Post by ramya475 on Sept 29, 2013 14:01:13 GMT 5.5
Rules of Upanayana and Duties of Brahmachari
XXII. Upanayanam
(Putting of sacred thread.)
1.Aapasthambha:-
During the eight year after he is conceived a Brahmin boy should receive his sacred thread. This means , one year inside the womb and seven years outside. In case of Kshatriya, the age of receiving sacred thread is eleven and in case of Vaisya it is 12. Brahmin should receive his sacred thread during Vasantha (spring). Kshathriya during Greeshma (summer) and Vaisya in Sharad (Autumn)
2.Manu:-
The son should be taught Vedas as quickly as possible. Fathers who are desirous of their sons becoming great scholars can even give them sacred thread at the age of five.
What has been told above is the correct (chief) time. In case of Brahmin , he can receive his scared thread up to the age of 16 along with redemptive ceremonies for lateness. That is the limit. In case of Kshatriya , the maximum limit is 22 and in case of Vaisya it is 24. Those who do not get the sacred thread by this time would be considered as Pathitha (fallen people)
3.Smruthyartha Sara:-
It is mentioned in this book that even after age of 16, after doing redemptive ceremonies , Upanayana (receiving of sacred thread) can be performed.
4.Vasishta:-
For boys who do not get the sacred thread by the time prescribed , they can get it after performing the austerities prescribed by sage Udhalaka. or after performing Aswamedha ava Brutha bath(?) or after Vradhyasthoma(?)
Udhalaka redemptive act consists of living with gruel only for two years followed by living only on milk for one year , followed by 15 days of Aamiksha(?) followed by eight days of complete fast. After this Upanayana should be performed. Aapasthambha also has prescribed redemptive acts for late Upanayana. Please consult the elders regarding this. Some people are of the opinion that it can be performed late, with gifting away a large Dakshina (monetary gift) to Brahmins.
XXIII. Yagnopaveetam (Sacred thread)
1.Manu:-
In case of Brahmin, sacred thread should be made of cotton, in case of Kshatriyas it should be made of flax thread and in case of Vaisya it should be made of goat hairs.
2.Madhaveeya:-
Sacred thread should be made with nine threads and tied with , three threads downward and nine threads upward . Then it should be tied. After wards the Prathishta (sacred foundation) should be performed. The thread which is spun should be tied 96 times over 4 fingers (shannavathi) and should be sprinkled with holy water with chants of Aapohishta, Hiranyavarna and pava mana chants.and then it should be made in to three by chanting Gayathri , beaten thrice in the hand and the Navathanthu and Granthi Devathas should be made to occupy the thread , shown to Sun God with the “Udhaya” chant and worn with the Yagnopaveetha chant.
The navathanthu devathas are Bhaga, Soma, Pithara, Prajapathi , Vishnu , Dharma and Sakala Devatha. There may minor modifications to these rules depending on the family.
3.Bhrugu:-
One sacred thread is prescribed to Brahmachari (unmarried man) two to the married man and one for the sages
The third Yagnopaveetha (sacred thread) is worn , in case the person does not wear an upper cloth (uthareeya)
Always we should wear the sacred thread. Always the hair should be tied and rituals performed. If any ritual is done without Shika(hair) and Yagnopaveetha (sacred thread) this is not approved by Sastras. The Gods would not receive it.
4.Vyasa:-
Rituals performed without Shika and Yagnopaveetha are Rakshaseeya (fit for the under world) That is , it would do harm to the world. The man for whom it is done will not get any results out of it.
5.Bhrugu:-
Slipper , dress, Yagnopaveetha , ornaments , flower garland , small pot are used ritualistically. They should not be used by any other persons.
If during the first four days after upanayana , by chance the yagnopaveetha is cut or lost , you have to perform Vyahruthi homa and chant Anagnatha manthra before wearing another Yagnopaveetha.
XXIV, Danda dharanam
(holding of staff)
1.Manu:-
The Brahmin Brahmachari should hold a staff made of Bilva or Palasa wood. In case of Kshthriya , it should be of banyan tree and Khadhira(Karumgali) tree and in case of Vaisya it should be made of peepul or fig tree. The sacred staff should always be held and could be made by the wood of one of the trees.
