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16 SAMSKARAS IN HINDUISM – THE HINDU WAY OF LIFE
Among the forty samskaras prescribed in the Vedas, sixteen, called Shodasha samskaras, are still practised today. And of the 16 Samskaras, not all are practised by Bhatia families today. Beginning at conception and continuing until the individual's last rites after death, these samskaras are performed by or for that individual. They are done in the five distinct stages of human life:
The word Saṁskāra is derived from the Sanskrit root meaning "to refine". The term Samskara is used in classical Sanskrit literature to describe education, cultivation, training, perfecting, refining, polishing, embellishment, and sacred rites. 1 Garbhadana The Garbhadana is a ritual performed during the first act of consummation after marriage. This ritual aims to ensure a healthy, prosperous, and cultured child for a married couple. 2 Pumsavan Pumsavana and Simantonayana (the third Samskara) are only performed during the woman's first pregnancy. This ritual aims to procreate a male child and ensure that he is born healthy, beautiful, and intelligent. Moreover, it ensures that the whole pregnancy period is normal without complications. It is performed in the third month of pregnancy. 3. Seemantonnayan The ceremony is also known as Godbharai or Khodo bharavo by Gujratis. This ritual is primarily done in the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy. This traditional Indian baby shower is celebrated during pregnancy to welcome the unborn child to the family and to bless the mother-to-be with the abundant joys of motherhood. This ritual purifies the mother's womb, boosts her morale, and helps her focus on positive and pure thoughts. This is because it will be the child that is in the womb who will absorb all these thoughts. The priest usually does puja. 4. Jaatkarm It is performed when the baby is born and before the umbilical cord is cut to ask for long life, health, wealth, fame, energy, and knowledge. Then, the father welcomes and blesses the newborn child and feeds it with a dab of butter and honey. Nowadays, this ceremony is performed along with the Naamkaran ceremony. 5 Naamkaran At this ceremony, the baby is given a name, blessed, and wished a long life of fame and glory. It is usually done on the tenth day after birth. But it can also be performed during the Chatthi ceremony. Six days after the baby is born, the Chhathi Ceremony is performed. Vidhaata (Goddess of destiny) was believed to enter the house at midnight on the sixth day after the baby's birth to pen the baby's future according to folklore. Traditionally the mother of the newborn lights a lamp (Diya). The lamp, a red pen, and paper are placed on a wooden plank for Vidhaata to write the newborn's future. Then, while holding the newborn in her arms, the mother kneels before the lamp, which is supposed to symbolize Vidhaata. On this day, the baby can also be named. Parents, grandparents, and a few close relatives and friends participate in the baby naming ceremony. Traditionally the paternal aunt (Fai) has the honour of naming her brother's child. The child is dressed in new clothes, and the mother wets the head of the baby with drops of water as a symbol of purifying the child. When the paternal aunt names the child, she whispers the newborn their name in the ear and then announces it to the gathered family and friends. Nowadays, most couples request the aunt to give the child a name of their choice. 6 Nishkraman Nishkraman means to take the child out of the house. This ceremony occurs on an auspicious day when both parents go to the temple with the child. In the past, Nishkraman was traditionally held in a child's fourth month. Nowadays, parents and grandparents decide which day is appropriate. 7. Annaprasana The child is weaned at the age of six months. Some sweet rice (Khir) is usually offered to the family deity or Annapurna Devi. A morsel is fed to the baby with a silver spoon and mantras chanted to ensure health, longevity, and protection. 8. Choodaakarma (Mundan) This ceremony of the first shaving of the head for boys is usually performed after 15 months. But it may differ for different nukhs and communities. Some families celebrate it with friends and family at a temple or sacred site. In some Bhatia nukhs, it is done secretly by Grandparents without parents' knowledge. 9. Karnavedh The ceremony is performed between 6 and 16 months or 3 and 5 years of age. It consists of piercing the child's ears. Girls are believed to receive this ritual as confirmation of their femininity. There are some families where the piercing ceremony is performed secretly by aunts without the mother's knowledge. 10. Upanayana (Janoi) Apart from marriage, this is the most important Samaskara in Hindu culture. In all religions, ceremonies are performed to mark the arrival of adolescence. For this purpose, the Parsis, Christians, and Muslims all have special rites. They aim to prepare the young man to carry the burdens of life. Therefore, it is recommended that this ceremony be performed before puberty. A priest conducts the ceremony. Bhatias are one of the castes that traditionally have the right to wear the Janoi like Brahmins. Janoi is a special occasion for some families, and invitations are sent to all family members and friends. Some families perform a separate Janoi ceremony for boys during family weddings. The ceremony is usually performed when the child is ready for school. As part of the ceremony, he receives Janoi (sacred thread), which he wears for the rest of his life. It is replaced at intervals but never removed before the new one is worn. A holy thread is given to the child as a reminder to stay focused on education and avoid distractions. The three threads that make a Janoi represent the Goddess of strength (Parvati), the Goddess of Wealth (Lakshmi), and the Goddess of knowledge (Saraswati). One can only lead a good life if he possesses these three characteristics associated with these three deities. There is a separate samskara marking the beginning of education, but today the two ceremonies are often combined. 