UPAKARMA (Concept & Significance)



UPAKARMA

Upakarma is a Vedic ritual celebrated every year generally on the full Moon day of the Lunar Month Sravana that falls during August–September months of English calendar which also coincides with the monsoon season. Upakarma is referred to as Avani Avittam in Tamil, Jandhyala Punnama in Telugu, and Janivarada Habba in Kannada. This day also coincides with two other important events viz. Raakhi (Raksha Bandhan) and Hayagreeva Jayanthi (Supreme Lord of knowledge and wisdom).

What is Upakarma?

 Upakarma is a Sanskrit word (Upa + Karma). Literally Upa means before and Karma means an action. Upakarma means an action performed before beginning the Vedic studies. Upa also refers to nearness or close touch with Upanishads (Vedas). In simple terms Upakarma refers to changing of sacred (Holy) thread called Yagnopaveetham on this day by the three varnas (Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vysyas).

Upakarma in Sanskrit also means the beginning or Aarambha. It is beginning of the study of Vedas and Upanishads. In ancient days study of Vedas and Upanishads was compulsory especially for Brahmins. One will get the eligibility to study Vedas and Upanishads only after getting properly inducted into Gayathri Manthra through a process of Upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony). To commemorate this, even today, the day is observed as Upakarma by symbolically changing the sacred thread and performing certain rituals that marks the beginning of study of Vedas.

Why Upakarma on this day?

 One may get a doubt as to why it is to be observed only on this day? why not on other days?

 Sravana/Bhadrapada months also falls during the period of Chaturmasam the sacred period to perform sacred austerities. In olden days people used to resort to study of Vedas only for a period of six months in a year starting from this day (Sravana to Pushya). Hence, to begin study of Vedas they used to start with a ritual of changing the Yagnopaveetham (Upakarma) on this day. Of course nowadays the study of Vedas is being done throughout the year as it is not possible to restrict for only six months.

 Also in olden days when proper transportation facilities were not available people used to stop travelling during rainy/monsoon season that coincide with Chaturmasam and stay for four months in a particular place. Since this period is not suitable for travelling they used to resort to study of Vedas. This we observe even today in case of Ascetics who stick to a particular place during this period and perform their austerities and also engage themselves in study Vedas and Upanishads.

 Another reason is this day of Sravana Pournima also coincides with Hayagreeva Jayanthi. Lord Hayagreeva an avathara of Lord Vishnu and regarded as the Supreme God of knowledge and wisdom is said to have taken his birth (avathara) on this day. He has restored the lost Vedas to the Universe (Brahma) by taking birth on this day as Hayagreeva (Horse head). To pay our obeisance and salutations to the God of Vedas (Lord Hayagreeva) who is also protector of Vedas, this day is marked as Upakarma by commencing the study of Vedic scripts.

 Yagnopaveetham is changed on this day to convey a message that Vedic scripts cannot be studied or learned without Upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony).

Dating of Upakarma...

While Upakarma is generally observed on full moon day of Sravana Masam, but in practice it is based on the Vedic division or branch one belongs to. We all know that Vedas were conveniently bifurcated into four divisions’ viz. Rig Veda, Yajurveda, Sama Veda and Atharvana Veda. Since ancient days people have started adopting one of these four divisions according to their lineage for performing sacred rituals. Upakarma which is also one of the Vedic rituals is observed by people as per the branch of Veda they belong to as per their lineage. Reference to these we find in texts like Dharma Sindhu, Nirnaya Sindhu, and Dharma Shastra Darpana. As per these texts performing of Upakarma is based on coincidence of certain elements of Almanac. Accordingly,
  • Rig Veda Upakarma will be carried out on the lunar day coinciding with Sravana Star during Sravana Masam
  • Yajur Veda Upakarma on the Full Moon day in Sravana Masam and
  • Sama Veda Upakarma on the lunar day coinciding with Hastha Star during Bhadrapada Masam
If there is a coincidence of eclipse or transit of Sun (Sankramana), Adhika masam (Mala masam) on the day of Upakarma the timing for performing will change accordingly. For more details please refer to the respective texts/follow your respective religious Almanac. Above rules are applicable for the first timers as well as for the subsequent Upakarma.