2,Vyasa:-
The height of staff should be till head , forehead and tip of the nose to the three varnas viz. Brahmin, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas respectively. It should be slightly bent at the top and should be pretty with a band.
XXV, Vasthrajina Dharanam
(wearing of upper cloth)
1,Vasishta:-
Brahmin Brahmachari should wear cloth made of cotton, the Kshatriya Brahmachari should wear the silk coloured with Manjishta tree and Vaisya should wear the yellow coloured Kouseya(?).
During the sacred thread ceremony, the Brahmin wears the loin cloth , followed by new Dhothi and wear the black deer’s skin as Uthareeya(Upper cloth)
A cloth which is white , which has a border and which has not been worn by anybody else is called Ahavasa. This is holy and can be used to perform all rituals.
2.Gowthama:-
The Brahmin Brahmachari should wear upper cloth made of black deer’s skin, the Kshatriya the (rurumajinam?) deer’s skin and the Vaisya the skin of the white goat respectively.
3.Manu:-
The Brahmin brahmachari should wear a belt made by Munja grass in three strands, the Kshatriya the belt made of Moorvvaa grass, and the Vaisya that made of jute.(This is called Mekhala and is worn above the cloths like a belt)
4. Samvartha:-
Apart from Mekhala they should also wear a Kati Suthra(A belt over the hip under the cloth) Without wearing this , no rituals including the fire sacrifices lead to any positive results. This is true also for the married man.
5.Manu:-
If the Mekhala (belt) , deer’s skin , staff and the sacred thread are decayed, they should be thrown in water and new ones should be worn with due chanting of Manthras.
XXVI: Brahmachari Dharma
(Duties of a Bachelor)
1.Manu:-
Wearing the staff ,he should pray the Sun God , perambulate round fire and daily eat the food received got by taking Bhiksha(begging/alms)
The Brahmin boy should ask “Bhavathi Bhikshan dehi(Madam, please give me alms) “, the Kshatriya should ask “Bhikshaam Bhavathi dehi, (alms may be given by you madam)”, and the Vaisya should ask, “Bhikshaam Dehi Bhavathi(Alm may be given, Madam) . That is the word “Madam”, should be first, second and third respectively,
2.Manu:-
The Brahmachari should learn Vedas and lead a disciplined life. He should not eat food only from one house. He should collect alms from many Brahmin houses and should collect only as much as he requires and eat it. This is considered as equal to Upavasa (Forsaking food).
3.Manu:-
After taking alms without any deceit, it should be shown to the Guru( teacher) , and it should be consumed facing east after Achamana(inward cleaning). If Guru is not available , the collected alms should be shown to his wife or his son or one of his own classmates.
4.Vasishta:-
Sanyasis should take eight handful of food, while Vanaprasthas should take sixteen handfuls and family men should take 32 hands full. There is no such restriction to Brahmacharis.
5. Jaimini :-
Till the Upanayana day (Brahmopadesa) , there is no Sandhya vandana (Worship during dawn/n and dusk).After Brahmopadesa it should be observed three times without fail.
6.Manu:-
The samith ( fallen sticks collected from Banyan tree/Palasa tree) should be collected from outside the village and should be preserved on the lofts. These should be used to do Samidha Dhanam twice everyday.
7.Aapasthambha:-
Bath should not be undertaken in scented water.
8. Manu:-
Whether the Guru tells or not , the Brahmachari should take special interest in studying Vedas. He should also pay attention to do service to his teachers.
After controlling the body, voice, organs for increasing knowledge and mind , one should face the teacher with folded hands , and understand the good things that he teaches.
In front of the teacher you should not cover your upper body with the upper cloth. You should wear religious marks on the forehead and follow all ritualistic rules. If the teacher asks you to sit, then you should sit with humility This way the teacher should be looked after.
In the place where the ill is talked about your teacher, you should close your ears. You can also leave that place and go elsewhere.
