About the Book This book contains materials relating a significant sacrament-Upanayana from ancient Indian Dharmashastra sources. The important feature of this book is that it covers local custom and traditions prevalent in eastern part of India in general and Orissa in particular. It has some sort of specific horizon to focus interrelationship in the globe adhering to various religious communities in toto. Scholar's as good as general people would be benefited by this book with its intrinsic analysis as well as study intermingled with indigenous data available with Vedas, Dharmashastra, Grihya Sutras, Puranas etc.

About the Author Prof. Dr. Braja Kishore Swain teaches Dharmashastra in Shri Jagannath Sanskrit University, Puri, Orissa for last three decades. At present he holds the seat of Professor and head of the same department. He is credited with 27 books and hundred and twenty national and international journals.

Preface Unlike other aspects of society, Samskara is treated as a means of reform in both society and human life. With the introduction of Samskara, one becomes equipped to deal with necessary occasion. Due to Samskara unnecessary elements are eradicated and necessary elements are taken into account. In this regard Upanayana is identified as a vital Samskara on account of which one becomes eligible to go under celibacy for achieving education. Education is understood as a secular Samskara, because each and every person needs education for achievement of one's goal in life. Since Upanayana Samskara is of greater importance, it is celebrated with much care. More scriptural injunctions and procedures are not enough; customs of locality, family as well as community are of much importance to be ob-served here. In this small piece of work an attempt has been made to acquint the readers regarding Upanayana. However, in each and every point, we have tried to expose the sastric support of customs in an analytical manner. Readers would be benefited with the basic sources of various points linked with Upanayana Samskara appended in this work. Not only in India or in Hindu community, but in each country and community we find this sacrament called initiation regarding which a huge amount of description is given here to show the resemblance of Upanayana Samskara.

In preparing this work, I have received much help and assistance from my student Dr. Anjali Dei, Head of Depart-ment of Sanskrit, Niali College, Niali, Cuttack, Orissa. I express my heartfelt thanks to her. I also extend my sincere gratitued to M/s Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi for whose effort this work has seen the light of the day. In the long run I bow down my head before the lotus feet of Lord Jagannatha for smooth completion of this endeavour, Dharmo raksati raksitah.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages