What exactly is Janeu? (Sacred Thread)
Hahaha, those threads that Hindus wear are so funny & they’re a sign of how Bhramans consider them elite.
Like always, nobody told you the real meaning, so here’s the tea.
All the practices we do in Sanatan Dharma are called sanskars. There are at least 16-24 main ones & they are all designed to take us towards moksha or freedom from the cycle of life & death.
In the old days, when kids grew up, they were accepted in gurukuls & they went through the yagnopavitra sanskar i.e. the thread ceremony or janeu/munja/janva as an admission test into the school. They were called dwija i.e. born again because their teacher would impart them all the essential knowledge to become responsible adults in the next ashram or stage called as Grihastashram.
Ancient texts like Rigveda, Sushrut Sutra Sthaan & Savarkar’s records from the British Rule, too, prove that we had people of all 4 varnas - Brahmans, Vaishyas, Shudras & Kshatriyas having complete freedom & right to wear janeu as long as their character was pure & good, so it was not restricted to one class because varna, before it’s meaning got distorted, did not mean caste, but rather one’s chosen occupation.
In fact, Harit Dharmasutra, Ashwa Layana Graha Sutra, Yam Smriti & Kurma Puran also prove that women have the right to wear it, too, and also recite the Gayatri Mantra - such women were called Brahmavaadini.
The janeu’s 3 cotton threads, worn over the left shoulder, are meant to activate our 3 nervous systems called as nadis, ida (Parasympathetic), pingala (Sympathetic) & Sushumna (central). They also represent Brahma / Vishnu / Mahesh & our 3 qualities, Rajas / Sattva / Tamas.
When we wear it, we have to keep it pure & recite the Gayatri mantra daily, and in doing so, we remind ourselves of our true to our spiritual purpose so that we can be calm, mentally strong & focused on doing good karma, so it is a tool to help us stay humble & on the right path.
Unfortunately, since it united all Hindus, Mughal invaders & Britishers both played dirty tricks to not only kill janeu wearers & burn down tonnes of janeus but also defame its actual meaning.