You should avoid Honey, meat , tusk , garland , things which are juicy, women, and those things which have turned sour. You should not cause harm to any animals. You should not apply perfumed oils, apply collyrium to the eye , wear slippers and hold an umbrella. You should leave out passion , anger and avarice. You should also avoid dance , music, gambling, talking about others, telling lies, ogling at women, touching women and doing bad for others,. A brahmachari should not sleep in day time.
9. Chandirikayaa:-
A brahmachari should learn Sastras along with Vedas, Learning Dharma Shastra, Vyakarana (grammar) , Meemasa , Tharka (debating) purana (epics) Ithihasa (history) and stories of great people is essential to him.
10.Devala:-
Among the men the gurus are teacher, father , elder brother, King, uncle, father in law , he who saved you, Maternal grand father, Paternal grand father, the chief of one’s clan and the brothers of one’s father.
Among the ladies the gurus are mother, mother’s mother, teacher’s wife, sisters of father and mother , mother in law , paternal grand mother, elder sister and she who brought us up.
The Gurus in father’s and mother’s side above are suitable to be worshipped. Among them five merit special worship.
They are He who honours us, our mother , he who gives us knowledge , elder brother, he who gives us food . Among them the first three are more important. Mother is the greatest guru. There is nobody who can be compared to her.
11. Manu:-
By devotion to mother you can attain earth, by devotion to father heavens, and by devotion to teacher one can attain the world of Brahma.
The father who bears the son, celebrates his sacred thread ceremony and gives him wealth to lead the worldly life and is called Great teacher (Maha Guru)
12.Vyasa:-
The mother gives him place in her womb for ten months and gives birth to him after suffering lot of pains and sorrow. She would give all that she has earned with difficulty and all her luck to her child .Whatever one can do to her will not be an adequate compensation for her love.
13.Manu:-
People who are rich, our relatives, elderly people , people who have carried out yagas, and those who are well learned are fit to be worshipped. Among them the well learned one is the greatest.
14.Bodhayana:-
If a Brahmin, king, blind person , cow , elderly people , those who carry load, pregnant women and a weak person, comes in front of you, please give them the way.
15.Manu:-
If you see an elderly person, you should give pranams (namaskaram) to him. He who salutes them and serves them will have more long life, wisdom and fame,
16.Smruthyartha sara:-
Go near the Guru , salute him , then tell him, I who am born in so and so Gothra, named so and so is prostrating before you. and then Touching both our ears , touch the right feet of the Guru with our right hand and his left leg with our left hand after bending forward . This should normally be done only to the Guru, Similar thing (upasankramana) can be done towards people whom we consider as equal to our Guru.
The Guru or the elders who receive such a prostration should bless the one who did the prostration. It is said that they should tell Pluthaswara(?) for three mathras.
Like this several duties for brahmacharis have been told. He who learns a lot in this Ashrama becomes great later.
XXVII. Upanayana karthru Dharma
(The duties of those who carry out sacred thread ceremony)
1.Bhaskara:-
During the marriage the food must be given to the maximum possible , During Aadhana(?) at least 100 Brahmins should be fed and in case of sacred thread ceremony also 100 Brahmins at least should be fed. If your financial situation does not permit, try to feed the maximum possible number of Brahmins.
2. Aapasthambha:-
If the sacred thread ceremony is conducted by some one who does not understand its implication , then the ceremony for the man who carries it out and to the man who wears , similar to travelling from darkness to darkness. So the one who does not know Vedas and who does not follow rituals should not carry out a sacred thread ceremony. People who are having great humility is the most proper person.
For the boys born as twins., all rituals from Jatha Karma till the Upanayana should be done on the same day in the same Lagna. Since it is not possible to do upanayana for both in the same lagna, for one of them it can be got performed by some body else in the same lagna.
The dumb, the one whose speech is not clear, the one who is mad and to the one who is lame , Upanayana should be performed. In case of the dumb and mad , the acharya(the one who carries out ) can do every ritual and see them after chanting Gayathri Manthra. For the others normal Upanayana can be performed but this group of people would not have any right to do any other ritual. They cannot do any fire sacrifices.
