Sacred Thread significance

[Guest guest]

http://www.chennaionline.com/specials/aavani/articles/tcloser.asp

The significance of the sacred thread

The sacred thread consists of three strands, joined by a knot known as

Brahmagranthi or the knot of Brahma. The three strands symbolise the Hindu

trinity - Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. There are various interpretations of the

three strands to represent many of the other triads like Mahasarasvati,

Mahalakshmi and Mahakali. Or the three qualities known as sattva, rajas and

tamas; past, present and the future; the three states - wakefulness, dream and

deep sleep. Some even say that it represents the three dimensions known as

heaven (swarga), earth (martyaloka) and nether regions (patala).

But the most important meaning of the three strands is ida, pingala and susumna

nadi, through which the kundalini energy manifests as prana and consciousness,

says Sadguru Sant Keshavadas. Yajno-pavita means ‘thread of sacrifice.’ That is

so called because it symbolises the sacrifice of ego, says Sadguru Sant

Keshavadas.

The Manusmrti specifies the following ages for the initiation ceremony to take place.

In the eighth year after conception, one should perform the initiation

(Upanayana ceremonies of sacred thread) of a Brahmana, in the eleventh year

after conception (that) of a Kshatriya, but in the twelfth year that of a

Vaisya. II.36

The sacred thread is a passport to obtain education. It is a prerequisite for

education and also for marriage. For without it no man can dream of getting a

bride for him. It was considered important because a person with Yajnopavita

must have undergone all the oaths associated with wearing it and should have

led a celibate life and should have completed a major portion of his education.

Brahmachari or the bachelor (also, a learner) wears a single sacred thread. The

householder or the married person wears two. A person who is married and has

lost one or both of his parents wears three.

There are different methods of wearing the Sacred Thread at different occasions.

While performing an auspicious ceremony one should be Upaviti, that is, the

Sacred Thread should hang from his left shoulder. At the performance of some

inauspicious ceremony one should be Prachnaviti, that is, the Sacred Thread

should hang from the right shoulder; and at times he is called Niviti when the

Sacred Thread is worn round the neck like a garland.

The investiture of Upanayana demands the chanting of Gayatri mantra. The

description of the Gayatri Mantra is given in a different page.

Harikrishnan

According to the Gayathri, the nine strands of the poonool signify

Knowledge about the Aathma Procurement of skills

Achieving individual greatness Purity A divine mind

Honesty Wisdom Humility Service

The twice born

In the introductory portion of the seventh chapter of Thirukkural (Makkat Peru

or Offspring) Parimelazhagar says

«·¾¡ÅÐ −ÕÀ¢ÈôÀ¡Ç÷ ãÅáÛõ −ÂøÀ¡¸ −Úì¸ÀÞ¯õ ¸¼ý ãýÈÛû ÓÉ¢Å÷ ¸¼ý

§¸ûŢ¡Ûõ, §¾Å÷ ¸¼ý §ÅûŢ¡Ûõ, ¦¾ýÒÄò¾¡÷ ¸¼ý Ò¾øŨÃô ¦ÀھġÛõ «øÄ¡Ð −Úì¸ô

À¼¡¨Á¢ý, «ì¸¼ý −Úò¾ü ¦À¡ÕðÎ ¿ýÁ츨Çô ¦ÀÚ¾ø.

A free translation of this would mean, ‘The three of the twice born (namely,

Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vysyas) owe a duty to the Rishis, the Celestials and

the Ancestors. The duty to the Rishis can be discharged only by deep study. The

duty to the celestials can be discharged by oblations and offertories alone. And

the duty to the ancestors can be discharged only by begetting children and

bringing them up properly.

It may be noted that contrary to the popular belief these days that only a

Brahmin is called a dvija or twice-born, it was customary to call the

Kshatriyas and Vysyas also as twice-born. While the first birth is of course

from the natural mother, a person is said to be born again when he is initiated

into brahmacharya or a vow of celibacy until he completes his education.

Yajnopavita samskara is the ceremony that initiates him into his duties that

start with learning.

Sadguru Sant Keshavadas says that the sacred thread is to be changed as a rule,

once in four months (‘Gayatri, The Highest Meditation’ by Sadguru Sant

Keshavadas). Even if this is not done, it has perforce to be changed on a

specific time every year. The changing of the sacred thread is observed once in

a year on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Avani on the star Avittam.

This ceremony coincides with the Raksha Bandhan celebrated enthusiastically all

over the country when women tie a string on the wrist of men and accept them as

their brothers. The day therefore is associated with two different ‘string’

ceremonies.

The followers of different Vedas however, observe different dates for performing

this ceremony of changing the sacred thread. The followers of Rig and Yajur

observe it on the above day, which falls on 4th August this year. For Sama

Vedis, the ceremony always coincides with Vinayaka Chaturthi, falling on the

22nd of August this year.

Harikrishnan Tat Twam Asi

Hint Dropper

- Avoid getting hideous gifts this Christmas with Hint Dropper!