Sixteen Sacraments

 Sixteen Sacraments

The word samskara is derived from the verb "kru" with the preposition "sam" (denoting balance) and the suffix "ghyan". 

It has many meanings, such as improving, purifying, removing the shortcomings of an object, and giving it a new and attractive look. In short, the science and process by which positive qualities are developed and cultivated in a human being is called Samskara. 

Hence, the word Shankara means transformation or giving a new shape to life. Vedic culture prescribes sixteen samskaras for human life. This means that it takes sixteen attempts in life to change and improve human life. Just as a goldsmith purifies gold by treating it and heating the metal in a pot of fire, so; As soon as a child is born, he is introduced to samskaras to imbibe various qualities in life. 

It includes all those activities which help in the development of the physical, mental, and spiritual abilities of man. Sanskars eliminate pre-existing evils and inculcate various virtues in life. From this point of view, Sanskar is an attempt to reconstruct human life. 

One can attain all round prosperity and be able to lead an adventurous and happy life and also contribute to the spiritual development of society. Samskaras are performed to give birth to a healthy and strong child with a long life as well as to bring up an intelligent and righteous child with good moral values. They are also performed to achieve spiritual progress, the ability to grow spiritually, and attain salvation through a pure and righteous approach. 

This will strengthen the society, which will contribute to the prosperity of the nation. When a child is born, he comes into this world with two types of samskaras. One that he brings with him from his past life and the other that he inherits from his parents as heredity. Both these sanskaras can be good as well as bad. 

Building Sanskar in a child is a plan to inculcate virtues and provide a conducive environment. It also counteracts bad inheritance from parents or past lives. The samskara system is a kind of spiritual scheme that is different from the physical or material scheme. The Vedic study syllabus explains in detail the performance of each samskara.

The periodical ceremonials are sixteen in number and have to be observed at special turning points of one’s age. 

They are as follows:

1. The Garbhadhana Sanskara or the ceremony of Procreation
2. The Punsavana Sanskara or the ceremony of protection of the fetus when the fetus is four months old.
3. The Simantonnayana Sanskara is done in the seventh month.
4. The Jatakarma Sanskara is observed just when the child is born.
5. The Namakarana Sanskara or the naming ceremony, is when the child is given its name on the nth, 10 1st, or 361st day of its birth.
6. The Niskramana Sanskara is when the child is for the first time brought out of the home.
7.  The Annaprasana Sanskara or feeding the child with solid food such as rice boiled in milk is done usually at the 6th month.
8. The Chudakarma Sanskara or Tonsure ceremony, is when the first shaving of the head takes place This is done in the first or third year.
9. The Karnavedha Sanskara or ear-piercing ceremony in the 3rd or 5th year.
10. The Yajnopavita Sanskara or Sacred thread investiture ceremony, in which the preceptor initiates the child. This is done in the 8th year. It is necessary both for boys and girls.
11. The Vedarambha Sanskara is when the teacher begins to teach the Vedas. This follows the tenth Sanskara immediately The Gayatri Mantra is the first Veda Mantra taught.
12. The Samavartana Sanskara or Home-returning ceremony, on completion of education.
13. The Vivaha Sanskara is the marriage ceremony when the youth marries and enters the household life This is done usually at the age of 25.
14. The Vanaprastha Sanskara or forest-going ceremony, is when one is old enough to leave the household and take to the life of pure religiosity or austerities.
15. The Sanyasa Sanskara or Renunciation ceremony, when the austerities undergone during Vanprastha prepare a man to renounce all selfishness and become an ascetic. One who is free from all selfish interests and whose sole object in life is to serve the world.
16. The Antyesti Sanskara or funeral ceremony. Burning the dead body with prescribed scents and Ghee. Burials are disallowed.