Hinduism is a centuries-old religion with a large following. It has many rituals, traditions, ceremonies, and beliefs. A person before moksha is to complete 16 Sanskara during life. Sanskarais essentially the process of Shudhi (purification) processes- Sanshodhan(Amendment- revision), Parishodhan (refining), and Parishudhi(making it entirely error-free) of the soul across Adhyatmik ( Spiritual), Aadhivhautik (metaphysical- derived and produced from primitive elements) and Aadhideivik ( super divine- godly) ways to make it Dosh Mukht ( free of faults) that could have been carried and accumulated by the soul through its transit through eight-four lakh yonis.
Non-performing of the Sanskara means that life is incomplete and some imperfection/defect remains. Not following/conducting sanskaras could lead to Swabhav-Dosh (temperamental imperfection), Vani-vartan-Dosh(Speaking-language imperfection), Aacharan-Dosh (interaction imperfection), Drasti-Dosh (eyesight and imperfection in understanding impact and implication of actions), lack of noble qualities of Dharma (religion), Gyan (knowledge) and Vairagya (detachment) imperfections.
HOW MANY SANSKARA ARE THERE?
The number of Sanskara differs from sect to sect and fluctuates between 12 to 16 to 40. Primarily, there were 40 Sanskara. With the changing lifestyle and societal expansion, they dropped to 25 and now 16asaaskara, followed by the Brahmins and Chatriya (warrior clan). Out of the 16 Sanskaras, 4 are performed before the birth of the child, 11 after the birth and 1 after the person’s death. Nowadays, people follow 7 of the 12 Sanskara- Garbhadaan, Namakaran, Annaprasan, Mundan, Yagyopavitra, Vivaah andAntyesthi.
THE 16 SANSKARA – AN INTRODUCTION.
GARBHADAAN.
The physical union of a man and woman is called Garbhdaan. By this, the fertile egg of the woman and the sperm of the man collectively create the baby. During the pregnancy, there are possibilities of many issues that may attack the would-be mother and the foetus. Garbhadaan Sanskara is done to remove the impurities of the mind and body of the man and woman interested in having a child. The Garbhadan Sanskar helps to keep the pregnancy and the child safe and healthy.
PUNSAVAN SANSKARA
It is conducted three months after the pregnancy. The child’s brain starts developing in the womb, and the child starts learning from this time. One can see an example of it in Mahabharata, where Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna, learnt the art of entering Chakravyu( an army formation) while he was in the womb of Draupadi. That may be why we say that a person is born with some skills and talent. Or the case of a musician’s child being good at music. Pinsavan sanskar is aimed to help the mother give birth to a male child.
SIMANTONAYAN SANSKARA.
Simantonayan Sanskar is conducted during the pregnancy’s fourth, sixth, and eighth months. It is simply the would-be mother living a happy life, following religion, eating correctly, demonstrating appropriate behaviour among relations, respecting elders, and keeping calm. She also studies or engages in activities and behaviours she wants her child to learn. During this period, the child can learn from the womb itself. It is also why happy pictures are hung in the room where the pregnant woman spends most of her time. Playing or listening to religious discourses and bhajans (hymns in appreciation of God) impart a religious /spiritual leaning to the kid.
JAATKRAM.
Jaatkran Sanskar is conducted immediately after the birth. The new-born tastes 6 drops of Honey and 2 drops of Ghee (Clarified butter) among chanting of Vedic mantras. It protects the new-born by removing many possible disorders, faults and imperfections, making the baby healthy and giving the child a foundation for a long life.
NAMAKARAN.
The astrologer suggests the initial alphabet and, in many places, even the name based on the position of the Grahs (Planets), Nakshatra(star constellations) and the Rashi (zodiac sign) the kid is born in. The naming ceremony is conducted mostly on the 11th day ( or a prime number day like the 13th-15th-17th) after birth. People believe that the name defines the mental build-up and future development of the kid, and hence, one must follow the right way and not just give the kid any name. A name used both in the family and outside is preferable.
