The ceremony can be divided into three logical parts.

 

(1) The first part involves purifying the surrounding environment, then purifying yourself (cleaning the body etc.) then praying and inviting Lord Ganesha to bless the assembly and the occasion (Shree Ganesh Pooja). Then we invite all the major planets (nine) to do the same (known as Grahashanti). This first part is also common to several other Hindu ceremonies. In this ceremony, however, purifying the child also means a close shave of the head.

 

(2) The second part involves the priest going through the explanation of what is meant by taking Deeksha, taking vows of Brahmacharya and taking vows to gain knowledge. The priest also elaborates on the value of knowledge and the code of behavior, which the student must follow when performing daily prayers and meditation. The student is also told that the Guru's discourses are essential but so are the Self studies. It also lays down how the Guru and his wife must be respected. How to develop your personality is also explained. After this process is completed, a sacred symbolic thread called Janoi is put around the shoulder. It is to be worn in a certain way and there are rules on how to maintain its cleanliness. At this point, the child is ready to receive the Gaytri Mantra from the priest. The Gaytri mantra was recorded in Rig Veda - one of the oldest Vedas of Hindu faith. Through it we pray the earth, the space, the Sun in our galaxy, millions of similar stars and also the infinite number of galaxies in our universe (remarkable for an ancient document). In Sanskrit Gayatri Mantra is  hymned:

 

ॐ भूर् भुवः स्वः तत् सवितुर्वरेण्यं
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥

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oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ tat saviturvareṇyaṃ
bhargo devasya dhīmahi dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt..

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Translation:

Om, the Lord, is earth, the space in between and the heavens. That Lord is the one who is the most worshipful. We meditate on that effulgent, all-knowledge Lord. May he set our intellects in the right direction. 

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(3) Last part of the Ceremony is Batuk Yatra. After the 2nd part explained by Guru, if a child has decided to leave from his home and stay with Guru, then he will ask his parents permission. Mother would not want her child to leave and since this was initiated during ancient era, ladies did not voice or stand firm on their decision. Instead, she would ask her brother(s) “Mama(s)” or cousins to somehow convince the child not to leave but stay with the family. Here is where Mama would often explain and make the child understand not to leave. If the child is determined to leave then he would run away from home. His Mamas would chase him to catch him and bring him home and in return Mamas would buy him gifts he likes and promises to keep the child happy. In the present age, this part of ceremony has become a fun event to celebrate with family, friends and well-wishers. We are happy to celebrate this with all of you present!