Shloka 14
Teaching on Karma-yoga
Discipline of Action as Worship
उद्धृत्य दक्षिणं बाहुं सव्यबाहौ समर्पितम् । उपवीतं भवेन्नित्यं निवीतं कंठसज्जने
uddhṛtya dakṣiṇaṃ bāhuṃ savyabāhau samarpitam | upavītaṃ bhavennityaṃ nivītaṃ kaṃṭhasajjane
Wenn der rechte Arm erhoben und der heilige Faden über die linke Schulter gelegt wird, heißt dies stets die Upavīta-Stellung; wird er um den Hals getragen, nennt man es Nivīta.
Unspecified (narrative instruction within the chapter)
Concept: Correct orientation of the yajñopavīta marks the ritual mode; names encode function and context.
Application: Learn the three thread positions and use them intentionally (worship, ancestral rites, certain acts); treat small disciplines as spiritual attentiveness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A close, instructional moment: the practitioner lifts the right arm, guiding the sacred thread over the left shoulder in a clean diagonal line, while a second vignette shows the thread looped around the neck as nivīta. The composition feels like a sacred diagram brought to life—hands, thread, and posture rendered with reverent precision.","primary_figures":["dvija (ritual practitioner)"],"setting":"simple domestic shrine corner with a small lamp, water pot, and palm-leaf manuscript open to ritual notes","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["ivory white","lamp-flame gold","vermillion red","indigo shadow","sandalwood beige"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: two-panel didactic composition—left panel shows upavīta with thread over left shoulder, right panel shows nivīta around the neck; gold leaf on the lamp flame and borders, rich crimson backdrop, ornate yet clear hand gestures, traditional jewelry minimal to emphasize ritual clarity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate hands adjusting the yajñopavīta, soft interior light, a manuscript and tulsi-wood mala on a low stool (as a quiet Vaishnava hint); refined lines, gentle gradients, calm domestic sanctum atmosphere.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized figure with bold outlines demonstrating upavīta and nivīta in sequential poses; warm red and yellow fields, green accents, rhythmic border motifs, large expressive eyes conveying disciplined serenity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic layout where the sacred thread forms a graceful white arc like a garland across a lotus-patterned background; small narrative medallions show upavīta and nivīta positions; deep blue ground with gold floral borders and temple-lamp motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft bell","page rustle of manuscript","lamp crackle","quiet room tone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhavennityam → bhavet nityam; kaṃṭhasajjane → kaṇṭha-sajjane.
FAQs
Upavīta is the standard way of wearing the sacred thread: placed over the left shoulder (savyabāhu) with the right arm lifted/cleared so the thread sits correctly.
Nivīta refers to wearing the sacred thread around the neck (kaṇṭha), rather than across the torso over the shoulder.
It provides a clear definition of two recognized ways of wearing the yajñopavīta, distinguishing the everyday/standard upavīta from the neck-worn nivīta arrangement.