HEALTHY BODY & MIND ( UPANAYANAM )

HEALTHY BODY & MIND ( UPANAYANAM )

All humans have a purpose of life.

     Everyone knows his / her purpose in life , intuitively. He / She need not be a learned or enlightened person to know that. He/ She comes on to this earth with a mission and as the life progresses, understands this.

     What ever is the purpose of life, we have to be healthy to achieve that. Body & Mind should be in excellent condition. Right from the ancient times to the present , all of us have the knowledge on how to lead a healthy life. This knowledge is very ancient. It is as old as the creation itself.

     We can call this ancient knowledge as " Vedas " . They are not written / created by anybody. They simply existed like the laws of nature... for example, the Newton's law of Gravity is not created or written by anybody. It simply existed. It is only ' discovered ' by S.I Newton.

     The Vedas are meant for all humans as well as nature. They contain , among other things , descriptions of different aspects of human activities. Be it cooking, eating , copulating, dressing , harvesting ,or, hair cutting... just anything. They tell us how to do things properly for a harmonious living.

     We have our tasks cutout. We have the knowhow. We have the guidelines.. we just have to follow them to the letter & spirit. All humans were following them religiously... with commitment. At the same time, we also have the free will. i.e; to think and do things differently , without deviating the path.  .       As the time passed, humans started deviating the paths. By doing so, they created some negative energy. As the negative energy accumulated, humans started losing some of their power. The strength of the soul started to diminish. This did not happen overnight . It took millions of years , but, it happened surely. 

     To regain the glory, the souls have to stick to their nature. They should follow the path already laid down . Here comes the problem.

     We started arguing , " Why should we blindly follow some obscure methods / procedures / traditions ? They are all obsolete. We have to use our brains and find innovative methods to suit the present times "

True.

     But before doing that, we have to analyze , what is wrong with those traditions. To do that, we have to first understand them. 

     To know the real ( inner ) meaning of the sacred scriptures, one has to understand them scientifically. 



వేదాగమ పురాణాజ్ఞానః  పరమార్థం న వేత్తి యః,
విడంబకస్య తస్యైవ, తత్సర్వమ్ కాక భాషితమ్  
పఠంతి వేద శాస్త్రాణి బోధయంతి పరస్పరమ్ 
న జానంతి పరమ్ తత్వం దర్వీ పాకరసం యథా


Vedaagama Puraanaajnah Paramartham na Vetti yah,
Vidambakasya Tasyaiva, Tatsarvam Kaaka Bhashitam

One who knows the Vedas, Agamas and the Puranas, but do not know their inner meaning, then, whatever he knew is like the Crow’s chatter.

Pathanti Veda Sastrani, Bodhayanti Parasparam,
Najaananti Param Tatvam, Darvee Paaka Rasam Yatha

They read the Vedas & Sastras, and teach to each other, But, they do not know its content, similar to the ladle ( spoon ) not knowing the taste of the Gravy.

-         Sri Garuda Puranam


     To know the real ( inner ) meaning of the sacred scriptures, one has to understand them scientifically.

     This is scientific era. Today’s generation wants to know everything scientifically. But there are the so called  ‘ Rational thinkers ‘ ( Hetu Vadulu ) attempt to make fun of our religious practices, without even bothering to understand them properly. So there is not much help from them . 

     The westerners have the desire for scientific conformance, so if and when they do research and come out with the conclusion that, our traditions are fully scientific, only then our so called rational thinkers pat themselves for finding reasoning.

     Until then, the youth, in the name of   ‘civilization ‘  shun such practices, as they are conscious of being branded ’ Superstitious  ‘ . Unfortunately, our learned scholars mostly explain them in religious terms, being unaware of the scientific importance of such practices. They even go to the extent of declaring that our practices have nothing to do with the modern science. This leads to discontent and confusion in the young minds . It is happening since decades.

     An interesting finding by one Dr. Parpola Asko , Professor of Indology at Helsinki University in Finland , who had been doing research in Vedas and ancient Indian Culture & Civilization for more than 20 years, told UNI in an interview that, “ Vedic rituals practiced daily or on special occasions in Brahmin homes in Kerala & Tamil Nadu  are fast declining, and, some of the rituals had been either cut short or altogether dropped. ( PTI.- 14-1-1985 ) . I shudder to read the latest report.

