Sanskara

Sanskar

It is very difficult to define 'Sanskar' in a few words. The word 'Sanskar' has its origin in the Sanskrit language. There is no word in other languages comparable to 'Sanskar'. Sanskar is a commonly used variant of the Sanskrit word 'Samskara' and signifies cultural heritage and upbringing in modern Hindi. Apart from the practices, the word "Samskāra" is used in communication denoting the upbringing criteria of a hindu. Eg, It is said that a boy with good Samskāra does right and it is supposed that he will not fall in sin, i.e Lust, Anger and Wine.

'Sanskar' is a process, which transforms a person into an ideal & outstanding personality by eradicating/controlling the negative mental tendencies existing in him and by inculcating human values & qualities to make him more dynamic, discreet, duty conscious and responsible towards himself as well as family and the society.

'Sanskar' is like plantation of a seed of human values into the subconscious of a person during his childhood so that adherence of these values becomes part of his nature and keeps on guiding him throughout his life. A person acts according to the ideals which exist in his subconscious without being aware of them. Thus his decisions, his reactions to actions of others and the quality of his actions depend upon the values existing in his subconscious. Conduct and behaviour of a person are always according to his inner values.

Thus, it may be concluded that Samskāra is a word to denote the qualitative quality among Hindus. The superficial meaning of the word 'Sanskar' is to purify, to refine, to supplement, to brighten, to adorn the inner conscience. However, its meaning in wider sense is as deep as the depth of the ocean and as vast as the spread of the sky.

1.   'Sanskar' purifies feelings, thoughts and actions/deeds and adds momentum of life.

2.   Sanskar purifies inner conscious of the person and makes life meaningful.

3.   'Sanskar' adds good conduct, good thoughts and human qualities to a man's personality and sublimates his mind.

4.   Sanskar helps to form a culture that develops into social values - Conduct + Behaviour and Sanskar are integrated to each other.

The Samskāra 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. All Human beings, especially the Dvija or twice-born 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.

Most Vedic rituals consist of Homa - fire sacrifies of elaborate and intrinsic designs and complex methodology, accompanied by recitation of Vedas by qualified Priests in honor of a particular Demigod or god, 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.

The 16 Samskaras

Most of the Brahmins used to follow complex rituals in connection with major events in their lives, such as pregnancy, childbirth, education, marriage, and death. The majaor samskaras 16 in number; generally known as "Shodhasa Samskaras". They are illustrated below:

1.       Garbhadhanam - (literally, gifting the womb), is the act of conception. This is the first sacrament which followed immediately on every marimonial union. There are a number of rites performed before conception. The act of first sexual intercourse or insemination is known as Nishekam.

2.       Pumsavanam - is a ritual conducted in the third month of pregnancy. If it is the first pregnancy, it can be in the forth 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.

3.       Seemantam: is performed in the fourth month of a woman's first pregnancy. Seemantam is conducted for the protection of the mother at the critical period of gestation. Fragnant oil is poured on the head of pregnent woman. A line of parting is drawn three times through her hair from the forehead upwards with three stalks of 'Kusa' grass bound together. The Pranava mantram "OM" and the sacred words called Vyahritis (Bhur, Buva, Sva) are chanted during each operation. If the child is still-born, this has to be repeated during the next pregnancy.

4.       Jatakarmam - 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.

5.       Namakaranam - (literally, naming) ceremony is performed to name the child. It is performed on the12th day after birth. The father calls the child's name in its right ear three times. At this time, male children are given the surname ‘Sharma’ and female children are given the surname 'De'. Then the mother takes the child by calling him (her) without surname.

6.       Nishkramanam - is taking the child for the first time outside the house. The child is usually taken out into the open only in the 4th month.

7.       Annaprasanam - (literally, food-giving) ritual, which takes place when a child is six months old, is the first time the child eats solid food. A few grains of rice mixed with ghee are fed to the infant. This is an important ritual among all sections of Hindus.

8.       Chudakaranam - also known as 'choulam' or 'mundanam' (literaly, 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. (Nowadays this ritual is not practiced.

9.       Karnavedham (IAST: karṇavedhaṃ) (literaly, 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 Purāna-Sarvasva.)

10.   Vidyarambham - (literaly, 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.

11.   Upanayanam - is the ceremony of wearing the sacred thread called Yajñopaveetam. When the child attains eight years, the wearing of the sacred thread “Yajñopaveetam”, is ceremoniously done. This is only in the case of the boys. It is taking the child to the teacher for initiation of formal education. Along 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.

12.   Praishartham - is the learning of Vedas and Upanishads in‘Gurukulam’ or ‘Pāṭhaśāla’. In the beginning of each academic period there is a ceremony called Upakarmam and at the end of each academic period there is another ceremony called Upasarjanam.

13.   Kesantam - literaly, getting rid of hairs) is the first shave. It is ceremoniously performed for a boy at his age of 16.

14.   Ritusuddhi is a ceremony associated with a girl’s first mensturation.

15.   Samavartanam - Snanam is the ceremony associated with the end of formal education of Vedas in ‘Gurukulam’ or ‘Pāṭhaśāla’. This ceremony marks the end of student hood. This also marks the end of Brahmacharyaasrama of life.

16.   Vivaham (IAST: vivāhaṃ) (Marriage) (Citation: Mn.3.4). Nishekam is the ritual associated with first sexual intercourse. It is performed in the night of 4th day after marriage.

17.   Anthyeshti - (literaly, last rites), sometimes referred to as Antim Sanskar, are the rituals associated with Funeral.

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.

·           Vidyārambham,Vedārambham, and Antyeṣti are not enumerated as separate samskāras in ancient texts like Manusmriti or Grihya Sutra(Pāraskar).

·           To this list may be added Karṇavedham too, which reduces the list of most essential sanskāras to 12 only.

·           The way a Hindu lives, is wrapped around these various rites called Sanskar. The Sanskar is said to be helping for achieving spiritual nourishment, peace of mind and ultimately moksha.

·           It is derived from the Sanskrit word 'sanskar' meaning 'to form well, to put together'.

·           Sanskara has thus, come to refer to a ceremony, which is performed as a purification rite for an individual or family.

·           According to Hindu belief, ceremonies are performed at two levels: shrauta and grihya.

o   Shrauta ceremonies are performed on a grand scale, with more than one priest and a large number of people in attendance.

o   Grihya ceremonies are small and private, performed at home with or without a priest. Sanskaras are 'grihya'.