HINDUISM FOR ALL - THE SHODASHA

HINDUISM FOR ALL

THE SHODASHA (16) SAMSKAARAS

Hinduism believed in the sanctity of one’s life and held that there is a supreme purpose in each person’s life. Hence at every important stage of human life, there were certain rites which were performed. These rites were called ‘Samskaaras' i.e. the rites to “refine one’s life”. There are sixteen such Samskaaras ordained by the Dharmashaastras.

Some of the important Samskaaras are:

Garbhadaana

This is the rite performed for safe conception by women. It is believed that procreation was not just a biological or psychological need of a man and woman, but it was a holy communion for the welfare of mankind. Keeping this factor in mind, Garbhadaana is performed as a Samskaara rather than as an act of appeasement of carnal pleasure. It is similar to the fertility rites in many other communities.

Pumsavana

This rite is to be performed only for the first child. This is normally performed during the second month of pregnancy i.e. before the sex-determination of foetus, to ensure a male progeny. Hinduism being a patriarchal society, the son played a great role to ensure the after-life ceremonies of the parents. This in no way undermines a female child, but it is believed that by administering certain potion made of herbs, and due to the efficacy of the mantras, the progeny would be a male.

Seemantonnayana

This is prescribed during 3 rd or 4 th month of pregnancy. The hair of the ‘mother’ is parted at the middle with porcupine needle with the uttering of certain mantras, praying to Lord Surya to ensure healthy development of foetus. The sun rays, said to be containing life-giving energy would ensure development of a healthy foetus.

In present day scenario, due to misconceptions, the Seemantonnayana is performed only during seventh or eighth month of pregnancy accompanied by Pushpakankanadhaarana. It is called as ‘Valaikaappu’ by native Tamilians which is not a Vaidika Samskaara, but no doubt has a good reason to be followed. According to the modern medical evaluation, the foetus starts to hear the external sounds in the third trimester, so as to ensure that the foetus hears pleasant sounds, the ‘mother’ is anointed with many glass bangles by the household or by the neighbourhood womenfolk.

The foetu constantly listens to the chimes of the bangles. Even otherwise, the sounds of the bangles would indicate the location of the expectant ‘mother’ thereby ensuring her safety within the premises of the house.

Jaatakarma

This is a neo-natal rite performed as soon as the child is born. The Dharmashaastras recommend the performance within the labour room itself. Presently, as a matter of custom, the said rite is performed on the tenth day after the birth of the child.

Naamakarana

The naming ceremony, wherein an auspicious name, keeping in tune with one’s own custom, is given to the child. For past several thousand years, the child is named after a chosen Deity or after some elder in the family. This too is done on the tenth day or thirty days after the birth of the child.

Annapraashana

For six months no external food other than mothers’ breast milk is prescribed for a new born baby. This is in line with the modern medical conventions. After sixth month the child is fed with the boiled and smashed food after offering it to ‘soma’, the deity of herbs or as in present days to a chosen Deity (Ishta Devata).

Chaula

Chaula is the tonsure ceremony. This is done on completion of one year after the birth or in the third year after birth. The hair with which the child was born is not to be cut until then. With appropriate mantras chanted, the hair is tonsured. This helps in the healthy growth of hair. Presently, it has become a custom to offer the first growth of hair to the family Deity.

This rite is nowadays accompanied with ear-piercing, called Karna-Veda. The incision made in the ear lobes is not to serve just as the ornamental purpose, but according to the practitioners of the Accu-pressure, the ear-lobes are the point which carry the energy channels to facilitate strong memory. Thus by piercing the ear-lobes and wearing a stud, constant pressure was applied in the area, helping in retention of learning.

Upanayana

This is the rite in which the male child is made eligible to learn the Vedic scriptures. The term ‘Upanayana’ means ‘taking closer’ (Upa – near, Nayana – leading). This ceremony grants the child an entry into the Gurukula (Abode of teacher) where he is taken closer to the teacher. It also could be interpreted to mean a rite which takes the boy closer to wisdom (for the word Veda, means knowledge) closer to God (for, to know the true nature of the God, one needs the support of vedic wisdom).

This is one of the major ceremonies to be undergone by the child. The Braahmanas, Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas were all eligible to be initiated into Vedic wisdom through the Upanayana Ceremony. Though at present, it is practicised mostly by the Braahmins. The Upanayana ceremony has three major rites within it apart from the other minor ancillary rites. They are –

Yajnyopaveeta Dhaarana

Brahmopadesha

Paridhaana

Yajnyopaveeta Dhaarana :

Wearing three strands of ‘sacred thread’ makes a person eligible for performance of all vedic rites and the potency of mantras uttered helps the wearer attain the lusture (Brahma Tejas) induced due to clarity of mind attained from Vedic knowledge.

