What Upanayana means
Upanayana means "leading near" — to the teacher, and through the teacher to knowledge. The child receives the yajnopavita (sacred thread) and is taught the Gayatri mantra, beginning the life of a brahmachari (student). Because it is a spiritual birth, one who has had Upanayana is called dvija, "twice-born".
The rite includes the first begging of alms (bhiksha) from the mother, a reminder of humility, and the vow to study, serve the teacher and live with discipline.
How it is performed
- Preparation. The child's head is shaved and he bathes; the family worships Ganesha and performs a homa.
- The thread. He is invested with the yajnopavita with its mantra.
- The Gayatri. The guru whispers the Gayatri mantra to him, often under a cloth.
- Bhiksha. He asks alms of his mother and elders.
- Vows. He takes the vows of a student and performs his first sandhya.
Mantras
Yajnopavita mantra
यज्ञोपवीतं परमं पवित्रं प्रजापतेर्यत्सहजं पुरस्तात् ।
आयुष्यमग्र्यं प्रतिमुञ्च शुभ्रं यज्ञोपवीतं बलमस्तु तेजः ॥
yajñopavītaṃ paramaṃ pavitraṃ prajāpater yat sahajaṃ purastāt |
āyuṣyam agryaṃ pratimuñca śubhraṃ yajñopavītaṃ balam astu tejaḥ ||
The sacred thread is supremely pure, born with Prajapati in the beginning. Wear this foremost, bright thread for long life; may the sacred thread be strength and radiance.
Gayatri mantra
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः ।
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
oṁ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ |
tat savitur vareṇyaṃ bhargo devasya dhīmahi |
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt ||
We meditate on the glorious light of the divine Savitr; may it inspire our minds.
Upanayana today
Upanayana is still performed in many families, sometimes just before marriage. In some communities and reform movements girls also receive it, as some ancient texts describe.
Rituals differ by Veda, region, community and family. For the ceremony itself, follow your family priest (purohit).
Frequently asked questions
At what age is Upanayana done?
Traditionally between 8 and 12; many families do it later, sometimes just before marriage.
Why is it called a second birth?
Because the child is born into a life of learning and spiritual discipline; hence the word dvija, "twice-born".
Can girls have Upanayana?
Some ancient texts speak of it for girls, and some communities and reform movements perform it for girls today; customs differ.