The specified age for the Upanayana ceremony for Brahmins is 8 .
`` Ancient Hindu texts specify an age for the Upanayana ceremony based on the caste ( 8 for Brahmins , 11 for Kshathriyas , 12 for Vaishyas ( Manu Smriti sloka 2:36 ) ) Upanayanam marks the start of learning of `` '' Brahman '' '' and Vedic texts . ''