Janeu
On hearing the name of Janeu, the first thing that comes to mind is the thread, the second thing is Brahmin. Is sacred thread related only to Brahmins, why do they wear sacred thread, is there any benefit to it, what is sacred thread, why, how, today we introduce you to it only.
Janeu is also known as Upveet, Yajnasutra, Vratabandha, Balabandha, Monibandha and Brahmasutra.
Out of the 24 sanskars of Hindu religion (you all must know 16 sanskars but they are the main sanskars, there are 8 sub-sanskars, about which I will give you further information), the sacred thread is worn under ‘Upanayan Sanskar’, which is called ‘Yagnopavit’. It is mandatory for the person wearing it to follow all the rules. The literal meaning of Upanayana is “to bring closer” and the meaning of Upanayana Sanskar is “to bring closer to Brahma (God) and knowledge”.
In Hindu religion, it is the duty of every Hindu to wear sacred thread and follow its rules. Not every Hindu can wear Janeu. Only three varnas were given this right. The Shudra caste was not given the right to wear sacred thread and hence the right to education. Only after wearing the sacred thread, a Dwij child gets the right to perform Yagya and self-study. Dwija means second birth. It simply means that the right to education was given only after the sacred thread ceremony and the one who did not receive education was placed in the category of Shudra (Varna system).
A girl who has to follow lifelong celibacy can wear the sacred thread. A celibate wears a sacred thread of three threads and a married person wears a sacred thread of six threads. Out of the six threads of Yagyopaveet, three threads are mentioned as his own and three threads are mentioned as his wife’s.
Spiritual importance of sacred thread
Three sutras in Janeu: Symbols of Trimurti Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh – symbols of Devrin, Pitrurin and Rishirin – are symbols of Satva, Raja and Tama. Besides, these three sutras are symbols of the three stages of Gayatri Mantra and also the symbols of three ashrams. Each string of the sacred thread has three strings. Hence the total number of stars is nine. These include one mouth, two nostrils, two eyes, two ears, two for stool and two for urine, making a total of nine. This means – we should speak and eat well with our mouth, see well with our eyes and listen well with our ears. Five knots are tied in the sacred thread, it is called Pravara which is a symbol of Brahma, Dharma, Ardha, Kama and Moksha. It is also a symbol of five yagyas, five senses and five deeds. The numbers of Pravara are 1, 3 and 5.
Length : The length of the sacred thread is 96 fingers because the person wearing the sacred thread should try to learn 64 arts and 32 sciences. 32 Vidyas are composed of four Vedas, four Upavedas, six Angas, six Darshanas, three sutras and nine Aranyakas. The 64 arts include architectural construction, culinary art, painting, literary art, handicraft, language, instrument making, sewing, embroidery, weaving, handicraft, jewelry making, agricultural knowledge etc.
Benefits of Janeu
Direct benefits, which people today understand
The rule in Janeu is that Janeu should be worn on the right waist from the left shoulder. During excretion of feces and urine, the sacred thread should be placed on the right ear and should be removed only after cleaning hands. Its basic meaning is that the sacred thread should be higher than the waist and should not become impure. This is very important.
The meaning is clear that the person wearing the sacred thread takes care to clean himself after defecating, this minimizes the risk of infection.
Indirect benefits, which few people know
There are a total of 365 energy points in the body. Different points affect different diseases. Some points are also common. In acupressure, each point has to be pressed for two-three minutes. And we do the same thing with the sacred thread, we acupress that point.
How? Let us understand
Massaging the area below the ear (ear lobe) for five minutes daily improves memory. This tip is very useful for children who are studying. If you want to reduce appetite, then half an hour before eating, press the small part outside the ear (trigus) with your finger for two minutes. You will feel less hungry. This is also the point of thirst. If people press this during Nirjala fast, they will feel less thirsty.
In the terminology of acupressure, it is called point GV 20 or DU 20.
You can see its benefits –
GV 20 –
Location: In the bend behind the ear.
Uses: Relief in depression, headache, dizziness and diseases related to sense organs i.e. nose, ears and eyes. Effective in mental imbalance, paralysis and uterus diseases.
Apart from this, some of its other benefits, which are clinically proven
1. In case of frequent bad dreams, wearing the sacred thread prevents such dreams.
2. By passing the sacred thread near the heart, it reduces the chances of heart disease, because blood circulation starts functioning smoothly.
3. The person wearing the sacred thread is bound by cleanliness rules. This cleanliness protects him from diseases of teeth, mouth, stomach, worms and bacteria.
4. By wearing the sacred thread on the right ear, the nerve in the ear gets pressed, due to which some sleeping part of the brain gets activated.
5. The nerve of the right ear is connected to the testicles and genitals. Wrapping the sacred thread on the right ear at the time of urination protects the sperms.
6. Wrapping the sacred thread in the ear awakens the Surya Nadi in a person.
7. Wrapping the sacred thread on the ears also prevents stomach related diseases and blood pressure problems.
Importance of Janeu Sanskar
It is very important that every family gives importance to religious rituals, elders in the house are respected and obeyed, parents continue to fulfill their responsibilities towards children on time. By behaving according to religion, one acquires morality, good sense, morality, knowledge of right and wrong and peace and happiness prevails in the house. This rule applies in upper castes.
1. Janeu means second birth (first from mother’s womb and second from entry into religion).
2. Upanayan means getting the eyes of knowledge, Yajnopaveet means getting the right to perform Yagya-Havan.
3. By wearing the sacred thread, the bad deeds of previous births are destroyed.
4. Wearing the sacred thread increases age, strength and intelligence.
5. Wearing the sacred thread gives inspiration for pure character and chanting, penance and fasting.
6. Janeu gives self strength to fulfill the virtuous duties of morality and humanity.
7. The three threads of the sacred thread make one realize the duty of serving parents and devotion to Guru.
8. Without the sacred rituals of Yajnopa, acquiring knowledge, reciting, worshiping or doing business, all are meaningless.
9. There are 9 threads in the three threads of the sacred thread, as a result, 9 planets remain happy by wearing the sacred thread.
10. According to the scriptures, a Brahmin child should undergo sanskar before the age of 9 years, a Kshatriya child should reach the age of 11 years and a Vaishya child should reach the age of 13 years and under any circumstances marriage must take place before the age of marriageable age.