Saskra

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Saskra
This article is about the Hindu rituals. For other uses, see Samskara (disambiguation).
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The Samskaras (Sanskrit: saskra) are rites of passage finding varied acceptance among religious adherents
of Hinduism (Vedic), Jainism and some schools of thought in Buddhism.
Sanskr is also a commonly used Hindi pronunciation of the word and signifies "cultural heritage and upbringing" in
modern speech. Samskaram is the proper and commonly used word that would be universally understood and refers
to someone having proper upbringing and behaviour.
Hinduism
The samskra (sanskaar) are a series of sacraments, sacrifices and rituals that serve as rites of passage and mark the
various stages of the human life and to signify entry to a particular Ashrama (i.e. stage of life). All human beings are
required to perform a number of sacrifices with oblations for gods, Ancestors and Guardians in accordance with the
Vedic dictums for a Dharmic or righteous life and become Dvija or twice-born by the performance of these acts.
Basically all these rituals are of the nature of purification and/or bestow good qualities (gunas). A person does not
have to foster a relationship between religious-spiritual knowledge and the practice of religious-rituals. It means a
person having deep religious spiritual knowledge may or may not be involved in the ritual processes. Similarly a
person involved in rituals may or may not have the religious knowledge.
[2]
Most Vedic rituals consist of Homa - fire sacrifices of elaborate and intrinsic designs and complex methodology,
accompanied by recitation of Vedas by qualified Priests in honor of a particular Demigod or God (i.e. aspect of
divinity), fire offerings of various ingredients, gifts to be given in charity, presence of elders for blessings, amidst
sanctified sacrificial grounds, sacred herbs and good omens. Each important milestone of a Human life is to be
celebrated by undertaking a particular Samskara wherein the significance of that milestone is ritualistically
conveyed.
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The 16 Samskaras
Most Brahmins communities used to follow complex rituals in connection with major events in their lives, such as
pregnancy, childbirth, education, marriage, and death. Although, the number of major samskaras fluctuates between
12 and 18 in the Grhya Sutras, later, it became 16 (Hindi: sola) in number,
[3]
generally known as "Shodasha
Samskaras" (oaa Saskra).
Garbhadhana
Garbhadhana (IAST: Garbhdna) (literally, gifting the womb), is the act of conception. This is the first sacrament
which followed immediately on every matrimonial union. There are a number of rites performed before conception.
The act of first sexual intercourse or insemination is known as nishekam. (Garbhdhanasamskaram is cited in
Manusmrti, 2.27).
The different Grhyasutras differ in their point of view, whether the garbhadhana is to be performed only once, during
the first conception, or every time the woman conceives. In the first case it is considered as a kshetra-samskara (once
the kshetra, or 'field', has been purified, it remains pure), and in the second case as a garbha-samskara (every time
the garbha, or 'womb' conceives, it needs to be purified).
Pumsavana
Pumsavana (IAST: pusavana) (literally, engendering a male issue) is a ritual conducted in the third month of
pregnancy. If it is the first pregnancy, it can be in the fourth month also. The pregnant woman consumes one bead of
barley and two beads of black grain, along with a little curd. This is accompanied by religious chanting. (in SED
Monier-Williams cites Grihya-Sutra,MBh.)
The time prescribed for the pumsavana differs in different Grhyasutras, and can be extended up to the eighth month
of pregnancy, according to some. Some grhyasutras also give a later date for pregnancies after the first (which might
be related to the fact that the signs of pregnancy are less prominent during the first few months, if the woman has
already given birth once).
Simanatonnayana
Simantonnayana (IAST: Smantonnayana) (literally, parting the hair) sacrament is performed in the fourth or fifth
month of a woman's first pregnancy. Simantonnayana is conducted for the protection of the mother at the critical
period of gestation. This samskara is performed to both invoke protection of the mother and unborn child from
demons and spirits that might want to cause harm to the mother and child, as well as to ensure good health, success
and prosperity for the unborn child.
Fragrant oil is poured on the head of pregnant woman. A line of parting is drawn three times through her hair from
the forehead upwards with three stalks of 'Kusha' grass bound together. The Pranava mantram Aum and the sacred
words called Vyahritis (Bhur, Bhuvah, Svah) are chanted during each operation. If the child is still-born, this has to
be repeated during the next pregnancy.
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Jatakarman
Jatakarman (IAST: Jtakarman) (literally, natal rites) is meant for the development of the intellect of the child. When
a male child is born, the ritual connected with birth is performed immediately (within 90 Naazhika). A small portion
of a mixture of gold, ghee and honey is given to the new born infant. This rite symbolises good fortune. (Cited in
Manusmrti 2.27)
Namakarana
Namakarana (IAST: Nmakaraa) (literally, naming) ceremony is performed to name the child. It is performed on
the 11th day after birth.
Nishkramana
Nishkramana (IAST: Nikrmaa) (literally, first outing) on the fourth month after birth, the child is taken out into
the open for the first time.
Annaprashana
Annaprashanam offerings
Annaprashana (IAST: Annaprana) (literally, feeding food) ritual,
which takes place when a child is six months old, is the first time the
child eats solid food, in India, rice. A few grains of rice mixed with
ghee are fed to the infant. This is an important ritual among all sections
of Hindus. (Cited in Manusmriti 2.34)
Chudakarana
Chudakarana (IAST: Ckaraa) (literally, arrangement of the hair
tuft), also known as choulam or mundana (literally, tonsure) is the
ceremony of cutting child's hair for first time. In the child's third or fifth year, the head is shaved, leaving behind a
small tuft of hair. (Cited in Mn.2.27,35)
Karnavedha
Karnavedha (IAST: Karavedha) (literally, ear-piercing) is piercing the ears. This is done with a particular thorn.
