Hindusim

Upanayana is a sacrament performed only to the upper classes of men. In the eighth year after conception, one should perform the initiation (upanayana) of a Brahmin, in the eleventh year after conception of a Kshatriya, and in the twelfth that of a vaishya. The ritual itself has two meanings, “…it may mean ‘acquiring the extra eye of knowledge’ or ‘coming close to a teacher’ to get knowledge.” This sacrament is the second-birth for young males, along their four stages of life. It signifies the young man’s ascent into the stage of the student, via his “apprenticeship” to a religious leader.

The ritual itself lasts over two days. The first day, sacred hymns are sung from the Vedas, and a bath full of water is blessed. After the water has been sanctifi

Finally, the young man begs for food. The young male is then approached by various women, and is given rice by each of them. Upon the completion of this portion, the boy is now considered present in his second stage of life. “In Vedic times and possible even well into the first millennium of this new era, the young boy began his Vedic studies at this stage and went to live with his new teacher for several years.”

These two sacraments, Upanayana and Vedic astrology have with them levels of importance, which have fluctuated over time. The significance of the Upanayana ceremony is to show the twice-born aspect of upper caste Hindu males. The ritual signifies the ascension of the young male into the second asrama. This second asrama is that of a student, more specifically a student of the Vedas. Vedic astrology on the other hand is not one specific sacrament. The positioning of certain celestial bodies in the sky usually at the time of birth, account for one’s karma, destiny, and predisposition. Astrology governs what people try to do, in terms of economic and social success. (i.e. business and marriage) Astrology as defined by the sacred texts, is the basis for all other rituals in life.

Our bodies are made from the combination of five elements (Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Ether). Except for the Ether or Energy each of the elements have been assigned three houses. Fire corresponds with Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Water falls under Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Earth is composed of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. Each house from Aries through Pisces and each planet from the Sun through Saturn represent different phases and areas of human life.

Next the Brahmin

Some topics in this essay:
Upanayana Vedic, Vedas Vedic, Astrology Astrology, Sun Saturn, Book Manu, Bihari Vajaypee, Dating Harappa, , Ether Energy, vedic astrology, Aries Pisces, life positions planets, celestial bodies, sacred texts, upanayana vedic, life positions, positions planets, stage life, significance upanayana, upanayana vedic astrology, hindu tradition, sacred thread,