Poonal/Guru Nanak

[Guest guest]

RS quoted

>Guru Nanak satirized the thread of the dvija

>as an outward show, empty of meaning, when the

>real thread is the thread of bhakti etc.

 

This brings an issue, what exactly is the symbolism behind

the thread? By the way Upakarmam for Yajur vedis and

probably Rigvedis is on Agust 10 this year. Probably, this

is a god time to chat about this subject.

 

 

What I have been told is that the thread (Poonal), which is made of

three closed strands that eminate and merge in a knot termed

Brahma Granthi represent our three obligations:

 

Deva Runam(Obligation to God)

: Have a spirit of service to fellowmen

Rishi Runam(Obligation to Rishis/Acharyas/learned/teacher)

: Study the works of Purvacharyas

and Pitre Runam(Obligation to parents).

: To become a parent , ie., raise at least one progeny.

 

A Brahmacharin wears one poonal.

Grihasta, wears an additional set of poonal on behalf of wife.

A third set is woren by some in place of Uttiriyam.

 

I have also heard that the three strands stand for

Kaya, Vacha and Manasa servitude to God.

 

In the earlier time both men and women of

all varnas used to ware poonal. Later only men and then only

those belonging to the upper castes. Nowadays few castes

apart from brahmins ware poonal. This is also rapidly

diminishing.

 

I don't think poonal is a representation of Bhakti or prapatti.

If that was true, then Srivaishnavas would not have to undergo

Prapatti, poonal alone will do. Poonal, which starts Brahmacharya

is recommended prior to Vedadhyanam. Looks like Guru Nanak

was mixing up the issue OR he was implying that Vedadhyanam is

unnecessary OR he was rebelling against the traditional

heirarchy of the Brahmins in general. Also he perhaps did not

understand the true meaning of poonal. It is in the human nature

to redicule what we donn't know or care to understand.

For a long time I had little respect for the Tamil works of our

Alzhwars and Acharyas because of my poor knowledge of Tamill

and my love for Sanskrit (not that I know Sanskrit well)!

 

-K. Sreekrishna