sacred thread and women

Pamho, AGTSP, Dear Devotees, Many years ago there was some discussion as to whether or not Matajis would/could wear the THREAD. I do not know what the situation is in these times.

I do know that in the Caitanya Caritamrita a female devotee initiates someone into Gayatri ( I think it was Srimati Jahnavi) wife of Lord Nityananda.

I have today read in Krishna Book, "Krishna kidnaps Rukmini" (Ch 53) that .....

"Rukmini was exquisitely beautiful,..........The Auspicious Sacred Thread was tied on her wrist" (My caps).

After so many years that this line should leap out at me,

Now My Question is this the same THREAD and is this a way for women to wear it,

knowing that Rukmini was only 14 years old she is an advanced devotee (of course)and from a Ksatriya family so it iis reasonable that she should have Gayatri.

many thanks

Pradyumna Das

The part from Srimad Bhagavatam :

SB 10.53.11 — The bride cleaned her teeth and bathed, after which she put on the auspicious wedding necklace. Then she was dressed in brand-new upper and lower garments and adorned with most excellent jeweled ornaments.

SB 10.53.12 — The best of brāhmaṇas chanted mantras of the Ṛg, Sāma and Yajur Vedas for the bride’s protection, and the priest learned in the Atharva Veda offered oblations to pacify the controlling planets.

The part from Krishna Book :

The King’s daughter, Rukmiṇī, was exquisitely beautiful. She was very clean and had beautiful teeth. The auspicious sacred thread was tied on her wrist. She was given various types of jewelry to wear and long silken cloth to cover the upper and lower parts of her body. Learned priests gave her protection by chanting mantras from the Sāma Veda, Ṛg Veda and Yajur Veda. Then they chanted mantras from the Atharva Veda and offered oblations in the fire to pacify the influence of different stars.

Dont be confused.

Mother Rukmini who is Sri Lakshmi herself, were not initiated in gayatri, because only man from upper three castes could be initiated in ancient vedic culture.

Replies

E-Counselor

Radha Rasamayi DD November 20, 2015 at 10:02am

Hare Krsna Prabhuji,

PAMHO.

This auspicious thread is tied on the wrist even today to both men, women and children in India. It is for protection. It is called raksha potli (protection packet) in some communities. This is different from the sacred thread for second initiated. The thread on the wrist is tied to everyone without any initiation. Typically, any puja being done at home or outside starts with tying of this thread. It is mostly red in colour, sometimes it is yellow or white thread. On men, it is tied to the right wrist, women left wrist (dont know the reason for this).

Haribol,

YOur servant,

Radha Rasamayi DD
3ruf705dlznca November 20, 2015 at 5:13am

The part from Srimad Bhagavatam :

SB 10.53.11 — The bride cleaned her teeth and bathed, after which she put on the auspicious wedding necklace. Then she was dressed in brand-new upper and lower garments and adorned with most excellent jeweled ornaments.

SB 10.53.12 — The best of brāhmaṇas chanted mantras of the Ṛg, Sāma and Yajur Vedas for the bride’s protection, and the priest learned in the Atharva Veda offered oblations to pacify the controlling planets.

.

.

The part from Krishna Book :

The King’s daughter, Rukmiṇī, was exquisitely beautiful. She was very clean and had beautiful teeth. The auspicious sacred thread was tied on her wrist. She was given various types of jewelry to wear and long silken cloth to cover the upper and lower parts of her body. Learned priests gave her protection by chanting mantras from the Sāma Veda, Ṛg Veda and Yajur Veda. Then they chanted mantras from the Atharva Veda and offered oblations in the fire to pacify the influence of different stars.

.

.

Dont be confused.

Mother Rukmini who is Sri Lakshmi herself, were not initiated in gayatri, because only man from upper three castes could be initiated in ancient vedic culture.

This reply was deleted.