Upanayan, Yagyopavit ceremony is one of the 16 sanskars starting from Garbhadhan to Vivaah according to the Hindu Sanatan Dharma. As Pushtimarg follows the Vedic tradition, even in modern times, the family of Shri Vallabhacharya -Vallabhkul is commited to preserving these holy customs.
Upanayan literally means to ‘take near’. The ceremony by which the disciple is taken to the Guru or Acharya through whom he shall be initiated by the Gayatri mantra and then receive direction to proceed on the path of acquiring knowledge is called Upanayan or the ‘sacred thread ceremony’.
This along with the ‘Vidya-arambha’ mark the beginning of receiving the sanskars related to education. This would be the simple understanding. The full explanation would exceed the scope of this article.
Chudakarna (Tonsure) for a long life, Diksha (Initiation) by the Gayatri Mantra, presenting the Mekhala (girdle) symbolic of self control, Janoi (sacred thread) to remember ones duties, Danda (staff) symbolic of protecting the tradition, Bhiksha (asking for alms) to inculcate humility are some of the important rituals observed during the ceremony.
It is a joyous event for the family as it marks the first stage of the transition of the youth towards accepting duties. In the tradition of Shri Raghunathji’s Pancham Ghar, the Brahmasambandha and Seva of Shri Gokulchandramaji are only allowed after this sanskar has been observed.
In Pushtimarg in addition to the family, the joy spreads to the vaishnavs as it marks an important step taken by the Vallabhkul Balak towards acceptance of future responsibilities as a Guru.
The Yagyopavit prastav of Shri Girdharji (Rishibava), son of Shri Raghunathji Maharajshri (Kamvan-Ghatkopar) concluded on the 15th of this month. Vaishnavs have been asking for some news about the occasion. I thought that in addition to the photos, a few points of explanation about the sanskar would be welcome too.
The celebration of Shri Vallabh’s Utsav has started here in Bhavnagar. Katha, pravachans, manoraths, shobhayatra, prasad, quizzes, competitions…etc. Fingers crossed whether I will be able to manage writing something special for the day. But since the Badhai has already set in,
Badhais to all of you for Jagadguru Shrimad Vallabhacharya’s Utsav.
Download all the photos as a single file
Janoi_Ghatkopar.zip (862.9 KiB, 1,094 hits)
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
jai jai sri gokulesh!
aap sri ki website dekh ker khush hoon ki vallabh vanshaj ji se direct prashno ka samadhan mil sakega.mere man me kaiprashna hai kya aap mujhe answer denge yadi ha to kaise.
Ketakiji,
Opps…regret the late late reply. Aap yahan bhi prashna poochh sakti hain or you can use the email link on the side of this blog, mujhe mail karne ke liye.
Jai Jai Shri Gokulesh!
Je Je Shri, Dandvat – Jai Gokulke Chandki! A colleague of mine shared a story of how her group held a complimentary general skills workshop for a group of children. At the end of the class they handed out cards with the words, ‘Pay it forward’ printed on them so that each child could go back into the community, perform a good deed and keep the goodness flowing
Pranam Anandji,
I don’t know whether I should ask you this question or not, but I was just curious, what should be our goal as a human ? For example- We have many conflicts in our mind like whether we should help the helpless or not, if GoD has made them like that, why should we go ahead and help them. or, Can’t we keep on helping ourselves only rather than thinking to help others?
I meant that Is our goal to be social or to be self-centered…? I don’yt know whether I made any sense or not…If yes …please reply…Bye…
Ravikantji,
You are making perfect sense and and I understand what you mean.
Your doubt would be valid if we considered that by doing something for others we help ‘them’.
However, do keep in mind that by doing a good deed, the person who is helped the most is ‘ourselves’.
It is me, myself who is filled with positive emotions & thoughts when I do something for others.
Remember, what goes around comes around – that is the law of Karma.
Please feel free to ask questions. Ashirvad.
dada ! what to decribe ? how to write ? v were at SHARANM,
then away ! & again in the SHARANM !NOTHING BUT !
