ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ

“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”

WHY SHOULD JANEU BE WORN?

Janeu, also known as Yagnopaveetham, is a thin thread worn by Hindu Brahmins in India. This thread consists of three threads representing the Goddesses: Gayatri (thought), Saraswati (word), and Savitri (deed). In the center, there is also a knot, which represents the unending Brahman. Wearing Janeu is considered as one of the most important rites of Hindu tradition. In addition, Brahmin Vaishyas and Kshatriyas also wear this sacred thread.

According to Holy Scriptures, there are 16 Sanskars of Life that are stated and practiced in our tradition; Yagnopavit is the tenth Sanskaar of the Sanatana Dharma of the Hindu religion that involves wearing sacred Janeu by the Brahmin boys after they reach the age of 7-12. The holy thread is given to the child as a reminder of the commitment that the child will stay completely committed to education and learning and avoid all distractions. During this ceremony, the child learns to recite the “Gayatri Mantra” for the first time from his father, who serves as his first teacher, or Guru.

HOW TO WEAR JANEU PROPERLY
Janeu is a sacred thread, and because of that, it has to be worn with the utmost care.

Month to Wear a Janeu-A Janeu is required to be worn throughout the Maha month according to the Hindu calendar.

Ideal days to wear a Janeu-The most auspicious days to wear the Janeu are Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Yagya Ceremony for Janeau Wearing – In the morning, the child should take a turmeric and sandalwood bath. The Mundan ceremony comes next (the head of the child is shaved). The Yagya is performed by a Pandit. While performing the puja, the child should wear unstitched clothing. It is worn from the left shoulder with a yellow cloth wrapped around the neck and turmeric applied to the Janeu strands.

Mantras to Recite-There are two main Janeu Mantras that must be recited at various stages of the Yagya. The Yagyopaveet mantra is recited first, followed by the Gayatri mantra.

JANEU RULES TO FOLLOW:
When a boy dons a janeu, he becomes a man and, more importantly, a true Brahmin. Some janeu rules must be followed once the Janeu is worn. They are listed below.

Do not take the Janeu off after wearing it.
If the Janeu breaks, perform puja to create a new one and immerse the broken Janeu in a running river.
It is necessary to pray every day in the evening after wearing a janeu.
The Vedas forbid eating non-veg food and drinking alcohol after wearing a Janeu.
The Janeu should be worn from the right shoulder when attending an unfortunate ceremony.

THE SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE OF WEARING JANEU:
A scientifically proven study shows that wearing a Janeu on one’s ears improves memory, prevents constipation, and keeps the stomach disease-free. It also proves that those who wear a Janeu have fewer blood pressure-related illnesses than those who do not.

The thread strands also represent the purity of the wearer’s words, thoughts, and actions. Through the Upanayanam Ceremony, the boy is introduced to the concept of Brahman and thus qualifies to live the life of a Brahmachari according to the rules of the Manusmriti.

The Social Significance of Wearing Janeu

Its purpose was to serve as a reminder of God. A person is reminded of religion and customs when he wears a Janeu and applies a tilak to his forehead. The person wearing it was supposed to be a role model.

Janeu (Yajñopavit) How many threads are there in janeu ( Yajñopavit ) and what is the importance of threads? We have seen many people tie a thread from left shoulder to right hand this thread is called Janeu.

Upanayana – Yajñopavīta (The Sacred Thread)

Janeu

Janeu is also known as Upveet, Yajnasutra, Vratabandha, Balbandh, Monibandha and Brahmasutra. The tradition of wearing janeu is very ancient. The Vedas are instructed to wear janeu. This is called Upanayana Sanskar.

‘Upanayana’ means ‘to take near or near.’ with whom? To bring to Brahman (God) and knowledge. One of the 24 sanskars of Hinduism, the janeu is worn only under the ‘Upanayan Sanskar’, which is also called ‘Yajnopaveet Sanskar’. Mundan and bathing in holy water are also part of this ritual.

It is mandatory for a person wearing Yagyopaveet to follow all the rules. Once we have worn the thread, man cannot remove it. After getting dirty, one has to wear another thread immediately after taking off. Let’s know about the religious and scientific importance of Janeu as well as its health benefits.

Who can wear Janeu …

The duty of every Hindu in Hinduism is to wear a thread and follow its rules. Every Hindu can wear janeu provided he follows his rules.

The girl who has to follow lifelong celibacy can wear janeu. Brahmachari wears three and married six thread threads. Out of the six threads of the Yajnopavit, three threads are said to be his own and three threads are those of his wife.

What is Janeu ?? …

Janeu is a thread with three threads. Janeu is called ‘Yajnopaveet’ in Sanskrit language. It is a sacred thread made of cotton, which the person wears above the left shoulder and below the right arm. That is, it is put in the throat in such a way that it stays above the left shoulder.

The thread consists of three threads. First, these three sutras are symbols of Trimurti Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Secondly, these three sutras are the symbol of Devaruna, Pitruruna and Rishiruna and third it is the symbol of Sattva, Raja and Tama. IV It symbolizes the three stages of the Gayatri Mantra. It is the symbol of the three ashrams. In the Sannyas Ashram, Yajnopaveet is removed.

Yajnopaveet has three strings in each chord. Thus, the total number of stars is nine. There are a total of nine by one mouth, two nostrils, two eyes, two ears, two of feces and urine. We speak and eat well with the mouth, look good with eyes and listen well with ears.

Five knots are placed in the Yajnopavit which signifies Brahma, Dharma, Ardha, Kama and Moksha. It is also a symbol of the five yajnas, the five gyanadris and the five deeds.

Janeu Length

The length of the yajnopavit is 96 fingers. This means that the person wearing janeu should try to learn 64 arts and 32 disciplines. There are a total of 32 Vidyas, including four Vedas, four Upvedas, six Angas, six Darshans, three Sutras, nine Aranyakas. Among 64 arts such as architectural construction, cuisine, painting, literature art, handicrafts, language, machine making, sewing, embroidery, weaving, handicrafts, jewelery making, agricultural knowledge etc.

Religious importance of janeu

1 Yajnopavit is called fasting. Man’s uplift is not possible without fasting. The Yajnopavit is considered a symbol of fasting. That is why it is also called sutra. In the scriptures, Yama-niyam is considered as a fast.

Upanayana (janeu) sanskar is very important to become an officer of Gayatri and Vedpath for the growth of the child.

In religious terms, it is believed that by wearing janeu, the body is pure and pure. According to the scriptures, the abode of gods like Aditya, Vasu, Rudra, Vayu, Agni, Dharma, Veda, Aap, Som and Surya have been considered in the right ear. Therefore, even with just the right hand, he gets the result of aching. Achman, that is, before going to the temple etc. or before being worshiped, the act of becoming holy with water is called Achman. In Islam religion it is called Vaju.

2 To get out of the narrowness of selfishness, to enter into the greatness of the ultimate, is to renounce the animality and accept humanity. The body is similar to the birth weight of the birth parents, as other organisms. The vow to take an idealistic life goal is to enter the real human birth. This is called dualism. Dwijatva means second birth.

Scientific importance of janeu

According to doctors, it reduces the chance of heart disease by passing through the heart of Janeu, because it helps in circulation of blood.

1. The person wearing the thread is bound by the rules. He cannot remove his thread after excretion. Till he rinses his hands and feet. So, after cleaning it properly, he removes it from the ear. This cleansing protects him from diseases of teeth, mouth, stomach, worms, bacteria. For this reason, heart patients benefit the most from Janeu.

2. The genera have to wrap the ears tightly twice before excretion of feces and urine. By this, two veins behind the ear, which are related to the intestines of the stomach, pressurize the intestines and open them completely, so that the excretion of feces easily and some time during excretion of urine from one vein near the ear. The material is immersed. Janeu stops its velocity, which causes constipation, ACDT, stomach disease, urinary disease, blood pressure, heart diseases and other infectious diseases.

3. According to medical science, the vein of the right ear is attached to the testicles and the secretions. Wrapping on the right ear during urinary excretion protects sperm.

4. According to scientists, wearing janeu in the event of having nightmares again and again, can get rid of this problem.

5. Wrapping of Janeu in the ear causes the awakening of the sun pulse.

6. Wrapping the bone on the ear also protects against stomach diseases and blood pressure problems.

7. It is believed that there is a natural line on the back of the body which acts like an electric current. This line is located from the right shoulder to the waist. Wearing Janeu keeps the electric current controlled, which makes it easier to keep control over your anger.

8. One feels purity from janeu. It protects the mind from evil deeds. With the mere realization that it is janeu on the shoulder, man starts avoiding corruption.

9. At the core of drawing the ears of children in schools is a hidden fact that it suppresses the ear vein, which causes a sleeping sleepiness of the brain. Therefore, the purpose of wearing Yajnopavit on the right ear is also stated.

Embracing Knowledge: Sacred Thread and Women

The sacred thread is a marker of Wisdom and Knowledge but associated to men. However, here are women who are seen wearing them.

Sacred thread is an important marker of knowledge, especially Vedic knowledge. As symbol of initiation of young Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya into studentship this ceremony is in practice till date.

Initially meant for boys & girls, later it was limited to boys. The ceremony marks the second birth of the child in the world of knowledge. thus onwards children are called ‘dwij’ meaning twice born.

Sacred thread is cotton, handmade 3 strings tied in a loop. Worn on the left side shoulder it crosses body onto right side of the torso. The three stands of thread represents Rig, Yajur and Sam Veda.

The knot in the sacred thread is called Brahma-Granthi. Granthi literally translated into a knot. This is generally a set of three knots each for God Brhama, Vishnu and Mahesh.

Shiva are often represented wearing naga as his sacred thread instead of the cotton threads. This Ganesha panel from Sindhudurga in Maharastra is shown wearing naga-janeu like his father God Shiva.

In the Vedic era girls too underwent Yajnopaveet sanskar and received knowledge of Vedas from great seers and saints in the Brahmacharya ashram. Later Manu-Smriti limited it only to boys.

Fierce female goddesses like Mahisasurmardini is often depicted wearing sacred thread to indicate her strength and knowledge at par with male gods. A stone relief of Durga from Andhra Pradesh.

Female scholars like Gargi and Lopmudra are known to have undergone Upanayan Sanskar. Maitreyi, Visvavara, Apala, Indrani, Urvashi, Ghosha, and Sachi are also well known scholars in Indian history.

Chusath Yogini Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Incarnations of Parvati as Meenakshi & Ganga are often represented wearing janeu along with their all other ornaments. This could simply imply their knowledge and wisdom at par with other male gods.

There are references of women wearing their janeu around their neck like necklace instead of on their shoulder and torso unlike their male counter parts.

According to Vedas Grihashta/ married men are allowed to wear two sacred threads, one for themselves and another for their wife. It could have been in practice for women who had no formal education.

Manu-Smriti states- domestic duties for women are her yajnas and serving one’s husband is like living in house of teachers and receiving spiritual training, thus making education for women avoidable.

Janeu Dharana Sanskar – Health And Scientific Importance

According to Hinduism, 16 rites are considered to be of great importance in our lives, one of these 16 samskaras is Janeu Dharana Sanskar or ‘Yajnopaveet Sanskar’. Yajnopaveet = Yajna + Upveet, ie one who has complete right to perform Yajna.

In the Sanskrit language, Janeu is called ‘Yajnopaveet’. No one gets the right to recite Vedas or chant Gayatri without wearing Yajnopaveet (Janeu).

Janeu is a sacred thread made of yarn, which people wear at the time of ‘Yajnopaveet Sanskar’. Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Vaishya society have ‘Yajnopavit Sanskar’ tradition. Commonly, the Yajna takes place when the child is 10-12 years old. In ancient times, only after wearing Janeu did the child get the right to get an education. This ancient tradition holds great importance not only in religious terms but also in scientific terms.

What is Brahmasutra?

Janeu (Yajnopaveet) is also called Brahmasutra, Yajnasutra, Vratabandha, and Balbandh. The Vedas have also been instructed to wear Janeu. It is also known as Upanayana Sanskar. ‘Upanayana’ means to take near. The person wearing Janeu becomes devoted to Brahma (God). After wearing Janeu one has to follow special rules and practices.

What is Janeu?

The sacred thread made of three threads is Janeu. The person wearing Yajnopavitha wears it above the left shoulder and below the right arm. This way, it stays on the neck in such a way that it stays above the left shoulder.

Mantra For Janeu Dharana Sanskar

Yajnopavitam Param Prabham Prajapateryatsahjn Purast.
Ayushyamagra Pratimuncha Shubram Yajnopavitam Balamastu Tejah

Who can wear Janeu?

According to Hinduism, it is the duty of every Hindu to wear a thread and follow its rules.

Types of Janeu

There are mainly two types of threads, three threads, and six threads.

How many threads should a person wear?

For Brahmachari there is a law of three threaded Janue, a married man should wear a threaded thread. Of the six threads of Janeu, three threads are said to be of the man’s and three threads are those of his wife. A girl who practices lifelong celibacy can also wear Janeu.

Janeu Dharana Sanskar rules

Janeu should be put above the right ear before the excretion of urine and cleaning hands. This means that Janeu rises above the waist and is not impure.
One must replace if any thread of the Janeu is dirty.
One must not put off the Janeu the body. To clean it, one may roll it over the shoulder and wash it. Once a person is wearing a thread, they cannot remove it. After getting dirty, one has to wear another thread immediately after taking off.

What is the thread of Yagyopaveet?

Why three threads?

Yajnopavit mainly consists of three sutras, each sutra has three threads. First thread The three sutras present in it are the symbols of Trimurti Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh who always bless the one wearing the Yajnopavit. The second thread depicts Devaruna, Pitrurana, and Rishiruna, and the third aspect of Sattva, Raja, and Tama is a virtuous increase.

Health and Scientific Importance Janeu

Scientifically, wearing Janeu is very beneficial. This ancient tradition holds great importance not only in religious terms but also in the scientific and scientific sense.

According to doctors, due to Janeu’s passing through the heart, it makes the blood circulation smooth. Therefore it reduces the chance of heart disease.
The person wearing Janeu cannot take off his thread until after he has washed his hands and feet and rinses after the excretion of feces due to the rules. Therefore, due to cleanliness, it keeps teeth, mouth, stomach diseases away.
Before excretion of urine and urine, the Janeu has to be wrapped tightly on the right ear twice. The two veins behind the ear have a connection to the intestines, stomach, the pressure of the Janeu on the ear veins has a direct effect on the intestines, which opens the intestines completely, allowing easy excretion of feces. Janeu stops its velocity, which causes stomach diseases (constipation, ACDT), urinary diseases, blood pressure, heart diseases, and other infectious diseases.
Wrapping Janeu on the right ear awakens the Sun pulse.

So, these were some major points about Janeu Dharana Sanskar.

Paita or the Sacred Thread in Bengal Temple Decorations

Introduction

“Paita”/”Janeu” is the Sacred Thread worn nowadays by the Brahmin males of the Hindu community after a religious ceremony called “Upanayana” which is held usually in childhood. This has become the symbol of upper caste Brahmins now, though it has a colorful history starting from the Vedic age.

The history of “Paita” (as it is called in Bengali) or “Janeu” (as it is called in Hindi) is a very long one, and a bit controversial to say the least. In this article, we’ll only touch on these superficially to help readers understand certain important points about them.
The main aim of this article is to show and analyze the depiction of persons wearing “Paita” in the decorations of different temples in West Bengal.

A sculpture from Thillai Nataraja temple, in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu that shows Brahmins with Janeu.

What Is the Sacred Thread or “Paita”/”Janeu”?

“Paita”/”Janeu” is a tuft of 9 threads arranged in 3 groups of 3 threads each worn by Brahmin males (nowadays) after a religious ceremony (“Upanayan”). This signifies a second birth of the individual from a lower ignorant state to a higher enlightened one.

But originally the Sacred Thread was not the sole monopoly of the Brahmins. Actually, all individuals (both males and females) who follow the Vedas could have this thread worn after fulfilling certain pre-requisite conditions. Gradually, the custom degenerated first into an exclusively male domain, and later the domain of the three “upper” castes (Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas), thus excluding the 4th caste, viz. the Sudras.

