16 Sanskara

Literally 'making perfect, purification, cleansing', derived from the Sanskrit word 'sanskr' meaning 'to form well, to put together'. Sanskara has 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. Shrauta ceremonies are performed on a grand scale, with more than one priest and a large number of people in attendance. Grihya ceremonies are small and private, performed at home with or without a priest. Sanskaras are 'grihya'.

 

              The 16 common Sanskara are.................

Parental

The 16 common Sanskara are

1.      Garbhadana or conception: All sources recognize this as the first sanskara. It consists of rites     performed before conception in the belief that it ensures a healthy child

2.      Punsavana or ensuring a male child.

3.      Simantonayana or parting of the hair: This ceremony is performed by the husband for the wife to protect her from evil spirits and Sanskara from ill health during the pregnancy
.

4.      Jatakarman or birth ceremony.

5.      Namakarana or naming ceremony.

          Childhood

1. Nishkarma or the child's first outing, performed to protect the child from evil spirits and other malevolent forces that are considered to exist outside the home.
2. Annaprashana or the first feed of solid food to the child.
3. Chudakarana or tonsure.
4. Karnavedha or piercing the ear. Although this was done originally only to beautify the child, it acquired the belief that it would protect the child against disease.
   
   Educational
5. Vidyarambha or the beginning of education. Using a new pen, the guru teaches the child the letters of the alphabet and writes a salutation to the gods.
6. Upanayanam or thread ceremony.
7. Vedarambha or the beginning of Vedic study, performed during the Brahmacharya stage of life at the home of the guru.
8. . Keshanta or the first shave. This ceremony is performed for a boy at the age of 16. It marks the beginning of his adolescence.
9. Samvartana or Snana, the end of studenthood. This ceremony marks the end of the Brahmacharya stage of life. The boy returns to live at home after living in his guru's home. Snana or bathing constitutes an important part of this ceremony, symbolising the crossing of the ocean of learning. Therefore the sanskara itself is often referred to as Snana
   
   Marriage
10. Vivaha or marriage.
    
    Death Sanskars
11. Antyeshti or funeral rites.

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