Upanayanam Meaning and Essence

UPANAYANAM

With the performance of the Upanayanam, he becomes 'twice-born', Or dvija. This initiation rite marks his second, spiritual birth after his first physical one.

History

At the time of the Upanishads (c. 600 - 400 BC), the Upanayanam became compulsory, probably because the importance of education was recognised by then. It became an insignia for an individual. Anyone who did not undergo the Upanayanam was not considered 'twice-born' and therefore could not participate in any social rituals. This belief continued to be held, and it is largely for this reason that the Upanayanam is performed even today. Without it, it is widely believed that a man cannot be married.

Another reason that the ceremony became compulsory is that the Aryans wanted to maintain a separate identity from the Dasas. Since the Dasas were largely Shudras, who were forbidden the Upanayanam, this preserved the difference between the two and emphasized Aryan superiority.

Function
The function starts with a Mangala Snanam, the holy bath of purification for the student and both parents.

Then there will be pavanam, the hair removal or hair cutting.

Then they perform Choula Homam which is a Yajña as part of Deva Runam.

The main function of Yagnopavitha Dhaaranam [putting on the Holy thread] is then performed.

From this time onwards, the student starts wearing the sacred thread. It consists of three threads with a knot called Brahmagranthi symbolizing Brahma, Vishnu and Siva.

The three threads reminds him of the triple debts that men have,

i. Pithru runam -- towards forefathers,

ii. Rishi runam -- towards the acharyas, sages and saints, and

iii. Deva runam -- towards the Deities and natural forces.

He also wears a dear skin symbolizing spiritual and intellectual pre-eminence and tied a girdle of 'munja' grass symbolizing the three sections of Vedas.

Then the student is taught the Gãyathri Manthra by his father or teacher. This is followed by 'the student' symbolically asking for alms of rice from his mother and other women.

From then on the student is considered "Dwija" or twice born and is qualified to learn the Vedas.