Changes

During upanayana the young boy has [[Special Attire of a Student during Upanayana (उपनयने विशेष-परिधानम्)|a special attire]] which include ajina, mounji etc but they are removed at the time of [[Samavartana (समावर्तनम्)|samavartana]] only the yajnopavita and shikha are not removed.<ref name=":4" /> In brahmachaya and grhastha ashramas, the shikha and yajopavita are to be worn and can be removed only if the person accepts Sanyasa ashrama. As for the Grhastha and Vanaprastha ashrama dharmas, Katyayana smrti states that<blockquote>सदोपवीतिना भाव्यं सदा बद्धशिखेन च । विशिखो व्युपवीतश्च यत् करोति न तत्कृतम् ॥ (Katy. Smrt. Achara Adhyaya 1.4)</blockquote>Meaning: Yajnopavita should always be worn and the shikha has to be kept bound (in a specific way having the specified number of knots) or knotted. If shikha and the yajnopavita are not present, whatever dharmik activities are undertaken they remain fruitless.<ref name=":4" />

During upanayana the young boy has [[Special Attire of a Student during Upanayana (उपनयने विशेष-परिधानम्)|a special attire]] which include ajina, mounji etc but they are removed at the time of [[Samavartana (समावर्तनम्)|samavartana]] only the yajnopavita and shikha are not removed.<ref name=":4" /> In brahmachaya and grhastha ashramas, the shikha and yajopavita are to be worn and can be removed only if the person accepts Sanyasa ashrama. As for the Grhastha and Vanaprastha ashrama dharmas, Katyayana smrti states that<blockquote>सदोपवीतिना भाव्यं सदा बद्धशिखेन च । विशिखो व्युपवीतश्च यत् करोति न तत्कृतम् ॥ (Katy. Smrt. Achara Adhyaya 1.4)</blockquote>Meaning: Yajnopavita should always be worn and the shikha has to be kept bound (in a specific way having the specified number of knots) or knotted. If shikha and the yajnopavita are not present, whatever dharmik activities are undertaken they remain fruitless.<ref name=":4" />

Yajnopavita given to the young boy during Upanayana samskara also serves a sign of commitment to schooling and vedic education. It emphasizes that the person is on the path of learning for many years and should avoid all distractions. It is a constant reminder to stay on the track of self-discipline and recite the Gayatri Mantra received as Brahma Upadesham, from the father or Guru. The Gayatri mantra is powerful and the vibrations it causes in the body and in the surroundings rejuvenate the body and mind with positive energy keeping them in good health.

Yajnopavita given to the young boy during Upanayana samskara also serves a sign of commitment to schooling and vedic education. It emphasizes that the person is on the path of learning for many years and should avoid all distractions. It is a constant reminder to stay on the track of self-discipline and recite the Gayatri Mantra received as Brahma Upadesham, from the father or Guru. The Gayatri mantra is powerful and the vibrations it causes in the body and in the surroundings rejuvenate the body and mind with positive energy keeping them in good health.  

Yajnopavita reminds the wearer that in life one is always a student and has to seek knowledge required in the journey through the various phases of life with ease and relish. The thread, made of cotton yarn is changed every year on [[Upakarma (उपाकर्म)|Upakarma]], signifying a renewal of commitment.<ref name=":12" /> It signifies that the onus of preserving the Vedas and Dharma and paying off the three rnas (debts) lie on the shoulders of the wearer. The formless Paramatma is termed Brahma while Paramatma with a form is termed 'Yajna' - to attain whom one acquires the adhikara by wearing the yajnopavita.<ref name=":4" /> <blockquote>यज्ञोपवीतं परमं पवित्रं प्रजापतेर्यत्सहजं पुरस्तात् । आयुष्यमग्र्यं प्रतिमुञ्च शुभ्रं यज्ञोपवीतं बलमस्तु तेजः । (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 2.2.11)<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Paraskara Grhyasutras]</ref></blockquote>The Acharya, while investing the student with yajnopavita repeats this appropriate Mantra, emphasizing that yajnopavita is very sacred, created for performing auspicious activities worn by Brahma the creator himself and bestowing strength, long-life and illumination to the boy.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":4" /> In Smritiprakasha, the reason why Yajnopavita is also termed as Brahmasutra is explained.<blockquote>सूचनाद् ब्रह्मतत्त्वस्य वेदतत्त्वस्य सूचनात् । तत्सूत्रमुपवीतत्वाद् ब्रह्मसूत्रमिति स्मृतम्॥</blockquote>Meaning: this thread is a mark of knowledge of brahmatattva and vedas, hence it is said to be brahmasutra.<ref name=":4" />

