Upakarma - Yagnopaveetha Dhaarana Vidhi (A ready reckoner)
In ancient days Upakarma used to be an action that was performed to mark the beginning of the study of Vedas and Upanishads. One will get the eligibility to study Vedas and Upanishads only after getting properly inducted into Gayathri Manthra through a process of Upanayanam. In the present day context Upakarma has become a symbolic ritual of changing old Yagnopaveetham and wearing a new one. Having understood the concept, significance, sanctity and technicalities of Yagnopaveetham and Upakarma from earlier posts published it becomes imperative also to know the procedure of changing Yagnopaveetham ie. Yagnopaveetha Dharana Vidhi.
On the day of Upakarma, it is recommended to participate in Upakarma vidhi conducted at various temples and mutts. But, it may not be practically possible for everyone to visit temples for performing Upakarma vidhi for various reasons. Moreover, the need to change Yagnopaveetham arises time and again on several occasions during the course of one’s spiritual life. Hence, for convenience of those who cannot visit temples/mutts on the day of Upakarma, a small attempt is made to provide below the process of changing the Yagnopaveetham as a ready reckoner in the form of a check-list. Also, clarifications have been provided to the frequently asked questions about Upakarma and Yagnopaveetham within my limitations.
When to perform Upakarma? (Preferred)
- For followers of Rug-Veda, Upakarma falls on the day coinciding with Sravana Nakshatra during Sraavana masam.
- For followers of Yajur-Veda, Upakarma falls on the Full Moon day (Pournami) during Sraavana masam.
- For followers of Saama-Veda, Upakarma falls on the day coinciding with Hastha Nakshathra during Bhaadrapada masam.
- For followers of Adharvana-Veda, Upakarma can be performed either on Sraavana Pournami or on Bhaadrapada Pournami day.
Above rules are applicable for both regulars as well as for first timers.
In general Upakarma should not be performed if the day coincides with Adhika-masam (Mala masam) or Sankramana or Eclipse. This is applicable for first timers as well as for subsequent Upakarma. Upakarma should not be performed when there is Jaataasoucha (birth) or Mruthaasoucha (mourning) in the family.
Upakarma for the first timers...
Apart from the above, for first timers who are newly inducted into Upanayana, Upakarma should not be performed if there is an overlapping of Guru or Sukra Mouddyami (Guru/Sukraastha) or Bruhaspathi (Jupiter) transiting in Simha Raasi (Leo sign). However, some of the texts suggest that it can be performed during Guru or Sukra Mouddyami after conducting proper Guru or Sukra Shanti accordingly. In such cases it is suggested that it can also be performed during Aashaada masam on the full moon day. Above rule is not applicable for the first timers if Upakarma is performed in the second year except the one stated above for regulars.
What? If it can not performed
on the stipulated day...
If Upakarma could not be performed on the stipulated day, texts like Dharma Sindhu and others suggest that, in case of Rug-Vedis and Yajur-Vedis, it can be performed in Bhaadrapada masam on the day coinciding with Sravana or Hastha star or on the day of Panchami during bright fortnight (sukla paksha). Similarly in case of Sama-Vedis it can be performed during Sraavana masam on the day of Hastha star. Provided in all such cases, the day should not be an eclipse or sankramana day.
If Upakarma could not be performed on the stipulated day, texts like Dharma Sindhu and others suggest that, in case of Rug-Vedis and Yajur-Vedis, it can be performed in Bhaadrapada masam on the day coinciding with Sravana or Hastha star or on the day of Panchami during bright fortnight (sukla paksha). Similarly in case of Sama-Vedis it can be performed during Sraavana masam on the day of Hastha star. Provided in all such cases, the day should not be an eclipse or sankramana day.
How many Yagnopaveethas
one should wear?
Brahmachari (unmarried person) should wear only one Yagnopaveetham that has three strands. A Grihastha (married person) should wear two such Yagnopaveethams. It is in practice to wear three Yagnopaveethams by a Grihastha, the third one act as an Uttareeyam (upper dhothi). There is also a sampradaya to wear four, as the fourth one is for donating to some one in case of exigency.
