How to use and make a brahmana thread

by Caitanya-mangala dasa (Sridhama Mayapur)

Although one can purchase "brahmana threads" (upavita or yajopavita) very inexpensively in the
market in India, it is highly preferable for a brahmana to make them himself. Once you learn how to
do it, with a little practice it becomes very simple. The main challenge is to make all strings equally
long to avoid getting them tangled with each other. To make sure the strings remain equal in length,
the upavita should be always taut while tying the knots. One may wind the upavita around ones
knees while sitting on the floor, or one may use ones knee and another stable object like a heavy
pot (preferable to two knees for getting sufficient length of the finished upavita). Although some
devotees can be seen winding the string around one knee and a toe of the other leg when making an
upavita, this is not considered proper.


Gayatri Mantra
The word Gayatri generally refers to a particular metre (chanda), often used in Vedic hymns. Vedic mantras,
such as brahma-gayatri, are eternal, spiritual vibrations, representations of God in the form of sound (sabda
brahma). A mantra is a combination of particular energies in the form of sound, and its recitation evokes those
energies externally and internally. Every mantra is a combination of particular sounds, words, meanings,
rhythms, and tunes. It has a predominating deity and a particular purpose. The potency of a mantra can fully
manifest only if the chanter, having received it from a bona fide spiritual master (coming from a bona fide
disciplic succession), recites it without impurities. At the moment of initiation, the spiritual master gives to the
disciple a mantra from the Vedas and from the Pacar?tra according to the tradition of the parampar?.
Any mantra which is not received by a bona fide disciplic succession is considered to be impotent
- samprad?ya-vih?n? ye/mantr?s te ni?phal? mat??
"If one wants to advance in spiritual power, one must receive his mantras from one of these bona fide
sampradayas, otherwise he will never successfully advance in spiritual life. " (Bhag.6.8.42.)
If the disciple wishes to worship a particular form of the Lord, he must receive the proper mantras from his
spiritual master, or from a devotee or scripture authorized by him. By chanting these mantras
for japa andarcana, a disciple who is not under the control of ignorance realizes the relationship between the
spiritual meaning of the mantra, and the identity of the deity being worshipped.
One must know the meaning of the mantra which he is reciting; without knowing the meaning of a mantra,
one cannot reach the goal. (Yajavalkya-sm?ti).
Upavita
The sacred thread is given by the spiritual master (in vedic tradition by the father) along with instructions about
how to chant the brahma-gayatri-mantra, its meaning, and the rules of conduct for life as a brahmacari. The
sacred thread and the cloth worn on the upper body symbolize spiritual qualification and vaidika initiation
(admission to the twice born status of the three superior varnas) for members of all asramas. Paramahamsas
generally abandon the sacred thread to demonstrate their renunciation of all varnasrama designations.
The cords of the sacred thread are made up of three strands. If the upper cloth (uttarya) is missing during a
ceremony, the third cord of the upavita takes its place. The sacred thread must be made by a brahmana or
brahma?? and tied with a brahma-granthi knot. The dangling part of the upavita must be tied under the navel,
not on the chest (according to Katy?yana). Traditionally, students of the g-Veda wore it between the chest and
the navel; students of the Yajur-Veda at navel level, and students of the Sama-Veda at elbow level.
The upavita must be changed when contaminated or spoiled. Although there is no reference in the scriptures
about winding the upavita around the thumb while chanting Gayatri or during acamana and puja, it is common
practice in Bengal. It can be done, but it is not compulsory.
One should not be without upavita at any moment and must never allow it to come into contact with
contaminated objects. It is a great offense to break the upavita of another brahmana, for which one must
execute prayascitta (great austerities to atone sins). While passing urine or stool, the sacred thread must be
placed on the right ear, which is considered to be as good as a tirtha (always pure) and thus remains suci,
although the body is muci. Otherwise it will be considered contaminated. After sauca (purification/ taking a
shower) the upavita can be again placed in its usual position (on the left side). If the thread is too short, it can
be placed around the neck as a garland (while in the toilet).
The Scriptures give information about the appearance of Gayatri devi in the form of time, for it is helpful for
the meditation to chant Gayatri-mantra at the proper time. Gayatri-mantra must be chanted during the first
sandhya which starts 24 minutes before sunrise and ends 24 minutes after. It is said that best is to chant when
there are still stars in the sky, second best, when although the stars cannot be seen, the sun has not yet risen,
and third best, when the sun is already in the sky.
To chant Gayatri-mantra in one's home has a certain value; to chant in an open area is ten times better. To
chant on the bank of or standing in a river up to the knees is a hundred times better, but chanting in the
proximity of the Lord is infinitely better.
The best way to chant Gayatri is manasika, in the mind. Yajavalkya says one has to meditate on the sound of
every syllable, on the meaning of every word, and of all the mantras, without moving the tongue or lips,
without shaking the head or neck and without showing the teeth. The hands must be cleaned, and one must
have brushed the teeth before taking the morning shower. The clothes must be dry and spotlessly clean. Tilaka
must be worn on all the twelve parts of the body and the sika must be tied. Gayatri should not be chanted on
a bed, in a car, or with the back towards a guru, temple, murti, water, fire or a pippal tree. One should not
wear shoes, doze, yawn, spit, look about or speak. If an important person such as an acarya arrives while
chanting Gayatri, one must stop to receive him properly, and only resume after asking his permission.

