Upanayana

Upanayana (Sanskrit: उपनयन, romanized: upanayana, lit. 'initiation') is a Hindu educational sacrament,^[2] one of the traditional saṃskāras or rites of passage that marked the acceptance of a student by a preceptor, such as a guru or acharya, and an individual's initiation into a school in Hinduism. Some traditions consider the ceremony as a spiritual rebirth for the child or future dvija, twice born. It signifies the acquisition of the knowledge of and the start of a new and disciplined life as a brahmacharya. According to the given community and region, it is also known by numerous terms such as janai or janea, poita/paita, logun/nagun, yajnopavita, bratabandha, bratopanayan, and mekhal.^[3] The Upanayanam ceremony is arguably the most important rite for the Brahmin male, ensuring his rights and responsibilities as a Brahmin and signifying his advent into adulthood.^[4]

The tradition is widely discussed in ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism and varies regionally.^[5] The sacred thread or yajnopavita (also referred to as Janeu, Jandhyam, Poonul, Munja and Janivara^[6] Yonya^[7]) has become one of the most important identifiers of the Upanayana ceremony in contemporary times, however this was not always the case.^[8] Generally, this ceremony should be performed before the advent of adulthood.

^ Coward & Cook 1996, p. 67.
^ Kanitkar & Cole 2010, p. 4.
^ "Dr. Shashishekhar Toshkhani: The Literary Works". www.ikashmir.net. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
^ Carstairs, G. Morris; Kapur, Ravi L. (1976). The Great Universe of Kota: Stress, Change, and Mental Disorder in an Indian Village. University of California Press. p. 49. ISBN 978-0-520-03024-4.
^ Kane 1941, pp. 268–287.
^ Sastry, C. V. (25 January 2022). Rituals & Practices of Hinduism. Zorba Books. ISBN 978-93-93029-12-6.
^ "Yonya (Janeu Holy Thread)". www.kashmiribazaar.in. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
^ Ambedkar 1947, p. 158.

[FOOTNOTECowardCook199667-1] Coward & Cook 1996, p. 67.

[FOOTNOTEKanitkarCole20104-2] Kanitkar & Cole 2010, p. 4.

[3] "Dr. Shashishekhar Toshkhani: The Literary Works". www.ikashmir.net. Retrieved 7 February 2023.

[4] Carstairs, G. Morris; Kapur, Ravi L. (1976). The Great Universe of Kota: Stress, Change, and Mental Disorder in an Indian Village. University of California Press. p. 49. ISBN 978-0-520-03024-4.

[FOOTNOTEKane1941268–287-5] Kane 1941, pp. 268–287.

[6] Sastry, C. V. (25 January 2022). Rituals & Practices of Hinduism. Zorba Books. ISBN 978-93-93029-12-6.

[7] "Yonya (Janeu Holy Thread)". www.kashmiribazaar.in. Retrieved 7 February 2023.

[FOOTNOTEAmbedkar1947158-8] Ambedkar 1947, p. 158.

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