     Confounding  the fear of  this trend,  one DayaBhai Hari ,  woking for RamaKrishna Vedantha Society , Johannesburg , wrote ,

     “ …… with the improved economic conditions and greater education and the huge impact of western culture and way of life, the radio, TV, internet and the contact with the other race groups, the youth and the thinking people are questioning the validity and blind beliefs , customs and ceremonies of the older generation…. We are aware of the publications of the Ramakrishn Vedantha Movement, Divine Life Society , Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Aurobindo Ashram, but they all lack the simple practical approach…" 


     The reason for such tendencies is, there is no scientific reasoning  /  explanation easily available.

Some of the practices will throw challenges to today’s scientific community, when explained.

Taittiriyopanishat says,

“ విజ్ఞానం బ్రహ్మేతి వ్యజానాత్ | విజ్ఞానాద్ద్యేవ ఖల్విమాని భూతాని జాయంతే

| విజ్ఞానేన జాతాని జీవంతి | విజ్ఞానం ప్రయంత్యభి సంవిశంతీతి | తద్విజ్ఞాయ |
     Science ( Vijnanam )  is Brahma.  All jivas ( living things ) are born out of science. They live because of science.  After death they become one with science. …Thus learnt Bhrugu  

     The upanishat talks identically about  Vijnanam,  Annam ( food ) Prana (life ),  and Mana ( mind )

If you replace  ‘ Science ‘ with either food, life or mind, still it is correct.  But finally Bhrugu learns that none of the above match ‘ Ananda ‘ ( bliss )

     Still, science and others are comparable to Ananda, because, they all lead to Ananda.

Vishnu Sahasra Nama says,

యోగో జ్ఞానం తథా సాంఖ్యం విద్యాశ్శిల్పాది కర్మ చ

వేదాః శాస్త్రాణి విజ్ఞానమేతత్ సర్వం జనార్దనాత్

     Yoga, Knowledge  , Sankhyam, ,  all types of education,  the actions such as Sculpture (Style ), Vedas, Sastras and Science…. All are happening ( occurring ) because of Janardana ( Vishnu )

     In this context ,  there is nothing called ‘ invention ‘, we have only discoveries. Everything that seems to be invented is not so. It existed before and only it is re-discovered. A painter seem to create a picture. First it will be there in mind, only then it can come on to the canvas.

     All today’s inventions are existed earlier and they were given to us by our ‘ Rhushis ‘ in a different format…. Religious practices.

     But there are scholars, who say,  “ religious practices are philosophical and not scientific. These rituals are to be followed with reverence only, no scientific reasoning should be drawn, and no scientific explanations are to be sought “

     May be it worked in a different era. Today’s youth are not satisfied with such ‘instructions’ . That’s why more Indian Brahmins are questioning the very rituals & practices , not getting satisfactory answers, they dump them along with ‘ superstitions ‘

     There is a strong relation between science & philosophy. They go hand in hand.

Lets take an example.

     As per science, if a person were to be healthy, her /his body & mind should be healthy. He must do physical and other exercises to be fit.

Philosophy  also aims at the same thing, keeping the body and mind fit. All the rituals are meant for total health, in a holistic way.

When it comes to health , Science has something to do with body & mind, where as Philosophy ( Adhyaatmika chinthana ) has something to do with the atma ( soul ). Body and soul are great combination ( mutually not exclusive )  for a healthy person.

     There is no use for the body without soul  and vice versa is also correct. As per ‘ Garuda Purana ‘ the soul always wants to be inside a body. That is because, the soul alone can not do anything. It needs to use a body for any activity.

{ Garuda purana explains thus : Even the so called Gods are only souls with out all the five elements  so they need humans to fulfill their wishes. Some God likes Tarpana, some likes Arghya, Homa, Japa, Abhisheka, Alankara etc… Only humans can do these things because they have a body. We offer our services and they grant boons to us. Any religious rite is a collaboration between humans and Gods 

     When a human being dies, the soul becomes a ‘ Pretha ‘ . To relieve the Pretha from its predicament and make it again suitable to take birth, we do 10 days rites, as per Garuda Purana and we are following those rituals.