Who is a brahmana?

AND THERE IS a brahmana. What is the proof that he is a brahmana? He has got a sacred thread, thats all.
Or thread. It may not be sacred; purchased on the market. So at least we try to give a sacred thread by
ceremony. But anyone can purchase a thread from the market, two-paisa worth or one-cent worth, and
become a brahmana? You are a brahmana? Yes, you see my sacred thread?? (laughter) Finished. What you
are doing? Never mind? Dont be such brahmanas, at least in our camp. You must follow the rules and
regulations. Dont show that? I am now doubly initiated, sacred thread? Dont cheat in that way.
Excerpt from a Room Conversation, New Vrindaban, June 25, 1976



Method of construction
Here are the successive steps of making the upavita:
Wrap a thread three times around your knees (or one knee plus
one object) and then hold the two ends between the fingers
and thumb of the left hand. Make sure that all the strings have
the same length.

Make a loop with one end, leaving about 10 to 15 cm extra.
Keep all strings taut; keep hold at the place where the loop
folds back along the other strings.

Wrap the other end of the thread perpendicular to the triple
threads wrapped around your knee, three times. For each wrap
chant one time the first line of Gayatri mantra (brahma-gayatri)
silently.
Put the end of the string which you have just wrapped through
the loop. Pull the end which makes the loop, then pull the other
end and tighten, making a simple knot.
Twist both ends of the string in the direction the threads of the
strings are turning, making them tight, but not so tight that they
double over.
Put the two string ends together and twist them, this time in the
opposite direction from the direction you were just twisting
them separately.


With the two ends make a simple knot about three cm distant
from the first knot and cut off excess string.
Now you can make the second half of the upavita in the same
way, taking care not only that it is itself having equal length
strings, but that it is equal in length to the first half. To do this, it
is best to keep the first half in the same position as you have
made it (around your knees, or around a knee and a pot, for
example) and wrap the second half on top of the first. By
pulling the two halves separately with the same force (before
making the first knot in the second half) you will see whether
they are equal. If not, make the necessary adjustment on the
second half, then tie the first knot.
To tie a completed upavita into a storable condition (as one
gets them from the shop!) simply fold it in half, looping both
ends of the upavita around the left forefinger and putting the
forefinger of your right hand through the loop made by the
fold; twist the folded end in one direction several times, such
that it coils around itself; finally, insert the folded end through
the loop through which the left forefinger was inserted.
Before wearing the thread, you may offer it to Lord Caitanya or
Lord Krsna in His Deity form by placing it at the Deitys feet. Of
course, upavitas can be made for the Deities in the same
manner, to the appropriate length.


(Note: For further information about Pancaratrika rules regarding chanting gayatri and care of the upavita, see
the ISKCON Deity worship manual Pancaratra Pradipa, vol1, pp. 47-51. - Ed.)

