3.3) in some edited texts.  

The Shatapatha Brahmana (Madhyandina shaka) has two brahmanas dealing entirely with the Upanayana and are named as उपनयनधर्माभिधायकं ब्राह्मणम्।Upanayana-dharmaabhidayaka brahmana(11.5.4)<ref>Shatapatha Brahamana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AB/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AA Kanda 11 Adhyaya 4])</ref> and brahmachari-dharma-nirupaka brahmana (11.3.3) in some edited texts.  

In the brahmana 11.5.4, we find details about the process of Upanayana, where the incumbent student expresses his desire to enter into Brahmacharya to the preceptor. The preceptor holds the hand of the student uttering the prescribed mantra. The text then explains the significance of this utterance. We find the narration of action with the utterances to be accompanied and their significance. This ritual is described in the context of a debate between Prachinayogya and Uddalaka Aruni regarding Agnihotra. Unaware of some details Prachinayogya seeks to be instructed on it by Uddalaka Aruni. He accepts him as his student.<ref name=":1" />

In the brahmana 11.5.4, we find details about the process of Upanayana, where the incumbent student expresses his desire to enter into [[Brahmacharyashrama (ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमः)|Brahmacharya]] to the preceptor. The preceptor holds the hand of the student uttering the prescribed mantra. The text then explains the significance of this utterance. We find the narration of action with the utterances to be accompanied and their significance. This ritual is described in the context of a debate between Prachinayogya and [[Uddalaka (उद्दालकः)|Uddalaka Aruni]] regarding [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotra]]. Unaware of some details Prachinayogya seeks to be instructed on it by Uddalaka Aruni. He accepts him as his student.<ref name=":1" />

 

 

 

=== In Dharmasutras ===

== In Dharmasutras ==

Apastamba mentions that Upanayana is an initiation sacrament enjoined by the Vedas.

Apastamba mentions that Upanayana is an initiation sacrament enjoined by the Vedas.