"Upanayana" is a ceremony of Hindu family, where a boy of three communities namely Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vysyas begins his "Brahmacharya Ashrama" period. This stage is a second birth for the boy, which is set for the studies of Vedas in earlier days. `Upa` means near and `nayana` means taking so the word "Upanayana" means taking the child for education to guru (teacher). In earlier days, `gurukulas` used to be the residential schools. The child used to stay with `guru` after the "Upanayana" and learn and learn different arts and crafts besides Vedic lore. In the Vedic age, girls also had initiation of education but it got faded due to several cultural setbacks.

In modern days, hardly anyone learns the Vedas after "Upanayana" but earlier the study of Veda was must. If anyone wears a sacred thread after the "Upanayana", he cannot be a real "Brahmacharin". He needs to learn all the Vedic mantras including "Gayatri" and "Sandhyavandhana" mantras. The "Upanayana" should be performed at an age when the child can chant Sanskrit mantras and can remember as well as understand their meaning.

In case of Kshatriya, this "Upanayana" is performed generally at the eleventh year from the date of birth or from the date of conception. Then the boy is given a sacred thread to wear and the child promises to be a Kshatriya and adhere to the qualities of Kshatriya. The same is applied in case of Brahmana and Vaishya child. But in case of Brahmanas, it is performed at the age of eight years and in case of Vaishya at 12 years. This sacred thread of "Upanayana" should be given to the Brahmana, Kshatriya and Vaishya must be given before the 16th, 22nd and 24th year of his age. If it is not done in the given time, then he will be considered as fallen from the duties.

The Brahmana child, whose parents want him to earn early and apply his knowledge, soon can take "Upanayana" at the age of five years. He needs to promise to study himself and then he is given that sacred thread. In case of Kshatriya, the same is possible at the sixth year of the boy from the date of birth or from the date of conception and the child of Vaishya it is possible at the eighth year of his age. But all these flexibility of age of "Upanayana" is possible when the parents of the child have married under the strict discipline on their parts.

Again, in case of the child of Brahmana, the "Upanayana" is performed in the spring season, in case of Kshatriya in the summer season and the child of Vaishya in autumn. Otherwise, the ceremony of "Upanayana" can be performed during any season and that should be in the morning time.

The child needs to keep three or one fast prior to three days of the "Upanayana" ceremony. During these three days the child of Brahmana can take milk once or many times, son of Kshatriya can take barley gruel, which is crushed and boiled in water by mixing sugar. And the child of Vaishya can complete his fat by taking once or many times by taking `Shrikhanda` or `Sikhanda`. This is prepared by taking curd four part, milk one part, sugar in proportionate quantity and saffron. It is prepared by sorting this curd through a clean cloth piece. They should take only the above-prescribed food whenever they feel hungry and cannot drink or eat anything else.

The utensils and others things to be used in "Upanayana" is cleared one day prior to the ceremony. The necessary things of the `Yajnakunda` as mentioned in the `Samanya Prakarana` are also arranged properly. The child has to take bath and shave properly with clean water and dress in a new cloth. Either the father of the child or the Acharya invited feeds the child with sweets and other eatables and makes him to sit comfortably in the west of the `Yajnavedi` keeping his face eastward. Now the father and the Acharya also take seat and will start performing acts of `Yajna` like sipping of water etc.

Now the Acharya asks the child to pronounce the following sentences, "May I observe the discipline of celibacy and thus may I be a celibrate." Then the Acharya conducting the "Upanayana" gives the child a dress and an `upavastra` to put on while chanting the lines, "O Child! I pray for your health, long-life, strength and vigour, give this dress to you to wear, through the method by which an Acharya gives strong and durable dress to his disciple."

The Acharya of the "Upanayana" prays the deities including `Savit`, the Sun god. Now the child is taught to chant the Gayatri mantra, "Om Bhu Bhuvah swaha Tatsavitur Varenyam Bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo Na prachodayat" which means, "Let us meditate on the excellent light of the divine impeller i.e., Savitar. May the divine light inspire our intellect."

In earlier days, the "Upanayana" ceremony used to be observed for three days. Then on the fourth day, a rite called Medhajanana (Generation of intelligence) used to be performed. After learning the Gayatri mantra during "Upanayana", the child is supposed to do Sandhya Vandan thrice a day.

