History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v2.c15.10

v2.c15.10

*Upanayana.* Meaning of the word. Origin and development of this sacrament. It implies gāyatryupadeśa. Ancient features of upanayana. Originally a simple ceremony. The proper age for upanayana for the three varṇas. The auspicious time for it. Rules about the skin, the garments, the girdle and the staff of the brahmacārin of different varṇas. The preliminary rites of Upanayana such as homa. The principal rites of upanayana. History of yajñopavīta from ancient times. Rules for manufacturing and wearing yajñopavīta. Whether women had upanayana performed and could wear yajñopavīta. Wearing of yajñopavīta given up by kṣatriyas in the first few centuries after Christ. Whether upanayana performed for the blind, the deaf and dumb, idiots &c. Upanayana of mixed castes and of the aśvattha tree. Imparting of sacred Gāyatrī to the student.