Queries regarding yagjopaveetham length and sandhyavandhanam

[confused16]

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Good day to everyone. I had my upanayanam done at 7 years of age (apasthamba, kashyapa gotra, yajur-vedi) but I have not done regular sandhyavandhanam for the past years (I am now 23). I wish to restart my duties of trikaala sandhyavandhana but none of my recent ancestors (father, maternal or paternal grandfathers, the last person that performed it was my maternal great grandfather) have done daily sandhyavandhana, hence I have had some basic queries that have remained unanswered:

1. About length of yagnopaveetha: what must one do if it is too long? Some videos online show them looping and knotting it, but I remember reading some resource which says there must be no other knot except the brahma-mudichu.

2. As someone who hasn't done the sandhyavandhana in 16 years, is there anything else I can do except get another upanayana done for me, to be eligible for study of vedas?

 

[OKO]

I asked a close relative of mine about your query, and this is what he had to say:

1. Buy the thread and tie the knot yourself (see: for guidance)
2. The initiation is the upanayanam. The fact that you have not practised does not take away the fact that you have been initiated into it. If you feel that you need guidance for your sandhyavandhanam reach out to a local branch of your mutt or the shastrigal mamas that are known to your family.

 

[confused16]

I asked a close relative of mine about your query, and this is what he had to say:

1. Buy the thread and tie the knot yourself (see: for guidance)
2. The initiation is the upanayanam. The fact that you have not practised does not take away the fact that you have been initiated into it. If you feel that you need guidance for your sandhyavandhanam reach out to a local branch of your mutt or the shastrigal mamas that are known to your family.

Thank you very much for the advice

 

[a-TB]

Good day to everyone. I had my upanayanam done at 7 years of age (apasthamba, kashyapa gotra, yajur-vedi) but I have not done regular sandhyavandhanam for the past years (I am now 23). I wish to restart my duties of trikaala sandhyavandhana but none of my recent ancestors (father, maternal or paternal grandfathers, the last person that performed it was my maternal great grandfather) have done daily sandhyavandhana, hence I have had some basic queries that have remained unanswered:

1. About length of yagnopaveetha: what must one do if it is too long? Some videos online show them looping and knotting it, but I remember reading some resource which says there must be no other knot except the brahma-mudichu.

2. As someone who hasn't done the sandhyavandhana in 16 years, is there anything else I can do except get another upanayana done for me, to be eligible for study of vedas?

I want to assure you that you can restart the daily ritual anytime.

Sandhyavandanam is considered a Nithya Karma (a daily ritual) and is therefore prescribed as a duty for everyone. Anyone leading a satvic lifestyle is encouraged to study the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. To learn the ritualistic and upasana (worship or meditative) sections of the Vedas, however, it is essential to have a teacher. This teacher ensures that the chanting is accurate and can guide you effectively. Such teachers are often more rigid in their outlook, having been trained in the dos and don'ts of these practices throughout their lives.

Nithya Karma refers to duties performed without expecting any results or rewards.

Adi Shankaracharya, in his commentaries, discussed the non-performance of Nithya Karma. He addressed whether such omissions lead to Pratyavaya Dosha (a specific kind of fault or consequence). He concluded definitively that there is no possibility of such a dosha. Therefore, if someone has neglected their daily duties or failed to perform Shraddham (ritual offerings to ancestors), there are no resulting faults. However, it is always beneficial to resume these prescribed practices immediately, as they contribute to personal growth. There is no need to worry about past non-performance.

If possible, take the time to learn the meanings and significance of each step in these practices. At the very least, begin chanting the Gayatri Mantra Japam daily, ideally in the morning. While there are traditionally prescribed counts for this chant, the emphasis should be on the quality of the meditative chanting rather than merely focusing on the numbers.

All the best!

PS: Get Upaveetham soon but it is not necessary to begin the practice of Sandhyavandhanam

 

[confused16]

I asked a close relative of mine about your query, and this is what he had to say:

1. Buy the thread and tie the knot yourself (see: for guidance)
2. The initiation is the upanayanam. The fact that you have not practised does not take away the fact that you have been initiated into it. If you feel that you need guidance for your sandhyavandhanam reach out to a local branch of your mutt or the shastrigal mamas that are known to your family.

