36 - Mode of performing the investiture of sacred thread 

Agni said: 

1. Having bathed in the morning and worshipping the guar dian deities, (the worshipper)should enter the secret chamber and gather (articles) and place. 

2. The articles (are) the dress, ornaments and perfumes which were offered in the consecration ceremony earlier. Having discarded the remnants (of articles for worship), the deityshould be well-installed and worshipped. 

3. Oneshould offer the pañchāmruta (five sweet articles), the unguents, pure and perfumed waters as well as dress, perfumes and flowers. 

4. Having offered unto the fire as done everyday oneshould pray to the deity and bow down. Having submitted one's actions to the deity oneshould perform the naimittika (periodical) ceremony. 

5. Oneshould worship the gate-keeper, the pitcher of Vishņu and the varddhani (vessel) and Hari. The pitcher (should be con secrated) with the sacred syllable ‘ato deva' (and the following). 

6. "O Krishņa! Salutations to you. You accept this sacred thread for the sake of purifying all and which yields fruits of a year's worship. 

7. You purify sins that had been committed by me. O God! the lord of celestials I will be purified by your grace." 

8. Having sprinkled mentally the sacred thread and the self, and having sprinkled the pitcher of Vishņu, oneshould go near the deity.

9-10. Oneshould offer a sacred thread to the self, after having discarded the protective thread (tied on the hand). O Lord! Accept the sacred thread that has been made ready by me, for the sake of accomplishing rites so that there may not be any fault on me. The sacred thread (should be offered) to the gate-keepers, the seat and to the chief preceptors. 

11. The garlands of forest flowers (should be offered) to the gods of inferior order with the basic formula. The articlesshould be offered to the heart etc. and ending with Vishvaksena (an epithet of Vishņu). 

12. Having offered to the fire the oblations placed near the fire for Vishņu and other (gods), and having worshipped, the final oblationshould (then) be made with the basic formula for the expiation (of one's sins). 

13-16. O Lord! having Garuda as your emblem! Let this be your annual adoration with one hundred and eight or five Upanishads¹ (and) with garlands of gems and corals, the flowers mandāra and others. 

1. The mystical writings ascertaining the meaning of the Vedas. 

“O Lord! Just as the garland of wild flowers and the kaustubha gem (are) (worn) always on the chest, so also bear the sacred thread and the worship on the chest. Whatever has been done wantedly or unwantedly in the regulations of the worship let it become complete by the riteshorn of impediments." Having worshipped, bowing down, and requesting them the purified articleshould be placed on one's own head. 

17. Having made offering to Vishņu the preceptorshould be satisfied by (giving) the fees. The brahminsshould be (satisfied) by (giving) food, clothes and other things either for a day or for a fortnight. 

18. At the time of bathing, having gone down into the waters, the sacred threadshould be offered. Without any restriction, food and other thingsshould be given (to others) and then one has to eat. 

19-22. Having worshipped fire at the (rite of) dismissal the threads are removed. (Oneshould then say) “Having thus. duly accomplished my annual adoration 0 thread! you now go to the world of Vishņu having been permitted by me. Having worshipped Someśa and Vishvaksena at the centre and having worshipped the sacred threads oneshould dedicate them to the brahmins. As many knots as there are in that thread (one will) live gloriously for so many thousands of years in the world of Vishņu. One will get release (from bondage) after having redeemed hundreds of his ancestors the ten preceding and the ten succeeding and having established them in the world of Vishņu.