Janeu is a holy thread that is worn by the Hindu
Brahmins of India. Read more about the Indian tradition of Janeo
ceremony.
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.