The whole thing is highly controversial and incites emotional outbursts, so we’ll steer clear of this and stick to our objective.

A Brahmin with the sacred thread; terracotta. At Gopaleshwar temple in Bankati, Paschim Bardhaman district.

The Structure of a “Paita”/”Janeu”

Each “Paita”/”Janeu” consists of nine threads or “Tantus”, which are arranged into three groups of “Sutras” or “Dandis” of three “Tantus” each.

These threads are held together by five knots or “Granthis”. These “Granthis” are called “Brahma Granthi.”

As per the scriptures, Brahmins shall wear “Paita”/”Janeu” made of cotton (“Karpas”), Kshatriyas shall wear “Paita”/”Janeu” made of hemp (“Shawn”) and the “Paita”/”Janeu” of the Vaishyas should be made of animal hairs.

Significance of the Threads

The individual nine threads or “Tantus” are believed to be the abodes or seats of nine gods/demigods, described as follows:

1st thread – Seat of “Omkar,” the primal cosmic sound.
2nd thread – Seat of the Fire God Agni.
3rd thread – Seat of Ananta Naga, the Celestial Serpent, on the coils of which lies Lord Vishnu.
4th Thread – Seat of Chandra, the Moon God.
5th thread – Seat of “Pitrigan.”
6th thread – Seat of Prajapati Brahma, the Creator.
7th thread – Seat of the 8 “Basus”.
8th thread – Seat of Yaksha, the keeper of Wealth.
9th thread – Seat of Shankar, the Anthropometric form of Lord Shiva.

The first three threads constitute the first “Sutra,” symbolizing goddess Saraswati; the next three threads constitute the second “Sutra,” symbolizing goddess Gayatri; and the last three threads constitute the third or last “sutra,” symbolizing goddess Savitri.

Lord Vishnu on Ananta Naga; terracotta. At Radha Damodar temple in Hadal-Narayanpur, Bankura.

Why Nine Threads?

It is believed that these nine threads will guard against the entry of sin into the body by guarding the nine entry gates or openings (“Naba Dwara”) of the human body, viz. two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, and one each of the mouth, the reproductive organ and the anus.

The Prescribed Length of the “Paita”/”Janeu”

Again, there are strict rules as per scriptures regarding the length of the “Paita”/”Janeu” worn by different “Vedis” (those who belong to the house of a particular Veda).

Those who belong to the houses of Rig Veda and Yajur Veda shall wear the “Paita”/”Janeu” from the left shoulder to the navel, and those who belong to the house of Shama Veda shall wear a “Paita”/”Janeu” from the left shoulder to the right hip.

An important point to remember is that originally there were three Vedas (called “Trayee”) and the fourth Veda, viz. Atharva Veda, was included in the list of Vedas later.

How Do You Wear a “Paita”/”Janeu”?

Normally, it is customary to wear the “Paita”/”Janeu” from the left shoulder to the right hip, crossing the chest and back diagonally. This is done so that it crosses the heart, which is considered the seat of all emotions and the site of “Anahata Chakra,” one of the six major “Chakra-s” or nerve centres of the human body as told in the Hindu scriptures. This way of wearing the sacred thread is called “Upavita” and it is the most common method of wearing the sacred thread.

However, the sacred thread is worn in the opposite direction (i.e., from the right shoulder to the left hip) during some religious functions like the Last Rights of the deceased family members (especially during the “Pindadaan” ceremony). This type of wearing the sacred thread is called “Prachinavarti.”

Sometimes, gods are depicted wearing the sacred thread in this fashion.

There is a third way of wearing the sacred thread, where it is worn like a necklace. This is called “Malyavat,” meaning “garland-like.” It is again used during certain religious ceremonies like “Tarpan” (offering water to the deceased ancestors).

In iconography sometimes goddesses are depicted as wearing the sacred thread in this fashion.

Upanayana or Sacred Thread Ceremony

Upanayana (or “Sacred Thread Ceremony”) is the religious ceremony during which young boys are first presented with the “Paita”/”Janeu.” The minimum age requirements prescribed for different castes are as follows:

After the “Upanayan” ceremony, the “Paita”/”Janeu”-holders are called “Dwija” or “Twice Born.”

Interestingly, the Ayurvedic Brahmins traditionally have a second “Upanayan” (usually before they enter the profession of “Vaids” or physicians, but may be during their wedding), and then they are called “Trija,” the Thrice Born.

The Religious Importance of the “Paita”/”Janeu”

The Sacred Thread is held in so high esteem because it is believed that Lord Brahma creates the threads (“Tantus”), Lord Vishnu prepares the three “Sutras”, Lord Shiva ties the knots (“Granthis”) and the goddess Sabitri sanctifies the whole.

Bengal Temple Decorations

Before entering into the subject of “Paita”/”Janeu” in Bengal temple decorations, it will be helpful for the general reader to have a glimpse of the temple decorations in Bengal.

All temples are decorated to some extent or other, but we are concerned here with only those decorations which are put on the walls of temples. These decorations include pictures of gods and goddesses; scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata; scenes from religious texts like Krishna Leela (Life Stories of Lord Krishna), Chaitanya Leela, etc.; social events; animals and birds; floral and geometric designs, etc.

The medium for these decorations is mostly bas-reliefs on terracotta plaques, but other types of media like stucco, stone, wood, metal or paintings (murals/frescos) are also present.

These decorations combine together to work as a kind of public teacher and social media.

Ramraja panel; terracotta. At Shiva temple; in Itanda, Birbhum.

Objective of This Study

The main objective of this study is to demonstrate and analyze different persons wearing the “Paita”/”Janeu” as depicted in the decorations of some selected temples from different districts of West Bengal.

Materials and Methods

The author has visited and photographed about 80 temples in 31 places in different districts of West Bengal (a list of the temples visited is given in the Appendix).

These photographs were diligently checked, and photos of persons wearing the “Paita”/”Janeu” were selected. These are classified into several groups and analyzed.

“Paita”/”Janeu” in the Decorations of Temples in West Bengal

Interestingly, we find the following groups of figures wearing the Sacred Thread in the temples of West Bengal:

Gods
Goddesses
Avatars of Lord Vishnu
Sages from epics
Ascetics
Yogis
Priests
Common men wearing “Paita”/”Janeu”
Miscellaneous (this group includes guards with “Paita”/”Janeu,” a highly interesting topic)

Let us discuss these, one after another.

1. Gods Wearing “Paita”/”Janeu”

Though, classically, all gods (and goddesses) wear the “Paita”/”Janeu,” in our series, we find the following gods in temple decorations. It is to be remembered that gods are often depicted with the sacred thread in the “Prachinavarti” fashion.

Lord Shiva: Lord Shiva in His anthropometric form (popularly called “Mahadeva”) wearing the “Paita”/”Janeu” is depicted profusely in almost all temples, in terracotta mostly, but also in other media. In our present series, the notable examples are from Sridhar temple of Sonamukhi, district Bankura; Charbangla temple of Baronagar, district Murshidabad; Gopinath temple of Dasghara, district Hooghly; Jorbangla temple of Vishnupur, district Bankura; and Raghunath Shiva temple of Ghurisha, district Birbhum.
Lord Brahma: Lord Brahma wearing the “Paita”/”Janeu” can be seen in the Sridhartemple of Sonamukhi, district Bankura, and Shiva temple of Uchkaran village, district Birbhum.
Lord Vishnu: a) In the Sridhar temple of Sonamukhi, district Bankura, we see Lord Vishnu carrying Goddess Parvati, His sister, as per the tradition in the wedding scene of Shiva with Parvati. b) In the Radhashyam temple of Vishnupur, district Bankura, we see Lord Vishnu wearing a “Paita”/”Janeu” in his Khagendra Narayana form riding Garuda.
Harihara: In 2 temples (viz. Sridhar temple of Kotulpur, district Bankura, and Shiva temple of Uchkaran, district Birbhum) we see “Harihara” (the combined or syncretic form of Lord Narayana or “Hari” and LordShiva or “Hara”) figure wearing the “Paita”/”Janeu.”
Lord Ganesha: In the Nalateshwari temple of Nalhati, district Birbhum, we see Lord Ganesha wearing the “Paita”/”Janeu.”
Lord Kartikeya: In a Shiva temple in Sribati village of Purva Bardhaman district, we see Lord Kartikeya wearing the “Paita”/”Janeu.”
Narada: Narada is a demi-god, called “Devarshi,” the Sage of the Gods. In a Shiva temple of Uchkaran, district Birbhum, Narada is depicted in a terracotta plaque wearing the “Paita”/”Janeu.”

Panchanan Shiva with sacred thread; terracotta. At Kali temple in Itanda, Birbhum.

2. Goddesses Wearing the “Paita”/”Janeu”

Goddesses like Mahishasuramardini are often depicted wearing the “Paita”/”Janeu.” Moreover, there are references that goddesses often wear their “Paita”/”Janeu” like a necklace in the “Malyavat” fashion, not diagonally across the chest.

In our present series, we get two types of “Paita”/”Janeu” wearing goddesses.

Standard Diagonal: Goddesses with standard diagonal “Paita”/”Janeu” are seen in some temples. Examples are the goddess Bagalamukhi in Gopaleshwar temple, Bankati village, Purva Bardhaman, and the goddess Kaal Ratri in the Lakshmi Janardan temple of Ghurisha village, district Birbhum.
Necklace-like: Goddesses with necklace-like “Paita”/”Janeu” can be seen in many temples. In our series, we get such goddesses in Radha Damodar temple Hadal-Narayanpur, district Bankura (Goddess Durga), and Gopaleshwar temple of Bankati village, district Paschim Bardhaman (goddesses Bagalamukhi, Gajalakshmi and Chhinnamasta).

Goddess with standard sacred thread: Bagalamukhi. At Bankati Gopaleshwar temple in Paschim Bardhaman.

3. Avatars of Lord Vishnu

In our present series, the following Avatars are seen wearing “Paita”/”Janeu”:

Matsya and Varaha: in Radha Vinod temple, Joydev-Kenduli, district Birbhum.
Nrisingha: in a Shiva temple of Dubrajpur, district Birbhum.
Vaman Trivikram: in a Shiva temple of Nanur, district Birbhum; Shiva temple of Ajodhya-Bankati, Purva Bardhaman; Shiva temple of Sribati, Purva Bardhaman; Jorbangla Kali temple and Pancharatna Shiva temple of Itanda village, district Birbhum.

Matsavatar; terracotta. At Radha Vinod temple in Joydev-Kenduli, Birbhum.

4. Epics (The Ramayana)

In our present series, we get three pictures from three different temples where we can see sages wearing the “Paita”/”Janeu”:

Ratneswar: In a scene of Lord Rama’s wedding from Ratneswar temple of Bhattabati, district Murshidabad, we see three sages wearing “Paita”/”Janeu.”
Jorbangla: From the Jorbangla temple of Vishnupur, district Bankura, we see Sage Vishwamitra wearing a “Paita”/”Janeu” accompanying Lord Rama to the forest where demons were disturbing the sages.
Shiva: In a scene of Lord Rama’s coronation from Shiva temple, we can see a sage wearing a “Paita”/”Janeu” blessing Lord Rama.

Sages as priests in Lord Rama’s wedding; terracotta. At Ratneshwar temple in Bhattabati, Murshidabad.

5. Ascetics

Apart from the epics, we also get a few scenes where we can see bearded elderly ascetics wearing “Paita”/”Janeu.” Examples are:

Mahaprabhu temple of Ilambazar, district Birbhum.
Dewanji temple of Hetampur, district Birbhum.

An ascetic with the sacred thread; terracotta. At Dewanji temple in Hetampur; Birbhum.

6. Yogis

They are almost always Shaivite Yogis. In the present series, we see Shaivite Yogis wearing “Paita”/”Janeu” in many temples. Some of the examples are:

Jorbangla temple and Madanmohan temple of Vishnupur, district Bankura Raghabeshwar temple of Dignagar, district Nadia
Rameshwar temple of Ilambazar, district Birbhum
Lakshmi Janardan temple of Ghurisha, district Birbhum
Shiva temple of Sribati, district Purva Bardhaman
Shiva temple of Supur, district Birbhum

Yogi with the sacred thread; terracotta. At Jorbangla temple in Vishnupur, Bankura.

7. Priests

Priests are supposed to be Brahmins, and they always wear the “Paita”/”Janeu.”

In the present series, we get two pictures of such priests, both from the Sridhar temple in Sonamukhi, district Bankura.

Priest 1; terracotta. At Sridhar temple in Sonamukhi, Bankura.

Priest 2; terracotta. At Sridhar temple in Sonamukhi, Bankura.

8. Common Men Wearing “Paita”/”Janeu”

In some temples, we get pictures of men wearing the “Paita”/”Janeu” who do not fall into any of the above-mentioned categories. So, they are presumably depictions of common or lay-people Brahmins. The temples where we see such pictures are:

Gopaleshwar temple of Bankati village, district Paschim Bardhaman
Lakshmi Janardan temple of Ghurisha, district Birbhum
Mahaprabhu temple of Ilambazar, district Birbhum
Shiva temple of Ukhra, district Paschim Bardhaman

A Brahmin wearing a sacred thread; terracotta. At Lakshmi Janardan temple in Ghurisha, Birbhum.

9. Miscellaneous (Guards)

In one of the Shiva temples of Sribati, district Purva Bardhaman, we can see two men in guard’s attire (short Dhoti, turban with sword, shield and club, etc. in hands), which is a very common finding in Bengal temples. But in this particular depiction, there is something extraordinary.

Both the guards are depicted wearing “Paita”/”Janeu.” This is somewhat astonishing because at that time (the temple was constructed in the 19th century CE) guards were almost always from the warrior communities of Bengal like Bagdi, Bauri, Hari, Dom (Agra Dom, Bayghra Dom, etc.), etc. who did not wear the “Paita”/”Janeu.” Hence, the depiction of Brahmins as guards is a real surprise.

It is, however, possible that they were from Bihar, the neighboring state as many Bihari strongmen belonging to the Brahmin castes (like Chowbey, Mishir, etc.) used regularly to come to Bengal, especially Kolkata, to work as guards.

A Brahmin armed guard; terracotta. At Shiva temple in Sribati, Purva Bardhaman.

Conclusion

“Paita”/”Janeu” in Bengal temple decorations is a seriously under-discussed topic. This article may possibly be the first attempt ever to explore this topic.

However, the small number of relevant temples (about 80) can make it a pilot study at best. I sincerely hope that some researchers in the future will come forward to explore more and more temples on this subject.

