यज्ञोपवीत, जनेऊ - Yagyopaveet, Janeu !

Yagyopaveet (Janeu) threads of Mithila region. Each small bundle contains a piece of thread from which Yagyopaveet to wear is prepared. Sometimes each bundle contains a couple of pieces of the thread because a pair of prepared Yagyopaveets is worn in Mithila. 

                     "Yagyopaveet" or "Janeu" (यज्ञोपवीत, जनेऊ) is a sacred thread worn by males in India who follow "Sanatan Hindu" religion. In Sanskrit, it is called "Yagyopaveetam". It is worn during the "Upanayana Sanskaara" which is one of the 16 rituals described for a Hindu male according to ancient Sanskrit text. A "Yagyopaveet" or "Janeu" is made from the white cotton cord which is made up of thin strands of cotton threads. From this cotton cord is made a loop (Size of a garland) which consists of three rounds of unbroken cord and then tied a knot in a special way. This special way of tying the knot depends upon the sub-cast and 'Gotra'. In the Mithila region, a pair of such prepared "Yagyopaveet" is worn. There the threads are thinner than the other regions. Before the "Yagyopaveet" is made ready to wear it is colored in turmeric powder. It is consecrated with "Yagyopaveet Mantra" and then "Gayatri Mantra" and worn from left shoulder to below right waist up to the reach of palm.

Fine Janeu (Yagyopaveet) threads of Mithila

                I am not going into description or meaning of "Upanayana Sanskaara" because my purpose here is to write about the use of "Yagyopaveet" in worship. During the worship, many things are offered to gods like "Jalam" (Water) for bath and "Achamanam", "Padya","Vastram", "Dhoop-deep", "Naivedya", flowers, 'Belpatras' (बिल्व - पत्र), 'Durva-dal', etc. To male gods "Yagyopaveet" is also offered. It is part of "Shodashopachar Pooja"(षोडशोपचार पूजा). For gods like Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu and Surya offering of "Yagyopaveet" is desirable. The "Yagyopaveet" or "Janeu" should be yellow but if it is white, it should be colored in a mixture of turmeric powder and water or it should be sprinkled with turmeric powder before offering to gods. It is advisable that it should be prepared and consecrated before offering in the same way as if worn by oneself. Since it is time-consuming people offer "Janeu" directly to save time. For consecrating it, the prepared "Yagyopaveet" should be held with both hands between thumb and forefinger giving it a circular-like motion (Should be tight and not touch the ground) and simultaneously the "Yagyopaveet Mantra" should be spoken as follows:--

ॐ यज्ञोपवीतं परमं पवित्रं प्रजापतेर्यत्सहजं पुरस्तात् ।

आयुष्यमग्र्यं प्रतिमुञ्च शुभ्रं यज्ञोपवीतं बलमस्तु तेजः।। 

      

 (Aum yagyopaveetam paramam pavitram prajapateryat-sahajan purastat.

Aayushyamgryan pratimunch shubhram yagyopaveetam balamastu tejah .

    

                    After consecrating with this mantra three times it is taken near the right ear with both palms touching in a 'Pranam' like style and three times the 'Gayatri Mantra' is spoken in a very feeble voice. The 'Gayatri Mantra' is a well-known mantra as follows:-

ॐ भूर्भुव स्वः तत्सवितुर्ववरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्। 

(Aum bhurbhuva swah tatsaviturv-varenyam bhargo devasya deemahi dhiyo yo nah prachodayat)

                  While holding it in both hands, a little water (Jalam-जलम् ) should be taken in the right palm (Chullu-चुल्लू) and be sprinkled over the ground. Now it is fully ready to be offered to God by uttering the following mantra:-

नवभिस्तन्तुभिर्युक्तं त्रिगुणं देवतामयम।

उपवीतं  मया   दत्तं   गृहाण  परमेश्वर।।

(Navabhistantubhiryukam Trigunam Devataamayam

Upveetam   Maya  Dattam   Grihaan  Parmeshwar)

        The Yagyopaveet for the worship purpose is available in all Puja stores but if you do not find it there shop it at Amazon at THIS LINK. 

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