Namaskaram, do you have any idea where the thread can be bought in chennai? I asked some relatives yesterday and they have searched all over mylapore, and nearby temples and couldn't get the actual yarn of the thread. They tell me the people selling tied poonal threads tell them that it comes from kumbakonam and the we won't find actual thread anywhere here.
Felt very dejected hearing that such a basic necessity could not be bought in chennai of all places.

 

[confused16]

I asked a close relative of mine about your query, and this is what he had to say:

1. Buy the thread and tie the knot yourself (see: for guidance)
2. The initiation is the upanayanam. The fact that you have not practised does not take away the fact that you have been initiated into it. If you feel that you need guidance for your sandhyavandhanam reach out to a local branch of your mutt or the shastrigal mamas that are known to your family.

Namaskaram, do you have any idea where the thread can be bought in chennai? I asked some relatives yesterday and they have searched all over mylapore, and nearby temples and couldn't get the actual yarn of the thread. They tell me the people selling tied poonal threads tell them that it comes from kumbakonam and the we won't find actual thread anywhere here.
Felt very dejected hearing that such a basic necessity could not be bought in chennai of all places.

 

[OKO]

The video says cotton thread and that can be bought at any fancy store. I believe the issue is they have gone to stores like Giri that sell pooja items. Just go to any good fancy stores or yarn stores and ask for a strong cotton thread.

I've attached a couple of links from Amazon (it might be 2/3x more expensive than if bought irl). Not sure if they sell them where you reside, as Amazon tends to map items (particularly for pooja) to your location:

1. https://www.amazon.in/ecofynd-Macra...1867002&sprefix=cotton+thread,aps,209&sr=8-10
2. https://www.amazon.in/Thread-Brahmi...&sprefix=cotton+thread+poonal,aps,194&sr=8-12
3. https://www.amazon.in/S-ENTERPRISES...-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
4. https://www.amazon.in/S-ENTERPRISES...Z2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1&smid=A16WAM85FMUBB3

 

[confused16]

We were

The video says cotton thread and that can be bought at any fancy store. I believe the issue is they have gone to stores like Giri that sell pooja items. Just go to any good fancy stores or yarn stores and ask for a strong cotton thread.

I've attached a couple of links from Amazon (it might be 2/3x more expensive than if bought irl). Not sure if they sell them where you reside, as Amazon tends to map items (particularly for pooja) to your location:

