Upanayana
Upanayana is the thread
ceremony done among Hindus. Being born from the mother’s womb is normal
birth. During Upanayana, the updesa of Gyaatri Mantra is given. This is the
second birth (dvija).
Gayatri is the mother of all vedas, protector of all living
beings.
After initiation into Gayatri mantra, it has to be chanted
3times a day. Periods 4a.m to 8a.m& 4pm to 8pm are called Satvic time. The
period between 8am to 4pm is called rajasic time. The period between 8pm to 4pm
is called Tamasic time.
The best time to chant the Gayatri is around 6am, 12noon
&6pm. The Goddess Gayatri manifests in 3 phases & confers the boon of
intelligence as Goddess Gayatri, protection as Goddess Savitri & learning
as Goddess Saraswati.
Gayatri is therefore called sarva devta swarupini
By chanting the Mantra, at least twice a day in the morning
& evening. The sins committed unknowingly that day are destroyed & the
leftover Karma is burnt. In time the person moves closer to Divinity an getting
purified.
Now a days people say that they have no time for Gayatri
Japa . But any body who has the will to do, can do it, at least twice a day
Chant the mantra while having a bath . This serves a dual
purpose of chanting the mantra as well as performing abhhisseka to the mantra.
Chant the mantra thrice before eating lunch. The food gets
purified and also becomes naivedya to the mantra.
Repeat the same during the evening. If you do this every day,
you need not chant any other mantra.
Gayatri is all powerful & protects you from calamities
& confers upon you intelligence, learning & success.
It is observed that boys with dull brains, get transformed
to intelligent energetic boys with good character after their upanayana. Just
as the sun dispels the darkness, Gayatri Mantra drives out ignorance, the indolence & sloth in you
& develops all your faculties.
In olden days,
upanayana was performed for girls also . In Ramayana there is mention of king Janak performing upanayana
for his daughter, Sita. In the course of time the sacred thread given to the
girl has become dorman, the thread tied to the right wrist on festive day.