NISHKARAN.
In the 4th month after the birth of the child, the father of the child prays to the God associated with the five elements (Prithvi-Earth, Jal-Water, Agni-Fire, Vayu-Air and Aakash-sky-ether) that make the human body to bless the child with health and long life. This is also the first time the new-born steps out and is exposed the child to the sun and moon. Hindus consider that the child’s young body cannot bear the external elements of heat, wind, etc., till the 4th month of birth.
ANNAPRASHAN.
When teeth start coming out by the 6th to 7th month after birth, the ceremony initiates the child’s eating of grains. As a first step, Kheer (a sweet dish made of milk and rice), Khichadi ( made of Rice and Dal) or Bhaat (rice), which are easy to eat and digest, are served to the kid.
VIDHYAARAMBH SANSKARA.
It is the child’s initiation to formal education. Maa Sharda or Saraswati(Goddess of learning and intellect) pooja is done.
CHOLAKRAM OR MUNDAN.
When the child is 1-3-5 or 7 years of age, the head is shaved for the first time, and the hair is given away. As it is the removal of the hair the child has received from the mother and father, removal and giving it Shudhi (removal of imperfections- purity) happens. It helps make the child’s head strong and the mind/brain sharp.
KARNBEDTH – PIERCING OF THE EAR.
The piercing of the ear is not only for wearing an ornament but is also supposed to protect the child from the harmful effects of Rahu and Ketu. It is an acupuncture process that helps ensure proper blood flow in the veins that go to the brain. It also helps increase the child’s hearing capabilities.
YAGYOPAVITRA or JANEU SANSKARA.
It initiates the child into formal, organised education. It meant taking the child to the Guru (teacher) for learning. As an identity, the child wears the sacred thread with three strings representing the trinity- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. This Sanskara gives the child strength and personality.
VEDARRAMBH SANSKARA.
Under this, the child gets the knowledge and learning of the Vedas( sacred scriptures).
KESHAANT SANSKARA.
Removing hair is a process of Shudhi ( removing imperfections) before starting education. Keshant Sanskara is after completing the education and is the first shaving of the child’s beard at around 16 years of age.
SAMAVARTAN SANSKARA.
Samavartan means returning. It is the child’s return to active social life after completing education. Earlier, education happened in a captive environment of a Gurukul, which was usually away from the active life of towns, cities or villages, and the child followed brahmacharya, living a disciplined, predictable life. Samavartan Sanskar is the ritual of the child returning to the unpredictable life of society, relationships, expectations and experiences.
VIVAAHA SANSKARA.
Under Vivaah Sanskar, as per the societal norms and rituals, a man and woman agree to live as husband and wife. It helps maintain the continuity of the image and expand the community. It also helps in the intellectual and spiritual development of the person. By this Sanskara, the person gets rid of Pitrarhrin (debt of ancestors).
ANTYESTHI SANSKARA.
Atim Sanskaar dedicates the body of the dead to Agni (fire) to return its constituents to nature and allow the soul to move on its eternal journey. You can read a detailed description of Antyesthi Sanskara here.
ADDON: Vanprastha Sanskara.
It is performed at 50 or even at 60. It signals completing Grihastha Dharma, and the person enters Vanaprastha Ashram. Sanyasa Sanskara is performed after it. In this case, the person renounces the world to lead a life and perform meditation. The Vanaprastha and Sanyasa Sanskar were important sanskaras in the earlier social structure and diligently followed. Nowadays, they are outdated and hardly followed.
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DISCLAIMER. The information shared is based on experience and collated through various sources. Beliefs, rituals and practices guide these articles. No claim is made for the information to be absolutely right or factually correct. The writer endorses these beliefs and follows them to the best of his capabilities as a practising Hindu. For the best information and advice on the rituals followed by your community/sect/area, please consult the right person, including the religious/spiritual heads and priests.
