Auspicious Muhurtha to Perform Upanayan Samskara

Yagyopavit is a sanskrit word, which means a thread blessed by performing Yajnas. This sutra or thread is also called Jenau. Yagyopavit is popularly known as Upnayan. Yagyaupavit Sanskara is important in Hindu Religion. In ancient period, the person was considered eligible to study Vedas once he performed this Sanskara. The person is considered “Dvij” (a person who is born twice).

Hindu scriptures say that Gurus give their disciples the knowledge of gayari mantra before teaching them vedas. They teach their disciples Vedas as well as the principles and practical knowledge of Brahmacharya Ashram. In this sanskara, the child has to wear “Jenau” made up of three threads and each thread represents a loan. The first thread represents ancestral loans, second thread guru’s loans and the third represents God’s loans. Apart from these threads, the child wears three other threads as a family ritual to start his student life.

Time-period

According to scriptures, the age of brahmin should be 5 or 8 yrs, kshatriya 6 or 11 yrs and Veshya 8 or 12 yrs for Upnayan Sanskara. The maximum age for this Sanskara for Brahmins is 16 yrs, kshatriyas 22 yrs and for Veshyas is 24 yrs. According to astrology, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Mars are considered auspicious. Out of these Pisces and Mars are considered the best. It has been mentioned in the scriptures that Upnayan of the elder brother should be performed when Sun is located in the Taurus sign. Kshatriya and Veshya can perform this Sanskara when Sun is located in Gemini.

Nakshatra

Nakshatra is considered first for the assessment of Muhurtha of this Sanskara. This sanskara can be performed in the presence of any one of the following Nakshatras: Uttraphalguni, Uttrabhadrapad, Rohini, Mrighshira, raivati, Chitra, Anuradha, Hast, Ashwini, Pushya, Abhijeet, Swati, Punarvasu, Shravana, Ghanishtha, and Shatbhisha. However, Punarvasu is not a favorable Nakshatra for a Brahmin to perform this ritual.

Date

Second, third, tenth, eleventh and twelfth and the second, third and fifth dates of Krishna Paksha are considered auspicious to perform this Sanskara.

Second of Ashad Shukla Paksha, eleventh of Poksha Shukla Paksha and twelfth date of Maagh Shukla Paksha are not considered auspicious for this Sanskara. Apart from these, rikta tithis (fourth, ninth and fourteenth) and Pratipada (seventh, eighth, thirteenth) as well as the tithis of full moon or no moon are also inauspicious for this Sanskara.

Day

For Upnayan Sanskara Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are considered very good.

Ascendant

Strong Ascendant is considered auspicious for Upnayan Muhurtha. Ascendant which has an auspicious planet in its Kendra (first, fourth, seventh and tenth house) and Trine (fifth and ninth house) and a malefic planet in the third, sixth and eleventh house is considered good for this muhurtha. The Ascendant lord, Moon, Jupiter and Venus should not be located in the eighth house. It is auspicious if Moon is located in the Ascendant, its own sign or in an exalted sign. To perform this Sanskara, Moon should be in Ascendant or in the Navmansh of Mercury, Jupiter and Venus.

Caution

Astrologers say that Moon should not be placed in the fourth, eighth and twelfth house from the birth-moon. Also avoid third, fifth and seventh Tara to perform this Sanskara. Moon and Tara should be auspicious during the assessment of Muhurtha for this Sanskara.