A brief note on upanayana samskaras

UPANAYANAM is an important in the life of a person. An attempt has been made to explain some of the key aspects of this function.

1. NAANDI(Appeasement of the ancestors):

It is customary to perform "Naandi' and get the blessings of the ancestors.

2. What is Upanayana m?

"Taking the people near to the Guru" is the meaning. It is also known as rebirth (Divija). The boy who is born the first time through the mobther's womb gets his inner eye opened at the Upanayanam.

3. What is BRAHMOPADESAM?

The event when the father initiates Gayathri Mantra to the son is called"Brahmopadesam". Gayatri
Mantra is the Supreme Mantra, which invokes Supreme God.

4. why is there THREE LAYERS OF SACRED THREAD?

Each syllabel of Gayathiri Manthra has tremendous power. As an electric wire is insulated by cloth - the event orf initiation is marked by the insultation with a silk cloth.

5. Why is there THREE LAYERS OF SACRED THREAD?

The boy learns from SUN GOD about doing the duty promptly, discipline and punctuality and prays to give him good qualities.

6. The MEANING OF GAYATHIRI MANTHRA:

We contemplate on the efflugence of the Sun whose well known light is ardently sought after, who inspires
our intellectual process and destroys our sins.

7 BHIKSHA RICE:

After taking the "Alms " from mother and then the other ladies the boy hands it over to the Guru. This
symbolizes that the Brahmachari leads his life by taking alms .

8.KUMARA BOJANAM:

The boy takes food alongwith other boys who have undergone Upanayanam. This event marks his
friendship with others when he would be spending his future in "Gurukulam".

9.ABHIVADAYE NAMASKARAM:

It gives the introduction of the boy. After reciting the Abhivadaye Mantra, he prostrates before the elders
and seeks their blessings.

10, AASEERVADAM - BLESSINGS:

After the function the elders bless the boy. "May this boy be like Vedavyasa
in knowledge, Panini in grammar, Adi Shankara in vedanta, Janaka in Philosophy, Prahalatha in devotion,
Harichandra in adhering to the truth, Bhishma in Brahmacharya and lead a long life like Markendeya".