Upanayanam
(lit. "near-sight"), also called "sacred thread ceremony", is commonly
known for being a Hindu Sanskar, rite-of-passage ritual, where the
concept of Brahman is introduced to a young boy. The
youngster is taught during the ceremony the secret of life through
Brahmopadesam (revealing the nature of Brahman, the Ultimate Reality) or
the Gayatri mantra. The hallmark of having gone through the Upanayana ceremony is the wearing of the Yajñopavītam (Sacred Thread) on the body. Yajñopavītam has three threads (actually only one thread, folded three times and tied together) each consisting of three strands. These threads represent :-
\ Goddess Gayatri (Goddess of mind),
\ Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of word) and
\ Goddess Savitri (Goddess of deed).
Upanayanam makes the person receiving it a Dwija, a twice-born! The
initiation was done by the Upadesam of the Gayathri manthram. The
manthram is a universal prayer that can be used by men of all climes and
creeds, for, it calls upon the Glorious Power that pervades the Sun and
the three words to arouse, awaken and strengthen the Intelligence, so
that it may lead to intense Sadhana and Sadhana may lead to success.
NANDHIMUKHA CEREMONY
It
is performed generally just a day before the upanayanam to obtain the
blessings of the family ancestors .The feast prepared for that day is
also very specific.. Nandi in Sanskrit means the beginning, so with
Nandi begins the actual rituals for the functions. Usually during the
Nandisradham before Upanayanam, the Brahmins are fed and various
Upacharams are offered to them. Atleast 9 brahmins are served food and
dhanam is given to each of them
UTHAKASHANTHI :
It
is conducted for the purification of the mind and body and the
protection of the child. All names of the deities are chanted in the
form of manthras and invoked in water and then poured over the child.
YAGNOPAVEETHADHAARANAM
Under
the guidance of a guru, the sacred thread is placed by the father
across the child’s left shoulder. Further , Moonji (a gridle made out of
Munja grass) is tied around the child’s waist to protect the child’s purity and keep evils away.
KUMARABHOJANAM
After the auspicious yagnopaveethadhaarana , the boy is fed along with a bramchari.
BRAHMOPADESAM
Gayatri Manthra , the supreme manthra is whispered in the child’s ears by the father who becomes the guru for the child.
SOORYA DARSHAN
The child is taken out and asked to see the sun through a peep hole formed by clasping both the palms .
BHIKSAKARANAM
The child asks for alms of rice by saying “
Bhavadhi Bhiksandehi” from his mother and other women attending the
function. It is done to control the ego , which enables the young vatu
to control his senses and then essentially receive vedic knowledge.
ABIVATHANAM
After
upanayanam the boy seeks blessings from the elders by namaskaram. The
child then introduces himself by his gotharam and suthram .
Sandhyavandanam: is an amalgamation of meditation and rituals. The principles of Yoga are the basis on which the rituals of Sandhyavandanam are designed. Sandhyavandana is a prescribed ‘nityakarma’ (Compulsory regular activity). Sandhya (the time of union) vandanam (worship)
means a ritual done at the time of three junctions, Dawn, Noon and
Dusk. Both worship and meditation are involved in Sandhyavandanam.
Pranayama and Japam are involved in this activity. Salutations are offered to the lord to thank for what we constitute of, i.e. panchabhootas - earth, water, fire, space & air. In
the prayers that form part of the Sandhyavandanam, we ask the Lord for
long life, health and prosperity and ultimately, we ask for more jnana.
All these are included in the mantra. The very performance itself gives
the result.
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