Appendix

List of temples involved in this study:

Bankati-Ajodhya temples (10-12 in number) – Bankati-Ajodhya – Paschim Bardhaman –18th-19th Century
Charbangla (4 temples) – Baronagar – Murshidabad – 1760 AD
Dewanji temple – Hetampur – Birbhum – 19th century
Dubrajpur temples (10-12 temples) – Dubrajpur – Birbhum – 19th century
Gopaleshwar Shiva temple – Bankati – Purva Bardhaman – 1832 AD
Gopinath – Dasghara – Hooghly – 1729 AD
Hadal-Narayanpur (4 temples) Hadal-Narayanpur Bankura – 19th century
Jorbangla Kestorai – Vishnupur – Bankura – 1655 AD
Joypur temples (2 in number) – Joypur – Bankura – 19th century
Kali (Harkata) Jorbangla – Itanda – Birbhum – 19th century
Lakshmi-Janardan – Ghurisa – Birbhum – 1739 AD
Madanmohan – Vishnupur – Bankura – 1695 AD
Mahaprabhu – Ilambazar – Birbhum – 19th century
Nanur temples (14 in numbers) – Nanur – Birbhum – 17-18th century
Nalateshwari – Nalhati – Birbhum – Ancient, renovated
Radha Shyam – Vishnupur – Bankura – 1758 AD
Radha Vinod – Joydev-Kenduli – Birbhum – 1683 AD
Raghunath – Ghurisa – Birbhum 1633 AD
Rameswar – Ilambazar Birbhum Early 19th century
Radhashyam – Vishnupur – Bankura – 1758 AD
Raghabeswar – Dignagar – Nadia – 1669 AD
Rameshwar – Ilambazar – Birbhum 19th Century
Ratneswar – Bhattabati – Murshidabad – Early 18th century
Shiva Pancharatna – Itanda – Birbhum – 1828 AD
Shiva (Jora Deul) – Supur – Birbhum – 19th century
Shiva Sribati – Sribati – Purva Bardhaman – 19th century
Sridhar – Sonamukhi – Bankura – 1845 AD
Sridhar – Kotulpur – Bankura – 1833 AD
Uchkaran Shiva – Uchkaran – Birbhum – 1769 AD
Ukhra different temples (10) – Ukhra – Paschim Bardhaman – 19th century

The Science Behind Janaeu

The sacred white thread also known as Janaeu is a thin cord, donned by Brahmin boys after they reach the age of 12. Wearing the Janeu is part of their 16 Sanskaar as prescribed by Hinduism. The janeu is worn during an Upanayan Sanskar and is the 10th Sanskaar of the Santana Dharma of the Hindu religion. The Janaeu is regarded as a symbol of the sacred vision to see things in a just way. Lets explore the science behind sacred thread Janaeu. A lot of people are unaware of the science and the benefits of wearing this sacred thread. Let’s have a look at some of them:

If a Janeu is tied on one’s ears it helps increases one’s memory and also helps in preventing constipation and keeps the stomach disease-free.
The three threads that make a Janeu represent the Goddess of strength i.e. Parvati, Goddess of wealth i.e. Lakshmi and the Goddess of knowledge i.e. Saraswati. It is said that one can only have a good life if he has these three characteristics that attribute to these 3 deities.
There is a popular belief that if one wears a Janeu, then one will be guarded from any negative vibe or thoughts throughout one’s life.
There is a proven scientific study which shows that those who wear a Janeu do not have blood pressure related illness, to those who don’t wear it.
Purifies the though process of a Brahmin boy and increases and stimulates his ability to gain knowledge.
Helps one attain moksha or salvation after death.
It is said that after the Upanayan ceremony a Brahmin can start performing poojas and other rituals.

Here are some other interesting facts relating to the sacred thread or Jane :

It is said that once it is worn the Janeu is not supposed to be removed from one’s body.
If for some reason, the thread breaks or is lost, then a new thread should be tied instead and the old one shouldn’t be reused.
Young unmarried boys wear sacred threads with 3 strands. The married men wear sacred threads with 6 strands. And men whose parents are no longer alive wear threads with 9 strands.
The Gayatri mantra is chanted before wearing the thread, the Gayatri mantra is as follows:

|| Om bhur bhuvah svah

tat-savitur varenyam

bhargo devasya dhimahi

dhiyo yo nah pracodayat ||

It is one’s prime responsibility to keep the sacred thread clean and sanitary.

WHY SHOULD JANEU BE WORN?

HOW TO WEAR JANEU PROPERLY
Janeu is a sacred thread, and because of that, it has to be worn with the utmost care.

Month to Wear a Janeu-A Janeu is required to be worn throughout the Maha month according to the Hindu calendar.

Ideal days to wear a Janeu-The most auspicious days to wear the Janeu are Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Mantras to Recite-There are two main Janeu Mantras that must be recited at various stages of the Yagya. The Yagyopaveet mantra is recited first, followed by the Gayatri mantra.

JANEU RULES TO FOLLOW:
When a boy dons a janeu, he becomes a man and, more importantly, a true Brahmin. Some janeu rules must be followed once the Janeu is worn. They are listed below.

Do not take the Janeu off after wearing it.
If the Janeu breaks, perform puja to create a new one and immerse the broken Janeu in a running river.
It is necessary to pray every day in the evening after wearing a janeu.
The Vedas forbid eating non-veg food and drinking alcohol after wearing a Janeu.
The Janeu should be worn from the right shoulder when attending an unfortunate ceremony.

The Social Significance of Wearing Janeu

Janeu Ceremony

Janeu is a consecrated thread that is worn by each and every Hindu Brahmin of India. This holy thread of ‘Janeo’ suggests the development of a male, from a young boy to a man. It is believed that a boy cannot be surmised as “Dvija” (twice born) until he wears the janeu. Besides the Brahmins, Janeo thread is also worn by the Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. The type of Janeu is different for different caste groups or sects of people of the Indian subcontinent.

One is Brahmgandh Janeu (with 5 knots or 3 knots), which is meant for Brahmins and the other is Vishnugandh Janeu (with one knot), meant for other classes. In case a Brahmin desires to become scholarly in the Vedas, he must wear janeu at 5 years of age. If a Kshatriya desires to gain strength, he should wear janeo at 6 and if a Vaishya desires for success, he must wear the Janeu at 8 years of age. Janeu is generally made of cotton thread; however Kshatriya and Vaishya wear threads made out of hempen and wool respectively.

Janeu (Thread) Ceremony
Brahmins celebrate the development of a boy through “Upanayanam Samskara” (sacred thread ceremony). The ceremony is generally observed between the ages of seven and fourteen. In case the ceremony could not take place due to any reason all through this age period, then it is required to be done before the marriage. The purpose of thread ceremony is to prepare a young man to share the responsibilities of elders. The thread is worn by the man in the company of a group chant of ‘Gayatri’ mantra. The thread is twisted in upward direction to make certain that ‘Sattwaguna’ (good quality of truth) prevails. The ceremony also suggests that the wearer of ‘Janeu’ can participate in the family rituals, from now onwards.

Significance of three strands in Janeu
Brahmins use ‘Janeu’ thread with three strands. These three strands of ‘Janeo’ have been studied many a times and different personalities gave several opinions regarding this tradition. To some people, the three strands stand for the Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Others interpreted it as symbolical of Mahasarasvati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali. Many people believed it to be related with past, present and future.

A number of persons stated it to be representative of three qualities – sattva, rajas and tamas. A few considered the three strands as sign of three states-wakefulness, dream and deep sleep. Some of them mentioned it to signify three dimensions of Heaven (swarga), Earth (mrityuloka) and Nether Regions (pataloka). Out of all opinions, the most logical is janeu’s account with Ida, pingala and susumna nadi, through which the ‘kundalini’ (hidden) energy reveals in ‘prana’ and realization.

How to wear Janeu at different occasions
Janeu is a not an ordinary thread, its sanctity is regarded to get disturbed if it is not worn properly. Here are given different methods to wear Janeu at different occasions.

To attend or perform any auspicious ceremony, one should wear ‘janeu’ hanging from the left shoulder (Upaviti).
For attending or performing inauspicious event, one should wear ‘janeu’ hanging from the right shoulder (Prachnaviti).
In case the person wears ‘janeu’ round the neck like a garland, then, he is called as ‘Niviti’.
While going for daily ablutions or doing impure tasks, the holy thread must be raised and its upper part ought to be put behind ear.
Males and females both can wear ‘janeu’, yet females should wear it around the neck.
Following a birth or death in the family, ‘janeu’ should be removed and again a new thread ought to be worn after 15 days of event.
One must replace the old or broken thread with a new thread.

Janeu Ceremony

Significance of three strands in Janeu
Brahmins use ‘Janeu’ thread with three strands. These three strands of ‘Janeo’ have been studied many a times and different personalities gave several opinions regarding this tradition. To some people, the three strands stand for the Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Others interpreted it as symbolical of Mahasarasvati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali. Many people believed it to be related with past, present and future.

How to wear Janeu at different occasions
Janeu is a not an ordinary thread, its sanctity is regarded to get disturbed if it is not worn properly. Here are given different methods to wear Janeu at different occasions.
To attend or perform any auspicious ceremony, one should wear ‘janeu’ hanging from the left shoulder (Upaviti).
For attending or performing inauspicious event, one should wear ‘janeu’ hanging from the right shoulder (Prachnaviti).
In case the person wears ‘janeu’ round the neck like a garland, then, he is called as ‘Niviti’.
While going for daily ablutions or doing impure tasks, the holy thread must be raised and its upper part ought to be put behind ear.
Males and females both can wear ‘janeu’, yet females should wear it around the neck.
Following a birth or death in the family, ‘janeu’ should be removed and again a new thread ought to be worn after 15 days of event.
One must replace the old or broken thread with a new thread.

Upanayana – The Sacred Thread Ceremony

A Hindu male child when reaches a certain age is expected to enter Brahmachari, a stage of receiving education, and Upanayanam is carried out. The Sacred Thread Ceremony or Upanayana is performed to formally introduce the child to a teacher so he could get an education. Of sixteen rituals, which are the series of sacraments, sacrifices, and rituals that serve as rites of passage and mark the various stages of human life according to Hinduism, Upanayanam stands 10^th in the order. These Samskaras help humans to achieve spiritual nourishment, peace of mind, and ultimately the moksha.

Introduced in various kinds of names like Janeu, Poonal Ceremony, Yajnopavita, and Bratabandha in different cultures, Upanayanam is a Hindu samskara, rite passage ritual, during which the concept of Brahman is taught to a young boy. The word Upanayanam means adjacent to or taking near to or the vision induced by proper initiation to the Gayatri Mantra. The term is connected with the Vedic gurukul tradition where the Guru would keep his students close by to train them in Vedic rites and impart religious teachings.

The Upanayanam is usually carried out by the acharya, the family guru, during adolescence. It is the most important ritual because it makes one eligible to chant the Vedic rites, perform homas, yajnas, marriages, and the last rites of the deceased. From the age of seven children’s brain starts full functioning and to show the family and relatives, that child has developed well in intelligence and is ready to gain a further expansion of the spiritual process, Upanayanam is conducted magnificently for the male child.

The Age for the Ceremony

The ceremony can be carried out at the age of seven and onwards. The actions can normally be divided into three pieces; excellent, very good, and good ( Uthamam, Madhyamam, and Adhamam). The ritual when done at the age of 7 is considered excellent, at the age of 9 is considered very good and at the age of 11 is considered good. After the age of 11, any age can be direct to this ceremony and after the age of 16, not even an auspicious day is required.

Upanayanam in India

Nandi – Nandi refers to the beginning in Sanskrit thus it refers to the commencement of the rituals. Blessing from family and ancestors is taken and brahmins are fed that day.

Matru Bhojana – The Vatu (boy whose Upanayanam is to be done) is fed by his mother, along with four other children who have already done the Sacred Thread Ceremony. Purohit will then bless the child by chanting mantras.

Yagnopaveetha Dhaaranam – With the guidance of Acharya, father of the Vatu places the Janeu thread across the left shoulder of the boy. Munja grass is then tied around the boy’s waist to keep off the evil.

Brahmopadesham – This part is where the child receives Supreme Mantra “Gayatri Mantra” from his father who then becomes his guru.

Suryadarsham – The child is taken out and asked to look at the sun through a small hole made from joining his two hands.

Bhikshakaranam – In this stage, child asks for alms of rice from his mother, and other women attending the ceremony by saying Bhavathi Bhikshamdehi. This is done in order to instill in him the comprehension to control his senses and ego and receive Vedic knowledge.

Ashirwadam – This is the last stage or end of the ceremony where the child seeks blessing from elders and purohit. The child then introduces himself by his name and gotra.

Sandhya Vandanam – This is a combination of rituals and meditation based on yoga.

Upanayanam in Nepal

Upanayanam in Nepal is known as Bratabandha. The principles with which Bratabandha is conducted in Nepal are the same as in other parts of world mainly India and it is solely based on Hindu Vedic morals. However, the ritual is slightly different from what is observed in India.

Purbanga

Purbanga is the day before the Bratabandha ceremony when Gods are worshipped and basically it is like taking permission for conducting the ritual. The child’s whole Bratabandha is to be done his head is shaved entirely leaving a small patch of the head in the crown and a yellow-orange headband is wrapped around his head with a porcupine spine, to ward off the evil.

Day of Bratabandha

On the ceremony day, priests are called, usually, two are required. The ceremony starts with chanting different mantras, the boy receives the Gayatri mantra as teaching by a priest or Guru. This process of transfer of the gayatri mantra takes place secretly, no one else can hear the mantra during teaching. The priest now becomes the guru of the child. Then the child asks for food and offerings from the mother and other women attending the ceremony just like Bhikshakaranam, this is to mark the life of a monk. In the end, Janai or janeau; the Sacred Thread is looped over the boy’s shoulder, signifying that he’s a man now.

The rituals vary in different communities in Nepal also, in Hindu communities, rituals during Bratabandha represent the banishment of boy (symbolization of Lord Ram’s exile) whereas, in Buddhist communities, the rituals represent the abandonment of worldly pleasure by Gautam Buddha (Symbolization of Buddha’s retreat from worldly pleasures).

Significance of Upanayanam Ceremony

Upanayanam ceremony is also considered as the second birth of a man as it leads him towards the spiritual path, and with this, the boy accepts Guru as his father and Vedas as his mother. During his first birth, the baby is born from the virya dissipated by his father below the navel of his mother into the womb but during this second birth, the vital forces of purity of acharya are passed to the disciple by elevating him into the Brahminical platform which marks his second birth. This is a reason Upanayanam is carried out to teach the child spiritual lessons and lead him towards a spiritually whole life.

Why use Yellow Janeu in Pooja?

In Hinduism, the Yellow Janeu, or yellow thread, stands for purity and is very important in holy ceremonies and puja. It is a sign of their spiritual journey worn by Brahmins at different events. Pila is a color that means purity and knowledge, so it was a good choice for this holy thread. The Janeu is said to act as a psychic shield that protects the person who wears it from negative energies and evil spirits.

During puja, wearing the yellow sacred tread helps people focus and concentrate better, which makes it easier for them to connect with their higher awareness. It also reminds people of their responsibilities to society, their families, and themselves.

The Pili Janeu, or “auspicious thread,” cleans the mind, body, and soul, leading to spiritual growth and enlightenment. It is thought to connect the person wearing it to their ancestors, the divine, and the inner self. During puja, people can improve their connection with the divine and strengthen their spiritual practice using the Janeu yellow.

About this Janeu

Helps keep evil forces and spirits away from the person who wears it.
Helps you focus and concentrate during puja.
Reminds us of our roles and responsibilities to society, family, and ourselves. Cleanses the mind, body, and soul.
Improves spiritual practice and link to God.
Helps with mental growth and awakening.
Brings the wearer closer to their elders and their inner selves.

Why do Brahmins wear White Thread ( Janeu )

Brahmins are a group of people in India who traditionally hold the highest social status and are considered to be the most learned and knowledgeable. They are known for their strict adherence to religious and cultural traditions, including the wearing of a white thread ( Janeu ). In this article, we will explore the reasons why Brahmins wear a white thread ( Janeu ) and its significance in Hinduism.

What is the White Thread?

The white thread ( Janeu ), also known as “Yajnopavita,” is a sacred thread made of cotton and is worn by Brahmins across India. It is a symbol of their commitment to their religious and cultural practices, and is worn over the left shoulder and across the torso.

The thread is composed of three strands, which are tied together in a specific way to form a knot called “Brahma Granthi.” The knot symbolizes the unity of the three most important deities in Hinduism: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The three strands represent the three major Hindu scriptures, which are the Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Samaveda.

Why do Brahmins wear the White Thread ( Janeu )?

There are several reasons why Brahmins wear the white thread ( Janeu ), which are rooted in Hindu tradition and culture.

Initiation into Brahminhood: The white thread is a symbol of initiation into Brahminhood. According to Hindu tradition, Brahmins are born twice: once when they are physically born, and again when they receive their sacred thread. The initiation ceremony is called “Upanayana” and is performed when the boy is between the ages of 8 and 16. The ceremony involves a series of rituals and the tying of the white thread ( Janeu ) around the boy’s torso.
Symbol of Purity: The white thread is also a symbol of purity and cleanliness. Brahmins are expected to lead a pure and simple life, and the white thread serves as a constant reminder of this ideal. It is worn at all times, even during sleep and bathing, to signify the constant presence of purity in their lives.
Connection to the Divine: The white thread is also believed to connect Brahmins to the divine. It is said that the thread represents a link between the wearer and the gods, and serves as a reminder of their duty to uphold their religious and cultural traditions. It is believed that by wearing the thread, Brahmins are able to channel divine energy and wisdom.
Social Status: Brahmins have traditionally held the highest social status in Indian society, and the white thread is a symbol of their elite status. It distinguishes them from other castes and serves as a reminder of their privileged position in society.

