Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 201

CEREMONY OF THE TRIPLE CORD
161
formed by nine threads. The cotton with which it is
made must be gathered from the plant by the hand of a
pure Brahmin, and carded and spun by persons of the same
avoid the possibility of its being defiled by
through unclean hands. After a Brahmin is
married his cord must have nine and not three strands \
Brahmins, and all the other castes which have the right
to wear this cord, prize it more highly and are certainly
more proud of it than are many Europeans who by noble
birth or great deeds possess the right to wear the cordon
caste, so as to
passing
of the knightly orders.
Children from the age of five to nine are invested with
March, April, May, and June are considered the
most favourable months for the investiture. As the cere-
mony entails a considerable outlay, the poorer Brahmins
go from house to house begging and collecting funds with
which to defray the necessary expenses and natives of
all castes believe that in making such contributions they
are performing a pious act.
This ceremony is called the upanayana, which means
introduction to knowledge,' for by it a Brahmin acquires
the right to study.
Several of the rites performed on this
occasion are also performed at the marriage ceremony, so
I will only describe here those which are peculiar to the
cord ceremony, and I will describe later on those common
to both.
The following details are extracts from the ritual
of the purohitas, which bears the title of Nittya Karma.
To begin with, the father of the candidate must provide
himself with many pieces of cotton cloth and plenty of
small gold and silver coins, to be given as presents to the
guests.
He must also have a large supply of rice, flour,
fresh and dried vegetables, fruit, oil of sesamum, clarified
this cord.
;
'
1
The number
three, adopted, and so to say consecrated, in this and
other instances, is evidently used in an allegorical sense.
I am
rather inclined to believe that it refers to the three principal divinities
of India
Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. Dubois.
The Abbe is incorrect as to the number of strands. After marriage
a Brahmin must wear six, and may wear nine. The triple cord is thus
explained by one authority
It symbolizes the body, speech, and
mind. It symbolizes the control of each ; and therefore when the
knots are tied in it, it means that the man who wears the thread has
gained control over body, speech, and mind.' Ed.
in
many
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