Throughout the course of history, the Hindu tradition has grown and evolved. Dating back to Harappa civilization the religious practices, which encompass Hinduism have changed over time yet certain sacraments have remained the same. Within the faith itself, different groups hold various rituals to separate degrees. Two sacraments have seemed to transcend these boundaries; Upanayana and Vedic astrology. Both of these rituals hold special significance.
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 sanctified, the boy is bathed clean. .
The second day, the entire family and circles of friends arrive to celebrate the boy's second birth. First, the Brahmin who is going to enact the ritual must check the solidity of the boy in question. The priest will check out the family to make sure that all the previous sacraments for the boy have been preformed. Just in case these have not been preformed properly, the priest repeats them all very quickly to be sure that they have all been definitely done. .
Second, the young male is given a sacred thread to be worn over his left shoulder. The reasons for the sacred thread are not clear. According to the textbook, there are at least two interpretations.
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