Janeu: Know the meaning and many Benefits of wearing a Janeu
There are a total of 16 samskaras in Hinduism, starting from Janam sanskar (the ceremony of birth) and ending with Dah Sanskar (the ceremony of death). It is the 10th ceremony amid the 16 that’s known as Janeu Sanskaar. In this guide, we will take you through the mysteries behind a Janeu – what is a janeu, why Hindus wear Janeu, the benefits of wearing janeu, and much more. Dive in!
What is a Janeu?
You might have seen Brahmin boys and men wearing strands of a white-colored thread across their torso. That white-colored thread is a Janeu. It is also known as Upanayana and Yagnopavita. Only an elder (father or grandfather) or a Guru (teacher) can offer a Janeu.
Bear in mind, a janeu is not an ordinary piece of thread. There are many strict janeu rules to be followed and there’s a proper vidhi to wear a janeu.
Reasons Why Hindus Wear Janeu
When a Hindu Brahmin boy attains the age of 12, he has to wear a janeu.
According to Vedic astrology and Hindu beliefs, Brahmins belong to the uppermost caste amongst all other human beings. It is believed that the first-ever Brahmins were born from the mouth of Lord Brahma himself. Hence, a Janeu is worn as a symbol of superiority in terms of spiritual enlightenment.
Explore some other interesting reasons, according to Vedas, that Hindus wear a Juneau.
- A janeu signifies that the wearer has turned into a man from a boy.
- It means that the person wearing a Juneu has to carry forward all the family responsibilities.
- It is a symbol of high spiritual knowledge.
However, it doesn’t mean that the Hindu Dharma preaches casteism. The reason that humans were divided into 4 castes was to indicate the job of every person based upon their karma.
Since the job of Brahmins is the closest to spirituality, they’re given the highest place amongst all other human beings.
2 Legends About a Janeu Thread in Hinduism
Janeu thread is made of pure cotton. Also, remember, unmarried men wear 3 strands of Janeu, married men wear 6 strands of janeu, and orphaned men wear 9 stands of janeu.
3 Strands and 3 Goddesses
It is believed that the 3 strands of a Janeu represent 3 Hindu Goddesses, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, and Goddess Kali.
3 Strands and the Trinity of Hinduism
According to many Hindu legends, the 3 strands of a Janeu represent the trinity of Hinduism – Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Mahesh (Shiva).
The Proper Vidhi to Wear a Janeu
As we have already mentioned, a janeu is not an ordinary thread. You cannot randomly take 3 or 6 cotton stands and wear them. The threads have to be purified and activated first before wearing them. Only then they’re blessed by gods and goddesses.
- The Month to Wear a Janeu – According to the Hindu Calendar, a janeu should be worn during the Magh month. 6 months (starting from the Magh month) are considered most auspicious for wearing a Janeu.
- The Day to Wear a Janeu – Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are the most auspicious days to wear the Janeu.
- Yagya Ceremony for Wearing a Janeu – The child should wake up in the morning and take a turmeric and sandalwood bath. It is followed by the Mundan ceremony (the head of the child is shaved). A Pandit is invited to perform the Yagya. The child is supposed to wear unstitched clothes while performing the puja. A yellow cloth is wrapped around the neck, turmeric is applied on the janeu strands, and it is worn from the left shoulder.
- Janeu Mantra to Recite – There are 2 most important Janeu Mantras to be recited at different stages during the Yagya. First, the Yagyopaveet mantra is recited and then the Gayatri mantra is recited.
5 Janeu Rules to Follow
Once a boy wears a janeu, he becomes a man, and, most importantly, he becomes a Brahmin in the true sense. Once the Janeu is worn, some janeu rules are mandatory to be followed. We have listed them below.
- Do not take off the janeu after you’ve worn it.
- If the janeu breaks, conduct puja to make a new janeu and submerge the broken Janeu in a flowing river.
- It is important to pray in the evening every day after wearing a janeu.
- Vedas prohibit eating non-veg food and drinking alcohol when wearing a janeu.
- When attending an inauspicious ceremony, the janeu should be worn from the right shoulder.
4 Benefits of Wearing Janeu in Hinduism
It Offers Wisdom and Knowledge
When a person wears a Janeu, he becomes a Brahmin. A Brahmin is always blessed by Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva. Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, blesses the native as well. The combined blessings of these gods and goddesses make the native wise and spiritual.
- It is a means to achieve moksha.
- It brings the native closer to God.
- It adds to the good karma and reduces the past life sins.
It Offers Protection From Diseases and Mishaps
According to medical astrology, wearing a Janeu can cure high blood pressure and digestive disorders. It is also believed that if the native wears the janeu around the ears, he is blessed with a very good memory.
When a janeu is worn around the right ear, it directly touches the Lohitika vein. This vein regulates the passage of urine in humans. Hence, wearing a Juneau is also known to reduce kidney problems.
A janeu also carries the blessings of Shiva, the Lord of destruction. Shiva himself protects the bearer of a Janeu from accidents, black magic, and evil eyes.
It Makes the Bearer Brave
Wearing a Janeu offers the blessings of Shiva, the fearless. He makes the native very brave and capable of dealing with all kinds of problems. It is also believed that the person wearing a Janeu becomes very intuitive and loses the fear of death.
It Brings Good Luck and Wealth
One of the stands of a Janeu is for Goddess Lakshmi. It is believed that the deity of wealth has a soft corner for Brahmins wearing a janeu. She never lets them go hungry. So, wearing a Janeu can remove financial obstacles and can also bless the native with good luck.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the most important janeu mantra?
There are two. Gayatri mantra and Yagyopaveet mantra.
2. Why do Hindus wear Janeu?
It is believed that upon wearing a Juneau, a Brahmin boy becomes a man. Also, a Brahmin can perform pujas only after wearing a Janeu.
3. What are the benefits of wearing janeu?
It protects the wearer from sickness, mishaps, and Evil eyes. It also offers wealth, good luck, fortune, and wisdom.
4. What are the Janeu rules to follow?
Do not remove a janeu after wearing it. Also, do not consume non-vegetarian food and alcohol.