     If, the rituals are not performed, the Pretha remains a Pretha, for a time period ( they have their periods like we have our age / Ayushhu. ). Any soul does not like to remain a Pretha . it is the duty of its living close relatives to give it  a ‘ Sadgati ‘. If not done, it creates a negative energy between them and it will be a ‘ Curse ‘ of the Pretha on the person responsible.

      There are nine types of curses because of which a person will not get children. ( Sarpa Shaapa , Pitr Shaapa, Matr Shaapa, Mathula Shaapa, Patni Shaapa, Bhraatr Shaapa, Mitra Shaapa, Brahmana  Shaapa & Pretha Shaapa ) ‘ Pretha Shaapat Suta Kshayah ‘ }


     So, it is clear , the soul has to be dependent. It wants to reside in a body. But the soul will be happy only when the body is healthy. For the body to be healthy, Physical & mental health is a must. For keeping the mind & body healthy certain Rules / rituals / traditions are prescribed by the Sastras.

     The study of  ‘ how these practices help us keep our health ‘ is done by scientific analyses. Without doing / knowing this, if we ask youngsters to follow blindly, how can they appreciate it ? That’s why it is said,

|| చతుర్వేద్యపి యో విప్రః వాసుదేవం న విందతి
వేద భార భరాక్రాంతః సవై బ్రాహ్మణ గార్దభః ||

     After studying and learning the four Vedas, if a  Brahmana  does not understand  who is Vasudeva, he is like the donkey carrying the weight of Vedas.

     I am attempting to bring to light the scientific meaning of some of the rituals so that it will be helpful to practice them with confidence. For the humans, there are 16 ‘ Samskaras ‘ ( Shodasha Samskaaraalu ) to be performed starting from ‘ Pumsavanam ‘ ( garbha dharanam ) i.e; even before he is born to ‘ Anthyesti ‘ after death ritual.

     Except the last one, all are meant for the development and progress , physically & mentally , of the person.. Out of these, ‘ Upanayanam ‘ is the most important one. This has to be performed in the 7th or 8th year of the boy.


So I will concentrate on ‘ Upanayanam ‘ 


UPANAYANAM

     Upanayanam means, ‘ Coming Closer ‘

Or, coming close to Knowledge. This knowledge is to understand the  ‘ Brahman ‘ ( oneself ) .This is done by   understanding things in a  scientific way. For this, the boy needs special ‘ eye’ i.e; internal eye. By undergoing Upanayanam  , studying the Vedas, / Sastras and following the traditions , he gets the internal eyes.

     As we all know, in the present times, in most of the Brahmin families, the boy’s Upanayanam is done just before the marriage , just for the heck of it because in the marriage the groom must have the ‘ Yajnopaveetam ‘ . That too,not to be embarrassed among the relatives & friends. This is the result of today’s quest for English studies and modern civilization. When questioned, they come out with all sorts of answers, the funniest one being, ‘What is the use of it? Moreover, the Yajnopaveetam is an obstacle while removing the Banians .’  They do not know the use of it.

| జన్మనా జాయతే శూద్రః । సంస్కారాత్ ద్విజ ఉచ్యతే ॥

     By birth, all are born Shudras, only by Samskaras, one becomes a dwija. 

“So what is the use of becoming a dwija ?”

Let’s see

     As per today’s science, the human body and thinking process undergoes complete change once in every 7 years. This is the law of nature also. At the 7th year of a boy, the milky teeth go and permanent teeth appear. At 14, he becomes  an adolescent and attains puberty. At 21 , become a complete adult, at 28 , young, at 35 , mature young, from 42 some what declining… some will have eye problems, as optic  nerves weaken, resistance decreases, at 49, loss of interest in sex for females, ( menopause )  at 56  , reduction in enthusiasm, at 63, male menopause, at 70 , ‘ Vana Prastha ‘ ashrama.

     The timings of 16 Samskaras more or less match with these important stages.

     So, Upanayanam is the most important of all. This is also called ‘Brahmopadesam ‘or Starting of Vedaadhyayanam ‘. There are certain rules for giving Brahmopadesam.  These rules are meant for bringing health. Health  ( physical & mental ) for bringing the Vedic practices , there by uninterruptedly  completing Vedaadhyayanam. Each of these rules have very significant meaning. This can be understood only by analyzing them with a special eye, i.e ; scientific view.

