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A word about Yajñopavītam

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A word about Yajñopavītam Here is a Q&A which you may like:
(Ref: 'THE GREAT HINDU TRADITION' and 'வேதமும் பண்பாடும்' - books authored by Sarma Sastrigal)
Question: Appreciate if you can advise us on the modes/forms of wearing Yajñopavītam (poonool) especially in today’s context

Answer: Poonool is referred as Yajñopavītam in Samskritam and as sacred thread in English. During the Upanayana function (saṃskāra) the boy is introduced to Brahman and called dvijan meaning "twice born", starts wearing poonool composed of distinct cotton strands ever since. A bachelor wears only one sacred thread with three strands and a married man wears two of them making it six strands. In some traditions for special reasons, a man may wear three threads, which makes it nine strands.

As per the ancient texts wearing of the poonool is prescribed in three forms


  1. Upavītam:Under normal circumstances, for example while at home the Yajñopavītam is worn over the left shoulder and under the right arm. This general form/mode of wearing the poonool is termed as Upavītam.
  2. Prachīnavītam: While performing ancestor’s ceremony (Pitru kaaryam) the poonal is worn in Prachīnavītam mode and in this mode, the Yajñopavītam is worn above the right shoulder and under the left arm. For example you would see this mode if you observe the kartha (performer) during tharpanam and Śrāddha.
  3. Nivītam: The third mode of wearing the Yajñopavītam is named as Nivītam, where the Yajñopavītam is worn around the neck and over the chest. Just like wearing a garland. The classical example in modern times for this mode would be the situations like when one steps out of his house especially wearing a shirt. Another situation which warrants this Nivītam position is while doing ablutions. The other situation which warrants this position is while making enquiries, during the first ten days starting with the day of death, of a person who is bereaved.
While on this subject, I deem it fit to say a few words more on this Yajnopaveeta.:

Procedure:

We are all aware that the adornment of the Yajñopavītam or the sacred thread is one of important parts of the Upanayana. It is interesting to see how the Yajñopavītam, the sacred thread, is given shape. The basic material for the yajnopaveeta, also known as poonal in Tamil, is cotton thread woven by persons who are qualified to preach Vedas. Married women including widows are also qualified to do this job. A Brahmin then takes the woven material, sits in a clean place, and spins the thread around his fingers in such a way that each loop is 4”. He makes 96 such loops, folds the total length 3 times and presses the shortened length till it achieves the desired stiffness. Next he makes this into three circular loops. The edges are knotted twice to make the final product – a circular thread with two knots. While doing so a particular mantra is chanted silently by the person who ties the knot, known as brahma-mudichchu. The poonal is worn across the body, from the left shoulder to the right hip. It should not go below the navel: and if it does (this can happen to shorter persons), the extra length should be folded and knotted again, to reduce the length.

The number:
As explained above a Brahmachari wears one and a Grahasta two. One important and interesting point to note is that a grahasta should never be without a tritiya vastram or a third garment over the top of his body in addition to the regular veshti and uttariya. It may happen that he finds himself without a tritiya vastra at times, and so some grahastas wear a third poonal, just so that their niyamas are not disturbed. This is an extra role played by the poonal.

Rules for adornment of the Yajñopavītam:
• If the poonal tears or becomes useless, as it happens sometimes, it should be replaced at once, and the new
one should be worn with the chanting of the proper sankalpa and mantras.
• Tying keys, pins or dollar coins etc. to the Yajñopavītam is strictly prohibited.
• After upanayana, any karma done without the poonal in place will not get the desired result.
 
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