Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha! Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha! Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vaasudevaya! Om! Ham! Hanumathe!

Sri Rama Doothaya Namaha!

Upakarma Yagnopaveetha Dhaarana Vidhi

In ancient days Upakarma used to be an action that was performed to mark the beginning of the study of Vedas and Upanishads. One will get the eligibility to study Vedas and Upanishads only after getting properly inducted into Gayathri Manthra through a process of Upanayanam. In the present day context Upakarma has become a symbolic process of changing the old Yagnopaveetham and wearing a new one. Having understood the concept, significance, sanctity and technicalities of Yagnopaveetham and Upakarma from the earlier posts published, it becomes imperative also to know about the procedure of changing the Yagnopaveetham - Yagnopaveetha Dhaarana Vidhi. On the day of Upakarma, it is recommended to participate in Upakarma vidhi conducted at various temples and mutts. But, it may not be practically possible for everyone to visit temples for performing Upakarma vidhi for various reasons. Moreover, the need to change the Yagnopaveetham arises time and again on several occasions during the course of ones spiritual life. Hence, for convenience of those who cannot visit temples/mutts on the day of Upakarma, a small attempt is made to provide below the process of changing the Yagnopaveetham as a ready reckoner in the form of a check-list. Also, clarifications have been provided to the frequently asked questions about Upakarma and Yagnopaveetham within my limitations.

When to perform Upakarma (Preferred)

For followers of Rug-Veda, Upakarma falls on the day coinciding with Sravana Nakshatra during Sraavana masam.

For followers of Yajur-Veda, Upakarma falls on the Full Moon day (Pournami) during Sraavana masam. For followers of Saama-Veda, Upakarma falls on the day coinciding with Hastha Nakshathra during Bhaadrapada masam. For followers of Adharvana-Veda, Upakarma can be performed either on Sraavana Pournami or on Bhaadrapada Pournami day. Above rules are applicable for both regular as well as first timers.

When not to perform Upakarma?

In general Upakarma should not be performed if the day coincides with Adhika-masam (Mala masam) or Sankramana or Eclipse. This is applicable for first timers as well as for subsequent Upakarma. Upakarma should not be performed when there is Jaataasoucha (birth) or Mruthaasoucha (mourning) in the family.

Upakarma for the first timers!

Apart from the above, for first timers who are newly inducted into Upanayana, Upakarma should not be performed if there is an overlapping of Guru or Sukra Mouddyami (Guru/Sukraastha) or Bruhaspathi (Jupiter) transiting in Simha Raasi (Leo sign). However, some of the texts suggest that it can be performed during Guru or Sukra Mouddyami after conducting proper Guru or Sukra Shanti accordingly. In such cases it is suggested that it can also be performed during Aashaada masam on the full moon day. Above rule is not applicable for the first timers if Upakarma is performed in the second year except the one stated above for regulars.

What? If it can not performed on the stipulated day!

If Upakarma could not be performed on the stipulated day, texts like Dharma Sindhu and others suggest that, in case of Rug-Vedis and YajurVedis, it can be performed in Bhaadrapada masam on the day coinciding with Sravana or Hastha star or on the day of Panchami
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during bright fortnight (sukla paksha). Similarly in case of Sama-Vedis it can be performed during Sraavana masam on the day of Hastha star. Provided in all such cases, the day should not be an eclipse or sankramana day.

How may Yagnopaveethas one should wear?

Brahmachari (unmarried person) should wear only one Yagnopaveetham that has three strands. A Grihastha (married person) should wear two such Yagnopaveethams. It is in practice to wear three Yagnopaveethams by a Grihastha, the third one act as an Uttareeyam (upper dhothi). There is also a sampradaya to wear four, as the fourth one is for donating to some one in case of exigency.

Who are the Presiding Deities of Yagnopaveetham?

Omkaram, Agni, Naaga, Soma (Moon), Pithru Devathas, Prajapathi, Vayu, Surya and Vishve Devathas are the Presiding Deities apart from the Trinal Lords, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara (Rudra) and Goddess Gayathri to be invoked before changing the Yagnopaveetham.

How to wear the new Yagnopaveetham?

Wear Yagnopaveetham one by one reciting the relevant sankalpa and Yagnopaveetha dhaarana manthra. Every time Aachamanam should be performed and Gayathri manthra should be recited ten times. While wearing Yagnopaveetham it should be held by both hands with the knot in the Yagnopaveetham being held above by the right hand facing upwards.

What should be the posture of Yagnopaveetham?

