16 Sanskaras - Rites of Passage in Vedic Period Notes PDF

Later Vedic Age - 16 Sanskaras of Ancient Indian History Notes For All Competitive Exams #Blog-16

Dec 04, 2021 By Careericons

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ancient indian history vedic age sixteen sanskaras

THE LATER VEDIC AGE (1000 – 600 BCE)

Overview of Sixteen Sanskaras (Rite of Passage)in Hinduism - Vedic Period

Sanskaras are rites of passage in a human being's life described in ancient texts, as well as a concept in the karma theory of Indian philosophies.

In our Hindu tradition, sixteen Sanskars are performed during the life of a human being (From Birth to Death). Sanskars means Sanshodhan-Parishodhan-Parishuddhi.

Our scriptures cherish faith and belief in re-birth. Through Sanskar, Shudhi (purification) of Jeevan (soul) is performed through all three types (Adhyatmik-Aadhibhautik- Aadhideivik).

Our scriptures consider the human birth as eligible for Moksha-Mukti, it can uplift itself by becoming Dosh-Mukta through Sanskar.

By performing Sanskars in each stage of human life, a Jeevan can get rid of and can purify itself from all types of impurities carried with itself of all previous births and lives while passing through eighty-four lakh yonis.

Sanskars has been considered an absolutely necessary rule for human beings and so it is compulsory to observe this rule.

List of Important "16 levels of Sanskaras" in Later Vedic Period

These samskaras are where each individual to the community nurtures the feeling of brotherhood. A person whose actions are connected to the others around him would definitely think twice before committing a sin. Lack of samskaras gives rise to indulging in individual physical pleasures and fanning one's animal instincts.

The inner demon is aroused which leads to the degeneration of oneself and the society as a whole. When a person is not aware of his moorings in society he runs his own selfish race against the world and the greed to pitch himself over others leads to the destruction of not only himself but the entire human community.

So, the Sanskaras act as a moral code of conduct for society. Let us discuss all 16 Sanskaras in detail

S.No	Time period	Name of Sanskaras/ Meanings
1	Before Birth	Garbhadhana (Ceremony for conception) - Conception ritual for having healthy children. Lord Brahma or Prajapati is appeased by this ritual.
2		Pumsavana (Fetus Protection) - Fertilization ritual performed on the third month of pregnancy asking for the life and safety of the fetus. Once again Lord Brahma is prayed to in this ceremony.
3		Simanatonnayana (Satisfying the carvings of the pregnant mother)- Observed in the penultimate month of pregnancy for safe and assured delivery of the baby. This is a prayer to the Hindu God Dhata.
4	During Life	Jatakarma Natal rites (Ceremony for a newborn child) - Birth ceremony of a newborn baby. On this occasion, a prayer is observed for goddess Savita.
5		Namakarana (Ceremony for naming the child) - Naming ceremony of the baby, which is observed 11 days after its birth. This gives the newborn an identity with which he or she will be associated all his life.
6		Nishkramana (First outing of the child - for showing Sun) - Act of taking the four-month-old child out for the first time into the open to sunbathe. The Sun God Surya is worshipped.
7		Annaprashana (First feeding with boiled rice in the age of 6 months) - Elaborate ceremony conducted when the child is fed cereal for the first time at the age of six months.
8		Chudakarma (Mundan) Arrangment of thr hair tuft - Ceremonious tonsuring of the head and Lord Brahma or Prajapati is prayed and offerings made to him. The baby's head is shaved off and the hair is ceremonially immersed in the river.
9		Karnavedha (Ear piercing) - Ritual of having the ear pierced. These days it is mostly girls who have their ears pierced.
10		Vidyarambha (Learning the alphabets) - Investiture ceremony of the sacred thread where Brahmin boys are adorned with a sacred thread hung from one shoulder and passed around their front and back. On this day, Lord Indra is invoked and offerings are made to him.
11		Upanayana (Holg thread ceremony) - Observed when the child is initiated into the study. In ancient times, boys were sent to live with their gurus in a 'gurugriha' or hermitage to study. Devotees pray to the Hindu God Apawaka on this occasion.
12		Samavartana Graduation Ceremony (On returing home after completing studentship) - Convocation or the commencement to the study of the Vedas.
13		Vivaha (Marriage) - Lavish nuptial ceremony. After marriage, the individual enters the life of a 'grihastha' or conjugal life - the life of a householder. Lord Brahma is the deity of the day in the wedding ceremony.
14		Vanaprastha (Preparation for renunciation) - Ceremony where the marrying couple encircles the sacred fire seven times. It is also known as 'Saptapadi.'
15		Sannyasa (Renunciation) - Auspicious ritual that starts the couple on their domestic life.
16	After Death	Antyesthi (Funeral) - Final rite of passage or Hindu funeral rite that is performed after death.

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