Instant Access To 100,000+ Essays!

Throughout the course of history, the Hindu tradition has grown and evolved. Dating back to Harappa civilization the religious practices, which encompass Hinduism have changed over time yet certain sacraments have remained the same. Within the faith itself, different groups hold various rituals to separate degrees. Two sacraments have seemed to transcend these boundaries; Upanayana and Vedic astrology. Both of these rituals hold special significance. Upanayana is a sacrament performed only to the upper classes of men. In the eighth year after conception, one should perform the initiation (upanayana) of a Brahmin, in the eleventh year after conception of a Kshatriya, and in the twelfth that of a vaishya. The ritual itself has two meanings, “…it may mean ‘acquiring the extra eye of knowledge’ or ‘coming close to a teacher’ to get knowledge.” This sacrament is the second-birth for young males, along their four stages of life. It signifies the young man’s ascent into the stage of the student, via his “apprenticeship” to a religious leader. The ritual itself lasts over two days. The first day, sacred hymns are sung from the Vedas, and a bath full of water is blessed. After the water has been sanctifi