     First of all an auspicious time ( muhurtham ) has to be fixed for Upanayanam. This is done based on the planetary positions. It is briefly given at the end.

     Now let’s see the gist of things  ( rituals ) done  / items required   on that day.

Rituals :

1. Mangala Snanam ( Oil bath ) /  Abhyangana Snanam
2. Chowla Homam & Vapanam
3. Yajnopaveetha Dharanam
4. Matru saha Bhojanam
5. Dwitiya Vapanam
6. Punassnaanam
7. Homam
8. Brhmopadesam
9.  Agni Kaaryam
10. Matru Bhiksham

Main Items required :

1. Moduga ( Paalasa ) Samidhalu,
2. Moduga Dhandam ( Chivara aakulunna moduga komma )
3. Yellow coloured clothes ( The dhotis should be soaked in Turmeric water and dried )
4. A small piece of Krshnajinam ( Deer Skin )
5. Mounji
6. small Granite stone
7. Darbhalu

     On the day fixed for Upanayanam, the boy ( Vatuvu ) and his parents should take a complete Oil Bath. ( Mangala Snaanam మంగళ స్నానం ) 

     The significance of Oil bath is well known but, very briefly I will explain.

In Ayurveda, “ Hareetha Muni “ said,

రక్షణేయం గజే పిత్తమ్ శ్లేష్మం వాజుషు సర్వదా |

పవనోయం మనుష్యేషు ప్రాయో రక్షేచ్చ సర్వదా|
     To protect the Pitta, Sleshma, & Vayu in required proportions, Abhyanjanam is important.and  very easy also.

     Taapa Trayaalu ( Pitta Vaata Sleshma ) Sariraniki entho mukhyam. So one has to preserve them by oil bath.

Charaka Maharshi said,

స్పర్శనేభ్యధికో వాయుః స్పర్శనమ్ చ త్వగాశ్రితం |

త్వచశ్చ పరమోభ్యంగః తస్మాత్తమ్ శీలయేన్నరః |
Vayu ( air ) is always present in the skin, the ‘ Sparsendriya 

‘. To strengthen this dhatu ( vayu ) abhyanjanam is needed.

     This abhyanjanam has to be done regularly for health, but at least on auspicious days it is a must, so that the person will be healthy throughout the day. It is also advisable to take oil bath one week before the D day.
This is meant for physical & mental health as, there is a healthy mind in a healthy body.

Next is Choula Homa (చౌల హోమమ్) 

     The boy’s haircut is done in this step. Some do complete hari cut leaving a  ‘ Shikha ‘ ( Pilaka ) but which boy of today agrees to have a pilaka ? So, There is a way of cutting more hair in the front & less in the back to give a semblance of pilaka.  But before haircut, choula homa is to be done.

Why hair cut?

     It is also called ‘ Ayush karma ‘ This should not be done whenever one likes.. If done in inauspicious days, it can reduce one’s life span. Because, human body is a bundle of electric energy, This electricity will be and should be generated and dissipated regularly , to maintain health. If there is an imbalance in the generation & discarding of this energy, it will lead to ill health.

     During ‘ Brahmopadesam ‘ the boy is initiated to ‘ Gayatri Mantra ‘ This mantra is so powerful that, when the boy chants it the first day, the electricity generation be more ( than required ) in the body.. so to ‘ Pre balance ‘ the electric energy, it has to be reduced in the body before ‘ Brahmopadesam ‘ How ? by haircut !

     It is well established  ( nature’s law ) that by cutting the hair, the electric energy is always reduced. ( rub a plastic sheet on the hair and see what happens )

Then Why Choula Homa ?

     Brahmopadesa is an initiation and it is to be done in the most congenial and harmonious way. The boy should be in the right frame of mind to receive it. He must accept it mentally , only then it is effective. Normally the boys are at a tender age at the initiation and he may not understand the importance and may not be in right mood to receive something he does not understand.  The homa helps bring him into right frame of mind. How ?

     In the homa we have to only use ‘ Modhuga Samidhalu ‘ ( Paalaasa samidha ). Modhuga is related to the planet Chandra,  Or Chandra is identified with Modhuga. As per astrology, Chandra rules the mind. He is the ‘ Mano Kaaraka ‘
     In the homa, we add the paalaasa samidhalu & pure ghee in to the fire, which brings out the holy smoke . when this smoke is inhaled, it is pleasant and it influences the mind in a positive way.

