16 SANSKARAS FOR LIFE

Samskaras are the turning points of life and need to be celebrated. Celebrations are very
important ingredients of Samskaras. They directly or indirectly involve our respected
elders, scholars, near & dear ones. Everyone gets together to convey their best wishes &
blessings to the person concerned and thus there is social & religious sanction for the act
& ceremony. Samskaras are great, time-tested tools in our traditional systems which
help carve out a great personality. Apart from scriptural validation, history also proves to
us the great effectiveness of these methods. When Vedic Masters had their way, India
was on top of the world. The people of the far off land prayed that they will one day see
this great land of plenty, prosperity & righteousness.
Why Sanskaras necessary?

To minimize defects at its point of origin.

To minimize defects during pregnancy.
To have a healthy, strong children with long life.
To get an intelligent and righteous child with good moral values.
For children to progress in righteous behaviour in her/his life.
To live a happy life without harming others human beings, palnts, animals, insects etc.,
(liberation).
Every action and every sanskara is performed with the aim of pleasing God, as only with the
Gods blessings we can achieve our goal.
These sanskaras have to be performed by parents and teachers of a child.
It is celebrated all human beings male/female, without discrimination of cast-creed-class.

Garbhadana
This sanskara is performed for the fulfillment of ones parental obligation and a continuation of the
human race. This is a fervent prayer for the impregnation of the foetus with the life-giving soul force.
Garbha means womb and Dhana means give or donate. This sanskara is performed after marriage .
In this sanskara, the couple should prepare mind and body and pray for a healthy, loving and happy
married life and the wish for a son or daughter that would bring new joy in the home. Hence right
time, locaton and environment is choosen.
Pumsavana
It is sanskara welcoming the soul. During the third or fourth month of pregnancy the Punsavana
(protection of the fetus) sanskara is performed for the physical growth of the child. The physical
parts of childs forming, mother should take special care of body and mind with two souls. Type of
food, type of mental behaviour exhibited by mother will have direct effect on growth of foetus.
Seemantonnayana
This sanskara is performed during the seventh month of pregnancy. The parents to be and their
relatives offer prayers to the Almighty mental growth of the child. From 7th to 9th month childs brain
will develop to it complete, so it is the during of the mother and father to maintain their mental
stability, keep calm and read/imbibe such things which they want to pass on to the child.
Jatakarma (Cleansing)
The Jatakarma sanskara (the childs nativity) should be done immediately after the birth of the child.
This sanskara is done to welcome the new-born child. The father writes AUM on the tongue of the
child with a thin bar of gold dipped in honey. He whispers the word VEDO-ASI (You are Veda
knowledge) in the ear of the child.

Namakarana
Nama literally means name and Karan means to make, to effect. Thus, in this sanskara the child is
given a name. This sanskara should be performed on the 11th day after the birth of the child.
Nishramana
The 4th month after the birth of the child, the Nishkramana sanskara is performed. Here the child is
taken outside the home for the first time to be exposed to the different elements of nature.
Annaprashana
Anna means food and Prashana mean eating, feeding thus, giving solid food to the child for the
very first time performs this sanskara. 6th month, during teeth
Keshamundana
This sanskara can be performed between the ages of 1-3 years old. In this sanskara the hair from the
childs head is shaved off for the very first time. Prayers for good health and development are being
recited.
Karnavedha
The piercing of the lower lobes of the childs ears at the age of 3 years performs the Karnavedha
sanskara. Prayers are offered to the Almighty for the physical well being of the child.
Upanayana (Starting education)
Upanayana or the thread ceremony is performed anytime between the ages of five to eight years
old. Upa mean approaching towards and Nayanam means leading. In this sanskara the child is
given the yajnopavit (sacred thread), which is made from three strands representing the three
letters of AUM. The three strands also symbolize the three discipline of life, which are knowledge,
action and devotion. Also three debts Ptru Runa (Serving parents/elders), Deva Runa (serving
god/society) and Rushi Runa (serving one who gives the knowledge, a teacher/ others). Moderna
days it can be termed as admission to school.

Vedaraambha
This sanskara is done immediately after the upanaya sanskara. Now the child becomes a student.
The child will now gain knowledge from the Vedas and other religious text as well the other
branches including mathematics and science. Thus the child will be able to progress in life spiritually
as well as materially.
Samavartana
Between the ages of 21- 25 years this sanskara is performed. This student should have now
completed all his/her studies and start a new life of self-realization and independence.
Vivaaha (Gruhasthashrama)
Vivaha sanskara is performed when the student decides to get marry. This is one of the most
important sanskara among the sixteen Sanksaras. This is the foundation that forms the very basis for
a coordinated family life.
Vanaprastha (retired life)
At age 51 years old, a person performs the vaanaprastha sanskara by relinquishing all livelihood
from which he/she will gain personal benefits. All the family responsibilities will be given to the
children.

Sanyaasa
This sanskara is performed at the age of 75 years. In this sanskara a person forsake all material
things and starts to lead a life of meditation and contemplation onto the Almighty.
Antyeshti
The antyeshti is the last sanskara performed when the sour leaves the mortal. After death this
sanskara is performed when the body is cremated. As the atma (soul) is immortal, it cannot be
destroyed; but the body which is made of clay, water, fire, air and ether once again returns to its
origin.