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

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.

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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.