365bet娱乐

[Full title: (F) The distinctive ritualistic features; (I) The necessary ingredients of ritual Darbha, Pavitra, Kurca etc. (1) Enumeration of seven kinds of Darbhas].

4) YAJNOPAVITA : PREPARATION & WEARING OF YAJNOPAVITA : The sikha (tuft of hair on the head) & the yajnopavita had become quite indispensible, by the time of the text. In the absence of these two, all religious acts, performed by a person, become futile (479). The text deals with the procedure of preparation & wearing of yajnopavita (480-497). It should be made up of nine strands (tantu), possessing three or two threads, tied with one knot. All the nine strands are believed to be having nine different

741 deities in them. The deities are Omkara, Agni, Naga, Soma, Pitrs, Prajapati, Vayu, Surya & all deities respectively in the nine strands. The material, out of which the Yajnopavita is to be made, is also enlisted. It can be made up of cotton, ksuma, hair of cow's tail, hemp, bark of a tree & kusa-grass. Any kind of material can be used, for its preparation, according to availability. But Manu (2.44) & Visnu (27/19) prescribe² the use of cotton, hemp & sheep-wool respectively, for the three varnas. While the Baudhayana Dharmasutra (1/5/8/5) & the Gobhila gr.s. (I.2.1.) mention' 1 3 only kusa grass & cotton thread. Thus Devala, not only mentions different kinds of material for the Yajnopavita, but also allows the use of any of it, according to the availability. With regard to the length of Yajnopavita, it is prescribed that it should not be too small as would b go above the chest nor should it be so long as would go beyond the navel. The Yajnopavita of the first type destroys the wealth, while the latter is destructive of the penance. Hence the length should be measured. The technical description, about the method of preparation: of Yajnopavita from cotton etc. is to be found in verses 483-494. While wearing the Yajnopavita, the following procedure is to be followed, (495-497) according to Devala. The smooth cotton, made threefold, in the prescribed manner should be placed in the left hand & sprinkled with water to the accompaniment of the Savitri mantra, recited ten times. It is also to be sanctified with recitation of three mantras, Bhura nih etc. (Taittiriya Brahmana III.10.2). It should be worn, after saluting Hari, Brahma & Isvara (probably Brahma, Visnu & Mahesa), with the chanting of the mantra

Yajnopavitam etc. or the Vyahrtis. 742 The Baudhayana Sutra, quoted in Samskara Ratnamala (p.188) contains the description of preparation & wearing of Yajnopavita. But the detailed process & procedure as found in the present text, is rarely met with elsewhere in other smrtis. NUMBER OF YAJNOPAVITAS TO BE WORN : The number of Yajnopavitas to be worn by a person is also considered in the text (499-503). The general rule is that two Yajnopavitas (sacred threads) should be worn for all kinds of srauta & smarta rituals & the third may be worn in the absence 1 of the upper garment. The decision of sastra is that it should be one for brahmacarin, two for grhastha & vanaprastha & one only for samnyasin; The snataka may wear two or more of them. A person, desiring longevity should put on more number of Yajnopavitas. Those, desiring son & piety should wear even five of them. THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN THE YAJNOPAVITA IS TO BE DISCARDED : The Yajnopavita is to be discarded under the following circumstances (506). If it is prepared by a widow, or is prepared on the days, prohibited for vedic study or is made after taking meals or is broken or has gone below (the navel). This shows that certain rules, mentioned above, were also to be followed, while preparing & wearing it.

743 THE YAJNOPAVITA CAN BE TAKEN OFF FOR WASHING : can be The text contains a very curious view that Yajnopavita taken off for washing (507-511). The general rule is that the Sanctified sacred thread, worn by the twice-born, can not be taken off for purifying it & if it is taken off, the person has to undergo an expiation. But it is also pointed out that the twice-born person, belonging to the Taittiriya, Katha, Kanva, Caraka, Vajasanevin schools, may take off the Yajnopavita for washing it, while those belonging to the Barca, Samaga & schools of Yajurveda (except those mentioned previously) should never take off the sacred thread. If they take it off, the rite of wearing a new Yajnopavita, after discarding the old one, is to be performed by them. But ultimately, it is prescribed that all the twice-born persons can take off the Yajnopavita, for washing it on the three occasions - (1) While smearing the body with oil (abhyanga) (2) While taking bath in the ocean (3) On the day of annual sraddha ceremony of parents.