manusmriti

LAWS OF MANU
man of his worldly responsibilities. Three original strands of Yajñopavītam (each
consisting of three) make up nine strands of Yajñopavītam, to which three are added
for wife and one for children, making a total of 13 individual strands of Yajñopavītam in
some communities.
Ancient Hindu texts specify an age for the Upanayana ceremony based on the caste
(8 for Brahmins, 11 for Kshathriyas, 12 for Vaishyas (Manu Smriti sloka 2:36)).
Upanayanam marks the start of learning of "Brahman" and Vedic texts. The age for
Upanayanam supports this as Brahmins devote their life in pursuing the knowledge of
"Brahman" and hence makes sense to start early and continue for a longer time.
Kshathriyas, on the other hand, study additional skills and go through "Brahman 101".
In the communities where three strands of Yajñopavītam are added at the time of
wedding, there is another interpretation.
Once a student achieves a certain level of Brahma knowledge ("Brahma Vidya"), the
guru adds three more strings signifying "graduation" and the student goes on to study.
In South Indian wedding ceremonies, the addition of the three more strings is followed
by "Kashi Yatra". This signifies the Yatra student intends for advanced study. At this
point, the father of the bride convinces the youth to get married and then go to Kashi
(Varanasi) with his new bride. In modern days, the ceremony is packaged in the
wedding ceremony.
The sacred Yajñopavītam is supposed to be worn for the rest of one's life after the
ceremony has been performed. A new Yajñopavītam is worn and the old
Yajñopavītam discarded every year; the change-over ceremony is held on a specific
date calculated as per the Hindu lunar calendar. Among Brahmins, this date varies
depending on which of four Vedic Shakhas one belongs to.
The sacred Yajñopavītam has close and essential connection with the concept of
pravaras related to brahmin gotra system, which reflects the number of most excellent
Vedic rishis belonging to the particular gotra to which the wearer of sacred
Yajñopavītam belongs.
Generally, there are either three or five pravaras. While tying the knots of sacred
strands of Yajñopavītam, an oath is taken in the name of these excellent sages. The
full affiliation of a Vedic brāhamana consists of
• gotra
• sutra (of Kalpa)
• shakha
• pravaras.
For example, a brahmana named 'X' introduces himself as follows: I am 'X', of
Shrivatsa gotra, of Āpastamba sutra, of Taittiriya shākha of Yajurveda, of five pravaras
named Bhārgava, Chyāvana, Āpnavan, Aurva and Jāmdagnya (This example is
78