There are various rites, which are connected with "Upanayana". Some of them are-

Last feeding by the mother (Matribhojan)

Choula (tonsure and bath)

Wearing loin-cloth and Mounji girdle (Kaupina)

Putting on yajnopavita (scared thread)

Carrying danda (staff).

Initiation by Guru through recitation of Gayatri mantra

Seeking of alms by the boy (Bhiksa)

Adopting sandhyavandan prayer for life.

The attire of the child during "Upanayana" has an important significance. "Yajnopavita" is one of such special one, which should be 96 times the breadth of the four fingers of a man that is equal to his height. Each finger represents the four states of consciousness of the soul, such as `waking` (jagrat), `dreaming` (svapna), `deep sleep` (sushupti) and `transcendental consciousness` (turiya).

The sacred thread of "Upanayana" has three folds, which represent three Gunas (satva, raja and tama). A knot named `Brahmagranthi`, which symbolizes Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, ties the three strands together.

When the child takes the sacred thread in his hand sitting in front of the Acharya, the Acharya chants a mantra. The child should put on the sacred thread in such a way that it will be on the left shoulder near the throat hanging below the right hand side up to belt and the head be in the middle. According to `Samanya Prakarana`, the child is seated on the right side of the Acharya and the Acharya should perform adoration supplication and meditation of god Svastivachana, Shantikarana, Samidadhana and Aghyadnana. Then water is poured in the four sides of the `Yajna Kunda` of "Upanayana" along with prescribed mantras.

Now, the Acharya has to take in mind the wood fuels blazing and take ghee in spoon from the pot of ghee and should offer sixteen oblations. These 16 oblations consist of four oblations of Agharavavajjyabhagahuti, four oblations of Vyahriti Ahutis and eight oblations of Astajjayahti. Then the child himself offers the oblations of principal `Homa` with the special Shakalya prepared for the purpose.

The "Upanayana" ceremony continues with the offerings of five oblations along with the chanting of following five mantras-

1. "O self-refulgent God! Thou art the master of vows; I will observe the vows and disciplines of celibacy, I declare before You, May I be able to observe that my vow. May I prosper with that vow and I attain highest truth rising above from the untruth. Whatever has been uttered here in is true. The oblations offered is meant for Agni and it is not for me."

2. "O All-moving God!...The oblation offered is meant for vayu and it is not for me".

3. "O All-impelling soul!... the oblation offered is meant for Surya and it is not for me".

4. "O All blissful God!.... the oblation offered is meant for Chandra and it is not for me".

5. "O Lord of all the vows and laws!...The oblation offered for meant for Indra and it is not for me."

Thereafter, the six oblation consisting four oblations of Vyahriti Ahutis; one of Svistakrit, and one of Prajapatyahuti is offered. Then, the Acharya of the "Upanayana" sits in the north of the `Yajnakunda` keeping his face eastward and the child should sit in front of Acharya keeping his face westward.

To proceed with the "Upanayana" ceremony, the Acharya looks at the child and recites the following mantra, "O self refulgent God! We have got on a very good term with this boy. Kindly lead to the company of good men and teachers. This lad as well as follow the path of knowledge and ease. May this lad do whatever is auspicious for him and for all."

Now the child will say, "O teacher! I have-accepted to observe the discipline of continence, now kindly admit me and invest me with sacred thread" . The Acharya then asks, "What is your name?" the student now replies - Sir My name is so and so or I bear such a name.

The Acharya then continues with the rituals of "Upanayana" by filling up the right hollow of the hand with clean and pure water and chants the following mantras -

1. The waters are the source of happiness, may they be helpful for us in attaining grain and may they help us to have a nice sight.

2. Let the pleasant essence of waters be useful for us like the mothers who, for the well being of their children, give their breast to them to suck.

3. Let us acquire those cereals for the growth of which the waters help herbaceous plants and let them be helpful in welfare of our progeny.

After this, the Acharya of the "Upanayana" fills up his own hand with water and drops the water of his handful in the handful of the child, while chanting the following mantra, "We, for our maintenance, accept whatever good food has been provided by God who is the mighty power and creator of the world. We also accept the strength and might of all-powerful God who maintains and preserves the existence of all the objects of creation."

Then next step of "Upanayana" is the Acharya holds the child`s hand filled with water, including the child`s thumb and the water in hand is poured in a pot along with the chanting of the following mantra, "O child! I admit you in this life to make you attain the Power and prosperity of God, who is the creator of the world. I hold your hand in my own with the firmness and strength of the vital breaths called Prana and apana and with the firmness and strength of Punshan, the all preserving vitality of the body."