Generally we find three postures of wearing of Yagnopaveetham. One is Upavita where the yagnopavita is worn over the left shoulder and under the right arm. This posture is used for performing auspicious ceremonies and sacred rituals related to Gods. This is called Savya position. Under normal circumstances Yagnopaveetham should be in
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Savya position. The second one is Praachinavita where, the Yagnopavita is worn above the right shoulder and under the left arm. This position is used while performing sacred rites to the Forefathers (Pitru Karya). This is called Apasavya position. When the yagnopavita is worn around the neck and over the chest in maalakara (like a garland) it is Nivita. This form is used during Rishi tarpana, while answering nature calls and while carrying a corpse etc.

How to remove old Yagnopaveetham?

Remove the old Yagnopaveetham after performing at least Dasa Gayathri. It should be removed from below the navel by reciting the Visarjana manthra. Old Yagnopaveetham should be dropped into water or on a Tree and should not be thrown into garbage.

When to change the Yagnopaveetham?

y y In normal course on the day of Upakarma once in a year, Whenever there is Jataasoucham or Mruthaasoucham (birth/death in the family) after completion of the stipulated period. Whenever one visits the Cremation Ground, or touches a Corpse Whenever one happen to touch a woman during menstruation. Whenever the threads of Yagnopaveetham are severed or it is soiled or worn out. Whenever one attends the 10th day ceremony and gives Dharmodaka.

y y y

Tit Bits (Other useful information)

All those who are inducted in to the process of Upanayanam should perform Upakarma compulsorily every year. On the day of Upakarma it is highly recommended to perform Gayathri japa according to ones capacity (10/100/1000). There is also a tradition to perform Gayathri japa on the next day. One may follow their respective sampradaya.
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One should not wear Yagnopaveetham brought from a shop directly without performing proper samskara (pooja) to the new one. On the Upakarma day those who are eligible, should give Pithru and Guru Tharpana. Apart from Pithru tharpana everyone who performs Upakarma should give Rushi Tharpana according to their sampradaya. Yagnopaveetham and Gopeechandanam along with Dakshina should be offered, at least to two Brahmins on the day of Upakarma. There is no need to change Yagnopaveetham after Eclipse.

Checklist for Yagnopaveetha Dhaarana Vidhi

Direction: Facing East or North 1. Guru Vandana (Invoking Gurus) 2. Vighneshwara Prarthana 3. Aachamanam {Chaturvimshati (24)Kesava Namas} 4. Praanayaamam 5. Sankalpa (Recitation of Sankalpa manthra) 6. Yagnopaveetha Samskara 7. Praana Pratishta 8. Invoking Trinal Lords (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) 9. Invoking Presiding Deities of Yagnopaveetham 10. Invoking three Vedas (Rug, Yajur and Saama) 11. Invoking Goddess Gayathri and Surya 12. New Yagnopaveetha Dhaarana as mentioned above 13. Removal of old Yagnopaveetham 14. Aachamanam 15. Samarpana Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu Above check-list is useful during Upakarma and also while changing Yagnopaveetham in normal circumstances.

Model Yagnopaveetha Dhaarana Vidhi

Gnanaanandamayam Devam Nirmala Sphatikaakruthim Aadhaaram Sarva Vidyaanaam Hayagreeva Upaasmahe Guru Praarthana Sri Gurubhyo Namaha! Sri Parama Gurubhyo Namaha! Sri Moola Gurubhyo Namaha! Poojyaaya Raghavendraya satyadharmaratayacha Bhajataam kalpavrikshaaya namataam kamadhenave Aapadamouli Paryantham Gurunaam Aakrtim Smaret Tena Vignah: Pranasyamti Siddhyanthi cha Manoratha: Vigneshwara Prarthana Suklaambaradharam Vishnum SasiVarnam Chathurbhujam PrasannaVadanam Dhyaayet Sarva Vighnopashaanthaye Aachamanam (with Chaturvimshati Kesava Namas) 1. Om! Kesavaaya Swaaha 2. Om! Naaraayanaaya Swaaha 3. Om! Maadhavaaya Swaaha 4. Govindaya Namaha 5. Vishnave Namaha 6. Madhusudhanaya Namaha 7. Thrivikramaya Namaha 8. Vaamanaya Namaha 9. Sridharaya Namaha 10. Hrusheekesaya Namaha 11. Padmanabhaya Namaha 12. Damodaraya Namaha 13. Sankarshanaya Namaha 14. Vasudevaya Namaha 15. Pradhyumnaya Namaha 16. Aniruddhaya Namaha 17. Purushothamaya Namaha
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18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

Adhokshajaya Namaha Narasimhaya Namaha Achyutaya Namaha Janardhanaya Namaha Upendraya Namaha Haraye Namaha Sri Krishnaya Namaha