Yajnyopaveeta & Traditional Attire :

Yajnyopaveeta is worn by the Brahmachaaris at the time of Upanayana and it gives the Brahmachaari, the eligibility for study of Vedas and scripture and performance of Vedic rites. The three strands of Yajnyopaveeta stand for the three qualities of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, which needs to be kept in proper equilibrium for spiritual development.

A Brahmachaari (Bachelor) wears three strands; a householder (married person) wears six or nine. The six strands give to the person the eligibility to perform the Vedic yajnyas etc.

In all the traditional functions, be it individual worship, temple rituals, or worship of manes (shraaddha etc) the shaastras prescribed the traditional attire of dhoti (plain white cloth wrapped around the loins extending a little below knee for

Brahmachaaris) worn as Kaccha or Panchakaccha by householders along with an uttariya (upper garment). The right shoulder is always exposed; this again was to reiterate the commitment towards righteous i.e. dharmic path.

Brahmopadesha :

The word Brahma means God or Vedas. The learning of Gaayatri mantra makes a person eligible to learn Vedas and thereby attain Supreme Lord, hence the initiation of this Mantra to the child is called Brahmopadesha.

Paridhaana :

The child ‘Brahmachaari / Vatu’ has to completely surrender himself to his teacher at, philosophical level, in order to attain knowledge. The student has to shun his ego which would hinder his attainment of wisdom. The appropriate age of Upanayana is prescribed as seven (garbhaashtama). worldly level and to the Supreme Lord ‘Savitaa’ at

After the performance of Upanayana, the Vatu or Brahmachaari’s lifestyle undergoes an enormous change. There are daily oblutions (religious duties) to be performed three times a day called Sandhyaavandana, fire worship (samidhaadaana), be regulated in food, sleep and dress etc. By following these regulations, the Brahmachaari earns an enormous amount of credibility and respect in

the society of learned.

Gaayatri is considered to be foremost of all mantras and also called Guru-Mantra i.e. the eldest among all mantras. The first mantra into which any Hindu is initiated is the ‘Gaayatri Mantra’.

There is a custom of Vidyaarambha or Aksharaabhyaasa i.e. learning the new script at the age of three or four, which is practiced before the performance of Upanayana. It is now done on Vijayadashami day. This is in keeping with the modern trend wherein the education is secular and has detached itself from the pattern of Vedic education. This ceremony of Aksharaabhyaasa is not a Samskaara, but has found mention in Maarkandeya Puraana.

In between Upanayana and Vivaaha, the next major sacrament, we have other Samskaaras such as four Vratas, Keshanta and Samavartana. Now these rites are performed a day or two before Vivaaha i.e. marriage.

Vivaaha :

This is one of the most important and holiest sacrament, found practiced in all major religions. The Vedic marriage or Vivaaha too is guided by the lofty ideal of the man-woman relationship for the betterment of society. This is no mere licence for conjugal pleasures but is to derive an important idea of mutual trust, inter-dependence and upholdment of high moral values.

But, Vivaaha as a ceremony has certain restrictions too, which down the age has come around as conditions.

The bride and groom have to be from the same varna preferably. If not, the girl from the higher varna cannot be married to the groom from the lower. This system led to the rigidity of marriages with varnas, caste, sub-caste to the present day micro-segregation.

The marriage ceremony is performed differently by Hindus living in different regions and speaking different languages. But, the most important rite which is part of any Hindu marriage performed in any region is called Saptapadi i.e. walking seven steps together, with Agni (Fire) as a witness. The said ceremony contains mantras which signify that the bride and groom take seven steps together for mutual co-operation and declared thereby that “now they have become friends”.

In between Vivaaha and the last rite which a person would undergo after his death, called Antyeshti there are minor sacraments, which have now mostly become defunct due to elaborate ritualistic implications involved in them.

Antyeshti :

It is so called, as the body becomes at last an offering to Lord Agni, called Kavavaahana. (Antya – last; Ishti – sacrifice). The surviving son or grandson or any paternal relative performs this ceremony for the deceased person.

Shraaddha :

This is an annual ceremony performed for the satisfaction of the manes. This is an essential obligatory duty which the son owes to his ancestor. Since the ceremony is to be performed sincerely (Shraddha), it is called Shraaddha.

This article is a snippet from the Book Hinduism For All, Authored by TS Srinivasan and Edited By Dr Ramchandrashekar. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.

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