Janeu or Janou is a sacred thread worn by all Hindu Brahmins to mark
the transition of a young male's life-from being a child to a young boy
to becoming a man. Brahmins mark this transition with the "Upanayanam
Samskara" (the sacred thread ceremony) and is usually performed
between the ages of seven and fourteen. If, for some reason, it has not
been done during this age period, then it needs to be completed before
he gets married. This ceremony is a very ancient one. So long the boy
doesnot wear the janeo or the sacred thread, he could not be reckoned
among the "Dvija" (twice born). The janeo thread is not only worn by the brahmins but also by Kshatriyas and by Vaishyas. If a Brahmin wishes to become learned in the Vedas, he should wear the janeo at the age of 5 years; if a Kshatriya wishes to gain strength, he should wear the thread at 6, and for a Vaishya, if he wishes for success, he should wear the Janeu at the age of 8.
Janeu Thread Material
This sacred thread of the Brahmins is made of cotton, that of a Kshatriya of hempen threads and that of a Vaisya of woollen threads.
Form of the Janeu
The form of the Janeu is different for different caste groups or sects. These forms are as follows :
- Brahmgandh : With 5 knots for the higher grades of Brahmins and 3 knots for the lower grades Brahmin
- Vishnugandh : The thread is with one knot for all other castes.
The janeu thread used by the Brahmins consists of three strands. There are various interpretations of the three strands of the janeo. These are as follows :
- The three strands symbolizes the Hindu trinity-Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
- Some symbolizes with Mahasarasvati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali.
- Some interpret with past, present and the future.
- The three qualities-sattva, rajas and tamas.
- The three states-wakefulness, dream and deep sleep.
- The three dimensions-Heaven (swarga), Earth (mrityuloka) and nether regions (pataloka).
- The most important of all is-ida, pingala and susumna nadi, through which the kundalini energy manifests as prana and consciousness.
There are different methods of wearing the Sacred Thread at different occasions. For example :
- While performing an auspicious ceremony one should be Upaviti that is, the Sacred Thread should hang from his left shoulder.
- While performing an inauspicious ceremony one should be Prachnaviti, that is, the Sacred Thread should hang from the right shoulder.
- At times he is called Niviti when the Sacred Thread is worn round the neck like a garland.
- The thread should be lifted and the upper part should be put behind ears when a person goes for his daily ablutions or doing impure tasks.
- Both males and females can wear the thread. However, the woman should wear it on the neck. Otherwise, she may wrap it on a naariyal (brown coconut), and place it in worship place.
- After a birth or death in the family, it should be taken out and then a new thread should be worn 15 days after the event.
- Old, or broken thread should be replaced etc.