XXII. Upanayanam
(Putting of sacred thread.)
1.Aapasthambha:-
During the eight year after he is conceived a Brahmin boy should receive his sacred thread. This means , one year inside the womb and seven years outside. In case of Kshatriya, the age of receiving sacred thread is eleven and in case of Vaisya it is 12. Brahmin should receive his sacred thread during Vasantha (spring). Kshathriya during Greeshma (summer) and Vaisya in Sharad (Autumn)
2.Manu:-
The son should be taught Vedas as quickly as possible. Fathers who are desirous of their sons becoming great scholars can even give them sacred thread at the age of five.
What has been told above is the correct (chief) time. In case of Brahmin , he can receive his scared thread up to the age of 16 along with redemptive ceremonies for lateness. That is the limit. In case of Kshatriya , the maximum limit is 22 and in case of Vaisya it is 24. Those who do not get the sacred thread by this time would be considered as Pathitha (fallen people)
3.Smruthyartha Sara:-
It is mentioned in this book that even after age of 16, after doing redemptive ceremonies , Upanayana (receiving of sacred thread) can be performed.
4.Vasishta:-
For boys who do not get the sacred thread by the time prescribed , they can get it after performing the austerities prescribed by sage Udhalaka. or after performing Aswamedha ava Brutha bath(?) or after Vradhyasthoma(?)
Udhalaka redemptive act consists of living with gruel only for two years followed by living only on milk for one year , followed by 15 days of Aamiksha(?) followed by eight days of complete fast. After this Upanayana should be performed. Aapasthambha also has prescribed redemptive acts for late Upanayana. Please consult the elders regarding this. Some people are of the opinion that it can be performed late, with gifting away a large Dakshina (monetary gift) to Brahmins.
XXIII. Yagnopaveetam (Sacred thread)
1.Manu:-
In case of Brahmin, sacred thread should be made of cotton, in case of Kshatriyas it should be made of flax thread and in case of Vaisya it should be made of goat hairs.
2.Madhaveeya:-
Sacred thread should be made with nine threads and tied with , three threads downward and nine threads upward . Then it should be tied. After wards the Prathishta (sacred foundation) should be performed. The thread which is spun should be tied 96 times over 4 fingers (shannavathi) and should be sprinkled with holy water with chants of Aapohishta, Hiranyavarna and pava mana chants.and then it should be made in to three by chanting Gayathri , beaten thrice in the hand and the Navathanthu and Granthi Devathas should be made to occupy the thread , shown to Sun God with the “Udhaya” chant and worn with the Yagnopaveetha chant.
The navathanthu devathas are Bhaga, Soma, Pithara, Prajapathi , Vishnu , Dharma and Sakala Devatha. There may minor modifications to these rules depending on the family.
3.Bhrugu:-
One sacred thread is prescribed to Brahmachari (unmarried man) two to the married man and one for the sages
The third Yagnopaveetha (sacred thread) is worn , in case the person does not wear an upper cloth (uthareeya)
Always we should wear the sacred thread. Always the hair should be tied and rituals performed. If any ritual is done without Shika(hair) and Yagnopaveetha (sacred thread) this is not approved by Sastras. The Gods would not receive it.
4.Vyasa:-
Rituals performed without Shika and Yagnopaveetha are Rakshaseeya (fit for the under world) That is , it would do harm to the world. The man for whom it is done will not get any results out of it.
5.Bhrugu:-
Slipper , dress, Yagnopaveetha , ornaments , flower garland , small pot are used ritualistically. They should not be used by any other persons.
If during the first four days after upanayana , by chance the yagnopaveetha is cut or lost , you have to perform Vyahruthi homa and chant Anagnatha manthra before wearing another Yagnopaveetha.
XXIV, Danda dharanam
(holding of staff)
1.Manu:-
The Brahmin Brahmachari should hold a staff made of Bilva or Palasa wood. In case of Kshthriya , it should be of banyan tree and Khadhira(Karumgali) tree and in case of Vaisya it should be made of peepul or fig tree. The sacred staff should always be held and could be made by the wood of one of the trees.