The white thread is an important symbol in Hinduism, and is associated with several important beliefs and traditions.

Dharma: Dharma is an important concept in Hinduism, and refers to the duty or path that one is meant to follow in life. Brahmins are believed to have a specific dharma, which involves the pursuit of knowledge, the performance of religious rituals, and the teaching of others. The white thread serves as a reminder of this duty, and is a symbol of the Brahmin’s commitment to their dharma.
Karma: Karma refers to the concept of cause and effect, and the idea that our actions have consequences. Brahmins are expected to live a pure and virtuous life, and the white thread serves as a constant reminder of this ideal. It is a symbol of their commitment to living a life of good karma.
Reincarnation: Reincarnation is a central belief in Hinduism, and refers to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Brahmins are believed to be on a path of spiritual growth, and the white thread serves as a reminder of their commitment to this path. It is believed that by following their dharma and living a virtuous life, Brahmins will be reborn into a higher state of being in their next life.
Spiritual Growth: Brahmins are expected to pursue spiritual growth throughout their lives, and the white thread is a symbol of this pursuit. It serves as a reminder that they should be constantly striving to improve themselves and deepen their understanding of Hinduism.

Conclusion

The white thread is an important symbol in Hinduism, particularly among Brahmins. It represents their initiation into Brahminhood, their commitment to purity and cleanliness, their connection to the divine, and their privileged social status. It is a reminder of their duty to uphold their religious and cultural traditions, pursue their dharma, and live a virtuous life. Overall, the white thread serves as a powerful symbol of the values and beliefs that are central to Hinduism and Brahmin culture.

Q: What is the white thread that Brahmins wear?

A: The white thread that Brahmins wear is called the Janeu or the Yajnopavita. It is a sacred thread made of cotton, and it is worn over the left shoulder and across the chest.

Q: Why do Brahmins wear the white thread?

A: The white thread is worn by Brahmins as a symbol of their caste and their commitment to following the Vedic traditions. It is believed to represent the connection between the wearer and their ancestors and the divine.

Q: How is the white thread made?

A: The white thread is traditionally made by twisting together three strands of cotton. It is usually about nine yards long, and it is tied into a loop with a knot at the end.

Q: Who can wear the white thread?

A: The white thread is traditionally worn by Brahmin men who have undergone the Upanayana ceremony, which is a sacred initiation into the study of the Vedas. However, in modern times, the thread is sometimes worn by women and members of other castes as well.

Q: How is the white thread worn?

A: The white thread is worn over the left shoulder and across the chest, with one end hanging down the back and the other end hanging over the right shoulder. It is usually worn underneath the clothes, close to the skin.

Q: Is wearing the white thread mandatory for Brahmins?

A: While wearing the white thread is not mandatory for all Brahmins, it is considered an important symbol of their caste and their commitment to following the Vedic traditions. Many Brahmins choose to wear the thread as a way of expressing their religious identity and connection to their ancestors.

Janeu Thread – All About Most Sacred Thread of Universe

Janeu or Janoi – three sacred and holy cotton threads is symbol of spirituality, sacrifice, mother, role model etc. Wearing Janeu on the left shoulder represent three core idea of Hinduism, focusing on the spiritual journey; don’t forget the responsibility towards the parent and spiritual teachers. It means we all must remember the obligation of the God, Parents and Teacher. In many region of India, people arrange Yagnopavit ceremony with great joy, it means child enter in the Brahmacharya life and must focus on the study and spirituality, in ancient time only after Yagnopavit, child can go to Gurukul for study. Sixteen Sanskar of the life are mentioned and followed in our culture as per Holy Scriptures, Yagnopavit is one of the important Sanskar. As per this everyone have to start study after wearing the Janeu only. Lot of People has question why Brahmin wear janeu or what is janeu meaning or how to wear janeu. Janeu is worn on the left shoulder which means shouldering the burdens of life with patience. It runs over the heart indicating a life of faith and determination. It touches the back which is the symbol of commitment. Thus, symbolically Janeu instruct a man to a life of commitment, courage, determination, faith, patience. Young unmarried boys wear sacred janeu threads with 3 strands. The married men wear sacred threads with 6 strands..

Length of the Janeu is 96 times the breadth of finger, these 96 are, 12 month, 7 days of week, 3 Kal, 25 Principal, 4 Vedas, 15 important dates, 3 Gunas and 27 lunar asterism, also there are 64 Kala and 32 Vidhyas mentioned in scriptures. Three fibers are woven into one thread and the three threads are then knotted together. Three threads represent three stages of life, student – Brahmacharya, house holder – Gruhasta and retire – Vanprastha. As per scripture one deity is established in each fiber, these are Moon, Fire, Air, Omkar, Serpent, Ancestors, Prajapti, Universe and Yama. Three threads represent the goddess of strength – Parvati, Goddess of wealth – Laxmi and goddess of knowledge – Saraswati, also these mentioned as three supreme lords Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh as well..

|ॐ भूर भुवः स्वः तत्सवितुरवरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात || ||

There are lots of scientific reasons behind the use of Janoi, vein named Lohitika passing through the right ear regulates the flow of urine. So, when the person wears the sacred thread around his ear while passing urine it indirect helps in urinary system to regulate the urine flow, thus keeping urinary system and bladder healthy. It also helps in reducing the blood pressure and heart related disease as well. It also helps in increasing the memory power.

Covering the head and body with a cloth while urinating or defecating is necessary to prevent direct physical contact with Rajas-Tamas predominant waves. Janeu act as this cloth so after washing the hands, feet, and rinsing the mouth with water, take the janeu off the right ear. The spiritually reason is, the physical body above the navel is considered pure for performing religious rituals, while the portion below it is considered impure.

Many Deities live in the right ear; simply touching the right ear with the right hand presents the benefit of an Achaman which leads to internal purification. Hanging the Janeu on the sacred right ear prevents the induction of impurity. It also activate the Suryanadi which create protective cover of radiant waves around individual and prevent from Rajas and Tamas predominant activities such as urination and defecation.

Rules: Once Janeu is worn it is not supposed to be removed from one’s body and must hold on right ear during the urinating and defecating. New Janeu should be tied in case of break or lost. Individual do not allow touching dead bodies while wearing the Holy Thread on the body. In case if we come in contact with a dead body, one has to perform a process and change Janeu and observe fast for a day. Person must avoid any non vegetarian food and abusive language. It is prime responsibility to keep the sacred thread clean and sanitary.The person wearing Holy Thread also must wear Tikal on the forehead and perform Sandhya Vandanam. Just wearing the Holy Thread is not the end but the start of new journey so must practice honesty. The thread is changed once a year on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan the full moon day in the month of Shravan. The Gayatri mantra is chanted before wearing the thread, the Gayatri mantra is as follows:

Upanayana ceremony is performed on boys on different age based on the Varna, 7 years for Brahmin varna, 13 years for Kshatriya varna, and 17 years for Vaishya varna. The secret of life through Brahmopadesam has been taught in ceremony. Second birth of individual happen when man seeks his spiritual identity; he symbolically accepts spiritual teacher as father and the Vedas as mother. Typically women do not wear the Janeu but girls can wear the threads around the neck according to Yajur Veda.

Thus, wearing janue reminds man of his several duties, codes of conduct, responsibilities and the purpose of life. In this regard, it is more symbolic telling man to a highly perfect order of life. If the true meaning and spirit of wearing janeu is reinforced, it shall give way to a spiritual life dedicated to personal as well as the social welfare.

The Sacred Thread Ceremony (Janeu) Before Marriage

Hindu boys wear the sacred thread or Janeu following a series of rituals and steps. It is performed when a Hindu boy is growing up. The ceremony is also called Upanayanam. Different castes have different ways of performing this ceremony.

The main aim of this thread ceremony is to suggest that the complete development of a man from his younger age.

Strands of sacred thread are not ordinary strands of threads. These strands also symbolise three Indian goddesses – Parvati, Saraswati and Lakshmi. It is believed that a man becomes complete only when he has the blessings of these supreme goddesses.

What is the right age to perform Upanayanam?

Traditionally, the ritual of Upanayanam or sacred thread ceremony is performed when a Hindu boy attains seven years of age. If for some reason, it has not been done by then this ritual can be conducted when a man gets married.

Significance of Upanayanam sacred thread ceremony | Purpose of the sacred thread ceremony

The significance of this sacred janeu thread is very great. It signifies that the young man is ready to carry all the burden of his family responsibilities from then onward. He also has to share the other responsibilities with the elders of his family.

It also makes him eligible to participate in all the family traditions and rituals after this ceremony. This shows the social significance that this sacred thread portrays.

4 Interesting Facts about the sacred thread ceremony

a) During this ceremony, the groom is offered three strands of sacred thread, each representing three vows,
1. The vow to respect knowledge
2. The vow to his parents
3. The vow to respect the society in which he lives.

b) Three strands used in a sacred thread are joined by a knot known as Brahmagranthi or the knot of Brahma.
c) The three strands also symbolise the Hindu trinity – Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
d) For Hindu men to get married, the thread ceremony is a prerequisite. Therefore, before a Hindu groom weds, he has to undergo Upanayana. Usually, this ritual takes place a few days before the wedding.

What are the benefits Of Wearing Hindu Sacred Threads?

A scientific study has proved that those who wear a Janeu do not suffer much of a blood pressure problems in comparison to those who don’t wear it.

The sacred Janeu ceremony is always performed sitting cross-legged on the floor. This posture gives you many health benefits and keeps your back straight.

It’s said that if one ties a Janeu on ear then it’ll sharpen memory and also gives some health benefits like curing constipation and keeps your stomach healthy!

It is also believed that those who wear Janeu are free from negative thoughts and energy.

Thus we can see that the Janeu thread is very sacred. It has to be worn after cleaning and purifying oneself.

Hinduism has many sacred rituals of which the Thread Ceremony is considered one of the most important rituals of Hindu rituals before marriage. It is significant in every Hindu family.

Janeu Ceremony: Upanayana Sanskar & Rituals To Follow

Janeu Ceremony holds high significance in Hinduism. It is one of the major sanskars amongst the 16 mentioned in the Hindu Dharmashastras. A janeu is a white colored, sacred thread made of three streams of threads, that is worn from the left shoulder towards the right side. This ceremony is known as Upanayana Sanskar in Sanatan Dharma, where upanayana signifies moving closer to God, while in Sanskrit, it is called Yagyopavita Sanskar. Yagyopavita is a blended word of yagya and upavita, which means getting the right to perform yagya/havan (fire sacrifice). Without completing this ritual; praying, studying, doing puja, business, etc. are said to be meaningless.

The Hindu Shastras state that after performing the Upanayana Ceremony, a child’s sins from his previous lives are cleansed. Consequently, it was believed that the child is reborn after this ceremony as only after completing this ritual does the child become religiously pious. In ancient times, a child was educated only after this was done, as it was believed that the Janeu Ceremony is crucial for the child’s growth and gaining knowledge.

The Right Time for Upanayana Ceremony

Generally, the Upanayana Ceremony is commemorated when a child moves from his adolescence to youth. According to the Dharmashastras, a Brahmin child must complete the ritual before completing 07 years of age, a Kshatriya before 11 years, and a Vaishya child must have the ceremony before he is 13 years old. More importantly, the ritual must be done before the child is of marrying age in any case.

Auspicious Time for Upanayana Sanskar: Beginning from the Magh month, this ceremony can be solemnised for the next six month of the Hindu Panchang. The first, fourth, seventh, eighth, ninth, thirteenth, fourteenth, amavasya, or purnima of the month are auspicious dates for this ritual. For the days of the week, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are said to be promising. Sunday is moderately suitable for the same while Monday is very less so. On the contrary, Tuesdays and Saturdays are avoided as they are both considered inauspicious days.
Auspicious Muhurat for Janeu Ceremony: The constellations Hasta, Chitra, Swati, Pushya, Dhanishta, Ashwini, Mrigashira, Punarvasu, Shravana, and Revati are auspicious for this ceremony. On the other hand, another rule says that this ceremony can be culminated under any constellation except, Bharani, Kritika, Magha, Vishakha, Jyeshtha, and Shatabhisha.

Importance of The Upanayana Sanskar

Every ritual has a certain significance in the Hindu culture, because each has a hidden meaning behind it; whether religious, scientific, or astrological. Similarly, the Upanayana Ceremony has a certain meaning behind it as well, which is not only religious, scientific, and astrological, but medical as well. Let’s take a look at these meanings:

Religious Significance

When we consider the Upanayana Ceremony from the Religious perspective, it directly connects to Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. The three threads of the janeu are said to be the symbol of Trideva. According to the Manusmriti, Brahma is the Creator of the Universe, while Vishnu is the Nurturer, with Lord Shiva being the Destroyer. This is why the Janeu is a sacred thread which must not be desecrated. In case it gets unholy due to any reason, then it should be immediately changed ritualistically.

In a similar manner, the Yagyopavita is said to be the manifestation of Goddess Gayatri. Hence, the wearer should chant one mala (rosary) of the Gayatri Mantra daily. Like the Gayatri Mantra has 3 parts, the Yagyopavita has three streams of threads as well. Each weave has 3 threads. The upavita is created with each part of the Gayatri Mantra.

The importance of the right ear has been described in the scriptures as well. Lord Aditya, Vasu, Rudra, Vayu, Agni, Dharma, Ved, Aap, Som and Surya resides in this ear, which is why even touching it with the right hand offers rigorous results. Five knot are made on the janeu thread, which symbolizes Brahma, Dharma, Kaam, Ardha and Moksha as well as five yagyas, senses and karma.

Janeu Ceremony in Other Religions

Janeu Ceremony isn’t celebrated in Hinduism but commemorated in other religions as well.

This ceremony is conducted before circumambulating the Kaaba in Mecca in Islam religion.
If observed carefully, a thin upanayana thread can be seen across the ancient statue of Lord Buddha in Sarnath.
In Jainism as well, this ceremony is observed.
Believers of Parsi also follow this sanskar.
In Sikhism, this ceremony is known as “Amrit Sanchar”.
In Christianity, this ceremony is termed as Baptism.

Scientific Importance

The ceremony of Upanayana is considered important from a medical point of view for a child. As per medical science, a nerve travels back in the back of a human being, which starts from the right shoulder till waistline. This nerve is critical in nature. Hence, in case if it remains constricted, the person doesn’t get involved in sensual activities or aggressive and Janeu enables the nerve to remain in that state only. This is why anyone wearing a janeu is said to be pious and develops humanitarian qualities.

According to a study, anyone adorning this sacred thread gets rid of Blood Pressure and Heart related diseases. This thread maintains blood flow in the body. As it passes through the heart, therefore the possibility of any heart related disease rising becomes low. Also, during urination, when we wrap the janeu around the right ear, it forms a pressure around the intestines, which is why one doesn’t feel constipated.

Astrological Significance

There are nine planets in astrology and affects the lives of a native in different ways. In the Janeu, there are nine single threads which symbolises the nine planets. It is believed in astrology that anyone wearing this thread gains blessings of the Navagrahas. Along with that, the white coloured thread signifies Venus planet, which denotes beauty, calm, comforts and luxuries and skills. Also, the yagyopavit is coloured yellow, which is connected to Jupiter. Jupiter signifies intelligence, religion, teacher and good acts.

Rituals to Follow When Conducting Janeu Ceremony

A yagya is organized for this ceremony.
The child along with his family must take part in this ceremony.
As per the rituals, janeu is worn from the left shoulder till right wrist diagonally.
At the time of ceremony, non-stitched clothes are worn.
A stick is taken in the hand during the ceremony.
A yellow-coloured cloth is wrapped around the neck.
After the mundan, a tuft is kept.
A Khadau is worn.
During this ceremony, a lion cloth is worn.
The sacred thread is coloured in yellow colour.
After offering donation to the Guru, this thread is worn.