1. https://www.amazon.in/ecofynd-Macrame-Natural-Handmade-Hanging/dp/B0922WW21M/ref=sr_1_10?crid=R20XQRDVWHC6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qOHfs8LffCABDBx64NxisJbi7zEnKznEO-NePkdRM2jzHNiZlKrB_eTkv7HPvPsQ9adUkWdAukmX8xwSKJNVveN6PeC2U3uioZ_c_Q844IAhLhM6UHx0GD57Vo_lcXKjXX_UK5PE2jQJmmY0psyFuOqxHHF8ip2jui4oaIJ5itlAfLervCq3KGQ6WipchR0QMrvQJhyeRvInCxSHEyzy8py04TROfm7gsHYBXQXKf8zefgfc9fzRyeJQVCem24ZO5x-uJ9lHwnHaYEC4h5cneWYpKZ-Z7S6PRwmYEhhcHWd2TwgPqB3XpuATKcDXChHQtDCPBebPCEwRJJfNGc2Ho3fs1L0Avu-0futi_vvkOdubgV-SJFRsXXHS4oX4cDEEI33-vPEyFDu_nNfMP4iQWHTycGHmrrOVttwvQn9K4mq-BffSfTR05yeDI0XsUtX2.6HEMkeEgXpDPgCUk-BMkh4-2DD_JOLJUifkCMPN6s1c&dib_tag=se&keywords=cotton+thread&qid=1741867002&sprefix=cotton+thread,aps,209&sr=8-10
2. https://www.amazon.in/Thread-Brahmin-Yagnopaveeth-Jagnopait-Thread/dp/B09TT39RS7/ref=sr_1_12?crid=2FAOJC129PB1H&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.marZcY8lnlK40QKY3WHMyfmq-5jbT_u58MC3w23wJYL7Mdj5FE1U6hSAoQF_pkjNIRTHYg4kDx9jQ7zjZ9HzG0j947iZeMQ4_r1D8HHUVawggngZX5clWi6OBfJSV5lMFUn0BaiCojnNS2XeLBibdLzp-zgKifnUqLghoj_msxh4FF_ehlZOn-a0NAJPuPgz-tQ1HlBqV2WcCMbKB6t_i5Z40zk7BD2N2kE37eRuQYOt4VtdWE7apAUIOcSEIT2qZPzSq-93vjZIkbPA06cOOMkZut_SYtcHWwhn1ksnEcJiYXG9LmDS2g9rs4bO1L1QEkdapKtJ1-J37-lLpnCuCr02tJ21j_Ohm6XgTMBIQdF3Tm5TMKplUquyYNg8TTWsMNQ8th5N5XCkFedEc_ptb1jTkKybjO5XEbv6x3mflYPcotWBDbMTF1s3NERinsCf.3Xh7emLouW98Vpc04Hrm7jTCVe1QeUEjV_TN3mMY8Jg&dib_tag=se&keywords=cotton+thread+poonal&qid=1741867031&sprefix=cotton+thread+poonal,aps,194&sr=8-12
3. https://www.amazon.in/S-ENTERPRISES-Handpicked-Cotton-Piping/dp/B07PNCKNX8/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2FAOJC129PB1H&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.marZcY8lnlK40QKY3WHMyfmq-5jbT_u58MC3w23wJYL7Mdj5FE1U6hSAoQF_pkjNIRTHYg4kDx9jQ7zjZ9HzG0j947iZeMQ4_r1D8HHUVawggngZX5clWi6OBfJSV5lMFUn0BaiCojnNS2XeLBibdLzp-zgKifnUqLghoj_msxh4FF_ehlZOn-a0NAJPuPgz-tQ1HlBqV2WcCMbKB6t_i5Z40zk7BD2N2kE37eRuQYOt4VtdWE7apAUIOcSEIT2qZPzSq-93vjZIkbPA06cOOL0I7jPBWliQIL7FAgKBHWg.ti-Gsf88JW6jlUdJ-284g_yfAXqanRjD_v33oRpiUrY&dib_tag=se&keywords=cotton+thread+poonal&qid=1741867031&sprefix=cotton+thread+poonal,aps,194&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
4. https://www.amazon.in/S-ENTERPRISES-Handpicked-Cotton-Piping/dp/B0C6YCM2TK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2FAOJC129PB1H&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.marZcY8lnlK40QKY3WHMyfmq-5jbT_u58MC3w23wJYL7Mdj5FE1U6hSAoQF_pkjNIRTHYg4kDx9jQ7zjZ9HzG0j947iZeMQ4_r1D8HHUVawggngZX5clWi6OBfJSV5lMFUn0BaiCojnNS2XeLBibdLzp-zgKifnUqLghoj_msxh4FF_ehlZOn-a0NAJPuPgz-tQ1HlBqV2WcCMbKB6t_i5Z40zk7BD2N2kE37eRuQYOt4VtdWE7apAUIOcSEIT2qZPzSq-93vjZIkbPA06cOOL0I7jPBWliQIL7FAgKBHWg.ti-Gsf88JW6jlUdJ-284g_yfAXqanRjD_v33oRpiUrY&dib_tag=se&keywords=cotton+thread+poonal&qid=1741867031&sprefix=cotton+thread+poonal,aps,194&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1&smid=A16WAM85FMUBB3

Many thanks, they were able to find it at mylapore giri today evening. Sadly I did not have the same luck regarding finiding sandhyavandhanam books by Sri Anna and Sri Somadeva sharma ji

 

[OKO]

We were

Many thanks, they were able to find it at mylapore giri today evening. Sadly I did not have the same luck regarding finiding sandhyavandhanam books by Sri Anna and Sri Somadeva sharma ji

Sounds great! Good luck on your journey.

