tale of Topi & Tupi

By Dhurba K Deep

Many non-Hindus must be very curious to know the significance of the hair knot (we call tupi) of a Hindu male who is supposed to keep it to prove his Hinduism. The custom of keeping this sacred hair knot is very Hindu. A man neglecting to do this is believed to be deprived of the full merits of religious ceremonies. Many young educated men do not seem to bother to keep this custom any more. But in the rural areas it is a living practice to this day. Cutting the hair of a Hindu boy for the first time is a ceremony in itself. We call this ceremony Chudakarma or the tonsure ceremony. According to the prescription of the old Hindu scriptures this ceremony should be performed when the baby boy is either one year or three years old. However this period now seems to expand into any convenient size one wants.

Some interesting features of this ceremony include:

1) The moistening of the child’s head with Luke warm water and cow milk which is obviously to facilitate the shaving. The wetting of the child’s head of tonsure is mentioned in the Atharvaveda. It also refers to the prayer for longevity to the shaving razor and the sun.

2) Parent’s prayer to the razor for non-injury to the child.

3) Throwing away the hair already cut off mixed with cowdung into a safe place where evil eyes of spirits cannot reach.

The main purpose and significance behind this ceremony is to achieve good health and longevity for the child. Shastra says, " Life is prolonged by tonsure; without it, it is shortened". The scriptural object of this hair cutting ceremony is fairly supported by many medical books of the ancient. The top hair is believed to remind a Hindu male of his ultimate or highest goal, which is to be one with God. Keeping the top hair also serves a very practical purpose for protecting the child’s head which is highly susceptible to injury. Sushruta, an old text says that inside the head near the top, is the joint of a Sira (artery) and Sandhi (a critical juncture). There in the eddy of hairs is the vital spot called Adhipati (overlord). Any injury to this part might cause a sudden death. So the Hindus through this timeless custom are advised to take a very good care of their sacred hair as well as head.

This custom seems to have necessitated a Hindu man to wear a cap, which certainly signifies a great honour for human head. The old orthodox people in Nepal even today do not like to see a Hindu man without any cap on. To them it is very irreligious and ungraceful. The black Bhadgaule cap is the national hat of Nepal. Cap, whether coloured or plain, have nothing to do with caste system.

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