Vedarambha (Sanskrit: वेदारम्भ, romanized: Vedārambha) is a Hindurite of passage in which an initiate begins his formal study of the Vedas.[1] It is generally regarded to be the tenth of the sixteen sacraments known as the samskaras,[2] though it is sometimes also offered a different position.[3]
Description
Vedarambha is prescribed to be performed during the ritual of receiving the sacred thread, known as the Upanayana, or up to a year following this occasion. A guru, a preceptor, teaches the Gayatri Mantra to the initiate, and the latter chants it to be blessed with wisdom. The guru offers a Vedic education to the initiate, which may accompany his general education.[4][5] He is also taught the sandhya, the daily rituals, and a number of religious observances.[6]