This is How The Ceremony Is Conducted

On the day of Janeu ceremony, the child shaves off his head.
After bath, a mixture of sandalwood-saffron is applied on his head and he is made to wear the janeu.
Then the havana is organized and all gods are worshipped. Then the child is semi-clothed and made to sit in the ceremony with a garland around his neck.
Then, the gods and evoked while chanting Gayatri Mantra 10 times and he is asked to promise to adhere to the fasts and vows.
Then he is made to sit with kids of his own age and fed the Churma.
The he is bathed, and the teacher, father or elder brother chants the Gayatri Mantra and tells him, “Now you’ve become a brahmin / आज से तू अब ब्राह्मण हुआ”.
Then he holds a stick, and asks for alms and charity.
Then after dinner in the evening, he takes the stick and leaves the house while saying, “I am leaving for Kashi for studying / मैं पढ़ने के लिए काशी जा रहा हूँ”.
Later on, he is caught and brought back with the intention of marriage.
After this, the child is considered as a Brahmin.

Mantra:

यज्ञोपवीतं परमं पवित्रं प्रजापतेर्यत्सहजं पुरस्तात्।
आयुष्यमग्रं प्रतिमुंच शुभ्रं यज्ञोपवीतं बलमस्तु तेजः।।

yajñopavītaṃ paramaṃ pavitraṃ prajāpateryatsahajaṃ purastāt।
āyuṣyamagraṃ pratimuṃca śubhraṃ yajñopavītaṃ balamastu tejaḥ।।

Important Things To Remember

Janeu ceremony is necessary before going ahead with any auspicious act.
It is also significant before the marriage.
It is mandatory to wrap the janeu around the right ear while urinating or excreting.
Change the janeu if any thread is broken or the time exceeds 6 months.
This thread must be changed after the death.
Wrap it around the neck and wash it. In case you take it off, then repent and change it.

Why do Hindus wear janeu?

Janeu is a sacred strand of threads worn by orthodox male Hindus, which includes Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas.

Janeu has been a part of the Hindu culture for a very long time now. Temples are one of the most common places, in Indian society, where one can observe brahmin or the priest wearing a Janeu.

In this post, let’s try to answer a few of the most common questions about this sacred thread.

Question 1: How are the Upanishads linked to janeu?
The ancient Vedas and Upanishads preach an important concept of samskara.

According to our Upanishads, samskaras are the basic means for humans to succeed in all the following aspects of their life:

Dharma, which means righteousness.
Artha, which means wealth.
Karma and Kama, which means work and pleasure.
Moksha, which means salvation.
The Upanishads state that there are sixteen forms of samskara. For the relevance of the post, we will be focussing on the tenth form of samskara, which is known as Upanayana.

The upanayana samskara, also known as Yagnopavitra, is a sacred thread ceremony that is observed between the ages of seven to fourteen years.

If for any reason, the ceremony is not performed in that time period, then it needs to be conducted before the person’s marriage.

Question 2: What happens at this ceremony?
Before wearing janeu: To maintain the sacredness of this thread, the brahmins perform the following activities:

Recite mantras.
Apply sandalwood paste to the thread.
Pour unboiled cow milk on the thread.
Once the ceremony is performed, the person wears this holy thread in an upward direction on the left shoulder.

It is believed, after the ceremony, the holiness of the thread manifolds. It exhibits positive vibrations that are beneficial for the person wearing it.

A janeu is not any ordinary thread.

One needs to take proper care of this thread and maintain its sanctity. Its sacredness could get affected if not appropriately worn or changed in case of any inauspicious event.

For example, in case of any birth or death in a family, the old janeu is replaced with the new one within a few days after that event.

Question 3: What is the purpose of this ceremony?
The purpose of this ceremony is to prepare a young man to share the responsibilities of the elders in his family.

Thus, the person wearing this thread can actively participate in his family rituals.

Question 4: What are the different types of janeu?
Based upon material
In Indian society, brahmins, kshatriyas, and vaishyas wear different kinds of janeu. For instance, the brahmins wear threads made out of cotton, the kshatriyas wear threads made out of hempen, and the vaishyas wear threads made out of wool.

Based upon the number of strands
Brahmins generally use a janeu with three strands. Many theories are explaining what the three strands denote.

For example, one theory suggests that the three strands represent Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Another theory suggests that the three strands represent Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Kali.

It is also believed that the three strands represent the three nadis — Ida, Pingala and Sushumna. It is believed that through these three nadis, the kundalini shakti or the hidden energy operates in the human body.

Finally, some also say that the three strands represent the debt an individual owes in his life to the following:

One’s teachers.
One’s parents and ancestors.
To the sages and gods.
Indicating marital status
If a person is wearing a janeu with three strands, it indicates he is a bachelor.

A married man wears a janeu with six strands.

Importance of Janeu in Hinduism

Janeu is a sacred white thread worn by the male members of the Brahmin community. The menfolk wear the janeu when they are between seven to twelve years of age and a ceremony known as Upanayanam is organized to initiate the wearing of the janaeu by men sitting cross-legged on the floor. This sacred thread is a representation of high spiritual knowledge. The janeu is also a gateway for a Brahmin child to perform self-studies and yagnas.

Read on to know more about the importance of wearing a janeu in Hinduism.

Dedicated to education

The janeu is a reminder that the person would remain dedicated to learning and education. It is also a self-reminder to the wearer that he will keep his mind free of any form of distraction. The child learns to recite the Gayatri mantra for the first time during the Upanayanam function from his father.

Negative thoughts and energy at bay

It is said that the Janaeu helps to keep the wearer’s mind free of negative thoughts and vibes. The janeu also prevents negative energy from surrounding the person. This will in turn guide him on the path to attain salvation or moksha after his death by bringing him closer to the Almighty and alleviating the sins committed by him in the past.

Increase memory power

Although the janeu is primarily worn on the left shoulder, it has been proved that tying the janeu on the ears helps to boost the memory of the power of the individual wearing it.

Freedom from illnesses

The janeu prevents its wearer from suffering from constipation and keeps him free from stomach related diseases and illnesses. The sacred thread also helps a person to be free of various illnesses related to blood pressure.

Representation of Tridevi or Trinity

The janeu has three strands representing the three Goddesses, namely Parvati, the goddess of personal strength; Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. As per some legends, the three strands represent Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.

Life of commitment

The janeu is worn on the left shoulder and crosses over the heart to indicate that a man will patiently bear the burdens her encounters in his life with determination and faith. The point where it touches the back guides the man to live a life of commitment and courage. When a boy or man wears this thread, he is ready to share the family responsibilities.

Enhances self-confidence

The janeu helps its wearer be bestowed with the blessings of Lord Shiva who is also known as the fearless in Hindu mythology. The person develops increased self-confidence and the ability to deal with any kind of problem that he might encounter in life. The janeu also increases the intuition of the individual and helps him overcome the fear of death.

Wealth, good luck and wisdom

The janeu helps the man be blessed with good luck and wealth as one of its strands is said to represent Goddess Lakshmi. It assists its wearer in overcoming financial problems in life. Similarly, since one of the strands also represents Goddess Saraswati, the individual is also bestowed with wisdom.

There are two important mantras that are chanted during the Upanayanam to initiate the janeu wearing. These are the Yagyopaveet mantra and the Gayatri mantra in the order of recitation. It is important to abstain from all forms of meat and alcohol after wearing the janeu for maximum benefits.

The janeu has to be purified and activated before it is worn for the person to be blessed by the various gods and goddesses. It can also be worn for the first time only on any of the six Hindu months starting from Magha as these are considered to be the most auspicious months. Like the months, the janeu must also be worn on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

The janeu should never be taken off after it has been worn. If the janeu breaks, a pooja is conducted to design a new janeu and wear it. The old janeu is submerged in a flowing waterbody.

Importance of wearing Janeu in Hinduism

Janeu (white thread) is worn by every Hindu Brahmin of India. Wearing the sacred thread called the “Janeu” is the most important rite in Hinduism. Besides the Brahmin, Janeu is also worn by the other Hindu castes.

The Janeu is worn during an Upanayana Sanskar and is the 10th Sanskar of the Sanatana Dharma of the Hindu religion. The Janeu is regarded as a symbol of the sacred vision to see things in a just way.

The Upanayanam ceremony is normally associated with the higher caste Hindus. It is mandatory for the Kshatriya and the brahmin boys to wear this sacred thread, The ceremony is usually performed when the child is ready for schooling, The holy thread is given to the child as a reminder to the commitment that child would stay completely committed to education and learning, and avoid all distractions. During this ceremony, the child receives his first lesson of reciting the “Gayatri Mantra” from his father who becomes his first Teacher or Guru.

The three threads that make a Janeu represent the Goddess of strength (Parvati), Goddess of Wealth(Lakshmi), and Goddess of knowledge (Saraswati). It is said that one can only have a good life if he has these three characteristics that attribute to these 3 deities. There is a popular belief that if one wears a Janeu, Then one will be guarded against any negative vibe or thoughts. It also helps one to attain moksha or salvation after death.

Scientifically proven study shows wearing a Janeu are that If a Janeu is tied on one’s ears it helps increase one’s memory and also helps in preventing constipation and keeps the stomach disease-free. It also shows that those who wear a Janeu do not have blood pressure-related illnesses to those who don’t wear it.

The strands of the thread also stand for the purity of words, thoughts, and deeds of the wearer. Through the Upanayanam Ceremony, the boy is introduced to the concept of Brahman and therefore, becomes qualified to lead the life of a Brahmachari according to the rules of the Manusmriti.

Importance Of a “THREAD” in Hinduism

We have often seen Hindu people wearing a Kalawa/Mauli (red/saffron/orange/yellow thread), black thread, Janeu/Yagyopaveeta (white thread) around their wrist, chest, and ankle. Have you ever thought about why? What is the significance of just a thread? Well, we have answers to all the related queries, let’s explore:

There are sixteen Samskaras in Hinduism, Samskara means making perfect, a sacred or sanctifying ceremony. These sixteen samskaaras are, Garbadaana (Conception), Punsavana (Fetus Protection) , Simanta (Protection of the pregnant mother), Jataka Karma (Shasthi) (Natal right for development of child’s intellect), Naamakarana (Naming the child), Nishkrama (Taking the child outdoors), Annaprashana (Giving the child solid food), Choula or Mundan (Haircutting), Karnavedha (Ear piercing), Vidyaarambha (introduction to the world of knowledge, music, dance and some forms of folk arts), Upanayana (the act of leading towards something), Vedaaramba (Study of Vedas and scriptures) ,Keshaant (linked to understand the power of meaningful words), Samaavartan (Completing education),Vivaha (Marriage) and Antyesti (Last rites or funeral rites). The first three are prenatal ceremonies, the next six are childhood samskaras, and the next five are concerned about education. Vivaha is marriage and Antyesti is a funeral ceremony.

Yagyopaveeta/Janeu (The Yellow Thread)

As a matter of fact, most of the Brahmins wear this on their chest. Also, people follow the tradition of putting it during Upanayana Samkara. Upanayana means leading the disciple to Guru. Ayagyopaveet has three vritas (threads). Every thread has three cords twining itand one knot. The word “yagvopaveet” is an amalgamation of “Yagya” plus “up” plus “paveet”. Not the best but the best of the best action is “Yagya”, ‘Up’ means ‘near’, ‘veet’ means obtained, spread, desired, cherished.

Thus, people wear Yagyopaveet with a desire to do their best. This is the initiation to acquire spiritual knowledge. On this occasion, mentors teach Savitri/Gayatri Mantra to the beginner. This Mantra is one of the most sacred Mantra. This is a mantra seeking enlightenment/ the knowledge of Absolute Reality/Para Brahman and is instrumental in acquiring the highest wanting of life i.e. liberation. The chanting of Gayatri Mantra takes place by holding this Yagyopaveeta. Below is the Gayatri Mantra with meaning:

Meaning

The Almighty Supreme God, the creator of entire cosmos, the essence of our life existence, who removes all our pains and sufferings and grants happiness. Implore his divine grace to imbibe within us. His divinity and brilliance which may purify us and guide our righteous wisdom on the right path.

Yajnopavita is a sacred thread. It has three strands with a knot resembling a sitting cow. The three strands represent three Vedas and the knot represents Atharva Veda. Also, it represents the first three stages of life i.e. Brahmacharya, Gruhasta and Vanaprastha along with three fires called Garhapatya, Dakshinaagni, and Ahavaniya. People wear it starting from the left shoulder, passing over the heart and goes backward on the right ending in a knot.

The left shoulder is the base for carrying a load of life with tolerance. The heart is the point of determination and faith. Back is a symbol of commitment; thus Yagyopaveet represents the sadhana (accomplishment) of the purest of pure with determination, courage, faith, commitment and a spirit of toleration.

In-depth Details

After initiation, the beginner holds the expectation of people to do Sandhya Vandana and Agnikaarya all throughout his life. Sandhya Vandana means worshiping to the Sun God during dawn noon, and dusk. Traditionally, people perform by Dvija communities of Hindus. And it means “salutation to twilight or the solar noon”.

Also, it includes offering to Fire God, praying for the longevity of life, brilliance, intellectual capabilities, general competence, name, fame, etc. Sandhyadana involves various steps such as Achamana, Pranayama, Marjana, Arghyapradana, Gayatrijapa, Suryopasthaana. Where Achamana is sipping water three times a day plus purifying parts of the body, Pranayama is divided into “Prana” means breathing and “Yama” means regulating exercise controls.

The Pranamaya includes five systems – Prana (respiratory system), Apana (excretory system), vyana(circulatory system), Samana (digestive) and Udana (reversing system). Ideally, Yagyopaveeta is one of the most important ceremonies in a man’s life. It is getting baptized in Hinduism! Janeu is a not an ordinary thread, its sanctity is regarded to get disturbed if it is not worn properly.

KALAWA/MAULI (The Red/Yellow/Orange/Saffron Thread)

According to Hindu mythology, in the Vamana Avatar, Lord Vishnu pushed King Bali into the underworld. It is believed that he tied a red thread (kalawa/moli) on the wrists of Bali, to grant him immortality. That began the practice of tying a red thread on the wrist of people, to grant them long lives. When Kalawa is tied on your wrist, it should always be done with your palm facing up, there are always three knots tied. Inside your wrist, more towards the side of your palm are three veins, or Naadis (popularly known).

Split Meanings

Each of these Naadis is associated with the three-body Doshasor constituents: Vata, Pitt, and Kapha, where Vata or Vayu, the impulse principle necessary to mobilize the function of the nervous system.

Pitt or bile, which is useful indigestion, the supply of blood and energy to various parts of the body. Kapha or phlegm, the carrier of nutrients into the arterial system. So, tying three knots, the kalawa creates enough pressure on these Naadis, each to keep your body free of any disease related to these three constituents.

Moli or Kalawa is an identity of Hinduism. It’s a red, yellow, orange colored thread, which is usually tied in the hands of man and woman both. Tying kalawa is an important tradition which signifies that someone is doing an Anushthan (Poojaor Any Mangalik (good) Karya (work)). The literal meaning of Mauli in Sanskrit is ‘crown’, which means above all.

Hence, Lord Shiva is referred to as ‘Chandramauli’ as he adorns the crescent moon on his matted hair. It is a cotton string, mostly in red color with small bits of yellow, holding some miraculous power to save you from evil energy. This holy thread is tied by spinning it seven times before or after the holy pooja (prayer) ceremony has been completed.

The sanctified thread is tied by the Guru or by the elderly members, especially grandparents of the family on the wrist of each person who is present in the holy ceremony while tying the Guru recites Sanskrit mantras(mantra for success) and is worn to ward off negative energy away from the person who wears this red thread. The mantra with meaning is:

येन बद्धो बलीराजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबल:।

तेन त्वामनुबध्नामि रक्षे माचल माचल।।

Meaning

“That which bounded King Bali, who was great in donations and was very strong. With that I am tying you, Be Still (unshakable)”

It is believed that reciting the sacred mantras is done to infuse the thread with positivism and invoke the Sattvik (pure) state in humans. Also, it protects the user from all negativism and bad influences; it also wards off dangers, diseases, and enemies.

