The Orion, or Researches into the Antiquity of the Vedas c10.30

c10.30

The word *yajnopavita* is derived by all native scholars from *yajna* + *upavita*; but there is a difference of opinion as to whether we should understand the compound to mean an ‘*upavita* for *yajna*,’ *i. e.*, for sacrificial purposes, or, whether it is the ‘*upavita* of *yajna*.’ The former is not incorrect, but authority is in favour of the latter. Thus the Prayoga-writers quote a *smriti* to the effect that “the High Soul is termed *yajna* by the *hotris*¹*; this is *his* *upavita*; therefore, it is *yajnopavita*.” A mantra, which is recited on the occasion of wearing the sacred thread means, “I bind you with the *upavita* of *yajna*;”²† while the first halt of the general formula with which a Brāhman always puts on his sacred thread is as follows:—