THE K R U P A !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There’s a lovely article written by Lauren Podolsky titled “Jesus and Krishna: Incarnations of the Divine” where she states: “…Although the times were different, the cultures were different and the people were different, the basic message of goodness, charity, prayer, and humility comes through and is shared not only by these two (Hindu and Christian) religions, but by practically every religion in the world. So basically there is no difference of opinion – the basic principle remains the same-that is G-d or His representatives come to reclaim conditioned souls…”
Hmm…In a general sense – true. However, the problem arises when people, stating that since every religion shares the same ‘basic’ msg, don’t apply themselves to even one of them.
Jack of all religions and believer of none. (…attractive title for a future post !)
Ashirvad
Hi Anand,
I dont know if you remember me at all. I am fascinated and intrigued by your blog. What happened to all the education you got as an architect and the influence of western thoughts. I wonder? Your approach of indoctrination of your cult is fascinating. What a following!! I wonder along with the Vedas if you ever read the Bible.
Dear friend,
Just sent you an email trying to guess who you are. If the blog is intriguing and fascinating, so is your msg.
My education as an architect is being put to good use as this would show.
Wrong thoughts whether of western or eastern influence are equally bad. The only class which we didn’t attend together in the convent was ‘Morals’, that was when you went for your Bible studies. So maybe you can help me there.
Anand.
Dandvat Pranam JJshri….
I read your article on upnayan yagnopavit sanskar ceremony…it was really wonderful and praiseworthy article…
for the first time i came to know about it..acoording to me this is the best medium of conveying pushtimarg shiksha to youngsters like us
thank u
dandvat pranam…….
Sonal,
Welcome to the blog. Glad that you found the articles useful. It is time that youngsters too came forward and spread the message of Shri Vallabh through the mediums that they understand and use.
Ashirvad,
Anandbava.
dandwat pranam j.j i watch janoi photograph its very nice
from
durban south africa
Ashirvad Ravi,
Welcome to the blog. Glad you found the photos interesting. Will be uploading some more of another occasion in some days.
yagyopavit mantra is missing in this blog . please provide. Thanks
Hemantji,
Welcome to the Blog.
Are you referring to the Gayatri Mantra?
Dandvat Jaja aap mana Naav Manorath no mahtmai batav so plz
Dandvat JJ nice brief explaination of yagyopavit nice pictures also expecially betijis Dandvat
dandvat pranam J J . glad to see yr janoi pics but y is it u r missing???????? i saw them twice thrice but couldnt trace u . both betijis pics is very sunder . please let us know yr schedule for mumbai . dandvat
Dandvat pranam jeje,
Glad to read the article, different to what i’ve experienced uptil now in the sannidhya of shri vallabhkul.
I could see atleast maharajshri in a photo after a long time, hope i could see you too.
Dandvat.
JJ Dandavat,
And Khoob Khoob Badhais For
Jagadguru Shrimad Vallabhacharya’s Utsav.
As I downloaded photo ceremony and just feel ceremony happenings in front of eyes.Bahooj sunder about Upanayan …
JJ Ajna Manorath Darshan Bahooj !Adbhut !!….Chhamparanya..,Vraj Yamunaji Nikunj,Shrinathji…
Dandwat JeJe
Glad to read and learn about the ceremony. And very lovely pics uploaded. Such anand
Badhai for Shri Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji’s Utsav
Dandvat Pranam, Jai Gokul ke chand ki.
Dandwat JJ,
Jai Gokulke Chandki,
Thanks for uploading the pics..was waiting for it. And now I finally have the latest pic of my Guruji. Question. Aapshri mentioned that initiation is done with Gayatri mantra. SO when is Brahmasambandh mantra given ? And who gave in this ceremony? Pinky JJ?
(Aapshri’s pic is missing )
Kripa,
When I was posting this article, I could guess the person who would first respond to it. I was proved right
All our Brahmasambandhas have been in Kamvan, sanmukh of Shri Chandbava. Who will be giving it? not sure.
Since I was the destined one to click those photos…none of mine.
Ashirvad.
Paras,
Vaishnavs esp from Ghatkopar seem to be enjoying the post, the most. Naturally.
Ashirvad,
Jai Gokulke Chandki.
Nirav,
Will be going through the photos you uploaded and will reply.
Ashirvad
Heema,
A direct result of being the photographer!
Mailed my train & flight timings.
Ashirvad.
Saurabhbhai,
શ્રી ઠાકુરજી ની કૃપા છે – આપ સ્વયં અંગીકાર કરાવે છે.
આશીર્વાદ