The religious ceremony purifying the body as well as mind and the process of subduing the effects of destiny or unknown factors is called as
Samskara.
Samskara in other words are
basically motives of different attitudes present in human beings. Every new activity of a child as well as an adult is initiated with religious ceremony,
for begetting the blessings of gods, priests and elders.
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Types of Samskara
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There are 16 Samskara described in scriptures.
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1) Garbhadhana Samskara
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Wishing for a child by a man of appropriate age and then going to his wife of appropriate age on an auspicious day with the same intentions,
is called as Garbhadhana samskara.
To beget the child having desired qualities and for successful
conception, this samskara is necessary.
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2) Punsavan Samskara
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This ceremony is carried out in the second or third month of
pregnancy, with the intention of having a male child. At this moment, the pregnant woman in advised
to have appropriate food.
This samskara is necessary to beget the child of desired sex,
either male or female.
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3) Simantonayan Samskara
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This ceremony is carried out during the fourth month of pregnancy in Shukla Paksha on an auspicious day when
the moon is accompanied by planetary objects (nakshatras).
This samskar is carried out with the intention of increasing the intellectual level of the child. During this Samskara, various things are carried out
that keeps the pregnant woman fresh and active.
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4) Jatakarma Samskara
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This ceremony is carried out after the birth of child to keep him active and fit and is called as
Jatakarma Samskara.
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5) Namakaran Samskara
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This ceremony is performed on the 11th day after birth and on any auspicious day and at an auspicious time. The baby is given a name, by which he/she is known to the world.
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6) Nishkramana Samskara
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This ceremony is conducted during the 4th month of the child. After giving bath to the baby, the baby is dressed up with new clothes and ornaments and is taken to the family temple i.e. taken out of the house for the first
time.
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7) Annaprashana Samskara
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This samskara is also known as Phalaprashan samskara according
to Rishi Kashyap. The child is on mother's milk from his birth
till 6th or 8th month, but later he requires other vitamins
and minerals which the child cannot get from mother's milk.
Phalaprashan samskara is advised during the 6th month by Rishi
Kashyap so that the child can get Vitamin C.
After the eruption of teeth during the 8th month, the child
can be given food which is termed as Annaprashana Samskar. As
the child grows his requirements increases and he requires
solid food for his proper growth.
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8) Chudakarma Samskara
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In this religious ceremony the hair is cut for the first time,
during the first or third year or according to the family tradition.
This samskara is followed for maintaining good hygiene and
improve the growth of hair of the child.
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9) Karna Vedhana Samskar
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The healthy infants ears should be pricked in the beginning of winter or
during the third or fifth year, at an auspicious time. It
is advised in winter season because then the wound heals
faster without any complications. It also enhances antigen
antibody reactions and boosts the immunity of the body.
Pricking the ears of the baby is a religious custom and apart from wearing earrings, it helps to protect the body from supernatural powers.
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10) Upanayan Samskar
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This ceremony is carried out during the 8th, 11th or 12th year
and is common among Brahmins, Ksatriyas and Vaisyas respectively. This
helps to build the spiritual part of the child which needs to
be followed by him throughout his life.
In this ceremony, the child is taught Sandhya, including Gayatri mantra, i.e. methodical worship and prayer.
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11) Vedarambha Samskar
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This ceremony is carried out on the same day of Upanayana Samskara or within one year after it. The child is sent to Gurukul where he acquires education. This is called as Vedarambha
Samskar.
This samskara is done so that the child can attain education
to be successful in his life.
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12) Samavartan Samskar
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Following brahmacharya till the age of 25 years, when the child completes his education from Gurukul, the send-off ceremony is called as Samavartan
Samskar.
This is synonymous to convocation degree given by modern
universities.
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13) Vivaha Samskar
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When the bridegroom and bride of proper age and different
lineage (gotra) get married, it is called Vivaha Samskar.
This samskara is followed inorder to produce a progeny who
will run the family lineage and spread the family tradition.
According to Ayurveda a man without progeny is regarded to be
not well established, bare, like a void and posessing only one
sense and as having lived a purposeless life.
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14) Vanaprastha Samskar
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The person lives in Gruhasthashram from 25 yrs to 50 yrs of age, after which he relieves himself from the bonds of family along with his
wife .This is called as Vanaprastha Samskar.
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15) Sanyas Samskar
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When the person lives in Vanprastha Ashram till 75 yrs of age and gets himself involved in
spiritualism (adhyatma) completely. This is called as Sannyas Samskar.
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16) Antyeshti Samskar
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This is carried out after the death of the person. When the dead body is burnt it is called as Antyeshti Samskar.
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The family
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