Samskara means “impression” or “imprint” and refers to the purification and transformation of an individual’s life through these rituals. There are 16 stages of life and their prominence in Hinduism.
Samskaras are the stages of life starting from conception all the way to death, according to Hinduism. Samskara means “impression” or “imprint” and refers to the purification and transformation of an indvidula’s life through these rituals. These stages are facilitated and blessed by priests or teachers with celebrations and traditional rites with loved ones.
Samskaras instill a firm moral code to respect elders, keep an open mind for gathering teachings, preach and practise truthfulness, harm none and aim to attain peace and Moksha, liberation, at the end of life. Each Samskara helps in expanding the physical, mental and spiritual capacities of a person.
Prenatal :
Garbadhan
Garba translates to the womb and Dhan means to donate. Garbandhan is the very first stage of conception when a married man and a woman come together to create a life. As it was stated in Taittiriya Upanishad, a Hindu scripture, when a student finishes his studies, he is instructed by his teacher that it is against the ancient religious text to terminate one’s bloodline by not reproducing. It is believed, humans owe the act of procreation to their forefathers and should fulfill it.
The garbhadhan samskar is typically performed by the father of the expected child, although the mother may also participate. It is typically performed in the presence of a Hindu priest, who recites mantras and performs the necessary rituals.
The purpose of the garbhadhan samskar is to sanctify and purify the couple before conception, to ensure that the child is conceived under auspicious circumstances, and to ask for the blessings of the gods for a healthy and intelligent child.
The ritual involves the couple making offerings of flowers, fruits, and other items to the gods, as well as reciting mantras, and performing other rituals as prescribed in Hindu scripture. The couple also prays for blessings for a healthy and intelligent child, who will be a source of strength and support for the family, and a benefit to society.
In modern context, the garbhadhan samskar is performed less frequently, it is sometimes replaced with prayers and blessings by the family members and or a religious leader or priest. But it still holds significance in Hindu tradition and is considered as an important event in the life of a couple who is expecting a child.
Pumsavana
This stage arrives at the trimester of the pregnancy, to embark on the new developments of the fetus. This is celebrated according to astronomy when the Moon reaches a male constellation, Tishya Nakshatra, in particular, to establish the presence of a child. The name of this Samskar itself means male conception.
Simantonayana
This involves hair parting of the mother by the father for a healthy delivery of the child and well being of the mother. The phase occurs around the fifth month of the pregnancy when the growth of the child’s brain begins.
The Simantonnayana samskara is performed in the presence of a Hindu priest, who recites mantras and performs the necessary rituals. The ritual is typically performed by the father of the expected child, although the mother may also participate. It is usually performed at home or temple.
During the ritual, offerings are made to various gods and goddesses, including Parvati and Ganesha, who are believed to protect the mother and child during pregnancy. The mother’s hair is parted in the middle and adorned with flowers, and the father applies sandalwood paste on her forehead and ties a sacred thread around her wrist.
The couple also recite mantras and perform other rituals as prescribed in Hindu scripture to ensure a healthy pregnancy and the well-being of the child in the womb. The couple also prays for blessings for a healthy and intelligent child, who will be a source of strength and support for the family, and a benefit to society. The rituals also include the lighting of a lamp and the making of symbolic offerings.
In modern context, Simantonnayana is performed less frequently, it is sometimes replaced with prayers and blessings by the family members and or a religious leader or priest. But it still holds significance in Hindu tradition and is considered as an important event in the life of a couple who is expecting a child.
Evidence lies in the Indian epic Mahabharat where Arjun’s son learns the war tactic of Chakravyuh right in his mother’s womb through lord Krishna himself. It is done to ensure that the mother is taking care of herself and shedding away all fears and negative thoughts while being devoted to prayers and worship.
Childhood :
Jatakarma
Jatakarma is when the baby is actually born and it is physically detached from the mother by cutting off the umbilical cord. This birth is celebrated with great joy and is also the first time when the baby comes in contact with his father. To mark the auspicious occasion, the father feeds honey and ghee, clarified butter, to the newborn, signifying purity. The alignment of the stars at the time of birth helps in sketching up the baby’s birth chart.
Namakarana
Namkarana is the naming ceremony of the kid on the eleventh day of birth. The baby is cleaned, adorned with new garments and given an official name by his parents.
Nishkrama
Nishkrama means outing or going out. The baby is taken for an outing for the first time around four months of age to see the world. Until then it is advised to keep him inside the safety of home. The child starts observing the world around him by this stage.
Annaprashana
Anna means food and Annaprashana is the stage of feeding solid food to the baby. Till then the infant had solely relied on his mother’s milk but for an increase in his mental and physical growth in the coming years, grains, fruits, vegetables are crucial. In this ceremony that typically takes place at six months, the kid is fed rice with ghee
Chudakarma
It is also known as Mundan. This is at one year of age when the child undergoes his first haircut and his entire head is shaven. A small portion of the hair is left untouched at the back of the head and it is known to stimulate nerves and increase concentration.
Karnavedh
Karnavedh is the ear-piercing ceremony where the right earlobe is pierced to keep the child free from diseases such as hernia. During the ritual, the baby’s ears are pierced, which is believed to symbolize the baby’s ability to hear the teachings of the Vedas, and to help the baby to listen to and understand the teachings of the spiritual tradition. The baby’s head is also shaved, which is believed to symbolize the baby’s renunciation of material attachments, and the beginning of its spiritual journey.
Education as student :
The child has to solely focus on acquiring knowledge, enhancing his wisdom, concentration powers and focus on education. He is refrained from getting attracted by materialistic wealth or submitting to his desires for love.
Vidhyarambha
Vidhya translates to education and it is when the child is formally introduced to learning, commencing with alphabets. This usually begins at five years of age. During this occasion, the child is made to write in rice in front of a teacher, guru or priest. He is made to jot down greetings through mantras to deities such as Ganesh and Saraswati, the ones with wisdom and knowledge to seek their blessing
Upanayana
It is also known as the Yagnopavita stage where the kid starts to wear Janeu, a sacred white thread. This is initiated at around the age of 8 and this is when the kid is formally enrolled into educational institutes and accepted by a teacher. Kids are made to stay in gurukuls or schools away from their homes for pure learning
Vedarambha
Similar to the name, Vedarambha is when the student is introduced to studies, prominently the four Vedas, religious texts and starts learning them.
Keshant
Kesh means hair and ant means ending. The student’s hair and even beard are shaved off at around sixteen years. As the boy advances towards adulthood, his vows of celibacy or Brahachari, one of the four Ashrams of Hinduism, are reminded to him. It is also a form of Guru Dakshina, payment or fee to the teacher.
Samavartan
This marks the end of life as a student for a boy. He is then deemed free to return home and engage in indulgences of the material world.
Adulthood and marriage :
Vivaha
Vivaha means marriage. The boy starts his journey as a man and gets married to a woman in front of all family and friends. As it is an integral part of a man’s life when he connects with another human being for the rest of his life, Vivaha is one of the most important Samskaras. This is then followed by starting a family and following the duties of Grihastha, householder.
Old age and death :
Vivaha
As mentioned, Ant means end or death and it refers to the last rituals of a man’s life after his demise. Antyeshti is the last sacrifice a person undergoes before leaving the present world. Sanatan Dharma believes that the person returns to the five elements of nature after death.