2,Vyasa:-
The height of staff should be till head , forehead and tip of the nose to the three varnas viz. Brahmin, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas respectively. It should be slightly bent at the top and should be pretty with a band.
XXV, Vasthrajina Dharanam
(wearing of upper cloth)
1,Vasishta:-
Brahmin Brahmachari should wear cloth made of cotton, the Kshatriya Brahmachari should wear the silk coloured with Manjishta tree and Vaisya should wear the yellow coloured Kouseya(?).
During the sacred thread ceremony, the Brahmin wears the loin cloth , followed by new Dhothi and wear the black deer’s skin as Uthareeya(Upper cloth)
A cloth which is white , which has a border and which has not been worn by anybody else is called Ahavasa. This is holy and can be used to perform all rituals.
2.Gowthama:-
The Brahmin Brahmachari should wear upper cloth made of black deer’s skin, the Kshatriya the (rurumajinam?) deer’s skin and the Vaisya the skin of the white goat respectively.
3.Manu:-
The Brahmin brahmachari should wear a belt made by Munja grass in three strands, the Kshatriya the belt made of Moorvvaa grass, and the Vaisya that made of jute.(This is called Mekhala and is worn above the cloths like a belt)
4. Samvartha:-
Apart from Mekhala they should also wear a Kati Suthra(A belt over the hip under the cloth) Without wearing this , no rituals including the fire sacrifices lead to any positive results. This is true also for the married man.
5.Manu:-
If the Mekhala (belt) , deer’s skin , staff and the sacred thread are decayed, they should be thrown in water and new ones should be worn with due chanting of Manthras.
XXVI: Brahmachari Dharma
(Duties of a Bachelor)
1.Manu:-
Wearing the staff ,he should pray the Sun God , perambulate round fire and daily eat the food received got by taking Bhiksha(begging/alms)
The Brahmin boy should ask “Bhavathi Bhikshan dehi(Madam, please give me alms) “, the Kshatriya should ask “Bhikshaam Bhavathi dehi, (alms may be given by you madam)”, and the Vaisya should ask, “Bhikshaam Dehi Bhavathi(Alm may be given, Madam) . That is the word “Madam”, should be first, second and third respectively,
2.Manu:-
The Brahmachari should learn Vedas and lead a disciplined life. He should not eat food only from one house. He should collect alms from many Brahmin houses and should collect only as much as he requires and eat it. This is considered as equal to Upavasa (Forsaking food).
3.Manu:-
After taking alms without any deceit, it should be shown to the Guru( teacher) , and it should be consumed facing east after Achamana(inward cleaning). If Guru is not available , the collected alms should be shown to his wife or his son or one of his own classmates.
4.Vasishta:-
Sanyasis should take eight handful of food, while Vanaprasthas should take sixteen handfuls and family men should take 32 hands full. There is no such restriction to Brahmacharis.
5. Jaimini :-
Till the Upanayana day (Brahmopadesa) , there is no Sandhya vandana (Worship during dawn/n and dusk).After Brahmopadesa it should be observed three times without fail.
6.Manu:-
The samith ( fallen sticks collected from Banyan tree/Palasa tree) should be collected from outside the village and should be preserved on the lofts. These should be used to do Samidha Dhanam twice everyday.
7.Aapasthambha:-
Bath should not be undertaken in scented water.
8. Manu:-
Whether the Guru tells or not , the Brahmachari should take special interest in studying Vedas. He should also pay attention to do service to his teachers.
After controlling the body, voice, organs for increasing knowledge and mind , one should face the teacher with folded hands , and understand the good things that he teaches.
In front of the teacher you should not cover your upper body with the upper cloth. You should wear religious marks on the forehead and follow all ritualistic rules. If the teacher asks you to sit, then you should sit with humility This way the teacher should be looked after.
In the place where the ill is talked about your teacher, you should close your ears. You can also leave that place and go elsewhere.
