AvaniAvittam-Why we should do ....

On Avani Avittam day, the most important karma for a Brahman, i.e.,
Upakarma or Avani Avittam as it is popularly known, will be observed.
This article attempts to inform the reader in advance, the true
meaning of Upakrama so that he may appreciate as well as perform his
karma appropriately.

There is a general belief that the main event in Upakarma is changing
the Upaveetham/ poonal. In reality, this is but a minor part of the
Upakarma. The main event or purpose of Upakrama is Vedarambha.

To understand better, let us look at the meaning of the
word "Upakarma". According to The Practical Sanskrit English
Dictionary, (V.S. Apte, 3rd Edition, 1924) Upakarma
means "Preparation, beginning, commencement". The prefix "adhyaya" is
used in the sankalpa. Adhyaya means "learning, reading".

Quoting from the same dictionary, Adhyaya Upakarma is "a ceremony
performed before commencing to read the Veda after the monsoons".
In the past, the learning of Vedas was done for a period of six
months every year, ending on Pushya Pournami (Thai Pournami). The
stopping of studying Vedas is called "Adhyaya Utsarjana". For the
next six months till the Shravana Pournami, the student studies
shastras.

Studying of Vedas starts again in Shravana month. (Avani). This
restarting of studying of Vedas is a karma which is peformed as
Upakarma. Thus, the most important part of Upakarma is the Veda
Arambha that the Sastrigal/Vadhyar will perform after changing of
Upaveetham.

Actually, over the years, the practice of "adhyaya utsarjana" has
stopped. That is why, on the day of Upakarma, the "kamokarishit
japam" is performed.

The sankalpa of the Kamokarishit Japam translates to " For not having
performed the Adhyaya Utsarjana, I am doing this Japam as
prayashchittam". Therefore, this is also an important karma. For
completion of the Upakarma both the Kamokarishit Japam and
Vedarambham must be performed.

One of the important segments of the Upakarma is the Mahasankalpam.
The Mahasankalpam is done after Kamokarishit Japam, but before the
changing of Upaveetham.

The word Sankalpam means " mental resolve, purpose, aim, intention, a
solemn vow to perform an observance, etc." The mahasankalpam defines
the sankalpam/objectives sought to be achieved by the Upakarma.
The Mahasankalpam has three parts.

Part 1. Defines the location at which the sankalpam is performed.
The actual place of sankalpam is defined with reference starting from
the entire universe, the sapta lokas and narrowing down to the
Bharata Varsha and then to the final place.In the process, the rivers
that flow, the crops that grow in these areas, the forests ,
important towns and the temples that are there are listed.

Part 2. Defines the time at which the sankalpam is performed. The
actual time of sankalpam is defined with reference starting from the
Calendars of Brahma, Manu and the four Yugas, narrowing down to the
current Kali Yuga, the year, time, Nakshatra, thithi etc.

Part 3. Defines the types of Papams (sins) , absolution from which,
is the purpose of the karma . The sankalpam seeks absolution from the
sins committed

a. from birth, across the various avasthas of life (childhood,
studentship, youth, old age),
b. while awake or in sleep
c. whether in public knowledge or in private
d. arising out of lust/ desire, anger, greed and/or unconsciousness
(Kama , krodha, lobha, moha) and
e. whether with the knowledge that it is a sin, or without such
knowledge

The sankalpam further divides the sins into 9 types and seeks their
absolution.

1. Maha patakas – e.g. Killing a Brahman, stealing gold, drinking
liquor
2. Ati patakas – e.g. abetting a maha pataka.
3. Upa patakas – e.g. killing kshatriyas
4. Sama patakas – e.g. Killing cows
5. Sankalee karanas – e.g. Killing cats
6. Malinee karanas – e.g. Killing insects
7. Apatri karanas – i.e. acts declared as unfit to be done
8. Jati bhramsha karanas
9. Prakeernakas – e.g. Not doing one's karmas