Upanayanam - The Sacred Thread Ceremony of Hindu Brahmins
Posted on May 30, 2008 in Art & Culture by Gitanjali
Upanayana, known outside India as the “sacred thread ceremony”, is a Hindu rite-of-passage ritual. Traditionally, the ceremony was performed to mark the point at which boys began their formal education. It is performed on young boys of at least the age of five. Traditionally, it marks the beginning of the boy’s formal education of Vedas.
The Sacred Thread
The sacred thread consists of three threads tied together in a knot called Brahmagranthi which symbolizes Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. The three threads remind the boy of the three debts that men have, i. Pithru runam — to forefathers, ii. Rishi runam — to the acharyas, sages and saints, and iii. Deva runam — to the Deities and natural forces.
A piece of deer skin (krishnajinam) is tied around bramachari’s waist. This is believed to make him bright in intellect. He will be endowed with health, wealth and prosperity. He will become strong intellectually and spiritually.
Significance of Upanayana
Traditionally, the ceremony was performed for both girls and boys but culture has racdically changed now and mostly, only boys are initiated to Brahminism. However, it is interesting to note that there is substantial reference in our ancient texts to the thread ceremony of women and in Pune the tradition of girls partaking in the thread ceremony has seen a revival.
But evolution of culture and gender apart, aside we must understand the deep symbolism and significance of non-duality this tradition represents. In Hindu culture, important ideas are expressed in terms of the Trinity: body, speech and mind which are Brahma, Vishnu and Siva respectively.
The auspicious time
Upanayanam is recommended to be conducted in ‘Utharayana’. Generally, orthodox priests do not consider it a good idea to postpone the upanayanam on excuses regarding the boy’s age being an odd number etc. It is believed to be against ‘dharmasasthra’ to say that the boy’s period is ‘ezharasani’ or ‘ahtamasani’. There is no relation between the time of conducting Upanayanam and the current position of planets.
Any position of the planet is considered to stand in the way of successfully conducting Upanayanam at the age of 8. Spiritual scholars believe that Upanayanam eliminates a boy’s bad period. ‘Sandhya Vandanam’ performed from a young age will bring him a bright future. Upanayanam is said to ward off the ill effects of planets.
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