Symbolism of the sacred thread
In Hinduism and Buddhism, a Yajñopavītam
is a thin consecreted cord,
composed of distinct cotton strands, worn to symbolize the permission given to
him to do Sandhyavandanam and Gayatri Mantram. The
sacred Upnayanam ceremony that invests
the wearer with the sacred Yajñopavītam is often considered a socially and
spiritually significant rite or Samskara.
The strands of the sacred thread have symbolic meaning that varies
by community and region. The sacred thread has three strands. A bachelor wears
only one sacred thread where as a married man wears two of them making it six
strands. If the man has married and has fathered a child, he wears three, which
makes it nine strands.
Three
debts
The three strands
sometimes symbolize three debts Runam that must never be forgotten and should be
cleared. The debt to one's teachers (गुरु ऋण, Guru
Runam ) i.e. those who have taught
the wearer; the debt to one's parents and ancestors (पितृ ऋण, Pitru
Runam), i.e. those who have nurtured the wearer and made possible his
existence; the debt to the sages/scholars (ऋषि ऋण Rushi Runam ) , i.e. those Ancient Maharshis
who discovered knowledge, both spiritual and secular, over the ages, which now
enriches the wearer's life.
In some versions, the debt to God (देव ऋण, Deva Runam).is added. The God who
created this Universe and in turn the
living and non living beings.
Upon marriage, sometimes the number of strands
increases to six, because the man is expected to assume the debts of his wife
as well.
Three
devis
The three strands also symbolizes:
Devi Gayatri (गायत्री, Goddess of mind)
Devi Saraswati (सरस्वती, Goddess
of word)
Devi Savitri (सवित्री, Goddess of deed)