Also, I'm unsure if these were the books you wanted, but I have attached some links I got off the net. Hope that helps.

1. https://www.amazon.in/Sri-Sandyavan...=p_27:Srivathsa+Somadeva+Sarma&s=books&sr=1-7
2. https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/sri-sandhya-vandanam-tamil-tzz499/
3. https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/explanation-of-apastamba-sutra-darbhana-tamil-tzz361/
4. https://giri.in/products/sandhya-va...kG5CmBNOdfj4yGLW4jlmH0DIBpVHGav5Nw2rTua6wFGvX

I could not find Sri Sri Anna's book, but he has a couple of discourses on sandhyavadanam online, which you can peruse through.

 

[shankarkrupa]

My suggestion would be to be associated with a saasthrigal (preferably the family vaadhyaar or even the person who did the upanayanam for you). You will get upanayanam, poonal, and all the guidance regularly. Learning from YouTube or book is not advisable. Referencing them is fine. especially since you are in Chennai, it is not at all difficult to have in-person guidance and comtact. Sharma saasthrigal also conducts regular workshop in T. Nagar. You can join such workshops and learn from book or videos after the basic initiation

 

[confused16]

My suggestion would be to be associated with a saasthrigal (preferably the family vaadhyaar or even the person who did the upanayanam for you). You will get upanayanam, poonal, and all the guidance regularly. Learning from YouTube or book is not advisable. Referencing them is fine. especially since you are in Chennai, it is not at all difficult to have in-person guidance and comtact. Sharma saasthrigal also conducts regular workshop in T. Nagar. You can join such workshops and learn from book or videos after the basic initiation

Actually I've been living in maharashtra for about 2 years, so for learning from a vathiyaar, I will have to wait a few months, to visit chennai and do so.
I have been reading 3-4 books on sandhyavandhanam recently(rk math's sri anna's book, giri's book, 2 more vaishnava sv books, have ordered somadeva sharma ji's book) and was planning to start doing it, with the giri instructional videos on youtube for the proper pronunciation and tone(vedic swara/accent).

And, my relatives were luckily able to find a vathiyaar in an ayyapan kovil who has made me some poonals of the correct length.

These are the updates in my journey so far. . And of course indebted to this forum for all the advice I recieved in the past week and also whatever future advice you may give me.

 

[SPR]

I am not able to accept that a intelligent person like you can not find a source when lots and lots of information is available in the net, Right from Sandhya Vandanam mantras to availability of other items. You seems to be knowing many info already. If it is not for the sake of starting a discussions in the forum I suggest that you start right now from what ever that is know by you and correct it over time. Do not waste time in finding a perfect set. Start immediately with what ever you can find (books or videos from rk math's sri anna's book, or from giri traders). I find some small issues were omitted by each one and I do not know why. You can find it all by yourself, if you are really that serious. Mumbai balu vathiyar gives a better version Over the period improve upon it. Since you said that you are apasthamba, kashyapa gotra, Yajurveda, pl follow the one for smartha. (iyer) Never bother about buying poonool from Giri or any other stores nearby since now a days, even the sasthirigals are also buying it from such places only. It gets its worth only after you recite the mathras

 

[confused16]

I am not able to accept that a intelligent person like you can not find a source when lots and lots of information is available in the net, Right from Sandhya Vandanam mantras to availability of other items.

This forum was a big help in finding some resources sir. In terms of books, now I have ordered/purchased books of srivatsa somadeva sharma ji, anna subramaniar's bashyam and giri traders. It was some aspects such as yagnopavitham length, etc where I couldn't get explanations on the ground, which this forum finally solved.
Indeed, I am a perfectionist, hence I spend a lot of time searching for multiple resources before doing anything. In this case, I have been reading/memorizing the shlokas and 'urai', and I intend to start doing very soon

 

[PRVSIYER]

I asked a close relative of mine about your query, and this is what he had to say:

1. Buy the thread and tie the knot yourself (see: for guidance)
2. The initiation is the upanayanam. The fact that you have not practised does not take away the fact that you have been initiated into it. If you feel that you need guidance for your sandhyavandhanam reach out to a local branch of your mutt or the shastrigal mamas that are known to your family.

