Janoy

This is an ancient Hindu religious ceremony which as a young man Guru Nanak refused to take part in as it appeared to the Guru to be meaningless and dicriminatory.

see also Guru Nanak and the Sacred Thread

The Hindu Ceremony

Young male members of the Brahmin (at 8 yrs), Kshatriya or Khatri caste (at 11 yrs) and the Vaisya caste (at 12 yrs) may perform a coming of age ceremony, the Upanayana commonly known as Janoy or yajno pavitam, or the sacred thread ceremony. The Janoy is made of many strings rolled together to resemble an umblical cord which symbolises a second birth (dvija - twice born) as a student who from that day on belongs to his Guru, who takes the place of the boy's mother and father. In the past the Upanayana ceremony was performed before a boy was sent to the Guru's ashram (school).

In a ceremony administered by a priest, a young boy shaves his hair off (or just some portions, as deemed appropriate) and a Janoy is Hung from around his left shoulder to drape over his right hip at the waist. The ceremony varies from region to region and differs in each caste or community. It includes reading from the Vedas and special mantras and slokhas. The boy also swears to obey his Guru and also takes oaths to confirm that he will abstain from intoxicants, actively speak the Truth, serve his Guru and stay celibate.

Rites of initiation exist for the other castes, but differ from region to region, but not all wearers of the thread or cord are considered to be of equal rank.

Young Nanak also considered the ceremony to be degrading for his mother and sister for whom there was no 'second birth' save being given a string by their husband during their wedding ceremony.

Considering that women were the source from which every new being came he saw this as nothing less than ridiculous.