Describe the sacred thread ceremony of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
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When Guru Nanak was nine years old, his father was determined to make him wear a janeu (also known as yajñopavītam). Mehta Kalu worried that his son freely mixed and played with muslim and 'untouchable' (low caste) children.
The Janeu is a thread (made from cotton, hempen or wool) that is worn by the hindu brahmins, kshatriyas and vaishyas of India. The thread of 'Janeo' suggests the development of a male, from a young boy to a man. The Janeu ceremony reinforces the superiority of a persons caste. This is form of racism in India has been used to control the hindu masses for centuries. Historically, hindus were indentified by the type of janeu they wore.
It is believed that a boy cannot be surmised as 'dvija' (twice born) until he wears the janeu. Until a boy is given a janeu, he is seen as an outcast. The ceremony suggests that the wearer of janeu can take part in future family rituals.High caste hindu's believe that low caste hindu's dream of dying, to be reborn again into a higher caste so that can to wear the thread.
Preparations For The Event
The string was to be draped over young Guru Nanak by Pandit Hardyal, the family's 'purohit' (brahmin priest). Guru Nanak could see a lot of preparations were going on. Being the first major religious ceremony in the life of his only son, Mehta Kalu planned a big feast.
An atmosphere of hustle and bustle was visible all around. Lots of relatives from near and far, as well as, friends and every one in the village were invited to participate in the event and enjoy the feast. Young Guru Nanak would ask questions about each and every thing. He would study the answers and then give his own logical explanations which often differed with the established thought and practices around the village.
Guru Nanak was becoming well known for his lateral, out of the box thinking, where he asked unusual questions and gave intelligent answers to questions from other people. His logic was irrefutable and every one loved him for his humility in asking the questions, and for his extraordinary genius in answering questions and giving explanations to his answers. He was the only one in his village who dared to think laterally and question the age-old explanations being given by both the hindu and muslim priests.
Guru Nanak Consults His Sister
Guru Nanak had an elder sister named Nanaki. Brother and sister were very close and would often openly discuss their thoughts with one another. Regarding the ceremony of the janeu, Nanaki had asked her brother, 'Do you know what this all is about?' 'Yes', replied Guru Nanak, 'I have heard I will be given a janeu by the purohit'.
'Can you tell me why you didn't get a string?' Guru Nanak asked his sister. 'You're older than me', continued Guru Nanak. 'I don't know, maybe girls are not allowed to have one. Mother doesn't have one either, why don't you check with her or father or ask the purohit?' answered Nanaki.
Nanak approached his father, who was busy organising the event, making sure that every thing was going smoothly. Mehta Kalu dearly loved his son and was very tolerant of him. However as most father's do so, he wanted what he thought was best for Guru Nanak. 'Can I ask you a question?' said Guru Nanak. 'Yes, but please be quick, there's a lot of things I have to do', replied his father.
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if not then comment me
The Janeu is a thread (made from cotton, hempen or wool) that is worn by the hindu brahmins, kshatriyas and vaishyas of India. The thread of 'Janeo' suggests the development of a male, from a young boy to a man. The Janeu ceremony reinforces the superiority of a persons caste. This is form of racism in India has been used to control the hindu masses for centuries. Historically, hindus were indentified by the type of janeu they wore.
It is believed that a boy cannot be surmised as 'dvija' (twice born) until he wears the janeu. Until a boy is given a janeu, he is seen as an outcast. The ceremony suggests that the wearer of janeu can take part in future family rituals.High caste hindu's believe that low caste hindu's dream of dying, to be reborn again into a higher caste so that can to wear the thread.
Preparations For The Event
The string was to be draped over young Guru Nanak by Pandit Hardyal, the family's 'purohit' (brahmin priest). Guru Nanak could see a lot of preparations were going on. Being the first major religious ceremony in the life of his only son, Mehta Kalu planned a big feast.
An atmosphere of hustle and bustle was visible all around. Lots of relatives from near and far, as well as, friends and every one in the village were invited to participate in the event and enjoy the feast. Young Guru Nanak would ask questions about each and every thing. He would study the answers and then give his own logical explanations which often differed with the established thought and practices around the village.
Guru Nanak was becoming well known for his lateral, out of the box thinking, where he asked unusual questions and gave intelligent answers to questions from other people. His logic was irrefutable and every one loved him for his humility in asking the questions, and for his extraordinary genius in answering questions and giving explanations to his answers. He was the only one in his village who dared to think laterally and question the age-old explanations being given by both the hindu and muslim priests.
Guru Nanak Consults His Sister
Guru Nanak had an elder sister named Nanaki. Brother and sister were very close and would often openly discuss their thoughts with one another. Regarding the ceremony of the janeu, Nanaki had asked her brother, 'Do you know what this all is about?' 'Yes', replied Guru Nanak, 'I have heard I will be given a janeu by the purohit'.
'Can you tell me why you didn't get a string?' Guru Nanak asked his sister. 'You're older than me', continued Guru Nanak. 'I don't know, maybe girls are not allowed to have one. Mother doesn't have one either, why don't you check with her or father or ask the purohit?' answered Nanaki.
Nanak approached his father, who was busy organising the event, making sure that every thing was going smoothly. Mehta Kalu dearly loved his son and was very tolerant of him. However as most father's do so, he wanted what he thought was best for Guru Nanak. 'Can I ask you a question?' said Guru Nanak. 'Yes, but please be quick, there's a lot of things I have to do', replied his father.
I hope this will help you
if not then comment me
Answered by
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The sacred thread ceremony of Guru Nanak was arranged by his father Mehta Kalu, when he was only nine years old.
He was supposed to get a sacred cotton thread termed as Janeu, a mark of the male Brahmins.
Pandit Hardayal, a Brahmin priest was invited to perform this rite and Guru Nanak asked him several questions about the importance of janeu.
All his explanations could not satisfy young Nanak and they argued on this matter.
Lastly, the priest was defeated and all villagers congratulated Guru Nanak for his wisdom.
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