Butter is applied to the wound. It is applicable to both male and female children. (MW cites Purna-Sarvasva.)
Vidyarambha
Vidyarambha (IAST: Vidyrabha) (or Akshararambha) (literally, commencement of studies) is done either when
the child attains three or five years. On the tongue of the child the letters "Hari Sri Ganapataye Namah Avignamastu"
and all the alphabets are written with a piece of gold. The child is made to write the same letters from "Hari Sri"
onwards with its index finger on raw rice in a bell metal vessel and the child is made to utter each word when it is
written. Either the father of the child or an eminent teacher officiates at this ritual. (Citation Mn.2.69)
Upanayana
Upanayana (IAST:Upanayana) is the ceremony of wearing the sacred thread called Yajopaveetam. When male child
attains eight years, the wearing of the sacred thread Yajopavita, is ceremoniously done. It is taking the child to the
teacher for initiation of formal education. Along with the sacred thread, the hide of the antelope called Krishnajinam
is also worn by the boy. The upanayanam ceremony is followed by brahmopadesham - teaching Gayatri mantra to
the boy. (Cited in Manusmrti 2.27)
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Praishartha
Praishartha (or Vedarambha) is the learning of Vedas and Upanishads inGurukulam or Phala. In the beginning
of each academic period there is a ceremony called Upakarma and at the end of each academic period there is
another ceremony called Upasarjanam. ( Mn.2.71)
Keshanta and Ritusuddhi
Keshanta (IAST: Kenta) (literally, getting rid of hairs) is the first shave. It is ceremoniously performed for a boy at
his age of 16. (Citation: Mn.2.65)
Ritusuddhi is a ceremony associated with a girl's first menstruation.
Samavartana
Samavartana (IAST: Samvartana) (literally, graduation) is the ceremony associated with the end of formal
education of Vedas in Gurukula or Phala. This ceremony marks the end of studenthood. This also marks the
end of Brahmacharyaasrama of life. (Citation: Mn.3.4)
Vivaha
Vivaha (IAST: Vivha) (Marriage) (Citation: Mn.3.4). The Ritual of marriage. There were 8 forms of marriage
practiced in Ancient India.
Antyeshti
Antyesti (IAST: Antayei) (literally, last rites), sometimes referred to as Antima Samskaram, are the rituals
associated with funeral. This samskara is not mentioned in the lists of samskaras in most of the grhyasutras and other
texts that speak about samskaras. The details and procedures of this rite are given in separate texts, dealing only with
this topic. The reason for leaving this rite out is that it is not considered as a pure and auspicious rite, and it should
therefore not be mentioned along with the other, pure, samskaras.
Controversy in the total number of samskaras
Since ancient times there has remained a dispute between experts on the total number of samskara that exist. As
written in Gautamsmriti 8.8 there are 40 of them, Maharshi Agnirane directed of 25 of them, but according to the
Puranas, 12 or 16 of them are main and necessary. These ceremonies are enjoined on the first three (twice-born)
castes in Manusmrti and Grhya Sutras (Grihya Sutras) (esp. Praskar). Some list 42 samskaras, i.e. the 16 listed
above plus the 21 compulsory Yajnas, plus the 5 panchamahayajnas .
Vidyrambha, Vedrambha and Antyeti are not enumerated as separate samskras in ancient texts like Manusmriti
or Grihya Sutra (Praskaram). To this list may be added Karavedham too, which reduces the list of most essential
samskras to 12 only.
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Notes
[1] http:/ / en. wikipedia. org/ w/ index. php?title=Template:Hinduism& action=edit
[2] http:/ / ijsme. org/ a-study-of-the-effect-of-religiosity-on-social-support-life-satisfaction-and-coping-behavior/
[3] Pandey, R.B. (1962, reprint 2003). The Hindu Sacraments (Saskra) (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=iHG3mhGrKw4C) in S.
Radhakrishnan (ed.) The Cultural Heritage of India, Vol.II, Kolkata:The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, ISBN 81-85843-03-1,
pp.391-2
References
Translation by G. Bhler (1886). Sacred Books of the East: The Laws of Manu (Vol. XXV). Oxford. Available
online as The Laws of Manu (http:/ / www. sacred-texts. com/ hin/ manu. htm)
Monier-Williams, Monier (1899). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (http:/ / www. ibiblio. org/ sripedia/ ebooks/
mw/ ). Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass..
External links
HinduCulture (http:/ / www. hinduculture. info)
Hindu Tradition Forum (http:/ / www. hinduculture. info/ p/ hindu-forum_28. html)
Article Sources and Contributors
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Article Sources and Contributors
Saskra Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=605322506 Contributors: A8UDI, Academic Challenger, Aervanath, Ambalavasi, Asuribharath, BD2412, Bidhan Singh,
BookWormmm, Carlossuarez46, Chris the speller, Closedmouth, Cminard, Colonies Chris, Crusoe8181, DaGizza, Dangerous-Boy, Dazedbythebell, Dbachmann, Drjagan, Editor2020,
Ekabhishek, Faizan, Harisingh, Hunnjazal, Imc, Jbsteiny, John Carter, Jonathansammy, Joy1963, Kunjethy, LessHeard vanU, Lostprawn, Materialscientist, Mattisse, Monkeyfox, Mz7, Naveen
Sankar, Ogress, Ohconfucius, Pearle, Picaroon, Pigman, RR911, Redtigerxyz, Rjwilmsi, Salih, Satyavrat.chaturvedi, Tassedethe, Theman244, Tolly4bolly, Vieque, Vinay Jha, Wednesday Next,
Wiki-uk, Xumm1du, Zerokitsune, , 66 anonymous edits
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