     So, after choula homa,  “  Vapanam “ ( Hair cut )  has to done  and then again the boy has to take bath.

 Next is Yajnopaveetha Dhaarana ( Jandhyam dharinchadam ),.

 Jandhyam construction has a specific meaning , but for the fear of lengthy description, I am not dwelling into details. The ‘ Brhamachari ‘  has to wear only one Jandhyam of 3 strands, each strand again made of 3 thin threads . It is called ‘ Navathanthi )  The three strands denote the three  “ Rhinas “ ( i.e; Deva Rhina, Rhushi Rhina & Pitr Rhina )  The knot has a special meaning. It indiacates the presence of Brahma, Vishnu & Maheswara. It is called Brahma grandhi.

 The scientific significance of Yajnopaveetham

     The human body has an important nerve called ‘ Vagus Nerve ( Jeev Nadi ). One branch of this Vagus nerve is regulating the heart beat and also the blood circulation. The vagus nerve is either one of two cranial nerves which are extremely long, extending from the brain stem all the way to the viscera. The vagus nerves carry a wide assortment of signals to and from the brain, and they are responsible for a number of instinctive responses in the body. 

     The vagus nerve helps to regulate the heart beat, control muscle movement, keep a person breathing, and to transmit a variety of chemicals through the body. It is also responsible for keeping the digestive tract in working order, contracting the muscles of the stomach and intestines to help process food, and sending back information about what is being digested and what the body is getting out of it.

     Since the Yajnopaveetham is worn from neck to kidney area, This can at times ( sitting, sleeping, walking or even wearing some tight clothes ) , will stimulate the Vagus nerve, thus keeping it always, in a state of ‘ activation.’
To a person, who is chanting Vedas, all the above ( brain to intestines ) organs have to be perfectly healthy. Yajnopaveetham ensures this.

NEXT IS ‘ MAATRU SAHA BHOJANAM’

     There is not much scientific explanation for this, only sentimental & psychological reasons.

     Right From birth, upto Seven years, the boy is ( should be ) always with mother. Any mistakes done by him up to this age will not be counted, as per Dharma Sastra .( Mandavya Muni of Maha Bharatha times, gave a curse to Yama, because he punished Mandavya, for a  mistake done by him when he was less than 7. Yama is supposed to be ‘ Samavarthi ‘ who knows dharma inside out. Hence the name Yama Dharma Raja . So when he misinterpreted it he was promptly cursed by Mandavya )

     So, when the boy , after Upanayanam, at 7, has to leave for Gurukula, the mother with all love and affection, feeds him for one last time, she will also have food along with him, so he remembers her all the time and does not make a  mistake.  ( Gayatri Japa & Vedadhyayanam makes it sure that he does not go wayward )

     This explains, why Upanayanam is done at 7. 

     How can the present western culture bring such a transformation in a boy is to be pondered here. The present day mothers,-- western or, influenced by the west and following their ways—leave small children with servants / day care centers / or worst, in a room where food & Television are the only things left—because they have to enjoy their life, they have to have their own careers—they are sophisticated and modern.. etc ( except those, for whom, there is no other way ) ..

 I hope this point adds value to our culture.

NEXT IS  AGAIN VAPANA ( Haircut )  & HOMA

     The scientific explanation is same as earlier
After having meals with his mother, there can be some extra generation of electric energy ,  Also there will be more energy generated in the body, as the most important 24 organs of the body will be exalted and stimulated due to the energy received in the form of ‘ Waves ‘ or Vibrations when he gets the ‘ Brahmopadesam’

     So the second Vapana and immediately Homa ( with Modhuga Samidhalu ) are done for the same reasons as explained earlier.

     Next, the boy is made to keep his foot on a small stone Sannikallu or Silicon stone ) and the following are given to him by the father, to  wear.

1. Peetha Vastram
2. Paalasa Dhandam..( Modhuga Dhandam )
3. A small piece of Deer Skin ( Krishnajinapu mukka )
4. Mounji

PEETHA VASTRAM

     Turmeric ( Pasupu ) is used to make this Peetha Vastram. A white dhoti is soaked in turmeric water and dried previously. Turmeric acts a an insecticide. All Hindus , daily use turmeric in one form or other. It is used in cooking, Akshinthalu, (Pellilo talambraalu ) Trichoornamu ( nudhuti pai naamaalu ), Kumkuma ( is made from turmeric ).

