Upnayana Samaskara
By G.H. Ananthanarayanan.
Here is a handy book, which gives a succinct account of ` Upanayana`the most important of the five educational samskaras prescribed for the hindus.Quoating Max Muller, the author has stated in the preface, " The prescription of these ceremonials discloses the deep-rootedtendency in the heart of every man to bring the chief events of human life into contact with higher power and to give our joy and sufferings a deeper significance and a religious sanctfication."
In chapter I, the author has traced the origin and evolution of the samaskara and its role in the civic and religious life of people, and hoe it has degenerated into cceremonial farce in recent times.
A noval feature of the book is that in chapter II, the author has explained the meaning and significance of the various terms used in the samskara, such as the sacred thread, GOTRAS.PRAVARAS and SUTRAS, GIRDLE, DEERSKIN, the staff of PALASA, VYAHRITIS, KUMBA, NANDISHARAADDHA and os on, so that when the karta performsit he has some understanding of them, and he gets better focussed on them
In chapter III the author has explained when and why the smaskara is to be performed and the minutae of the rituals setting the stage ofr induction the boy into Brahmacharya.
The acharya finally presents the sacres thread ot the boy, after reciting the Gayatri amntraten times.
In annexure 'A'the author has quoted two detaile explanatoons of the Gayatri Mantra, which is deserving of particular attention.. The mantra generally cannotes the awakening of the brian with the rays of the sun. It is considered to be the essence of all Vedic mantras, so much co initiation into it is called Brahmopadesam. Along with this mantra , the Acharya imparts his Shakathi to the boy, hence, the two are insulated by means of silken clothes at the time of initiation.TThe importance of Trikalasnadhyavandanamand why one hsould perform it is well brought out in Annexure 'B'The learned author has also dwelt upon upakarma or Avani Avittam and its signiifcance as a puritifactory annual function.Also explained in the gayatri mantra and how its chanting on Gayatri Japam will help expiation of one's sinful actsduring the year gone by.
A very welcome feature of the book is that it gives all the important mantras in sanskrit together with their transliteration and translation into english, which is of immense help to those who are more familiar with that language.
This is a very useful addition to the family of books on Hindu Samskaras.. Moderately priced at Rs 50/ -,copies can be had from the author at flat no.6, Century Apartments, Pestom Sagar, Chembur, Mumbai 400 089- Phone 2525 8788 or e-mail orfrom the Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Wadakanchery , Kerrala- 680582.
