Changes

=== अजीनानि ॥ Ajina (Deer-Skin as Upper Garment) ===

=== अजीनानि ॥ Ajina (Deer-Skin as Upper Garment) ===

The dharmik view of decorum required that, when engaged in a religious ceremony, the upper part of the body should de covered with a piece of cloth. On the occasion of the Upanayana, therefore, the young scholar was offered an upper garment, because from this time his proper religious life began. From the ancient literature we know that the original piece of the upper garment offered at this occasion was the deer-skin. We are informed by the Gopatha Brahmana that the deer-skin was symbolical of spiritual and intellectual pre-eminence.<ref name=":12">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 187-240)</ref> Smriti Chandrika mentions that according Brhaspati,<blockquote>कृष्णाजिनं ब्राह्मणस्य रौरवं क्षत्रियस्य तु। वस्ताजिनं तु वैश्यस्य सर्वेषां वा गवाजिनम् ॥ (Smrt. Chan. Part. 1 Page 74)</blockquote>The Brahmachari is to wear Ajina as upper garment of the skin of certain animals. It should be the skin of Krishna or Ena, black buck (an antilope skin<ref name=":5">Chahal, Mandeep (2020) Ph.D Thesis Titled: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/309999 Samskaras in the Grihyasutras historical account of Jatakarma Upanyana Vivaha and Antyeshti.]'' (Chapter 3)</ref>), for a Brahmana ; of Ruru, or spotted deer, for a Kshatriya ; of Vasta or Aja, goat, for a Vaishya [Brihaspati; Yama ; Sankha]. It may also be cowhide [gavyam] for all, according to Paraskara (sarveshaam vaa gavyam) and of spotted deer for all, according to Yama.<ref name=":6" /> We find similar recommendations in Gṛhyasūtras of Asavalayana, Baudhyāna and Kaṭhaka with slight changes here and there; like Baudhyāna prescribes the skin of black deer suited for all varnas so does Kaṭhaka agree with him except for prescribing the skin of tiger for Kṣatriya, representing the courage and valour and skin of spotted deer for Vaishya.<ref name=":5" />

The dharmik view of decorum required that, when engaged in a religious ceremony, the upper part of the body should de covered with a piece of cloth. On the occasion of the Upanayana, therefore, the young scholar was offered an upper garment, because from this time his proper religious life began. From the ancient literature we know that the original piece of the upper garment offered at this occasion was the deer-skin. We are informed by the Gopatha Brahmana that the deer-skin was symbolical of spiritual and intellectual pre-eminence.<ref name=":12">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 187-240)</ref> Smriti Chandrika mentions that according to Brhaspati,<blockquote>कृष्णाजिनं ब्राह्मणस्य रौरवं क्षत्रियस्य तु। वस्ताजिनं तु वैश्यस्य सर्वेषां वा गवाजिनम् ॥ (Smrt. Chan. Part. 1 Page 74)</blockquote>The Brahmachari is to wear Ajina as upper garment of the skin of certain animals. It should be the skin of Krishna or Ena, black buck (an antilope skin<ref name=":5">Chahal, Mandeep (2020) Ph.D Thesis Titled: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/309999 Samskaras in the Grihyasutras historical account of Jatakarma Upanyana Vivaha and Antyeshti.]'' (Chapter 3)</ref>), for a Brahmana; of Ruru, or spotted deer, for a Kshatriya ; of Vasta or Aja, goat, for a Vaishya [Brihaspati; Yama ; Sankha]. It may also be cowhide [gavyam] for all, according to Paraskara (sarveshaam vaa gavyam) and of spotted deer for all, according to Yama.<ref name=":6" /> We find similar recommendations in Gṛhyasūtras of Asavalayana, Baudhyāna and Kaṭhaka with slight changes here and there; like Baudhyāna prescribes the skin of black deer suited for all varnas so does Kaṭhaka agree with him except for prescribing the skin of tiger for Kṣatriya, representing the courage and valour and skin of spotted deer for Vaishya.<ref name=":5" />

The Ajina was first used as an upper garment. But, later on, when cotton cloth was supplied in its place, it was utilized for a seat. In early times the country was covered with forest and skins were found in abundance. But when forest were cleared, there became paucity of hide, and blanket  was prescribed. Apastamba prescribed the skin of black buck deer for brahmins, Ruru deer skin for kshatriyas and goat skin for vaishyas, Avika  or wool blankets for all varnas is also suitable.<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>हारिणमैणेयं वा कृष्णं ब्राह्मणस्य ३ रौरवं राजन्यस्य ५ बस्ताजिनं वैश्यस्य ६ आविकं सार्ववर्णिकम् ७ कम्बलश्च ८ (Apas. Dhar. Sutr. 3.3-8)</blockquote>The ancient tradition was adhered to, though the skin was reduced to threads which is now represented by three strands fastened together as the Yajnopavita at the time of the Upanayana Samskara.<ref name=":12" />

 

The Ajina was first used as an upper garment. But, later on, when cotton cloth was supplied in its place, it was utilized for a seat. In early times the country was covered with forest and skins were found in abundance. But when forest were cleared, there became paucity of hide, and blanket  was prescribed. Apastamba prescribed the skin of black buck deer for brahmins, Ruru deer skin for kshatriyas and goat skin for vaishyas, Avika  or wool blankets for all varnas is also suitable.<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>हारिणमैणेयं वा कृष्णं ब्राह्मणस्य ३ रौरवं राजन्यस्य ५ बस्ताजिनं वैश्यस्य ६ आविकं सार्ववर्णिकम् ७ कम्बलश्च ८ (Apas. Dhar. Sutr. 3.3-8)</blockquote>The ancient tradition was adhered to, though the animal skin was reduced to threads which is now represented by three strands fastened together as the [[Yajnopavita (यज्ञोपवीतम्)|Yajnopavita]] at the time of the Upanayana Samskara.<ref name=":12" />

=== वासांसि ॥ Vasa (Lower Garments) ===

=== वासांसि ॥ Vasa (Lower Garments) ===