Upanayanam is one of the most important Samskaras. "Upa" means 'Close' and "Nayanam" means 'to bring'. Upanayanam means to bring closer to the Guru or Divine. Upanayanam also known as the 'Sacred thread Ceremony' performed to mark the commencement of formal education in the Vaidic tradition. It is an initiation process to learn the scared Gayatri Mantra. Upanayanam ceremony includes the wearing of Yajnopavitam (sacred Thread) on the body.
Gayatri Japa means - let my intellect be inspired by the divine. it is our intellect which blocks the vast divinity from expressing itself fully in life. so the prayer is - May the divine inspire my intellect, may the supreme energy manifest in my life and in my intellect. During Upanayanam three threads signify that one has the responsibility towards knowledge, parents and society. so it signifies carrying our responsibilities
--- Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji
