Lect 7: Samskaras: Vedic Purification Rituals/ Consecrations for Human Life
Just like Christianity has sacraments..hindus have samskaras.. The following are the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church, here listed in the order given in the Catechism: Baptism (Christening), Confirmation (Chrismation) Holy Eucharist Penance (Confession) Anointing of the Sick (known prior to the Second Vatican Council as Extreme Unction (or more literally from Latin: Last Anointing), then seen as part of the "Last Rites") Holy Orders Matrimony (Marriage)
All rites involve priest chants purifying mantras and performs a fire sacrifice.
List Of Sixteen Samskaras Pre-natal Samskaras (1) Garbhadan (Conception) (2) Pumsavana (Engendering a male issue) (3) Simantonayana (Hairparting) Childhood Samskaras (4) Jatakarma (Birth rituals) (5) Namakarana (Naming) (6) Nishkrama (First outing) (7) Annaprashana (First solid food feeding) (8) Chudakarma (or Chaul) (Shaving of head) (9) Karnavedh (ears pierced) Educational Samskaras (10) Vidyarambha (Learning the alphabet) (11) Upanayana (Sacred thread initiation) (12) Vedarambha (Beginning Vedic study) (13) Keshant (Godaan) (Shaving the beard) (14) Samavartan (End of studentship) Marriage Samskara (15) Vivaha (Marriage Ceremony) Death Samskara (16) Antyeshti (Death rites).
1.Garbhadana " the first samskara, means "purification of the womb," and takes place prior to conception. Hindu scriptures state that the mental states of both husband and wife is key to the type of soul that enters the womb.
2) Pumsavana (Engendering a male child) *Performed in the 3rd or 4th month of pregnancy when the moon is in a male constellation. For the first pregnanacy in general during. Simantoyannayanam (baby shower). *Ancient rishi of Ayurveda recommended certain herbs mixed with milk instilled in the right nostril to prevent congenital malformations and death of fetus.also prescribed certain diet for the ritual.
3.Simantoyannayanam or "Shreemanth. "Valaikaapu Taking place in the sixth or eighth month of a -Performed for the protection and health of the mother and the fetus. - it involves the husband placing vermilion in the parting of her hair. Now husband should be involved in the care of pregnant wife for daily routine too.
4.Jatakarma " welcomes the baby into the world. The father places a small amount of gold, ghee and honey on the baby's tongue and whispers the Holy name of God in his ear. Some may use a gold spoon to create an "aum" shape on the tongue.
5.Jatakarma & Namakarna Whispering in the ear Baby name, rashi, gayatri mantra etc. A birthchart is made.
5.Namakarana" is the namegiving ceremony where the parents dress the baby in new clothes and the family astrologer announces the child's horoscope.
(6) Nishkrama (First outing) -first ceremonial step out of the house, -child is about three or four months old -more aware (social smile)of its surroundings. - The family prays to Isvara in the form of the sun, the moon, and the eight directions so that the child will be protected at all times and in all places after entering the wider world
(7) Annaprashana (First solid food feeding) - sixth month for a male child and the seventh for a female -mark the child's weaning and first bite of solid food (usually a mixture of ghee, curds, rice and honey) - child's first acceptance of prasadam (fo od that is ritually offered to Isvara
(8) Chudakarma (or Chaul) (Shaving of head)mundan -child's third year -shaving of the child's head, leaving only a tuft sikha. -- The shaven hair are offered to Lord symbolizing the surrendering of one s countless binding desires
Mundan-
(9) Karnavedh (ears pierced)
(10) Vidyarambha (Learning the alphabet) -Also referred to as aksharaabhyasa, -child is five years -teacher and the child trace out the symbol Om onto a plate of rice. --student presents gifts to the acharya, such as a pagh
(11) Upanayana (Sacred thread initiation) -teacher gives the child the Gayatri mantra and the sacred thread janoi or yagnopavit and takes responsibility for the child's life. -The sacred thread is made of three strings, which represent one's debts to the gods, the rishis and one's ancestors. -Student must ceremonially seek bhiksa (alms) from his mother -no longer a child being fed by his parents but a student who must live an austere life
A Tulu Madhwa Brahmin boy during his upanayana ritual. The thin, yellowed,yajnopavita thread runs from left shoulder to waist. Note the munja grass girdle around the waist. The peepal tree twig in his right hand marks his entry into the Brahmacharya stage of life.
(12) Vedarambha (Beginning Vedic study according to his lineage, masters his own branch of the Vedas from teachers -Brahmacharya needed.
(13) Keshant (Godaan) (Shaving the beard)
(14) Samavartan (End of studentship) ) -performed at the end of the brahmacharya phase - the end of studentship -This involves a ritual sacrificial bath known as Awabhruth Snan. -Student offers gurudakshina to teacher.
(15) Vivaha (Marriage Ceremony)
16. Antyeshti is the act of burning the body after death. In India a funeral is generally performed before the sun sets on the day of passing. It may be that the rituals are mainly for hygiene as a body can quickly begin to decay in hot countries. Offering sacred water of Ganga and a Tulasi leaf into the mouth of a dying person usually takes place prior to the cremation. A period of contamination affects the family of the deceased and they cannot visit a temple or perform deity worship during this period.