Yajnopavita reminds the wearer that in life one is always a student and has to seek knowledge required in the journey through the various phases of life with ease and relish. The thread, made of cotton yarn is changed every year on [[Upakarma (उपाकर्म)|Upakarma]], signifying a renewal of commitment.<ref name=":12" /> It signifies that the onus of preserving the Vedas and Dharma and paying off the three rnas (debts) lie on the shoulders of the wearer. The formless Paramatma is termed Brahma while Paramatma with a form is termed 'Yajna' - to attain whom one acquires the adhikara by wearing the yajnopavita.<ref name=":4" /> <blockquote>यज्ञोपवीतं परमं पवित्रं प्रजापतेर्यत्सहजं पुरस्तात् । आयुष्यमग्र्यं प्रतिमुञ्च शुभ्रं यज्ञोपवीतं बलमस्तु तेजः । (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 2.2.11)<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Paraskara Grhyasutras]</ref></blockquote>The Acharya, while investing the student with yajnopavita repeats this appropriate Dharana Mantra, emphasizing that yajnopavita is very sacred, created for performing auspicious activities worn by Brahma the creator himself and bestowing strength, long-life and illumination to the boy.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":4" /> In Smritiprakasha, the reason why Yajnopavita is also termed as Brahmasutra is explained.<blockquote>सूचनाद् ब्रह्मतत्त्वस्य वेदतत्त्वस्य सूचनात् । तत्सूत्रमुपवीतत्वाद् ब्रह्मसूत्रमिति स्मृतम्॥</blockquote>Meaning: this thread is a mark of knowledge of brahmatattva and vedas, hence it is said to be brahmasutra.<ref name=":4" />

=== निर्माणम् ॥ Preparation ===

=== निर्माणम् ॥ Preparation ===

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 individual cords 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 (purity).<ref name=":4" />

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 individual cords 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 (purity).<ref name=":4" />

The Yajnopavita is made up of three cords having a total of nine strands (tantus) well twisted with a knot for each cord (each cord has three strands). 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" />  

The Yajnopavita is made up of three cords having a total of nine strands (tantus) well twisted with a knot for each cord (each cord has three strands). Every tantu (one strand) has a deity associated with it. Devala has elaborated as follows<ref name=":1">Murthy, Narasimha. H. V. (1997) ''A Critical Study of Upanayana Samskara''. Mangalore: Canara College.</ref><blockquote>ॐङ्कारः प्रथमस्तन्तु-द्वितीयोऽग्निस्तथैव च । तृतीयो नागदेवत्यश्चतुर्थस्सोमदेवतः ।। पञ्चमः पितृदैवत्यष्षष्टश्चैव प्रजापतिः । सप्तमो वायुदेवत्यत्सूर्यश्चाष्टम एव च । नवमस्सर्वदेवत्य इत्येते नवतन्तवः ॥ (Smriti Chandrika Page 82)</blockquote>The nine devatas of nine tantus are given as Omkara, Agni, Naga, Soma, Pitr, Prajapati, Vayu, Surya, and all devatas.

 

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" />

 

=== धारणम् ॥ Wearing yajnopavita ===

=== धारणम् ॥ Wearing yajnopavita ===