Praanayaamam Pranavasya Parambrahma Rushih: Paramaatmaa Devataa! Daivi Gaayathri Chhandah: Praanaayaamey Viniyogah: Om Bhuh: Om Bhuvah: Om Svah: Om Mahah: Om Janah: Om thapah: Om Sathyam: Om TAT-SAVITUR-VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAAT Om aapojyothi rasoAmrutham Brahmah Bhurbhuvahsvaroum SANKALAPA MANTHRA Sri Govinda - Govinda! Shubhe Shobana muhurthe, Sri MahaVishnorAagnaaya, Pravarthamanasya, Aadya Bramhane, Dwiteeya Parardhe, Sri Swetha Varaaha Kalpe, Vaivaswatha Manvanthare, Ashtaavimshatitamey Kaliyuge, Kali Prathama Charane, Jambudweepe, Meror Dakshina bhage, Bhaaratavarshe, Bharatha Khande, Bauddhavathare, Salivaahanasakhe, Dandakaaranya Godaavaryah: Dakshina theerey, Ramakshethrey, SwaGruhey/Shobana Gruhey/ Sannidhau Asmin Varthamane, Vyavahaarike, Chaandramaanena, (Khara Nama) Sanvastare, (Dakshina) Aayane, (Varsha) Ruthau, (Sraavana) Maase, Sukla/Krishna Pakshe, (Pournami) Thithau, . Vaasare, (Sravana) Nakshatre, Subha Yoge, Subha Karane, Evam guna visheshana visistaayaam, Subha thithau ..Gothrothpanna..Sarma namadheyasya Mama Shroutha smaartha vidhi vihitha nithya karma, Sadaachaara anushtana, yogyathasiddhyartham,
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(jaataa/mruthaasoucha janita dosha prayaschittartham), Brahma tejobhivrudhyartham, Sri Bharathee Ramana Mukhya Praananthargatha, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Preranaaya, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Preethyartham, Noothana Yagnopaveetha Dhaaranam karishye! Yagnopaveetha Samskara New Yagnopaveetham should be kept in a plate (copper or silver or brass) and sanctified by sprinkling water by reciting Gaayathri manthra. Smear Turmeric powder and Kunkuma to the Yagnopaveetham. Jalaabhimanthranam Then sprinkle water (Prokshana) with the following manthra OM AAPO HISHTAA MAYOBHUVAH: THAANA UURJEY DADHATANAH: MAHERNAAYA CHAKSHASE YO VAH SHIVATAMO RASAH: TASYA BHAAJAYATEHANAH: USHATEERAVA MAATARAH: TASMAA ARANGAMAM VAH: YASYA KSHAYAYA JINVATAH AAPOJANAA YATHAA CHANAH Praana Pratishta Om Asuneethey punarasmaasu chakshu punah: Praanamihanodehi bhogam Jhyokk pasyyema suryamuchharantha Manumathey mrulayaa nah: swastih Ithi praana pratishtaapanam kruthva Om! Namo! Naaraayanaaya Om! (Recite eight times) Invocation of the Presiding Deities Trinal Lords - Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra (Presiding Deities of Brahma Granthi)
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Brahma Om! Brahmaja Gnaanam Prathamam Purasthaad Viseemathah: suruchoVena Aavah: Sabhudnyaa upamaa asya vishtaassathascha Yonimasatascha vivah: Om! Vedaatmanaaya Vidmahe Hiranya Garbhaaya Dheemahee Thanno Brahma Prachodayaat Rudra Om! Thryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvarukamiva Bhandanaath Mruthyormuksheeya Mamruthath Om! Tatpurushaaya Vidmahe Mahaadevaaya Dheemahee Thanno Rudra Prachodayaat Vishnu Om! Idam vishNurvichakrame Tredhaa nidadhe padam SamooDdamasya paam surey Om! Naaraayanaaya Paripoorna Gunaarnavaaya Visvodaya Sthithilayo Niyathi Pradaaya GnanaPradaaya Vibhudaasura Soukhya Dukkah Sattkaaranaaya Vithathaaya Namo Namasthe Naaraayanaaya Vidmahe Vaasudevaaya Dheemahee Thanno Vishnu Prachodayaat Invocation of the Presiding Deities of Navathanthu Prathamatantou Omkaaram Aavaahayaami Dviteeyatantou Agnim Aavaahayaami Truteeyatantou Naagaan Aavaahayaami Chaturtatantou Somam Aavaahayaami
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Panchamatantou Pitrun Aavaahayaami Shashtatantou Prajaapatim Aavaahayaami Saptamatantou Vaayum Aavaahayaami Ashtamatantou Suryam Aavaahayaami Navamatantou Vishvedevaan Aavaahayaami Invocation of Vedas Prathamadorake Rugvedam Aavaahayaami Dviteeyadorake Yajurvedam Aavaahayaami Truteeyadorake Saamavedam Aavaahayaami Goddess Gaayathri & Sun God Aayaatu VaradaaDevi Aksharam Brahma Sammitam Gaayathri chandasaam maathedam brahma jushaswamey Ojosi, sahosi, balamasi, braajosi, devaanaam dhaamanaamaasi viswamasi, viswaayusarvamasi, sarvaayu abhibhurom, Gaayathreem Aavaahayaami, Saavithreem Aavaahayaami, Saraswatheem Aavaahayaami Dhyeyah: sadaa Savithrumandala Madhyavarthee Naaraayanah: Sarasijaasana Sannivishtah: Keyuuravaan Makarakundalavaan Kireeti Haari HiranmayaVapuh: dhrutaShankhaChakrah: Om udutyam jaatavedasam devam vahanti ketavah drushe vishvaaya Sooryam With above manthra, Yagnopaveetham should be shown to the Sun God.

