Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c12.53

c12.53

‘Yajñopavīta.’ The equipment of the Brahmachārī is completed by the *Yajñopavīta* or sacred cord to be worn by him in three sets of three threads each. These nine threads (*tantu*) are consecrated to the following nine deities who impart to them their own potency, viz. (1) Oṁkāra, (2) Agni, (3) Nāga, (4) Soma, (5) Piṭri, (6) Prajāpati, (7) Vāyu, (8) Sūrya, (9) All Deities together. The thread is to be made of cotton (*kārpāsa*) for a Brahmaṇa, of *śaṇa* for a Kshatriya, and of goat’s skin for a Vaiśya [Manu]. “He who does not know the divine origin and significance of the Upavīta will have all his religious ceremonies such as Snāna, Dāna, or Japa fruitless.” [See *Smṛiti-Chandrikā*, pp. 68–85, for most of above references.]