Further, it is believed that by tying the Mauli, blessings from Tridev -Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, and Tridevi- Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Durga; are awarded to the devotee. From Brahma, we get fame, from the blessings of Lord Vishnu we get power to defend the evil and from the blessings of Supreme Shiva we get the power to end all are negative qualities.

Mythological Depth

On the other hand, we From Goddess Saraswati we receive knowledge, from the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi we get prosperity and from blessings of Goddess Durga we get power.

In Mahabharata, during a war, Kunti tied red thread (Mauli) on the right-hand wrist of Abhimanyu as a shield of protection. None of the warriors could defeat Abhimanyu. However, it occurs only when a mouse nibbles off the thread that his protection goes away and he dies.

There’s also a science behind tying Mauli on the wrist. According to Human Anatomy, our wrist has a web of veins. Almost all the prime veins pass from here only. Tying Mauli thread improves the blood circulation, which balances the Tridosas i.e., Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. As a result, there gets no disturbance in the body system.

One who wears Mauli stays prevented from deadly diseases like paralysis, diabetes, heart disease, etc. According to the Acupressure, when you wear Mauli on the wrist there is no softness in the blood which keeps your immunity strong and fit.

Black Thread

According to Indian mythology, black thread is an absorber of all the evil things. People often put it on the waist. Also, it helps to keep weight and waist size under control by improving digestion. When we wear a thread on the waist and if that thread becomes loose that means we have lost weight and if it becomes tight that means we must have gained weight. Black thread on waist helps in proper elimination.

It improves intestinal strength thereby improving digestion and makes bowel movement proper and easier. It also improves kidney and bladder functions. Adding on, it improves spinal health by providing support to the area of the lumbar spine.

Black thread on waist keeps problems like lower back pain, spinal problems; slip disc, etc under check by retaining the spinal fluid.“His Trishul symbolizes control of mind, intellect and ego, allowing you to work better and never loose control”

Know All About The Benefits Of Janeu Dharan!

Have you ever wondered about the sacred threads that some people wear in Hinduism? Well, one such thread is the Janeu. This simple yet powerful thread is more than just an accessory – it carries immense spiritual and cultural importance. It represents a new phase of life as well as divine guidance and knowledge. Let’s explore the Janeu and discover the benefits it offers to those who wear it. Keep reading to know all about Janeu rules, Janeu meaning as well as its benefits!

Janeu Meaning in Hinduism

Janeu is a very important ceremony in Hinduism, especially for Brahmins. It is a significant stage of life for usually Brahmin boys. This is because it signifies that they are now ready for education and to share responsibilities with adults. Janeu is a symbol of transformation in a boy’s life.

When a boy turns between 7-14 years, he performs the Janeu Dharan ceremony. In this, the Boy ties a white sacred thread over his shoulder. It represented the student-teacher relationship in earlier times. When the boys reached a certain age, they were sent to a Gurukul for education. However, in today’s times, people conduct this ceremony for purification and connecting with their religion.

In Hinduism, there is a concept known as Sanskars. Each Sanskar tells us ways to succeed in different essential aspects of life. According to our sacred texts, there are 16 Sanskars. The 10th Sanskar is known as Upanayana. Janeu Sanskar is another name for Upanayana. It means a spiritual rebirth of the boy where he leaves the phase of childhood and enters a new phase in life.

Significance of Wearing Janeu

Brahmins consider Janeu to be one of the most important milestones in their lives. When a boy wears the Janeu thread, he reminds himself of the debt he owes to the three most important people in his life. He dedicates his life to serving his teachers, parents as well as the Gods.

The holy Janeu thread also represents the three most important deities in Hinduism. These gods are Brahma (The creator), Vishnu (The protector) and Mahesh (The destroyer). Usually, boys wear a Janeu made of three threads. Each thread represents one of the three deities and their divine qualities.

The three threads also represent three Hindu goddesses. They are Laxmi, the goddess of wealth; Kali – the goddess of strength and Saraswati – the goddess of knowledge. By wearing the Janeu, an individual receives blessings from these three goddesses.

How to Wear Janeu

When a boy is about to start his education, his family conducts the Janeu Dharan Ceremony. This ceremony marks a period of transformation from a boy to a responsible seeker of knowledge. At the beginning of the ceremony, the Boy’s head is shaved. One’s hair represents their ego and pride, and one needs to offer it to god before performing Janeu Dharan. However, a small chunk of hair is left, which is tied in a knot.

Afterwards, the family of the Boy apply sandalwood paste to his body. This helps in the purification of the body and soul. The Boy must dress in a single garment and a yellow cloth around his neck. Then, the boy recites the Janeu Dharan mantra as well as the Gayatri Mantra. By doing so, he seeks the blessings of the gods for a successful ceremony.

Afterwards, the Pandit prepares a circle of cotton strings. Then, he applies Turmeric to the strings, and the father ties the Janeu to the Boy’s body. The number of threads also represents different stages of life. The Boy ties the janeu over his left shoulder under his right arm. He now vows to pay utmost attention to seeking knowledge. Then, he concludes the holy Yagya by asking for Bhiksha from the people around. This symbolises a simple lifestyle free of evil and distractions.

Janeu Thread Rules

Once a boy wears a Janeu thread, he needs to follow certain rules throughout his life. These rules give him protection as well as blessings from the gods. The Boy accepts the truest form of Brahminism if he wears Janeu. Therefore, to honour his religion, he follows the Janeu thread Rules:

Firstly, the Janeu Dharan ceremony should take place at an auspicious time. It is recommended that the family asks a Pandit for a Muhurat before conducting the ceremony. This ensures that the ceremony helps the boy seek the blessings of Gods and ancestors.
The Boy must surely wear the Janeu during any holy or sacred occasions. He should wear the holy thread over his left shoulder. However, the Boy should wear the Janeu thread from his right shoulder if an unfortunate thing happens in the family.
Another Janeu rule is that when a boy wears the Janeu, he should never take it off. However, he can take it off under certain circumstances. He should not wear the Janeu for 15 days if a birth or a death has happened in the family.
It is important that one cannot indulge in practices that are considered inauspicious after wearing Janeu. These include cursing, drinking alcohol as well as consuming alcohol.
If the Janeu breaks for some reason, the Boy must wear a new one after conducting Pooja. Afterwards, he should submerge the broken Janeu in a holy river. He should also make sure to keep the Janeu clean and pure.

Benefits of Wearing Janeu Dharan

A person can receive many benefits upon wearing this holy thread. It connects you to your culture and beliefs and makes your lives even more meaningful. These benefits range from health to spirituality as well as knowledge.

The three threads in a Janeu represent our three Nadis. Wearing the Janeu over one’s ear helps our internal energy flow naturally through our bodies.
The auspicious Janeu protects you from negative energies in your life. It makes way for positivity and divine energy in your life.
Wearing the Janeu thread makes your memory sharp. It also helps an individual with their blood pressure as well as digestive issues.
When you wear a Janeu thread, you open the door to infinite knowledge. People also believe that wearing a janeu gives a person salvation and reduces their bad karma. This welcomes blessings as well as good fortune.
Janeu also brings you immense good luck and fortune. You will never lack wealth if you wear a Janeu. Remember that knowledge and wisdom are your greatest earnings in life.
The Mundan, or the shaving of the head before Janeu, also gives us benefits. It helps balance the energy flow between our seven chakras. Therefore, you can be an individual who is overall healthy both spiritually and physically.
Janeu also represents education. People tie it before the Boy starts with his education so that he can devote his mind towards gaining knowledge fully. He starts a journey to become an ideal student.
Lastly, Janeu also helps an individual to recognise their inner potential. It blesses an individual with confidence as well as faith in their capabilities. One who wears a Janeu never doubts himself and has no fear about his potential.

In conclusion, the Janeu holds a special place in Hinduism. It is a symbol of commitment and seeking knowledge. It is a reminder of one’s responsibilities and moral values. Janeu also represents a deep connection to a person’s spiritual and cultural heritage. So, next time you see someone with this sacred thread, remember the depth of its meaning and the rich traditions it represents. To make your Janeu Dharan ceremony even more meaningful, you can consult our dedicated Pandits at the InstaAstro website or download the app!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the 9 threads in Janeu?

There are various Janeus made of either 3, 6 or 9 threads. In a 9 thread janeu, three knots a put in the 9 threads. These knots and threads represent different deities and their blessings in a person’s life.

2. What is Janeu Sanskar?

Janeu Sanskar, or Janeu Dharan, is a ritual that many Hindus perform all across the country. This ritual signifies a boy’s transition from a child to an adult who seeks knowledge. This also connects the individuals deeply to their cultural roots.

3. Which side to wear Janeu?

One should wear Janeu over their left shoulder under their right arm. Wearing it over your left shoulder represents some core Hindu values and helps you gain the blessings of gods as well as wisdom.

4. Can girls wear Janeu?

There is a lot of evidence of women wearing the holy Janeu thread. In earlier times, women wore Janeu around their necks or over their shoulders to receive knowledge. They were also called Brahmavadini. In today’s times, most boys are seen wearing Janeus.

5. Can only Brahmins wear Janeu?

No, any person belonging to any Varna in Hinduism can wear Janeu. However, because since earlier, Brahmins had professions related to god and teaching, they are most commonly seen wearing the holy thread.

6. What are the different types of Janeus?

There are various different types of Janeu. People wear them for different reasons. Bachelors wear Janeus with three threads or a single knot. However, married people wear Janeu with 3 knots with 6 or 9 threads.

Janeu Thread Ceremony

Brahmins celebrate the growing up and development of a boy through “Upanayanam Samskara” (sacred thread ceremony). The ceremony is generally observed between the ages of seven and fourteen. In case the ceremony could not take place due to any reason all through this age period, then it is required to be done before the marriage. The purpose of thread ceremony is to prepare a young man to share the responsibilities of elders. The thread is worn by the man in the company of a group chant of ‘Gayatri’ mantra. The thread is twisted in upward direction to make certain that ‘Sattwaguna’ (good quality of truth) prevails. The ceremony also suggests that the wearer of ‘Janeu’ can participate in the family rituals from then onwards.

Brahmins use ‘Janeu’ thread with three strands. These three strands of ‘Janeo’ have been studied many a times and different personalities gave several opinions regarding this tradition. To some people, the three strands stand for the Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Others interpreted it as symbolical of Mahasarasvati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali.

How to wear a Janeu on different occasions.

Janeu is a not an ordinary thread, its sanctity is regarded to get disturbed if it is not worn properly. Here are given different methods to wear Janeu at different occasions.

To attend or perform any auspicious ceremony, one should wear ‘janeu’ hanging from the left shoulder (Upaviti).
For attending or performing inauspicious event, one should wear ‘janeu’ hanging from the right shoulder (Prachnaviti).
In case the person wears ‘janeu’ round the neck like a garland, then, he is called as ‘Niviti’.
While going for daily ablutions or doing impure tasks, the holy thread must be raised and its upper part ought to be put behind ear.
Males and females both can wear ‘janeu’, yet females should wear it around the neck.
Following a birth or death in the family, ‘janeu’ should be removed and again a new thread ought to be worn after 15 days of event.
One must replace the old or broken thread with a new thread.

Nowadays Khsatriyas and Vashyas too wear Janeus.

WHY DO WE WEAR JANEU?

The significance of the sacred white thread worn by Hindus

Janeu is a strand of sacred white threads worn by Hindus around their left shoulders. It is associated with sacrifice, spirituality and is indicative of a person’s learning and acquiring knowledge phase. Upanayana, meaning initiation or passage towards enlightenment through learning, and Yagnopavita are other terms used for it. There is a gross misunderstanding that Janeu can or was only worn by the higher castes. It was and can be worn by anyone. Read on to understand why.

Embarkment of formal education

In Hinduism, the journey or passages through different stages of life right from conception to cremation are marked as various Sanskaras. Each of these phases is celebrated with rituals in presence of family, teachers, priests and the almighty. Upanayana is one such stage wherein the child begins his or her journey of formal education and quest for knowledge. According to the four ashrams, or stages of life, wearing a Janeu establishes the entry into life as a Brahamachari, a student, learner. It also depicts how the child will from then on be introduced to Brahman, Universe, and the values it has to offer. The holy thread is believed to make the student focus solely on developing mentally and intellectually, keeping distractions at par and wandering off evil spirits.

It is made up of three threads that symbolically represent Hindu goddesses Parvati of strength, Laxmi of wealth and Saraswati of knowledge. To lead a happy and peaceful life, the ample presence of these three components is essential. The number also reminds the child of his service, commitment and gratitude towards the three prime seniors of his life; parents who brought him into the world, guru or mentor who guides him in life through his teachings and god, the ultimate supreme power that protects and nourishes him. A balance between the three gunas; Sattva, Rajas and Tamas is also strived for. Through the ceremony, the student is officially accepted by his teacher and is spiritually invited to the school of Hinduism.

In earlier days, it was considered crucial to conduct this event before the child commences his learning of alphabets and studies in general. Now, it can be worn at ages five, seven, nine, eleven and up to twelve.

Process of ceremony and Scientific benefits

The Janeu is a cotton thread ideally sported by Brahmins, the priests and highest caste of Hinduism. Kshatriyas and even Vaishyas in certain cultures wear the sacred thread but made out of hempen and wool respectively. Cotton is deemed to be a pure material and fabric woven out of it is often used for religious practises in Hinduism.

For a child, three threads have to be worn, but as one progresses towards married life, the threads have to be changed to six. Following this, the boy is also known as Dvija, twice-born, after it as it takes him through a new and different life voyage from that moment onwards.

Religious prayers are performed on the holy thread by Brahmins or priests through which good, positive energies and vibrations are passed onto it. The thread is then tied in a circular way around the left shoulder through the chest and back. A holy chant, Gayatri Mantra is then recited by the child which is taught to him by his father, his first teacher. This sacred chant is recited during many similar Hindu occasions as well. Most cultures believe in getting the boy’s head shaved during this process as it is of welcoming growth, by getting rid of associations from previous birth so to speak. Some amount of hair remains on the head, known as Shikha, which increases the energy flow amongst the seven spiritual chakras, energy focal points.

The thread on the shoulder expresses the ability to bear life’s burdens with tolerance and patience. As the Janeu passes through the heart and spine, it displays and empowers faith and commitment by putting one’s soul and hard work into attaining things.

Besides the aforementioned religious benefits leading towards enlightenment through knowledge, this Hindu practice holds scientific advantages too. The left side of the body is correlated with the right side of the brain, helping in expanding the grasping and cognitive powers. As Janeu constantly touches the heart, it provides a healthy amount of regular pressure on it keeping heart diseases and extreme blood pressures at bay.

The head is often shaved to even stimulate the growth of nerve endings on the head, wherein lies one of the most important organs of the body.

While urinating, defecating or performing any impure acts, the Janeu is to be tied around the right ear. By doing so, the nerves at that location improve and regulate one’s bladder and gut health, helping avoid conditions like constipation and kidney stones. It also aids in concentration and memorising, enabling the child to do better at studies.

This white holy thread is to be worn at all times and changed only when there is an account of either birth or death in the family and replaced with a new one. Ideally, it is worn by male children only, but some cultures observe the Janeu being worn around the neck by women too.

Janeu Mantra

Mantra To Wear Janeu In Indian Hindu Culture

Every Hindu Brahmin in India wears Janeu, which is a hallowed thread. This holy thread of ‘Janeo’ represents a male’s growth from a young boy to a man. A boy is not considered “Dvija” (twice born) until he wears the janeu, according to legend. Janeo thread is worn by Kshatriyas and Vaishyas in addition to Brahmins. When a youngster is between the ages of seven and twelve, they do the Janeyu ceremony. The guy creates a circular path with the cotton strings. Janeyu is then worn across his chest from his left shoulder. Once a person wears it, he cannot take it off, according to Hindu religion. It is necessary to chant the Gayathri Mantra while wearing the thread.

