The Orion, or Researches into the Antiquity of the Vedas c10.45

c10.45

I think these verses clearly indicate that the thread must be worn below the breast and above the navel, and going round the whole waist. As the practice has long since been obsolete, the verses have been much misunderstood by later writers. The author of the स्मृत्यर्थसार does, however, clearly state that there are two ways of wearing the thread, first over the shoulder as described in the Taitt. Arn. ii. 1; and (यद्वा in the original) second as given in the above texts of Kâtyâyana and Devala. This view has also been adopted by the author of the संस्कारकौस्तुभ.