Upanayan Responsibilities (Garud Puran)

 

Speaking about the appropriate way of performing ‘Upanayan sanskar’ (Sacred thread ceremony) rituals, Lord Vishnu said- " A Brahmin child should get consecrated with the sacred thread in his eighth year."

A dvija, whose ‘Upanayan sanskar’ has been performed, must face southwards while relieving himself in the night whereas during daytime he should face northward. Subsequently, he should purify himself by properly washing his hands and feet with soap and water. The purification is believed to be incomplete until and unless the rituals of ‘Aachman’ (ritualistic rinsing of the mouth) have been performed.

He should do ‘Pranayam’ and chant the sacred Gayatri mantra facing east in the morning.

In the evening he should chant Gayatri mantra facing south.

After this the ritual of ‘Bhikshatan’ is performed whereby he seeks alms and donates everything that he gets to his Guru as a mark of respect to him. This particular ritual is symbolic and emphasizes the necessity of subduing one’s ego before acquiring knowledge from his Guru.