The Yagnopavitam (sacred thread) is a symbol of purity which is necessary if you wish to participate in the yajna of Living. Life is a continuous series of sacrifices of the lower for the sake of the higher, of the tiny in favour of the vast. Upanayana, the word which has been given to this ceremony of Initiation, means the conferment of another eye. Your two eyes cannot reveal to you the magnificence and the majesty of the realm of the spirit. They are focussed towards the objective world and its transient attractions. So the Gayatri Mantra has been given to you as a third eye to reveal to you that inner vision by which you may realise Brahman.

The Triple stranded Yagnopavitam (Sacrificial Strand of Thread) is to be worn by everyone who is initiated into Gayatri recital, for he has to perform the three sandhya rites when Sun rises and sets, as well as when the Sun is at the zenith. The rites are in adoration of the Trinity –Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The purpose of the rites is to invoke Gods to bless the novitiate to lead a good life at all times (past, present and future), in all places (heaven, earth and nether region). (SSS Vol. 15) The Gayatri divinizes the five elements; it represents the presiding deities of all the five. Gayatri is worshipped as a Five- Faced Goddess – Om, being the first, Bhoorbhuvahssuvah, the second, Tat Savitur Varenyam, the third, Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, the fourth, and Dhiyo Yanah Prachodayat, the fifth face. (SSS Vol. 15)

The Yagnopavitam, or sacred thread, is a symbol of purity, which is necessary if you wish to participate in the yajna of living. Life is a continuous series of sacrifices of the lower for the sake of the higher, of the tiny in favour of the vast. (SSS Vol. 10, p. 124)