     Turmeric also prevents many skin diseases. The boy, after Upanayanam, has to stay in Gurukulam for 12 years to study. He has to always wear the peetha vastram so that it keeps him healthy. Apart from that, the yellow colour has a positive influence on the optic nerves of the eyes.

     Even other colours like Green, White, Blue and Red denote the Pancha Bhuta ( five elements , viz, Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether ( space )). Even the Nine Planets are also have these colours. Todays science also say what our ancient Rhishis said thousand years before… that, These colours have effect on human senses , differently. Based on this,  ‘Colour Therapy ‘  is used to control certain types of diseases. Readers’ Digest, February 1985 page 62, has an article on this colour therapy.

     In Gurukula, the boys will be always seeing the greenery & vegetation( Green colour ) , the sky ( blue ), Agni & Sun, during Agni Kaaryam & Sandhya Vandanam ( Red), white light during day, these colours influence us positively.


NEXT IS MOUNJI

     Mounji means , Girdle, or Kati Sutra ( Mola thaadu ) made of  ‘ Munja Grass ‘, a type of grass. Some also call it  ‘ Munja Darbha ‘ it is also called ‘ Brahma Mekhala ‘ and its scientific name is, ‘ Saccharum Munja’

     After Upanayana, the boy is called “ Brahma Chari ” . He has to be observing ‘ Brahma Charya ‘ until he gets married. It has two meanings. One is “  the one who always dwells in Brahmam “, The other is, “ the one who conserves his energy by observing celibacy until marriage “

     At 14, the boy attains puberty and  his body  ( Prostate Gland ) produces Semen from this age.  This Semen when produced in more quantity, has to be released so that more semen is produced. The body should always produce semen and should always release it, if it is not released, semen will not be produced, which can lead to complications..

     Normally boys at this age experience ‘ wet dreams ‘ , the semen ejaculating while sleeping. When it is thus ejaculated, we can call it ‘ released ‘ but, a Brahma Chari has to ‘ Conserve ‘ energy, not waste it.

     Scientists do not know all the prostate's functions. 

 ( see  http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/prostateenlargement/  )

     They say, this is nature of the body. So, the semen has to be released some way. Some even suggest ‘ Masturbation ‘ saying, it is healthy, and no side effects can happen. While it is true that it can be used as a ‘ solution ‘ for  some reasons, , the question is, ‘ it is solution to what ailment ? If you can prevent the ailment, why will you need the solution  ? , Scientists have no answer on how to prevent this ejaculation but our ancient Rhishis knew the exact answer.

The wearing of ‘ Mounji ‘ is exactly for this purpose.

     As per ‘ Ayurveda ‘ the Munja Darbha has a special quality. If this Mounji is always in contact with the body, the extra Semen produced will  be automatically infused into the blood, instead of getting ejaculated. When this Semen ( Veeryam ) becomes part of the blood, the body gets a special element ( Dhatu ) called ‘ Ojassu “   The meaning of ‘ Ojassu ‘ is, energy  with glow or radiant energy. So the body gets this Radiant energy., which we can call “ Conservation of Energy “

     The purpose of wearing ‘ Mounji ‘ is to get this radiance.
In ‘ Vishnu Sahasra Namam ‘ He is called “ Ojasthejo dyuthi dhara…”

This is called true ‘ Brahma Charyam ‘

For the same reason, Lord Sri Krishna is called “ Anaadi Brhamachari “

     This is a challenge to scientists. It is a potential topic for getting a ‘ Nobel Prize ’ 

     Without knowing this secret, today, Mounji is being used only on the day of ‘ Upanayanam ‘ This is utter foolishness. This has to be worn until marriage. Our Rational thinkers will accept it only when a western scientist ‘ Invents ‘ it.

     It has its own cascading effects. Normally, after 40 years, a man’s resistance to diseases  starts declining. But, if energy is conserved like this, this will prevent such possibilities. May be one day, the Cure for ‘ AIDS ‘ may lie in ‘ Mounji ‘ , who knows ?