Namaskaram, do you have any idea where the thread can be bought in chennai? I asked some relatives yesterday and they have searched all over mylapore, and nearby temples and couldn't get the actual yarn of the thread. They tell me the people selling tied poonal threads tell them that it comes from kumbakonam and the we won't find actual thread anywhere here.
Felt very dejected hearing that such a basic necessity could not be bought in chennai of all places.

In olden days, our priests used to make threads from cotton using a takli. I have seen and helped my periyappa in the poonool making process. Now threads are procured from the market.

 

[Srivatsan Iyer]

Actually I've been living in maharashtra for about 2 years, so for learning from a vathiyaar, I will have to wait a few months, to visit chennai and do so.
I have been reading 3-4 books on sandhyavandhanam recently(rk math's sri anna's book, giri's book, 2 more vaishnava sv books, have ordered somadeva sharma ji's book) and was planning to start doing it, with the giri instructional videos on youtube for the proper pronunciation and tone(vedic swara/accent).

And, my relatives were luckily able to find a vathiyaar in an ayyapan kovil who has made me some poonals of the correct length.

These are the updates in my journey so far. . And of course indebted to this forum for all the advice I recieved in the past week and also whatever future advice you may give me.

If you are in Thane then you have a very good vedic scholar there. You can write to him at vedaghosham@gmail.com asking for guidance on sandhyavandanam. He will take an in-person offline sandhyavandanam training for free. Many including me have got trained under him. Write an email to him first, your life will change with a right guru.

Another input to add, as a few others suggested start doing your Nithya Karma/ sandhyavandanam, Gayatri Mata will guide you through towards perfection, don't wait. Please start immediately with what ever you have now.

 

[PRVSIYER]

In olden days, our priests used to make threads from cotton using a takli. I have seen and helped my periyappa in the poonool making process. Now threads are procured from the market.

To get poonool, contact some local priests. Some priests will definitely be available at Pune. Instead of learning from YouTube etc better learn directly a from a Guru. I have taught mantras to many people with meaning and where it is used etc. I have always started the lessons with teaching how to do sandhyavandanam properly with meaning (I am an MA sanskrit) complete with pranayamam using pooraka=kumbhaka-rechana system. I had a disciple older than me. He had not done sandhyavandanam since a long time. When he attended my classes, he felt he should do it and till his death he had been doing it. He used to tell everyone about this. He used to insist of honouring me with dakshina etc on Vijayadasami day even long after the teaching had stopped. Once he wept when I said it is all over a long time ago. There is no need of such things. I had to accept seeing this. I am saying this to point out that there is no age limit to start the basic karmas a brahmin needs to do.

 

[tbs]

Namaskaram, do you have any idea where the thread can be bought in chennai? I asked some relatives yesterday and they have searched all over mylapore, and nearby temples and couldn't get the actual yarn of the thread. They tell me the people selling tied poonal threads tell them that it comes from kumbakonam and the we won't find actual thread anywhere here.
Felt very dejected hearing that such a basic necessity could not be bought in chennai of all places.

hi
i regularly my yajnopavitham from giri store only.....now i get it from thiruvanmiyur branch...even trikala sandhyavandam book too...

 

[confused16]

Dear all, thank you for all the valuble advice. Some positive updates I would like to share with you, which have gotten lost in the long thread of messages:
1. My relatives were able to get yagnopaveetham tied with for the length measurement I sent, from an ayyapan koil vadiyar from chennai
2. As for learning sandhya, I have amassed the collection of the following books, and started reading and comparing them, and Giri's guide video by TS Ranganathan. (In fact, I would appreciate if anyone knowing the right vedic swara and pronunciation can tell me if his version is good or are there any better ones)