Upakarma for the first timers (Exception)

For the first timers (those who are newly inducted into Upanayana) as per Dharma Sindhu, Upakarma should not be performed if there is coincidence of Guru or Sukra Moudyami (Guru or Sukraastha), Brihaspathi (Jupiter) transiting Simha Raasi (Leo sign) and during Adhikamasam.

What is to be done on this day?
  • After taking holy bath, one has to wear new Yagnopaveetham (both married and unmarried) with proper sankalpa and invocation.
  • Perform Gayathri Japa (according to one’s capacity, at least #108 times)
  • At temples and Mutts where this event is performed collectively, Homa is also performed.
  • As a symbolic commencement of study of Vedas one can recite Purusha Sooktha and Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Sthothram on this day.
Thus, Upakarma is not just simply a festival to celebrate and enjoy. It is an occasion to make us remember the significance of Yagnopaveetham and Gayathri Manthra that has been initiated at the time of Upanayanam and to rededicate ourselves to the spiritual path. Hindu Dharma is so strong that even after millions of years the traditions started by our great Rishis and saints followed by our forefathers is still alive even today.

 Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 18, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    Sai Bhagavathula said……. (18.08.2009)
    I happen to see your blog accidentally when I was searching for the actual procedure of upakarma and trust me in whole Internet I haven't found any other site where the information is provided in so detail and clarity. It is very helpful mostly for people staying outside India. Please continue doing that. And we shall be indebted for that. Also if possible can I request you to open a page where people can ask you questions/ doubts. I am sure you will have lot of them coming.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJuly 21, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Great work sir...
    Please continue and save Sanatana Dharma...

    ReplyDelete
  3. bhargavasarmaJuly 22, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    Thank you very much !
    "Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha"

    bhargavasarma

    ReplyDelete
  4. RamJuly 25, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    Dear Bhargava Sarma Garu,

    I appreciate your efforts in making people understand the very basics of Spirituality. I am a regular visitor to your page since 3 months. I read all your articles.

    I have a small request. Please take some of the practices like for eg: On the day of eclipse (Solar/Lunar), we are not permitted to eat food before, during and just after the eclipse. This is reasoned well scientifically, the gravitational force is not stable during eclipse and persons who are sensitive may end up vomiting/motions or some breathing problems. These kind of reasoning will make people better understand and interpret the rituals correctly.

    Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu !!!

    Ramasarathi Mulukutla.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousAugust 13, 2012 at 4:35 PM

    Sir, I was talking to one of my frnds on Twitter @bharkadatta about Upakarma day. We had one question.

    "25th is Gayathri japam for Yajurvedis?"
    For example, as mentioned in this link
    http://hindupad.com/vratas-pujas/avani-avittam-upakarma-yagnopaveetha-dhaarana/

    The argument is that generally Sravana Pournami is Upakarma day but the next day (and some times the same day) samuhika Sandhyavandanam is to be done.

    When I was a student in BITS, tamil brahmins used to go to director's house (who was also a tamil brahmin) on Upakarma day, change Yagnopaveetam and on the same day Samuhika Sandhyavandanam used to be done. I was wondering if you could clarify whether Upakarma and Gayatri Japam are to be done on the same day. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  6. bhargavasarmaAugust 13, 2012 at 4:43 PM

    In olden days when children used to get Upanayana Samskara at an early age, they used to begin Vedic studies on the day of Upakarma after they are properly inducted into Gayathri upadesa. Recitation of Gayathri manthra is prescribed as without that chanting of all other manthras becomes futile. Even in recitation certain numbers are prescribed like 10,100 and 1000. The more number of times it is recited more will be its power and sanctity and chastity will come even to the Yagnopaveetham (sacred thread) one wears. “Gaayantam trayate iti Gaayatri” It is the hymn that protects the one who chants it.

    May be for convenience sake people used to take up Gayathri Japa on the next day of Upakarma since reciting 1000 times is time consuming after performing Homa and other Vedic rituals.

    It depends on the sampradaya and tradition one follows. It is not compulsory that it should be done only on the day following Upakarma. Gayathri Japam has to be done every day and even on the day of Upakarma after changing the Yagnopaveetham without any exception. In the present day concept of Upakarma it has become only a ritual of changing Yagnopaveetham and they don’t find time even to recite Gayathri.

    Thanks and regards
    bhargavasarma

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousAugust 15, 2014 at 10:01 AM

    Thank you. Will share with other friends.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment