Meaning and Significance of Utsarjana and Upakarma

Utsarjana means cessation. In this context it refers to pausing of studying Vedas by sages.
During the Vedic Period Rishis used to have a break in learning Vedas. They utilized this period
to study subsidiary parts of Vedas known as Angas, namely, Shiksha, Vyakarana, Chandha
Shasthra, Niruktha, Jyothishathra and Kalpa. Also they took up activites related to agriculture,
procuring foodgrains etc. for their livelihood.

According to a Pramana Shloka, Sages would take Utasarjana on Maagha Shukla Poornima. This
interruption of study of Vedas incurred ‘Dosha’. This fault in mantras are known as
Yaathayaamaata (overpassing the time of Yaamaa). To remove this dosha and to instate the
Vedadhyayana, Sages started worshipping Mantradrustrara Rishis according to their shakhas.
After seeking their blessings they wore yagnopaveetha, the sacred thread in Shravana. This
ritual is known as Upakarma. Only on the performance of Upakarma which is devoid of dosha,
i.e. Ayaathayaama, one earns completeness of their Karma. Hence it was mandatory to
perform Utsarjana during Maagha and Upakarma during Shravana. But now in practice both
are performed during Shravana only.

On the day of Upakarma, Rigvedis install and worship Saptarishis and Arundhati. Yajurvedis the
Navakaanda Rishis. Performing homas with Shodashopachara and Charu, chanting utsrusthaha
wi vedaaha they cease their study of Vedas. They take up Mantra Snana. As a part of Utsarjana
they offer Tarpana to Devas, Rishis and Pitrugana. Then they perform udwarthana of Rishis and
complete the process with Krishnarpana.

Once again installation of Rishis is repeated with Poojas, Homas, comprising new
Yagnopaveethas. Chanting Upakruthaha wi Vedaaha they seek the blessings of these Rishis.
‘Panchagavya’ and ‘Saktu’ made of rice flour are imbibed as Prasada. Giving Yagnopaveetha to
others as Dana is the part of the ritual. Brahmayagna, Rishi Tarpana, Vedavyasa Pooja
completes the process of Upakarma, thus seeking the blessings of the Supreme God. This is the
significance of Upakarma.

The persons and the children after Upakarma are welcomed at home with Aarthi.

During Shravana Rigvedis perform Upakarma on Shravana Nakshatra and Yajurvedis on Shukla
Poornima. This day is devoted for offering VedaMantra to the Supreme God and also to resolve
to study Vedas. Chanting Gayatri Mantra for a minimum of thousand times after seeking the
blessing of Rishis in their Sannidhana, wearing the new sacred thread is believed to strengthen
the person’s Sattwa as it removes the dosha of Utsarjana. Thus it is regarded as an important
duty and responsibility.
The three threads of Yagnopaveetha denote our indebtedness to Devas, Rishis and Pitrus
respectively. Also they symbolize Rigveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda. Brahmagantu, the knot
represents Atharvaveda. The thread falling from left of the neck to below the waist signifies
that one should always be ready for Aadhyatma Sadhana. The falling from left to right
represents leaving bad path (Vamamarga) and following the right path (Wrujumarga).The
process of Upakarma strengthens our Sankalpa Shakthi as well as Kriya Shakthi.

In this Vikari Samvastara, with detailed discussions and references to many scriptures as proof,
it is decided that Rigvedi Upakarma is to be performed on Bhadrapada Shukla Thrayodashi i.e.
11.09.19 and Yajuvedi Upakarma on Bhadrapada Shukla Poornima i.e. on 13.9.19 for both
maiden and Nityoopaakarma.