According to Hindu traditions, Sanskars are the turning points of life and need to be celebrated. These Sanskars are important aspects of Hindu life-giving a spiritual touch to the important events at different stages of Hindu life right from pre-birth to post-death. These Sanskars directly or indirectly involve our respected elders, scholars and dear ones. Thus, the celebrations are very important ingredients of Sanskars. For these Sanskars, there is social & religious sanction for the act & ceremony where everyone concern gets together to convey their best wishes & blessings to the concerned person.
As per Hindu traditions, the Sanskars present a series of sacraments, sacrifices and rituals serving as rites on achieving certain milestones and marking the various stages of human life. These transit and intermediatory stages are classified and signify entry to a particular Ashrama (i.e. stage of life). The aim of Sanskar is to help in achieving spiritual nourishment, peace of mind and finally the Moksha (salvation). There is a total of sixteen sanskars for a Hindu life.
Garbhadhan Sanskar (On conception) – This as the first Sanskar. This Sanskar is a prayer for a child. This is done towards the fulfilment of parental duty to continue the race. Ideally, the parents should have pure thoughts and observe the rules of Shastras, to produce a good child.
Punsavan Sanskar (Foetus protection) – This second sanskar is performed through a ceremony during the third or the fourth month of pregnancy when the first signs of conception are noticed. This is generally performed when someone desires a male child. The reason for expecting a male child is the belief that it is the male child who carries the Vansha and family heritage forward. This Sanskar is usually restricted to family members.
Simantonayan Sanskar (For fulfilling the wishes of to be mother)– Performed during the seventh month of pregnancy, the sanskar is for the health, physique and mental growth of the child. Since the last 3 months are very difficult for pregnant women- both physically and mentally, this Sanskar is performed to make the expecting mother free from all worries. To perform this sanskar, a Puja is performed for purification of the atmosphere and as an offering to God for the peace of mother and to be baby. This rite is intended to keep the pregnant woman in good spirits thus celebrated primarily social and festival in nature. It is said that during Solar and lunar eclipses, a woman should not use any kind of weapons and during normal times she should avoid violent thoughts. It is said that her husband should keep her peaceful and cheerful.
Jaat Karma Sanskar (Birth ritual) – Jaat-karma is performed on the sixth day from the birth of a child. This is performed to purify the house. This sanskar is performed to keep the newborn in a clean atmosphere where he may not incur any physical or mental health problems. It is also called Shashthi or Chhathi. Goddess Shashthi is the protector of children. At many places, Jaat-karma is generally followed with Grah Puja and a Havan.
Naamkaran Sanskar (Giving the name to the newborn) – Naamkaran Sanskar is performed on the tenth day from the birth of a child. This sanskar is performed with the recitation of Sanskrit Mantras. The newborn baby gets a name on completion of this Sanskar which is decided as the first letter of the name is determined according to the position of the moon in one of those 27 Nakshatra (constellations) at the time of child’s birth. An appropriate name is given to the child and one’s horoscope is cast according to the planetary position of birth time.
Nishkraman Sanskar (Child’s going outdoor for first time) – This ceremony is performed to enhance the age and physical and mental development of the child by taking him/her out. This sanskar is performed to show obeisance to the sun, moon and the Panchmahabhut (Five elements) namely fire, wind, water, soil and sky.
Annaprashana Sanskar – This sanskar is performed after the Fifth month. This sanskar is performed by giving Anna (food grain / solid food) to the child for the first time. Generally, the Sanskrit Mantras are recited and Prasad (oblations) are offered to the various deities. Usually, the Kheer (rice pudding) is given to the child.
Mundan Sanskar (Head shaving) – This Sanskar is performed as the first haircutting of the child by shaving one’s head. This is performed on an auspicious day after the age of one year. This sanskar is performed for the development of power better understanding, and for long life. The hair must be disposed of at holy places.
KarnVedhan Sanskar – This sanskar is performed in either the third or fifth year. This sanskar is performed by piercing the ears with the commencement of Surya Puja. This sanskar is performed so that the child may listen to good things and have a good education.
Upanayan or Yagyopaveet Sanskar (for sacred thread) – Upanayana or Yagyopveet sanskar is a ceremony of wearing the sacred thread called Yagyopaveet. When a male child attains 5 years, the wearing of the sacred thread Yagyopaveet is ceremoniously started. This sanskar is performed as second birth for a child, which is a spiritual birth. The child is thereafter authorized to perform all rituals and his studies of Vedas begins with the Guru (teacher).
Shiksha or Vedarambh Sanskar – This Sanskar is performed to send the child is sent to Gurukul (school). Vedarambh or Shiksha is the learning of Vedas and Upanishads in Gurukul or Pathashala. The child commences his journey on the road to spiritual and worldly life. The life after this sanskar is contrasted with a mere animal existence like the life of eating, sleeping and procreating etc.
Samavartan Sanskar – This sanskar is a ceremony on the completion of the formal education of Vedas in Gurukul (or formal education in school) when the boy returns from his Guru’s Ashram after acquiring the knowledge of rules of life. On completing his education about and religion the law of life, his first Ashram Brahmacharya (celibacy) is complete. He is now eligible to enter into the next stage of life (householder stage), and is considered as a qualified man to get married to a virtuous girl.
Vivah Sanskar (Marriage) – This sanskar is the entry into the second Ashram (stage of life). Life as an individual’s family begins. As per Vedic Hindu traditions, a marriage is considered sacrosanct which is a lifelong commitment between the husband and wife. It is the strongest bond uniting a man and a woman as a family in the presence of their parents, relatives, and friends. The bride and groom walk around Agni while taking the 7 Phere (rounds). The bride sacrifices grains in the fire and during the chants mantras by the priest.
Vanaprasth Sanskar – This ceremony is performed at the age of 50 – 60 years. A man completes his Grahastha Dharma by discharging all family responsibilities and decide to enters into Vanprasth Ashram (forest hermit). A man withdraws himself from all worldly affairs, retiring to the forest and prepares himself for taking sanyas.
Sanyas – Before leaving the body Hindus sheds all sense of responsibility & relationships to awake & revel in the search of timeless truth. A sanyasi renounces the world and leads a life of study and meditation by living on alms.
Antyeshti (Last rites) – Antyeshti (the last rites) or Antim-Sanskar is the rituals associated with a funeral. When death is imminent, a small piece of gold, tulsi leaf and drops of Gangajal are put in the mouth of the person on the death bed. The body is laid on the ground with the head towards the north. The eldest son generally performs the last rites amidst the chanting of mantras. The dead body is washed, perfumed and wrapped in a new white cloth and decked with flowers, before putting into the funeral pyre.
