The Samskara or ceremonial rite in which
a young Brahmin boy is endowed with the sacred thread and initiated
to the Gayathri mantra is referred to as Upanayanam
The Upanayanam makes the boy eligible for
the study of the Vedas. The Vatu or the young Brahmachari becomes
a Dvija or "Twice Born" after the Upanayanam. This is because
the Samskara signifies spiritual rebirth. Literally, the word
means, taking (NAYANAM) near (UPA). In the Vedic period, when
the codes of conduct laid down by the scriptures were strictly
followed, the father took his son near the Gayathri Mantra. After
which the boy was taken near a Guru and left under his care soon
after the Upanayanam. The Guru taught him to chant the Vedas in
the traditional way, which ultimately took him near God. Thus,
the ceremony leads the young Brahmachari through successive steps
to the realization of God, which is the ultimate goal of this
human existence. Of the four ashramas prescribed for the individual,
namely Brahmacharya, Grihasta, Vanaprasta and Sanyasa, the Upanayanam
Ceremony signifies the boy's entry into Brahmacharya.
The Investiture
This ritual is to be performed after the age of seven. One
should be initiated to the Gayathri mantra before the onset of
adolescence or before the innate biological tendencies start expressing
themselves. The investiture with the sacred thread should be done
preferably before the sixteenth year.
The Gayathri Mantra
Literally, Gayathri means that which protects him, who chants
it. It is the mother of all mantras, and when chanted with devotion,
concentration and purity, takes the chanter to the ultimate bliss
through knowledge of the Supreme Truth, called the Brahman. The
mantra prays for divine guidance to inspire and illumine the intellect
and reveal the Atman the Jiva may know his real self - the Atman.
It does not seek any personal benefit for the chanter as it is
universal in its approach. In the Mahabharata, Bhisma extols the
greatness of the Gayathri from his bed of arrows saying that Where
the Gayathri is chanted, untimely deaths, involving the performance
of obsequies for children by their elders will not occur. Thus
it is a prayer for universal welfare which the Brahmin must perform.
Method to chant the Gayathri Mantra
The Gayathri, must be chanted in the prescribed
manner, thrice a day, as a part of the religious duty called the
Sandhyavandanam. The Sandhyavandanam helps in quieting down the
mind and rendering it fit for meditation on the highest truth.
It has to be definitely performed thrice daily, throughout one's
life. All the good things a Brahmin may do are of no avail, if
he fails to perform his Sandhyavandanam and Gayathri Japa regularly.
The Sacred Thread
The sacred thread with which the Vatu is
invested on the holy occasion of Upanayanam must be kept free
from association with any other object.
Any object, like a key or a coin, tied to the sacred thread, can
deplete the carefully accumulated spiritual power of the Gayathri.The
sacred thread with which the Vatu is invested on the holy occasion
of Upanayanam must be kept free from association with any other
object. Any object, like a key or a coin, tied to the sacred thread,
can deplete the carefully accumulated spiritual power of the Gayathri.
Bhikshakaranam
Earlier, the Brahmachari used to go out
into the streets and beg for alms from various houses. This is
called Bhikshakaranam and is done symbolically today. It is very
difficult to practise Bhikshakaranam in today's world but we should
at least keep in mind the virtues underlying this practice and
try to cultivate them. Bhikshakaranam was done to make one humble
and control the ego. It enables the young Vatu to control the
senses, which is absolutely essential for receiving Vedic Knowledge.
