The Foundational Emblems of Indian Culture: Shikha and Sutra (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 16)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Nov_Dec/v1.ShikhaSutra_II)

The commencement of wearing of the sutra and tightening of the shikha at the time of initiation (diksha) into Gayatri sadhana is referred in the shastras as dwijatva - the second birth - and the one who wears the sacred thread (sutra) and keeps the shikha is called a dwija (born anew - as Brahmin).

That means: whatever family one may be born in, wearing the sutra is his second birth, which is that of a Brahmin.

What does that imply?

It conveys that the beginning of wearing the sutra symbolizes the initiation into the life of a true Brahmin.

The Foundational Emblems of Indian Culture: Shikha and Sutra (Translation of a discourse of Revered Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya)

(Post 15)

(http://literature.awgp.org/akhandjyoti/2004/Nov_Dec/v1.ShikhaSutra_II)

Many people have great faith in doing havan (yajna or yagya).

This faith is inculcated in their minds since the childhood.

Havan is generally performed in every religious ceremony in the Hindu families.

But nobody knows about the intimate relation between yagya and yagyopaveet.

Yagya symbolizes noble deeds and yagyopaveet (sutra) indicates noble qualities that should be an integral part of a Brahmin's life.

Who is a Brahmin?

The one who strives for his inner enlightenment; who expects minimum from the society, and gives his best to the society.