Om Bhur Bhuva Svah, Tat-Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devarya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Procodayat

Several factors influence the amount of cotton strings in the Janeyu or Upanayana. The Janeyu of a young unmarried man comprises three threads. A married guy has six strands, whereas a parent has no more than nine strands.

Spiritual Importance Behind Wearing Janeu

Each person takes two births during his or her lifespan, according to Hindu mythology. The first birth occurs when we are born on this planet, and the second occurs when we join the realm of knowledge. Through Upanayana or Janeyu, Hindus can enter the second birth. Janeyu is required for both girls and boys, according to Kurmapuran. It is, however, a widespread behaviour among young boys. In some places of India, Upanayana or Janeyu is also performed for girls. Brahmavadinis are the girls who took part in Janeyu. Three Hindu Goddesses are represented by Janeyu’s sacred threads:

· Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth

· Saraswathi, the Goddess of knowledge

· Parvathi, the Goddess of strength,

Janeyu is linked with three Hindu Goddesses. Wearing a Janeyu can help protect you from negative energy. Janeyu also strengthens our willpower and enthusiasm. Before a Hindu wears the Upananyana or Janeyu for the first time, there is an elaborate ceremony. These are some of the Hindu religious implications of wearing a Janeyu.

How To Wear Janeu At Different Occasions

Janeu is not a common thread, and its purity is seen to be compromised if it is not worn properly. Here are some alternative ways to wear Janeu for various events.

· Wear ‘janeu’ hanging from the left shoulder to attend or perform any auspicious function (Upaviti).

· Wear ‘janeu’ hanging from the right shoulder when attending or performing an unlucky event (Prachnaviti).

· Niviti is the name given to a person who wears ‘janeu’ around his neck like a garland.

· The sacred thread must be lifted and its upper section placed behind the ear while performing daily ablutions or performing impure acts.

· Both men and women can wear ‘janeu,’ although women should wear it around their necks.

· Within a birth or death in the family, the ‘janeu’ should be removed and replaced with a new thread after 15 days.

· A new thread must be used to replace the old or broken thread.

What Is The Rule Of Janeu Thread?

In the Hindu culture, there are a few number of guidelines that must be followed by the individuals when wearing a Janeyu. These guidelines set in the Hinduism must be followed because they have been a part of our culture for many years. Among them are:

· Start by repeating “Shulam Bharadharam Vishnu” while holding a glass of water in your right hand. It is a method of cleansing both your body and your environment.

· After that, repeat the Gayathri Mantra three times along with the Vyahruthi Mantra and the Jyothurasa Mantra.

· Sankalpa: You can get rid of your life’s sins and hazards here. Visualizing the paramathma is a good place to start.

· Janeyu can be held in both hands, with the knotted portion in the right. The lower part of your left hand must be positioned. You must submerge your left hand in water. It is a self-purification process.

· Janeyu or Upanayanam can be worn across your left shoulder to the right side. The wearing of a Janeyu is a prominent Hindu ritual, particularly among Brahmins. It’s a means of expressing their devotion to Hindu culture and traditions. Janeyu can assist the individual with the removal of negative energies as well as the healing of their Chakras.

Mantra To Take Off Janeu In Indian Hindu Culture

When someone is attempting to remive the Janeu, they must chant the following matra correctly while completing the procedure in order to do it correctly according to the Hindu culture.

upavîtagm chinnatantugm

jîrnam kanmala düshitam

visrijåmi punar brahman

varco dîrghåyur astu me

Types Of Janeu

Different castes, clans, and cults have different varieties of Janeu. Brahmins wear Brahmgandh Janeu, a five- or three-knotted robe. Whereas Vishnugandh Janeu has one knot that the other classes wear. If a Brahmin wishes to become academic in the Vedas, he must begin wearing the janeu at the age of five. If a Kshatriya wishes to build strength, he should begin wearing the Janeu at the age of six, whereas a Vaishya should begin wearing the Janeu at the age of eight. Janeu is constructed primarily of cotton thread. Janeu made of wool and hempen are worn by Vaishyas and Kshatriyas, respectively.

When Should Janeu Be Changed?

The circumstances / conditions under which the Poonal / Janeu must be modified are previously mentioned in the shastras.

· Once a year on the day of Upakarma; if there is Jataasoucham or Mruthaasoucham (family birth/death) after stipulated term of asoucha is completed.

· When one visits the Cremation Ground or comes into contact with a corpse.

· Whenever the Yagnopaveetham strands are damaged, dirty, or worn out.

· When one attends the 10th day ritual and offers Dharmodaka.

The sacred thread should not be removed carelessly whenever it is necessary. Wear the new one first, then remove the old one according to the instructions.

Janeu Sanskar: Things You Must Know Before Wearing A Sacred Thread

Janeu Sanskar is also known as Yagnopavita or Upanayana, which is one of the ancient rituals. It is the symbol of acceptance by a student from a mentor. There was a time when gurus used to decide whether their students are allowed to enter the school or not. Yagnopavita is one of the major sanskar among the 16 Vedic sanskaras.

Janeu is a sacred thread received by a young boy from his mentor. This holy thread found on the boy’s left shoulder to the right in such a way that it crosses his chest. Upanayana sanskar is received by a boy when he turns 16. Upanayana itself means to move closer towards the god. This ceremony is organized so that the boy can achieve desired success in their career & professional life. It is believed that by performing this ceremony, a person may get rid of past sins. Janeu sanskar marks the rebirth of the boy participating in this ancient ritual. People believe that Janeu sanskar plays a vital role in the child’s career. In ancient times, young boys would only receive their education after getting Yagnopavita.

Importance of Yagnopavita Sanskar

When a person receives Janeu Sanskar, he needs to wear the sacred thread. This thread is associated with the Trinity of Gods, i.e. Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. These three cotton threads are connected with the trio of gods, respectively. According to Vedas, Lord Brahma is the creator of the universe, Lord Vishnu is the provider, and Lord Shiva is the destroyer. And therefore, Janeu (thread) should not get defiled. In case if you lose the sacred thread, then it should be replaced by the new one. Similarly, Yagnopavita means the worshipping of Goddess Gayatri. A person wearing this sacred thread should recite Gayatri Mantra on a daily basis and do Rudraabhishek Puja.

Types of Janeu

Mainly, there are two types of Janeu.

Three-threaded Janeu
Six-threaded Janeu

A person who refrains from entering the marriage phase wears a three-threaded Janeu. Whereas, a man who is already married wears a six-threaded janeu as he also requires to wear three more thread of his wife.

Janeu Sanskar In Ancient Times

Upanayana Sanskara means the act of leading to the enlightenment of life. When a boy is accepted by his teacher after the thread ceremony, he will receive knowledge and guidance from his mentor, and he will be free from other life duties. This ceremony marks the second birth of a boy, who will be young-minded and free-spirited.

In ancient times, Yagnopavit Sanskar was organized for every child and his teacher. The child wearing a holy thread is called Yagnopavita or Janeu. This thread ceremony also suggests the starting of formal education in a boy’s life. At present, this ceremony involves people of every age. The practice of janeu sanskar begins from childhood days, and it includes studies of culture, religion, dharma, mathematics, geometry, colours, writing, reading, and traditional values.

Do Girls Take Part In Janeu Sanskar?

Girls who become students by following the rituals of janeu sanskar are called Brahmavadini. They wore the sacred thread over their left shoulder. Other girls who refrain from studying such things would directly get married, and they are known as Sadyovadhu. Some girls who want to take janeu sanskar can also follow the rituals during their marriage ceremony. In this process, young girls wear a holy thread over their left shoulder. In today’s world, many religions allow girls and boys to perform the traditional ceremony of Janeu Sanskar before the beginning of their school days. Some of the Vedic texts, like Asvalayana Grihya Sutra and Yama Smriti, suggest that girls could also start their studies after receiving the Yagnopavita sanskar. Scholars like Gargi and Lopamudra are known for receiving Upanayana sanskar. Besides, Maitreyi, Ghosha, Urvashi, Sachi, and Indrani previously got their janeu sanskar in the history of Hinduism.

Why is Janeu Sanskar organised mainly by Brahmins?

In modern times, if the person is associated with the highest caste, Brahmin, he or she is directly born with the blessings of Lord Brahma. Similarly, Janeu, known as the symbol of sacred thread, belongs to the person connected with an upper caste, Brahmin. However, if we believe in Baudhayana Grihya Sutra, it suggests that every member of our society must take Janeu Sanskar from their gurus.

Janeu Sanskar Should Be Followed Throughout The Lifetime

If a person wearing Janeu gets his holy thread damaged or defiled from any side, he should replace it with the new one.
Many people wearing janeu put it on the right ear whenever they enter washrooms. This is because they believe by putting janeu on their ears may not be defiled.

Once a boy receives his janeu sanskar, he should wear a janeu for a lifetime. One can only remove or change Janeu if the necessity arises. Otherwise, a boy should keep a holy thread on his shoulder for a lifetime.

Know why Janeu is worn in Hinduism, what are its importance, rules and benefits!

Janeu is a thread with three threads that men wear in Hinduism. It is considered very sacred and to maintain its purity, some rules of Janeu have also been made.

thread

Yagyopaveet Sanskar is considered to be one of the major sacraments in Hinduism. Yajnopaveet is called Janeu. Janeu is a thread with three threads that men wear from the top of their left shoulder to the bottom of the right arm. Janeu is considered very sacred and all its rules have been told in the scriptures, which are necessary to follow strictly.

In some people’s house, the Janeu ceremony is done in childhood and some people do it before marriage. Only after wearing Janeu, the child gets the right to perform Yagya and self-study. Although today’s new generation finds wearing Janeu out of fashion, but in reality there are many benefits of wearing it. Know about its importance, rules and benefits here.

That’s why Janeu is considered very holy.

Janeu is made up of three sources. It is considered a symbol of Devaruna, Pitruruna and Rishiruna. Along with this, it is also said to be a symbol of Sattva, Raja and Tama. There are three strings in each string of Yagyopaveet. In this way, the thread is made of nine stars. These nine strings are considered as the nine gates of the body, one mouth, two nostrils, two eyes, two ears, stool and urine. The five knots placed in it are considered to be a symbol of Brahma, Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Therefore, Janeu is considered very sacred in Hinduism and to maintain its purity, it has been said to be necessary to follow its rules.

these are the rules

– Yagyopaveet should be offered on the right ear before excretion of excreta and it should be removed from the ear only after cleaning the hands.

– If any string of Yagyopaveet breaks or it is more than 6 months then it should be changed.

– After wearing it, it is removed only when you wear a new Yagyopaveet. It is washed only by rolling it in the throat.

– Any person should wear Janeu only when he is able to follow its rules completely.

Know its health benefits too

There is a scientific basis for wrapping the thread on the ear at the time of defecation. Actually, when it is wrapped on the ear, there is pressure on those nerves passing through the ear. These nerves are related to the intestines. In such a situation, the person does not have problems like constipation and the stomach is cleaned well. Wearing Janeu and following its entire rules does not cause bad dreams. By wearing Janeu, the blood flow in the body is good. In such a situation, there is no problem of heart disease and blood pressure and the memory power of the person is better. Along with this comes purity in thoughts.

Janeu Ceremony

To attend or perform any auspicious ceremony, one should wear ‘janeu’ hanging from the left shoulder (Upaviti).
For attending or performing inauspicious event, one should wear ‘janeu’ hanging from the right shoulder (Prachnaviti).
In case the person wears ‘janeu’ round the neck like a garland, then, he is called as ‘Niviti’.
While going for daily ablutions or doing impure tasks, the holy thread must be raised and its upper part ought to be put behind ear.
Males and females both can wear ‘janeu’, yet females should wear it around the neck.
Following a birth or death in the family, ‘janeu’ should be removed and again a new thread ought to be worn after 15 days of event.
One must replace the old or broken thread with a new thread.

Why Do Some Hindu Men Wear Janeu

The science behind wearing Janeu

During the course of life of an individual, Hinduism advocates sixteen purification rites known as samskaras. Upanayana is one of the most important of such rites that a boy child is expected to undergo at his fifth, seventh or twelfth year. Janeu, also called as sacred thread is worn by the boy from thereon announcing him as Dvija or the twice born.

Gayatri Mantra

Wearing Janeu is popular predominantly among the Brahmins. The Upanayana ceremony also can be translated as the event that gives the boy an additional sight namely the inner vision with the initiation of Gayatri Mantra. Once the boy undergoes upanayana (Gayatri Mantra Initiation) and wears Janeu (sacred thread), he is expected to engage in regular prayers and chanting of Gayatri Mantra in the prescribed way.

Yajnopaveetam

The sacred thread or Janeu is called by yet another name called Yajnopaveetam, suggesting that the individual wearing it is characterized by an intense desire to do actions marked as the highest good (Yajna). Janeu is made of three stands of cotton thread known as vritas. Every thread has three cords twining it and a knot. Janeu is associated with a lofty kind of symbolism that enjoins the boy to live an ideal life.

Journey of life.

The knot indicates the pledge to do only good acts. The three strands represent either three kinds of breaths namely ida, pingala and sushumna or three propensities namely Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. The human life is all about regulating these two aspects to perfection thus achieving the true purpose of the journey of life.

Janeu is worn on the left shoulder

Janeu is worn on the left shoulder which means shouldering the burdens of life with tolerance. It runs over the heart indicating a life of faith and determination. It touches the back which is the symbol of commitment. Thus, symbolically janeu enjoins a man to a life of commitment, courage, determination, faith, patience and tolerance.

Three Stands

The three stands also constantly remind the individual of the three debts he owes to his 1) teachers, 2) parents and ancestors and 3) sages and gods. The teacher has imparted the knowledge required to carry on the life in a systematic and meaningful way; the parents and ancestors have made his existence on this earth possible and have nurtured him; the gods and sages have blessed him with health, wisdom and happiness. Therefore, he should be always grateful to all of them.

Gains knowledge

A verse in Sanskrit states that an individual wearing the sacred thread gains knowledge, shines brilliantly like the sun and carries the finest instruments of arts and learning, becomes the master in all the places he visits and attains expertise in all the fields of knowledge finally attaining salvation – the ultimate goal of human life.

Meaning of Janue

Thus, wearing janue reminds man of his several duties, codes of conduct, responsibilities and the purpose of life. In this regard, it is more symbolic enjoining man to a highly perfect order of life. If the true meaning and spirit of wearing janeu is reinforced, it shall give way to a spiritual life dedicated to personal as well as the social welfare.

Before Marriage: The Sacred Thread Ceremony (Janeu)

Sacred Thread Meaning | Thread Ceremony Meaning

Following a series of rites and processes, Hindu boys wear the sacred thread or Janeu. It is practiced when a Hindu boy grows up. Upanayanam is another name for the ritual. This ritual is performed differently by different castes.

The major goal of this thread ceremony is to demonstrate that a man’s whole growth begins at a young age.

Strands of sacred threads are not like regular threads. These threads are also associated with three Indian goddesses: Parvati, Saraswati, and Lakshmi. It is thought that only with the blessings of these great goddesses can a man be whole.

What is the appropriate age for Upanayanam?

When a Hindu boy reaches the age of seven, the ritual of Upanayanam, or holy thread ceremony, is conducted. If this rite has not been performed by then, it can be performed when a man marries.

The Importance of the Upanayanam Sacred Thread Ceremony | The Purpose of the Sacred Thread Ceremony

This mystical janeu thread holds enormous importance. It denotes that the young man is prepared to shoulder the whole weight of his family obligations from that point forward. He must also share additional obligations with his family’s elders.

After this ceremony, he is now eligible to participate in all family customs and ceremonies. This demonstrates the societal significance of this sacred thread.

The holy thread ritual has four interesting facts.

a) The groom is given three strands of holy thread at this ritual, each signifying one of three vows:

1. the pledge to respect knowledge

2. the vow to his parents

3. A promise to honor the society in which he lives.

b) A holy thread’s three strands are linked by a knot known as Brahmagranthi or the knot of Brahma.

c) The three strands represent the Hindu trinity of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma.

d) The thread ritual is required for Hindu males to marry. As a result, before a Hindu groom marries, he must go through Upanayana.

