Janeu Thread - All About Most Sacred Thread of Universe

Janeu or Janoi - three sacred and holy cotton threads is symbol of spirituality, sacrifice, mother, role model etc. Wearing Janeu on the left shoulder represent three core idea of Hinduism, focusing on the spiritual journey; don’t forget the responsibility towards the parent and spiritual teachers. It means we all must remember the obligation of the God, Parents and Teacher. In many region of India, people arrange Yagnopavit ceremony with great joy, it means child enter in the Brahmacharya life and must focus on the study and spirituality, in ancient time only after Yagnopavit, child can go to Gurukul for study. Sixteen Sanskar of the life are mentioned and followed in our culture as per Holy Scriptures, Yagnopavit is one of the important Sanskar. As per this everyone have to start study after wearing the Janeu only. Lot of People has question why Brahmin wear janeu or what is janeu meaning or how to wear janeu. Janeu is worn on the left shoulder which means shouldering the burdens of life with patience. It runs over the heart indicating a life of faith and determination. It touches the back which is the symbol of commitment. Thus, symbolically Janeu instruct a man to a life of commitment, courage, determination, faith, patience. Young unmarried boys wear sacred janeu threads with 3 strands. The married men wear sacred threads with 6 strands.

Length of the Janeu is 96 times the breadth of finger, these 96 are, 12 month, 7 days of week, 3 Kal, 25 Principal, 4 Vedas, 15 important dates, 3 Gunas and 27 lunar asterism, also there are 64 Kala and 32 Vidhyas mentioned in scriptures. Three fibers are woven into one thread and the three threads are then knotted together. Three threads represent three stages of life, student – Brahmacharya, house holder - Gruhasta and retire - Vanprastha. As per scripture one deity is established in each fiber, these are Moon, Fire, Air, Omkar, Serpent, Ancestors, Prajapti, Universe and Yama. Three threads represent the goddess of strength - Parvati, Goddess of wealth - Laxmi and goddess of knowledge - Saraswati, also these mentioned as three supreme lords Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh as well.

There are lots of scientific reasons behind the use of Janoi, vein named Lohitika passing through the right ear regulates the flow of urine. So, when the person wears the sacred thread around his ear while passing urine it indirect helps in urinary system to regulate the urine flow, thus keeping urinary system and bladder healthy. It also helps in reducing the blood pressure and heart related disease as well. It also helps in increasing the memory power.

Covering the head and body with a cloth while urinating or defecating is necessary to prevent direct physical contact with Rajas-Tamas predominant waves. Janeu act as this cloth so after washing the hands, feet, and rinsing the mouth with water, take the janeu off the right ear. The spiritually reason is, the physical body above the navel is considered pure for performing religious rituals, while the portion below it is considered impure.

Many Deities live in the right ear; simply touching the right ear with the right hand presents the benefit of an Achaman which leads to internal purification. Hanging the Janeu on the sacred right ear prevents the induction of impurity. It also activate the Suryanadi which create protective cover of radiant waves around individual and prevent from Rajas and Tamas predominant activities such as urination and defecation.

Rules: Once Janeu is worn it is not supposed to be removed from one’s body and must hold on right ear during the urinating and defecating. New Janeu should be tied in case of break or lost. Individual do not allow touching dead bodies while wearing the Holy Thread on the body. In case if we come in contact with a dead body, one has to perform a process and change Janeu and observe fast for a day. Person must avoid any non vegetarian food and abusive language. It is prime responsibility to keep the sacred thread clean and sanitary.The person wearing Holy Thread also must wear Tikal on the forehead and perform Sandhya Vandanam. Just wearing the Holy Thread is not the end but the start of new journey so must practice honesty. The thread is changed once a year on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan the full moon day in the month of Shravan. The Gayatri mantra is chanted before wearing the thread, the Gayatri mantra is as follows:

Upanayana ceremony is performed on boys on different age based on the Varna, 7 years for Brahmin varna, 13 years for Kshatriya varna, and 17 years for Vaishya varna. The secret of life through Brahmopadesam has been taught in ceremony. Second birth of individual happen when man seeks his spiritual identity; he symbolically accepts spiritual teacher as father and the Vedas as mother. Typically women do not wear the Janeu but girls can wear the threads around the neck according to Yajur Veda.

Thus, wearing janue reminds man of his several duties, codes of conduct, responsibilities and the purpose of life. In this regard, it is more symbolic telling man to a highly perfect order of life. If the true meaning and spirit of wearing janeu is reinforced, it shall give way to a spiritual life dedicated to personal as well as the social welfare.