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Hi friends,

A father has many duties. Only a father can understand that. One among them is to perform the Upanayanam of his son at the proper age. It can be performed as a simple religious function in his house itself without any fanfare. 

Upanayana literally means "the act of leading to or near". In ancient times, people used to perform this ceremony before sending the child to Guru ( teacher) and it is an individual's entrance to a school in Hinduism. The sacred thread (Yajnopavita) is received by the boy during this ceremony, which he continues wearing across his chest thereafter.

The Upanayana was restricted to the upper three of the four varnas (castes) of society — Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas. However, Vedic period texts encouraged all members of society to undergo the Upanayana, even Shudras. Women were encouraged to undergo Upanayana in ancient India before they started Vedic studies or before their wedding.

A Brahmin child's Upanayana must be performed when he is eight years old from conception, that is when he is seven years and two months old from birth and the upper limit is sixteen. A Ksatriya's is to be performed at the age of twelve. The corresponding age for a Vaisya is sixteen.

Uttarayana is the right period to perform Upanayana- It is the Tamil months Thai to Aani. when the sun journeys northwards. The season of spring (Chittirai to Vaikasi), [Vasantha Rudhu], [April 15 to June 15 ], and Maasi [Feb 15 to Mar 15] is considered to be auspicious months. [Courtesy-Internet]

I planned to conduct the Upanayanam of my son on 24th May 1995 when he was 15 as a small religious function in my residence in Chennai. When a man proposes, there is always an obstacle. My wife's monthly rest for three days,  which was supposed to be over a week before the function, did not occur till the last moment.

We consulted Dr. Prema, an Obstetrician, and  Gynecologist and requested her prescription to manage the situation. She questioned where in the Sastras was it written that the function should not be performed when she was in that condition?  She also said my wife was 47 and if it was the setting of her menopause, taking the medicine would affect her health life long.

I was in a dilemma. Neither I could cancel the function nor I could get her the medicine. I left it to God. I told my wife, if anything happened, not to reveal the matter to anyone till the function was over. By God's grace, she did not get it due to the onset of menopause. 

The doctor's words came true. I could not imagine how much she would have suffered if I got her the medicine?  So remember wife is your life. Many people take this medicine indiscriminately. Do not ever commit this mistake. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.