So Chanakya made the oath that until he doesn't destroy Dhananand he will not tie his 'shikha'. But what exactly is the significance of this? This question was in my mind after watching the episode so I googled it and am sharing the answer I got with you all. π
From the time of the Vedas, the shikha was a distinguishing feature of the Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. It signified the 'twice-born' or all those Upanayanam has been performed. At the time of Chudakarana, a tuft of hair was left on the head, never to be cut. This shikha covered a large part of the brain.
According to Sushruta, the reason that a few tufts are left on the head is that at the crown, an artery joins a critical nerve juncture. Since an injury to this part of the head is believed to be fatal, it was considered necessary to protect the area by keeping a tuft of hair over it. The shikha was a symbol of superiority and of cleanliness.
Any religious or auspicious ceremony required the shikha to be tied in a knot. The knot was tied to the accompaniment of the Gayatri Mantra. An untied shikha was a symbol of disgrace, impurity and mourning.Only funerals and death anniversaries are performed with the shikha untied or with disheveled hair. Disheveled hair is considered inauspicious, and represents times of great sorrow or calamity.
In Hindu scripture, Draupadi took an oath in the assembly of the Kurus after she was molested by Dussasana that she would remain with dishevelled hair until the enemies were properly revenged.
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