You should avoid Honey, meat , tusk , garland , things which are juicy, women, and those things which have turned sour. You should not cause harm to any animals. You should not apply perfumed oils, apply collyrium to the eye , wear slippers and hold an umbrella. You should leave out passion , anger and avarice. You should also avoid dance , music, gambling, talking about others, telling lies, ogling at women, touching women and doing bad for others,. A brahmachari should not sleep in day time.
9. Chandirikayaa:-
A brahmachari should learn Sastras along with Vedas, Learning Dharma Shastra, Vyakarana (grammar) , Meemasa , Tharka (debating) purana (epics) Ithihasa (history) and stories of great people is essential to him.
10.Devala:-
Among the men the gurus are teacher, father , elder brother, King, uncle, father in law , he who saved you, Maternal grand father, Paternal grand father, the chief of one’s clan and the brothers of one’s father.
Among the ladies the gurus are mother, mother’s mother, teacher’s wife, sisters of father and mother , mother in law , paternal grand mother, elder sister and she who brought us up.
The Gurus in father’s and mother’s side above are suitable to be worshipped. Among them five merit special worship.
They are He who honours us, our mother , he who gives us knowledge , elder brother, he who gives us food . Among them the first three are more important. Mother is the greatest guru. There is nobody who can be compared to her.
11. Manu:-
By devotion to mother you can attain earth, by devotion to father heavens, and by devotion to teacher one can attain the world of Brahma.
The father who bears the son, celebrates his sacred thread ceremony and gives him wealth to lead the worldly life and is called Great teacher (Maha Guru)
12.Vyasa:-
The mother gives him place in her womb for ten months and gives birth to him after suffering lot of pains and sorrow. She would give all that she has earned with difficulty and all her luck to her child .Whatever one can do to her will not be an adequate compensation for her love.
13.Manu:-
People who are rich, our relatives, elderly people , people who have carried out yagas, and those who are well learned are fit to be worshipped. Among them the well learned one is the greatest.
14.Bodhayana:-
If a Brahmin, king, blind person , cow , elderly people , those who carry load, pregnant women and a weak person, comes in front of you, please give them the way.
15.Manu:-
If you see an elderly person, you should give pranams (namaskaram) to him. He who salutes them and serves them will have more long life, wisdom and fame,
16.Smruthyartha sara:-
Go near the Guru , salute him , then tell him, I who am born in so and so Gothra, named so and so is prostrating before you. and then Touching both our ears , touch the right feet of the Guru with our right hand and his left leg with our left hand after bending forward . This should normally be done only to the Guru, Similar thing (upasankramana) can be done towards people whom we consider as equal to our Guru.
The Guru or the elders who receive such a prostration should bless the one who did the prostration. It is said that they should tell Pluthaswara(?) for three mathras.
Like this several duties for brahmacharis have been told. He who learns a lot in this Ashrama becomes great later.
XXVII. Upanayana karthru Dharma
(The duties of those who carry out sacred thread ceremony)
1.Bhaskara:-
During the marriage the food must be given to the maximum possible , During Aadhana(?) at least 100 Brahmins should be fed and in case of sacred thread ceremony also 100 Brahmins at least should be fed. If your financial situation does not permit, try to feed the maximum possible number of Brahmins.
2. Aapasthambha:-
If the sacred thread ceremony is conducted by some one who does not understand its implication , then the ceremony for the man who carries it out and to the man who wears , similar to travelling from darkness to darkness. So the one who does not know Vedas and who does not follow rituals should not carry out a sacred thread ceremony. People who are having great humility is the most proper person.
For the boys born as twins., all rituals from Jatha Karma till the Upanayana should be done on the same day in the same Lagna. Since it is not possible to do upanayana for both in the same lagna, for one of them it can be got performed by some body else in the same lagna.
The dumb, the one whose speech is not clear, the one who is mad and to the one who is lame , Upanayana should be performed. In case of the dumb and mad , the acharya(the one who carries out ) can do every ritual and see them after chanting Gayathri Manthra. For the others normal Upanayana can be performed but this group of people would not have any right to do any other ritual. They cannot do any fire sacrifices.