Who are the Presiding Deities
of Yagnopaveetham?
Omkaram, Agni, Naaga, Soma (Moon), Pithru Devathas, Prajapathi, Vayu, Surya and Vishve Devathas are the Presiding Deities apart from the Trinal Lords, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara (Rudra) and Goddess Gayathri to be invoked before changing the Yagnopaveetham.
How to wear new Yagnopaveetham?
Wear Yagnopaveetham one by one reciting the relevant sankalpa and Yagnopaveetha dhaarana manthra. Every time Aachamanam should be performed and Gayathri manthra should be recited ten times. While wearing Yagnopaveetham it should be held by both hands with the knot in the Yagnopaveetham being held above by the right hand facing upwards as shown in the image.
Omkaram, Agni, Naaga, Soma (Moon), Pithru Devathas, Prajapathi, Vayu, Surya and Vishve Devathas are the Presiding Deities apart from the Trinal Lords, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara (Rudra) and Goddess Gayathri to be invoked before changing the Yagnopaveetham.
How to wear new Yagnopaveetham?
Wear Yagnopaveetham one by one reciting the relevant sankalpa and Yagnopaveetha dhaarana manthra. Every time Aachamanam should be performed and Gayathri manthra should be recited ten times. While wearing Yagnopaveetham it should be held by both hands with the knot in the Yagnopaveetham being held above by the right hand facing upwards as shown in the image.
What should be the
posture of Yagnopaveetham?
Generally we find three postures of wearing of Yagnopaveetham. One is Upavita where the yagnopavita is worn over the left shoulder and under the right arm. This posture is used for performing auspicious ceremonies and sacred rituals related to Gods. This is called Savya position. Under normal circumstances Yagnopaveetham should be in Savya position. The second one is Praachinavita where, the Yagnopavita is worn above the right shoulder and under the left arm. This posture is used while performing sacred rites to the Forefathers (Pitru Karya). This is called Apasavya position. When the yagnopavita is worn around the neck and over the chest in maalakara (like a garland) it is Nivita. This posture is used during Rishi tharpana, while answering the nature calls and while carrying a corpse etc.
Old and worn out Yagnopaveetham should not be removed from above the neck. It should be removed from below the navel without touching the feet. Logic behind it could be, Man is said to be purer above the navel. Manu Smruthi says that the portion below the navel is impure. After changing the Yagnopaveetham the old one becomes a decayed thing. It should not be removed from sacred portion of the body that is above the head. Old Yagnopaveetham should be removed by reciting the Visarjana manthra after performing at least Dasa Gayathri. Old Yagnopaveetham should be dropped into water or on a Tree and should not be thrown into garbage.
- In normal course on the day of Upakarma once in a year,
- Whenever there is Jataasoucham or Mruthaasoucham (birth/death in the family) after completion of the stipulated period.
- Whenever one visits the Cremation Ground, or touches a Corpse
- Whenever one happen to touch a woman during menstruation.
- Whenever the threads of Yagnopaveetham are severed or it is soiled or worn out.
- Whenever one attends the 10th day ceremony and gives Dharmodaka.
All those who are inducted in to the process of Upanayanam should perform Upakarma compulsorily every year.
On the day of Upakarma it is highly recommended to perform Gayathri japa according to one’s capacity (10/100/1000). There is also a tradition to perform Gayathri japa on the next day. One may follow their respective sampradaya.
One should not wear Yagnopaveetham brought from a shop directly without performing proper samskara (pooja) to the new one.
On the Upakarma day those who are eligible, should give Pithru and Guru Tharpana. Apart from Pithru tharpana everyone who performs Upakarma should give Rushi Tharpana according to their sampradaya.
Yagnopaveetham and Gopeechandanam along with Dakshina should be offered, at least to two Brahmins on the day of Upakarma.
There is no need to change Yagnopaveetham after Eclipse.
Direction for changing Yagnopaveetham should be facing East/North
Direction for changing Yagnopaveetham should be facing East/North
Checklist...(for Yagnopaveetha Dhaarana Vidhi)
Related posts...
Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu
1.
Guru Vandana (Invoking Gurus)
2.
Vighneshwara Prarthana
3.
Aachamanam with Chaturvimshati (24)Kesava Namas
4.
Praanayaamam
5.
Sankalpa (Recitation of Sankalpa manthra)
6.
Yagnopaveetha Samskara
7.
Praana Pratishta
8.
Invoking Trinal Lords (Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva)
9.
Invoking Presiding Deities of Yagnopaveetham
10.
Invoking three Vedas (Rug, Yajur and Saama)
11.
Invoking Goddess Gayathri and Surya
12.
Yagnopaveetha Dhaarana as mentioned above
13.
Removal of old Yagnopaveetham
14.
Aachamanam
15.
Samarpana – Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu
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Above check-list is useful during Upakarma and also while changing Yagnopaveetham in normal circumstances.
Related posts...
Yagnopaveetham
Paramam Pavithram
(http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2011/08/yagnopaveetha-dhaarana-vidhi-model.html)
Yagnopaveetha Dhaarana Vidhi (Telugu Version) with sloka manthras - యజ్ఞోపవీతధారణ విధి
(http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2011/08/yagnopaveetha-dhaarana-vidhi-telugu.html)
Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu
when changing the Yagnopaveetam I accidentally wore it above the right shoulder and realized it in a few seconds and corrected the position. Is it okay to do so or should I wear a new one? Could you please advice?
ReplyDeleteIt has happened accidentally and you have since corrected the position, you can ignore it.
ReplyDeleteI read in Yajurveda Sandhyavandana and Dharana and Visarjana vidhi that "Yagyopaveetham siro margeNa sam tyajeth" i.e. from above the head, but you mentioned "It should be removed from below the navel by reciting the Visarjana manthra." Are you sure this is correct? Please clarify if it is a mistake.
ReplyDeleteDivergence, because we don’t have common script for Sandhyavandana or for Yajnopaveetha Dhaarana vidhi either in Rugveda or Yajurveda; Scripts differ from sampradaya and even among different sub-sects. In the scripts that I have come across it is clearly mentioned that old and worn out Yajnopaveetha should not be removed from above the neck. It should be removed from below the navel that too without touching the feet.
DeleteLogic behind removing from below the navel could be; Man is said to be purer above the navel. Manu Smruthi says that, portion below the navel is impure. After changing Yajnopaveetham, the old one worn becomes decayed thing. It should not be removed from sacred portion of the body that is above the head.
can upanayanam be performed on the day of upakarma? if its done then whats the significance?
ReplyDeleteUpakarma occurs during Sravana Masam which is not a preferred month for Upanayanam. Hence, it cannot be performed.
Deleteexcellent source of information sir
ReplyDeleteThank 'U'
DeleteHello Sarma Garu,
ReplyDeleteI bought yagnopaveetham in Andhra when I visited there. It has 15 threads. Is it normal/allowed? Or should I wear only 9 and remove other 6?
Is there any day outside of Jandhyala Pournima when we can change the yagnopaveetham?
Please read the article from the given link...
Deletehttp://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2009/06/yagnopaveetham-paramam-pavithram.html
PLZ TELL ABOUT " KAMOKARISHIT MANTRA"
ReplyDeleteIt was opined that UPANAYANAM ceremony should not be conducted by Samavedis if Angaraka is in Moudyam. If so can you please elaborate since I'm planning to have this Ceremony for my 2nd Son during the month of April-May 2015. Further if this is fine will Upakarma for the first time be affected since Guru would be transitting Simha rashi during Sama Upakarma.
ReplyDeleteIf it is Guru/Sukra Moudyam performing auspicious ceremonies like Upanayana etc.are not recommended, but Angaraka Moudyam, I have not heard, you may please check up with the scholars.
DeleteRegarding Upakarma for the first timers, as per Dharma Sindhu, it should not be performed if Brihaspathi (Jupiter) is transiting Simha Raasi (Leo sign).
Good information
ReplyDelete