Yagnopaveetha Dhaarana
Yagnopaveetham Ithi manthrasya Parabrahma Rishih (Touch forehead) Trushtup chandah (touch below nose) Paramathma devatha (touch the chest)
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Yagnopaveetha dhaarane viniyogah: Wear Yagnopaveetham one by one reciting the following manthra three times. While wearing Yagnopaveetham it should be held by both hands, the knot in the Yagnopaveetham being held above by the right hand facing upwards. Yagnopaveetha dharana Manthra Yagnopaveetham paramam pavithram Prajapatheryassahajam purasthath Aayushyamagryam prathimuncha shubram Yagnopaveetham balamasthuthejah In case of a Brahmachari only one Yagnopaveetham is prescribed, whereas for a Grihastha three or four is prescribed according to their sampradaya. While wearing the subsequent Yagnopaveethams the following sankalpa should be recited along with the Yagnopaveetha dhaarana manthra as said above. Second one: Mama Grihasthaasrama yogyatha siddhyartham dwiteeya Yagnopaveetha dhaaranam karishye Third one: Uttareeyartham thrutheeya Yagnopaveetha dhaaranam karishye Fourth one: Daanaartham Chaturtha Yagnopaveetha dhaaranam karishye Yagnopaveethams should be worn, one by one as said above and every time Aachamanam should be performed and Gayathri should be recited.

Yagnopaveetha Visarjana
Remove the old Yagnopaveetham after performing Aachamanam and at least reciting Dasa Gayathri. It should be removed from below the navel by reciting the Visarjana manthra. Yagnopaveetha Visarjana Manthra Upaveetham Bhinna thanthum jeernam Kasmala dooshitham, Visrujaamijale Brahmanvarcho dheergayurasthu mey Old Yagnopaveetham should be dropped into water or on a Tree and should not be thrown into garbage.
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Abhivaadana (Pravara Uchhaara)

Chatuh: Saagara paryantham Gobraahmanebhyah: Subham bhavatu (Gothra uchhaara) Triyaarusheya Pravaraanvita Gothrothpanna ..Sarma Ahambho Abhivaadaye Aachamanam: Perform Aachamanam again

Samarpana
Yasya smrithya cha naamokthya thapaha pooja kriyadhishu nyunam sampoornatham yaathi sadhyo vande thamachyutham manthraheenam kriyaheenam bhakthiheenam Ramaapathey yathkrutham thu maya deva paripoornam thadhasthu mey Anena Yagnopaveetha dhaaranena bhagavaan Bharathi Ramana mukhyapraanathargatha Sri Lakshminarayana preranaya, Sri Lakshminarayana preethyartham Supreetho varadho bhavathu Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu Kaayena vaacha manasendri yairvaa Buddhyaatmanaa vaa prakrite swabhavath Karomi yadyat sakalam parasmai Naarayanayethi samarpayaami Achyuthaaya namah: Ananthaaya Namah: Govindaaya Namah: Ps: By and large while the procedure remains the same there could be difference in slokas which may be followed as per sampradaya. Words mentioned within brackets in Sankalpa sloka may change according to the date, time and occasion of changing the Yagnopaveetham. Above procedure of changing the Yagnopaveetham is followed not only on the day of Upakarma but also in normal circumstances whenever the need arises.
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Related posts from the blog you may like to read

Yagnopaveetham Paramam Pavithram http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2009/06/yagnopaveethamparamam-pavithram.html Upakarma http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2009/07/upakarma.html
Aachamana Vidhi

http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2009/04/aachamana-vidhi-itssignificance.html Sankalpa Vidhi http://bhargavasarma.blogspot.com/2009/05/sankalpa-proposal-in-vedicway.html bhargavasarma (www.bhargavasarma.blogspot.com)

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