Unraveling the Janeu: Significance in Vedic Texts

Janeu, which is also known as 'Yagyopavit' or 'Bhramsutra'.

Upnayan Sanskar is one of the 16th sanskar in Hinduism.

Janeu (White/Yellow thread) is worn by every Hindu (Before colonization). The holy thread is given to the child as reminder to commitment that child would stay completely committed to education & learning & avoid all distraction.
Symbolically Janeu instructs a men to a life of commitment, courage, determination, faith & patience. It enhances purity, give long life & divine blessings.

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Meaning of Upnayan Sanskar-
To take near or close. To whom? Near the Brahma (God) and knowledge.

During this ceremony, the child receives his first lesson of reciting the 'Gayatri mantra' from his father who becomes his first teacher or guru.

Gayatri mantra
Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Suvaha Tat-savitur Vareñyaṃ
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt

General meaning: We meditate on that most adored Supreme Lord, the creator, whose effulgence (divine light) illumines all realms (physical, mental and spiritual). May this divine light illumine our intellect.

There are three steps in Gayatri - 
1. "Tat saviturvarenayan" is the first stage
2. "Bhargo devasya dhi mahi" is the second stage 
3. "Dhiyoyonah prachodyat' is the third stage

The idol of this Gayatri maha mantra is the Yagyopavit which contains 9 words, 3 steps, including 3 expressions. 

What the Juneu threads stands for?

A Janeu has 2 pair of three threads & each of that three is made up of three threads, Total 9.
During the sanskar only I pair is weared and a term 'Bhramachari' is given to him.

It is weared above the left shoulder & below right arm.  The first three threads stands for Bhrama, Vishnu & Mahesh or the three devi Saraswati (knowledge), Laxmi (wealth) & Parvati (Strength) also it stands for the three nature of a person Satva, Raja & Tama.  Also, the three threads are symbol of the three stages of Gayatri mantra.

So the total no. of strands is nine. These include one mouth, two nostrils, two eyes, two ears, two for stool & urine, making a total of nine.
This means we should speak & eat well with the mouth, see well with the eyes & hear well with the ears.

There are 5 knots in Janeu,
Which is the symbol of  Brahma, Dharma, Artha, Kama & Moksha &
It is also the symbol of five yagyas, five senses & five Karmas.

Process of Upnayan Sanskar -

The head is shaved, the boy is given a bath & his head & body are smeared with sandalwood & saffron paste & He is made a Bhramachari by wearing the sacred thread. Then the havan is performed. The deities are worshiped as per the ritual. After this, he is invoked with the gayatri mantra. After this, he is covered with deerskin(In present printed cloth) and a stick is given in his hand after which the boy begs for alms form the people present.

Hari Aum Tat Sat

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