This rite is usually performed a few days before the wedding.

What are the advantages of wearing Hindu sacred threads?

According to scientific research, persons who wear a Janeu have a lower blood pressure than those who do not.

The sacred Janeu rite is always carried out while sitting cross-legged on the floor. This position provides several health benefits as well as keeping your back straight.

It is stated that tying a Janeu on your ear can enhance your mind and provide certain health advantages like relieving constipation and keeping your stomach healthy!

People who wear Janeu are also said to be free of bad thoughts and energies.

As a result, the Janeu thread is extremely precious. It must be worn after one has cleaned and purified oneself.

Hinduism has several holy rituals, one of which is the Thread Ceremony, which is one of the most significant Hindu ceremonies before marriage. It is important in every Hindu household.

Why do Brahmins put janeu on ear?

To avoid this practical contamination of excretory materials, “The Janeu” will be held above the Right Ear during Defecation process.

Is janeu mandatory for Brahmins?

It is mandatory for the Kshatriya and the brahmin boys to wear this sacred thread, The ceremony is usually performed when the child is ready for schooling, The holy thread is given to the child as a reminder to the commitment that child would stay completely committed to education and learning, and avoid all …

Can Brahmins remove janeu?

Janeu or Holy Thread is the sign of the person practising Gayathri or performing Sandhya Vandanam regularly. The thread should not be removed at any time form the persons body.

What happens if janeu breaks?

How do I change my janeu?

JANEU CHANGE: First, the intent is express through a Mantra, is called ‘SANKALP’ to energise the act. This is followed by Japa with new Janeu in the case of change of Janeu and can be done with or without the help of a priest.

Do Kshatriyas wear janeu?

Janeu is a sacred strand of threads worn by orthodox male Hindus, which includes Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas.

Can Brahmins eat egg?

Hinduism does not explicitly prohibit eating meat or egg, but it does strongly recommend Ahimsa – the concept of non-violence against all life forms including animals. Hence an unfertilized egg can be eaten by any hindu including brahmins as it does not violate the concept of ahimsa.

Can Brahmins remove sacred thread?

Position of sacred thread where to placed, that always told by Acharya during the Sex education. A sacred thread once worn can never be removed.

Why do Brahmins wear the Janeu?

At the very root of this lies the seemingly harmless janeu, the sacred thread worn primarily by Brahmins. It signifies the rite of passage from boy to man, and more importantly, the dvija or ‘twice born’.

Why do Brahmins fold Janeu over the right ear?

When a man goes for urine or latrine ,he hangs and folds Janeu over the right ear. There is a blood vessel named Lohitika on right ear, it is pressed by Janeu, it helps to release urine or latrine freely and reduces the diseases related to them. A Brahmin boy should be 5 or 8 Years .

What are the health benefits of wearing a Janeu?

This posture gives you many health benefits and keeps your back straight. The three sacred thread of Janeu signify the three Goddesses- Parvati (strength), Lakshmi (wealth) and Saraswati (knowledge)! There’s a famous belief that once you wear a Janeu, then it’ll guard you against any negative energy or thoughts throughout your life.

What is the significance of Janeu in Hinduism?

It signifies the rite of passage from boy to man, and more importantly, the dvija or ‘twice born’. Being the highest caste, said to have originated from the mouth of Brahma, the janeu is a mark of superiority of the chosen one.

Why it is important for a man to wear Janeu in Hinduism, its significance and Rules

Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world with different rituals and traditions. In Sanatan Dharam, there is great significance of in the 16 Sanskar. In the life span of a person, one has to perform these 16 rituals. ‘Upanayan’ Sanskar is very important. The ritual is usually performed for children below the age of 10 years. It is also known as Yagyopaveetra Sankar. Under this ritual a child has to wear Janeu (three sacred threads made of yarn). A person who wears Janeu has to follow many rules. Have a look at some of these rules.

If the sacred thread becomes impure by mistake, then it has to be removed immediately and another new sacred thread should be worn.

It is also said that once the ceremony is done, the sacred thread has to be worn for life and every Sanatani Hindu should wear it.

It is said that Yajnopaveet should always be worn on the right waist from the left shoulder.

It should be put on the right ear at the time of excreta-urine immersion and should be taken down from the ear only after cleaning the hands. Yagyopaveet should become higher than the waist and should not become unholy

There is a tradition of changing the Yajnopaveet after the thread is applied during the birth or death of someone in the house.

Some people tie keys etc. in the Janeu, However, in order to maintain the sanctity and dignity of Yagyopaveet, it should never be done even by mistake.

Significance of Janeu

It is said that the three threads of Janeu are considered to be the symbol of Devrun, Pitrurun, and Rishirun. Along with this, it is also considered a symbol of Sattva, Raja, and Tama and three ashrams. For a married person or for a household, there are six threads. Out of these six threads, three threads are considered for himself and three threads for the wife. On the other hand, in Hinduism, it is necessary to wear Janeu before doing any religious or auspicious work, etc. The marriage ceremony of any Hindu person does not take place without Janeu.

Janeu Is The Symbol Of Discrimination Hence Discard It

It is the reflection of level of democracy in India that we are reducing to the level whether somebody is wearing a Janeu ( sacred thread) or not. The sacred thread which the brahmanical leadership of this country if proud of flaunting today is nothing but a mischief by the priestly class. Though it is the fundamental right of an individual to visit temples but it seems the Hindutva party has been terribly upset with Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the temples. When you are Neta in India, you have to do all the dramas to keep the people faithful to you. People should know that there have been social movements to break the Janeu culture which is the exclusive domain of the brahmanical elite of swarana Hindus. It is a symbol of oppression and discrimination in India and must be discarded.

Rahul Gandhi is not Jawahar Lal Nehru and today’s time is not of that of 1950s when the young nation was waiting to get into the modern world leaving aside the small differences on the basis of their castes. The leaders, even if they were in opposition, actually were respectful and civilised in their debates. Today, with criminalisation of politics, corruption everywhere and the PR men masquerading as journalists, the scenario is bleak and disturbing.

After independence, Sardar Patel wanted Somnath temple to be made on state exchequer and was equally supported by the then President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad but the Prime Minister Nehru opposed the move on the ground that religion is a personal matter and state should not get indulged into it. So when Somnath temple was being built on state exchequer, it was not an appeasement. Now government doing so much to appease the Janeudharis yet that is not called as appeasement of the Savarnas.

Frankly speaking, Congressés media managers are or those who are guiding Rahul Gandhi are out of the modernity. Rahul Gandhi may not know all these rituals like any one of us who dont believe in them but to project him a very religious Hindu is a dangerous ploy. If Janeu or ‘sacred thread’ is the only quality of being a Hindu then a majority of its population have no rights to wear it. It is the rights of the ‘twice born” or Dwijas only and non-dwijas have got no right to wear it. The Dwijas, twice born or Savarnas amount to less than 5% of India’s population. I dont know why these parties are so conscious of the thread issue which must be discarded. It is symbolic to the discrimination based on birth of the varnashram dharma.

We know well that the Hindutva protagonists would always come back to their favorite topic of religion in Gujarat. When development failed then rake up the religious issues. You are unable to bring Pakistan so far or Islamic terror so bring the appeal of Archbishop in Gujarat who asked people to vote for secular candidates unlike the shameless way Swaminarayan temple priests asked to vote for Narendra Modi and BJP. The election commission so far has not made its credible by issuing notice to Swaminarayan temple spiritual leader but were quick to send notice to the Archbishop.

The problem with Gujarat is over religiosity of people. As Gujarat will get polarised on the basis of caste identities, the upper caste dominance will be threatened. The caste forces have used these tricks always so even if BJP lose or Congress comes to power, they must remain under pressure to anoint an upper caste leader as the leader of the Assembly or Chief Minister.

BJP’s desperations are visible and they are told to shout loud and communalise the atmosphere everywhere. Dont allow others to speak at the discussions and other programmes. For Ram mandir, tell the world, the courts dont matter or if any judgement has to come, it has to ‘respect’ Hindu sentiments. Congress is ill equipped to deal with it. Rahul Gandhi’s brahmanical advisers are unable to put the people’s agenda to them and asking questions. They should have continue to speak on developmental issues asking difficult questions. Visiting temples was not that important but we can understand the compulsions of politics but that is not a great idea. Gandhis are under attack for their religiosity or Hinduness. It would stupid for any one to think that they were not brahmins or Hindus. Sanghis must realise that Indian media, bureaucracy and perhaps public mindset is still brahmanical and therefore Nehru’s being Brahmin became an asset for his assuming leadership of India. This country will always be used by the caste Hindus and their different strategies unless we get counter narratives.

The controversy related to Somnath temple visit of Rahul Gandhi shows BJP’s desperate attempt to communalise the voters. At the end of the day, the Hindutva people are now propagating unashamedly that India’s top leadership will only come from the Hindus and that too the Dwija or Janeudhari variety. It has a clear message that the Dalit, OBCs, Adivasis, Muslims, Christians and others cant claim to the top position in India even if they have been naturalised Indian citizens.

Just a few days back Canadian Prime Minister apoligised to the Indigenous people of his country for histroic wrongs. Yesterday, Justin Trudeau was making statement in Parliament on LGBT rights and again saying sorry to them shows how the western world grew up. It has the capacity to integrate the things and say sorry. The arrogant brahmanical leadership, the twice born Janeudharis have perpetuated enormous harm and humiliation to India’s indigenous people such as Adivasis, Dalits and shudras and yet their shame and arrogance growing each day for all the misdeeds of the past and justifying their vilifying acts. Congress party will not be able to get the support of these wider sections who have been socially ostracised and isolated by the imported Dwija culture of the twice born. Mr Rahul Gandhi, please understand, there is no need to wear the sacred or secret thread as it is only worn by the twice born who are a miniscule minority. Even if you wanted to flaunt your Hinduness, Janeu is not the right thing. It symbolise the caste and discriminatory culture of the priestly class that oppressed and humiliated the vast Bahujan masses of India.

In the meanwhile, we hope the people of Gujarat will vote according to ‘developmental’ agenda and not fall in the vicious trap of Mandir, Masjid, Janue, Choti or skull cap. Politics need to move beyond symbolism and face the realities of lives.

Can Kshatriya Wear Janeu?

1. Introduction

In the Indian caste system, Kshatriyas are known as warriors and rulers. Their role is to protect society and maintain law and order. They are considered the second highest varna, just below the Brahmins. One of the important rituals followed by Brahmin boys is wearing the sacred thread called Janeu. However, a common question that arises is whether Kshatriyas can also wear Janeu. Let’s explore this topic further.

2 Understanding the significance of Janeu

Janeu, also known as Yajnopavit, is a sacred thread made of cotton or silk that is worn by Hindu boys and men. It is a symbol of initiation into Brahminhood and signifies the pursuit of knowledge and spiritual growth. The thread consists of three strands representing Goddesses Saraswati (knowledge), Parvati (strength), and Lakshmi (wealth). Brahmin boys undergo a sacred thread ceremony known as Upanayana, during which they receive the Janeu and are considered eligible to study the Vedas.

3. Tradition and Kshatriyas

Traditionally, Kshatriyas do not wear the sacred thread like Brahmins. The emphasis for Kshatriyas lies more on valor and bravery rather than scholarly pursuits. They have their own distinctive rituals and symbols of their caste. However, in recent times, there has been a growing trend of Kshatriyas opting to wear Janeu due to various reasons.

4. Reasons for Kshatriyas wearing Janeu

4.1 Seeking spiritual growth: Some Kshatriyas believe that by wearing Janeu, they can connect with their spiritual side and enhance their personal growth. They consider it as a means to deepen their understanding of life and attain higher consciousness.

4.2 Symbolic gesture: For some Kshatriyas, wearing Janeu is a symbolic gesture of respecting the traditions and values associated with Brahminhood. By donning the sacred thread, they feel a sense of pride in their heritage and express their reverence towards the ancient Hindu culture.

4.3 Challenging stereotypes: Wearing Janeu can also be seen as a way for Kshatriyas to challenge existing societal norms and break free from stereotypical roles assigned to them. It is a way to express their individuality and redefine their identity beyond their warrior status.

4.4 Marriage considerations: In certain cases, Kshatriyas opt to wear Janeu if they are marrying into a Brahmin family or if their spouse belongs to a Brahmin caste. It is a way to bridge the cultural gap and show respect to their partner’s traditions.

5. Controversies and debates

The topic of Kshatriyas wearing Janeu has sparked various controversies and debates within the Hindu community. Some argue that the sacred thread should only be reserved for Brahmins, as it is specifically meant for them as per ancient scriptures. They believe that Kshatriyas have their own rituals and symbols that differentiate them from Brahmins.

On the other hand, proponents of Kshatriyas wearing Janeu argue that spirituality and the pursuit of knowledge are not limited by caste boundaries. They believe that anyone, irrespective of their caste, can seek spiritual enlightenment and wear the sacred thread as a symbol of their commitment to personal growth.

6. Conclusion

The question of whether Kshatriyas can wear Janeu does not have a definitive answer. It ultimately depends on individual beliefs, traditions, and personal choices. While some Kshatriyas embrace the idea of wearing the sacred thread to explore their spirituality and challenge societal norms, others prefer to adhere to their own distinctive rituals and symbols. Whichever path they choose, it is important to respect diverse perspectives and allow individuals to express their identity and beliefs in a way that resonates with them.

Janeu Sanskar: What is the importance of wearing Janeu in Hinduism, who can wear it..

Janeu Sanskar: There is special importance in wearing Janeu in Hinduism. Yagyopavit itself is called Janeu. To wear it, it is necessary to take care of some rules so that its purity remains. Since ancient times, the sacrificial fire ceremony is considered one of the main rituals in Hinduism.

What happens to Janeu
Janeu is a three-thread thread that men wear from the top of their left shoulder to the bottom of their right arm. It is considered the symbol of Devruna, Pitruruna, and Rishiruna, as well as it is also considered the symbol of Sattva, Raja, and Tama. There are three strings in each string of Yajnopavit. The three verses of Yagyopaveet draw our attention to the threefold Dharma pervading all aspects of creation. In this way, Janeu is made of nine strings. These nine wires are considered the nine doors of the body, one mouth, two nostrils, two eyes, two ears, feces, and urine. The five knots tied in it are considered to be the symbol of Brahma, Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. This is the reason why Janeu is considered very sacred in Hinduism. To maintain its purity, it is necessary to follow some of its rules.

Why is it necessary for sacrificial rituals
Yagyopaveet-sanskara is performed to destroy the bad sanskaras and make the good sanskaras permanent. According to Manu Maharaj, a Dwij is not eligible for any work without the ritual of sacrificial fire. Dwij means second birth. It is only after this sacrament that the child gets the right to do religious work. A person getting the right to perform Yagya is Yagyopaveet. According to Padma Purana, the sins committed in crores of births are destroyed by wearing Yajnopavit. According to Hindu beliefs, it is necessary to wear Yagyopaveet for the growth of age, strength, intelligence, and wealth. Wearing it inspires them to perform their duty.

What rules need to be taken care of
Janeu should be put on the right ear before excrement and urine and it should be removed from the ear only after washing the hands. If any thread of Janeu breaks, it should be replaced. After wearing this, it should be removed only when you wear the new Yajnopavit. It is washed by rotating it in the neck.

who can wear janeu
The first thing that comes to mind on hearing the name of Janeu is thread, the second thing is Brahmin. We think that only Brahmins can wear Janeu, but it is not so. In Hinduism, wearing Janeu is considered the duty of every Hindu. Every Hindu can wear Janeu provided he follows its rules. Not only Brahmins, but every section of society can also wear the sacred thread. Only after wearing the sacred thread, the twin child gets the right to perform Yagya and self-study. The right to education was available only after Janeu Sanskar.

Can women also wear Janeu?
The girl who has to follow celibacy for life can wear Janeu. A celibate wears three and a married man wears a janeu of six threads. Out of the six threads of Yajnopaveet, three threads have been told of himself and three threads of his wife.