NEXT IS  ‘ KOWPEENA DHAARANAM ‘

     Kowpeenam means, ‘Langotaa ‘ . The boy ( all men ) has to wear it his entire life . This helps prevent ‘ Hernia ‘ and ‘ Enlargement of prostate Gland’ . This is nowadays accepted.

USE OF SILICON STONE :  When we keep our foot on the stone and press it, it gives the same effect s that of ' Accu-pressure, energizing the nerves.


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A few Important Tips on when to  / not to  perform Upanayanam 

1 .. When the Lords of the Vedas are debilitated ( ASthangata ) Upanayanam should not be performed. For Rugveda  Guru is the lord . For yajurveda Sukra , Samaveda--Kuja and for Atharvana Veda -Budha & Sani are lords. 

2. Upanayanam should not be performed on ' Anadhyayana ' days. ( Ashtami , Chaturdasi , Pournima , Amavasya & Padyami ( Pratipat )

3. The five months from Magha are best  ( Uttarayanam ) . In DakShiNayana Upanayanam should not be performed. 

4. The person who is going to give ' Gayatri Upadesam '  ( usually the father of the child ) should have Chanted Gayatri mantra 12, 000 times or at least 1012 times , only for this purpose , with Sankalpam. 

5 . From Birth , either 5th year or 8th year are best  for the boy to become a Dwija . max limit is 16 years . After that  , first " Prayaschitta ' to be done . 

6. The month of Chaitra ( Solar calendar )  combined with Meena masa (  Lunar Calaendar ) is the best . 

7.  Upanayanam should not be performed after noon. 

8 . If the mother of the boy is pregnant , Upanayanam should not be performed after 5 months of pregancy . 

9 . After Upanayanam , Chuda karma ( vapanamu )  should not be performed. Two Upanayanams should not be performed simultaneously . 

10. The Marriages of two brothers should not be performed in a single year. Within 6 months of son's marriage , daughter's marriage  should not be performed. 

11. Within 6 months of  marriage , Choula & Upanayana   should not be performed. 




PRAYASCHITTAM

When even the extra-ordinary persons sometimes slip from the path of dharma , no wonder then, that  ordinary mortals are often tempted into committing sins/ mistakes and then get restless to get over the same. “ Prayaschitta “ ( or expiations ) prescribed for the same  include a general class known as “ Krucchra” ( కృఛ్రమ్ )


It is also called “ Praajaapatya “ 

For ‘ Samskaara lopam ‘( Non–performance of the prescribed rites in time ) ,

From Garbhaadhaanam to Choulam, if the time is lapsed , one should do Naandi Sraddham , Homa with ‘ VyaahRutis ( BhUH , bhuvaH , SuvaH   etc ) and PRAYASCCHITTA  and then the lapsed rite.


There are many types of  Krucchras . kRucCraati kRuccramu , gOmUtra kRuccramu , jala kRuccramuand tapta kRuccramu  etc...

Prajapatya is generally done for many occasions( sins) .

Fasting ( either partial or complete ) , bathing thrice a day , keeping vigil in the night , speaking only truth , offering Tarpana are some of discipline included in it.

The fasting process is like this:

It is spread over four periods of three days each. The person observing Prajapatya should eat only once by day during the first period, once only by night during the second period , eat only that food which may be got unasked during the third period and fast completely on the last three days.

This order may also be reversed, for convenience.

OR , one may do Tapta kRucChra also , for more catharsis. 

Tapta kRucChra : It may be spread over two days , four days , or twelve days or even twenty one days, depending on the nature of the sin committed. Hot water , hot milk , and hot ghee ( of prescribed quantity and once a day) are to be taken during first three periods , the last being spent in fasting.



If in some urgency , For every rite like Choulam  etc… one fourth ( One Paada ) KrucChra should be done. For Chuda karma , it is Half kRucChram

If not in urgency , One should do Double the PrayaScittam. Just PrayaScittaM is not sufficient. After that ,the lapsed rite is to be performed.

Those crossing the oceans ,should get Upanayanam done again , after return. But it is not full Upanayanam.The rites like , Vapanamu ( Mundanamu ) , DakShina Daanamu , Mekhala , Dandamu, Ajinamu , BhikSha  are not done . These things differ for different places and Veda Saakha. One should Consult their Guruji.