Arya Samaj

Mitra · Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 1:17 am Post subject: The sacred thread

Namaste

The aryasamaj adopted the sacred thread made of three threads in it with a knot, Symbolizing the three debts a person has to fulfill- PitrRun, AcharyaRun, DevRun.
The pauraanik brahmins and vaisyas wear it made of 6 or 8 threads. Is there a rationale for that?

Shishya · Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:43 pm Post subject:

Namaste Mitra,

Sorry I didn't respond to this earlier. I don't know how I missed it. Embarassed

Sadly, however, I can't help you out with your question. Actually, I thought everyone followed the same tradition in this regard. Confused

_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Shyena · Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:23 am Post subject:

I dont know if this is arya samajist or sanatana dharmic, but the system followed atleast at my place is:
The sacred thread received at initiation ceremony is three threads coiled into one
At the time of marriage, two coiled threads each made of three strings are given to the person.

The number of threads is three, but each of them is made up of three coiled strings.
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Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam meditate

Namaste

Mitra · Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:41 pm Post subject:

Is there a ratioanle behind the sanatans wearing two jandhyams of 3 threads each? Is the husband wearing one extra on the wife's behalf? Wink

And why do Upanayan at the wedding ?
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Namaste
Manurbhava

Mitra · Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:44 pm Post subject:

Shyena · Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 8:00 pm Post subject:

Not two, three.. Total of 9 threads...
As for rationale of wearing them - there is no rationale in wearing a danjam[its called yagyopaveet in sanskrit Wink

] in the first place. Its like a certificate of being a dwija, or considered as a reminder of our duties. But is otherwise unecessary. A yagyopaveet itself is considered unecessary actually, and there are varying opinions about women and yagyopaveet as well - some say they can wear, others say that there is no need [my mother told me that the saree's part which is worn across the chest acts as this yagyoaveet] while a more substantial number say that women's anatomy generates impurity [menstruation] and that chanting mantras at such a time will cause negative effects within the body.
Its not like all sanatanas have the same institutions, so I cannot guarantee this view of nine threads. A view I know of is:
Three threads represent good thought, word, deed
Three represent sarasvati, gayatri, savtri - goddesses** of three forms of education
So its a total of 3*3 = 9 threads.

I doubt there'd be a difference of wearing a different number of threads other than it being a tradition, as if there's any sin incurred by this act.

--
** By goddesses, it means they're personified in view of majority of sanatana dharmiks, some believe they're positions, others believe they're eternal distinct personalities who are manifestations of That.
_________________

Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam meditate

Namaste