On the meaning of Vaisnava-diksa

It is offered by the acarya. It is the certificate that? This boy has been trained up as a brahmana? Therefore
the sacred thread is a symbolic presentation. Not that to purchase one two paisa worth sacred thread and
one becomes brahmana. No. Now, of course, in Kali-yuga... Vipratve sutram eva hi. In Kali-yuga this will go
on. Vipratve. A brahmana, ksatriya, sudra, brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya,.. Simply purchase one thread from the
market and get it on your body and you become... Vipratve sutram eva hi. No, that is not actually. It is a
qualification and it is certificate... Similarly, one who has got the sacred thread means that he has
approached qualified acarya, and the acarya has recognized him as brahmana. This is sacred thread not that
purchase one sacred thread and get it and become a brahmana. No. This is very important thing. First of all
educate, and then divide.
Excerpt from Bhagavad-gita lecture by Srila Prabhupada on April 4, 1974 in Bombay, India.


How to put on a brahmin thread?


Procedure for Yajur Veda Upakarma - Changing the Sacred Thread
When to do?
Ekadasi or if the thread becomes dirty or broken, or yearly on Yajurved Upakarma day.
After dressing he would sit at his desk and put on tilak and say Gayatri mantra before taking lunch. Today
was a special once in a month opportunity because Srila Prabhupada would chant on the new thread while
holding his old one. I walked into his sitting room and picked up his discarded thread only to discover that he
had pulled apart each of the threads. He smiled at me and said, "The Brahmin thread, you have disposed of it?"
He said, "You should bury it underneath the Tulasi plant in the temple courtyard. Put it in the dirt under the
roots." (Srutikirti dasa. Prabhupad Uvacha excerpt - October 1972, Vrindavan, India
Camp: Radha Damodara Temple)
How to change the sacred thread:
1. Sit down on an asana (Face east in the morning and noon, and north in the evening)
2. Perform acamana. Simple acamana:
om keshavya namah - sip water from brhma trtha of right hand
om nryanya namah - sip water from brhma trtha of right hand
om mdhavya namah - sip water from brhma trtha of right hand
(Optional) Special acamana:
om govindya namah - sprinkle water on right hand
om vishnave namah - sprinkle water on left hand
om madhusdanya namah - wipe mouth with right hand
om trivikramya namah - wipe mouth with right hand
om vmanya namah - wipe lips with base of thumb
om Shrdharya namah - wipe lips with base of thumb
om hrishkeshya namah - sprinkle water on both hands
om padmanbhya namah - sprinkle water on feet
om dmodarya namah - sprinkle water on head
om vsudevya namah - touch lips with right hand
om sankarshanya namah - touch right side of nose with right hand
om pradyumnya namah - touch left side of nose with right hand
om aniruddhya namah - touch right eye with right hand
om purushottamya namah - touch left eye with right hand
om adhokshajya namah - touch right ear with right hand
om nrisinghya namah - touch left ear with right hand
om acyutya namah - touch navel with right hand
om janardanya namah - touch heart with right hand
om upendrya namah - touch head with right hand
om haraye namah - touch right shoulder with right hand
om krishnya namah - touch left shoulder with right hand
(om) tad vishnoh paramagm pada-gugm sad pasyanti suryah
divva cakshur tatam tad viprso vipanyavo
jgriv-gugm sah samindhate vishnor yat paramagm padam
3. Sprinkle some water from the panchapatra on your new sacred thread. Undo it and stretch it around your
knees.
4. Remove the new sacred thread from your knees and hold it horizontally open with the palms of your hands.
Turn the thread vertical so that your right hand is up and left hand is down. Your left palm should be turned
downwards.
5. Chant the following mantra for putting on the sacred thread.
(om) yajopavtam paramagm pavitram
prajpater yat sahajagm purastt
yushyam agryam pratimuca shubhragm
yajopavtam blam astu tejah
6. Put on the new sacred thread.
7. Wearing both threads chant the Gyatr mantra and other mantras given to you by your guru ten times each
on the rekha - lines of middle finger, kanistha little finger, and tips of other fingers.
8. Chant the following mantra for removing the old sacred thread.
upavtagm chinnatantugm
jrnam kanmala dshitam
visrijmi punar brahman
varco drghyur astu me
9. Remove the old sacred thread from the left shoulder. Bring it down to waist level and break it string by string
with both hands. Dispose of it in the same manner as old prasadam, being placed in a sacred throw out (to
be composted never to be left laying around, or discarded improperly) (or may be disposed of as