What is Upanayanam???????

What is "Upanayanam"

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 manthram.   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 is 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

Uthakashanthi 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.

Kumara Bhojanam

After the auspicious yagnopaveethadhaarana, the boy is fed along with a bramchari.

Brahmopadesam

"Gayatri Mantra", the supreme mantra is whispered in the child’s ears by the father who becomes the guru for the child.

Soorya Darshanam

The child is taken out and asked to see the sun through a peep hole formed by clasping both the palms.

Bhikshakaranam

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 doing namaskarams. The child then introduces himself by his “gotharam” and “suthram.”

Sandhyavandanam

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 “gnana.” All these are included in the mantra. The very performance itself gives the result.