Similarly, the Acharya follows the above step and holds the child`s `anjali` together with his thumb to get him drop the water in the pot while chanting this mantra, "O Child! Your hand has been grasped by Savita , the mighty teacher who is the preserver of all knowledge."

Again, the Acharya fills up water in his hand and pours it in the child`s `anjali`. Then, he holds his hand together with his thumb and drops the water in the pot pronouncing this mantra, "O Child! Again, the self-refulgent God is your Acharya."

The next step of "Upanayana" is to take the child in front of the sun by the Acharya and then he shows child to the sun. He performs it while pronouncing this mantra, "O All-creating Lord! This child is the Brahmacharin of thine: please protect the preserve him, so that he may perform his duties well."

The Acharya then returns to the "Yajna Mandapa" and pronounces two mantras while the child takes a round of the Acharya and sits before him. The two mantras are-

1. This child possessing strong physique, dressed in nice dress wearing the sacred thread comes before me. He is taking the second Birth in the domain of study in joy dignity.

2. "O child! You circumambulate you Acharya who is the sun of knowledge."

Now, the Acharya will touch the right shoulder of the child with his right hand and then covers his (Acharya`s) hand with a piece of cloth while chanting this mantra- "Let not this navel which is a tie of vital airs be displaced from its proper place, O Lord! (The Annihilator of all) I, the Acharya give it to your cautious care and I declare this keeping this child in my mind."

The Acharya then touches the belly of the child and pronounces the mantra, "O God! Thou art the mover of wind. I, the Acharya…etc". Then the Acharya should touch the child`s heart and pronounce, "O God! Thou art invigorator of the fire. I, the Acharya…etc."

The next of step of "Upanayana" is the Acharya`s touching of the right shoulder along with the following mantra, "O Child! I appoint you to attain the knowledge of God and follow his commands." Next, the Acharya touches the child`s left shoulder and pronounces, "O Child! I appoint you to attaint all-creating God and obey His commands." Then the Acharya touches the child`s breasts and chants, "The learned men of firm intentions and swift intellects attaining the highest feasts of knowledge through their mind and spirit raise this student to high status of genius and character."

Thereafter, the Acharya touches the right breast of the child and chants the following mantra, "O disciple! I make your mind and heart into my own control, let you mind be concordant with my mind always, you being fully attentive grasp my words with affection and attain the meaning of these words and may God who is the master of Vedic speech, unite you with me in thought and action according to your vow from this very day, to day."

In the same way, the disciple also requests the Acharya to take the vow by saying; "I hold your mind and heart in me for the advancement of my study and learning and good action. May your mind be accordant with that of my mind. Please listen to my words with attention and may God keep you always engaged in task of my well being. Thus, both the Acharya and the student i, e, the child complete their vow. Then the Acharya asks the student-"Whose Brahmachari are you?" and the student says, "yours, sir".

Now to end the ceremony of "Upanayana", the Acharya chants the following mantra, "O child! You are the Brahmachari of Almighty God. The God is your Acharya. I am your Acharya (as His representative).

"O Child! You are the Brahmachari of Prajapati; you are the Brahmachari of prana, God who is the soul of all. Prajapati in vest you with sacred thread for your happiness. I also appoint you to follow the command of Prajapati."

"O Child! I appoint you for attaining the knowledge of Prajapati, the Lord of the creatures; I appoint you to attain the knowledge of the mighty sun, I appoint you for attaining the knowledge of liquids and herbs; I appoint you for attaining the knowledge of all the physical and spiritual forces; attaining the knowledge of all the physical and spiritual forces; I appoint you for maintaining peace and tranquility among all the living beings."

As the "Upanayana" ceremony finishes, the father of the child may hold the "Vedarambha" ceremony on that day. As per the "Samanyprakavna", if the father decides to hold it later, "Mahavamdevya" is to be sung. Then, the parents of the child give leave to the invitees with full respect and all of them say together, "O Child! You, growing in strength and vigour live hundred autumns. You become long-lived, brilliant and radiant.

As the "gurukula" system is lost, the "Upanayana" ceremony also lost its original values. The "Upanayana" system once spread among the `Sudras` also only without pronouncing the Gayatri and other mantras. But now, it has remained mainly as a caste mark for the so-called higher castes. And the ritual is now performed mainly before marriage just to wear that sacred thread.