11. Vedaarambh Usually, this ritual is combined with the previous one. The guru shares the knowledge of the Vedas (holy scriptures) with the student after he makes the student perform the upanayana. A Vedarambha is a study of Vedas and Upanishads in a Gurukula or Pathashala. Each academic period begins with a ceremony called Upakarm and ends with a ceremony called Upasarjana. The child commences his journey on the road to spiritual life. 12. Samavartanam Samavartan represents the end of formal Vedic education in Gurukul. He returns home from his teachers' ashram after learning the rules of life. Samavartan means returning home from the acharya's house. His first Ashram Brahmacharya is complete when he completes his education about religion and the law of life. Now he is considered a qualified man to get married and can enter the householder stage. 13. Vivaah (WEDDING) Out of the 16 Samskaras, Vivaha Samskara is the most important and elaborate. The word vivaha means marriage. In Vedic tradition, marriage is the only way a man and woman can start a family. Marriage is an everlasting commitment between husband and wife. Traditionally, parents would find a suitable partner for their children and arrange their wedding without involving them. Even though most people nowadays find their partners and introduce them to their parents, many people are happy to have their parents introduce them to a partner of their choice. Families can proceed with the ceremonies once the boy and girl are happy and in agreement. 14. Vanaprastha This sanskara is performed at the age of fifty to celebrate the departure from the stage of the head of the family to the stage of Vanaprastha when the person begins to participate in spiritual activities. In today's term retirement. 15. Sannyasa This sanskara is performed after Vanaprastha. Having fulfilled all his duties and responsibilities as a family member, it is now time for him to renounce the material world and live by meditation. During the final moments of life, a Hindu sheds all sense of responsibility and relationships to awaken and enjoy the timeless truth. Much like attaining Nirvana and enlightenment. 16. Antyeshti Antiyeshti means "last sacrifice" and refers to the funeral rites for the dead. This ritual is the last in a person's life since it is performed at their funeral by relatives. It is also referred to as Antima Sanskar. According to the scriptures, the dead body is dedicated to fire after the death of a human being. Brahmin priests perform the final rituals. |
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Meaning and Origin of Shradh
In Hindu Panchang, Pitra Paksha is observed from the 1st Tithi of Ashwin Maas until New Moon day (Amavasya). The entire 15-day period is also known as Pitri Pokho, Sola Shradha, Kanagat, Jitiya or Apara Paksha. During this time, the Shraddha or Tarpan of the ancestors is performed on the day they met eternity.
What is the purpose of Shradh?
Hindu mythology states that the soul wanders through various worlds after death. Shraddha is performed during Pitra Paksha to appease the departed ancestors. It is a ritual to repay debts to the ancestors. According to beliefs, Shradh rituals help ancestors find salvation or moksha.
What is the story of the origin of the Shradh?
Yudhishthira asked the same question to Bhishma in Mahabharata,
Then Bhishma told him about a Rishi Atri whose son Dattatreya was the father of Nimi, whose son was Shrimata. Shrimata passed away before his father. So Nimi performed purificatory rites, invited seven Brahmana, and offered them food; by mistake, he offered food to his dead son. After that, Nimi was filled with regret because no one had ever performed such a ritual. When he called Sage Atri, he was told he had done the right thing.
Weddings are avoided during Pitru Paksha since it is an "inauspicious" time. The Hindus do not take on new business or make large purchases during Pitru Paksha.
During Pitru Paksha, Hindus fast, and many devote their time to ancestral worship or donating food and money to their local priests.
The shraddha is performed on a specific day during the Pitru Paksha (Tithi), which is determined by the place, month, date and the time the person passed away. Exceptions are made to the Tithi rule for people who die in a particular manner or have a certain status in life. During Chautha Bharani and Bharani Panchami, the fourth and fifth lunar days, people who have passed away in the past year are remembered. The ninth lunar day, Avidhava Navami, is dedicated to married women who died before their spouses. You can ask your priest to determine the tithi, or some websites have online calculators.
How Is Shradh Performed?
Usually, the eldest male member of the family or the eldest son performs the shradh puja. The puja begins when a priest comes home to perform a havan. After the havan, rice is offered to the departed souls, followed by food for the priest. Nowadays, people send food and donations to Brahman families they know.
In conclusion, the puja concludes with daan and Dakshina for the priest and the needy. A portion of the food is also offered to crows, dogs, and cows. If the date or tithi of the deceased is unknown, then the shradh ceremonies are performed on Amavasya, the last day of shradh.
Pind Daan
Pind Daan is a duty that every child needs to perform for his deceased parents. A priest performs Pind Daan, and a food ball made of rice and wheat flour is offered to the departed souls. It is believed that after completing the Pind Daan, our ancestors achieve moksha.
Feeding Crows, Ants, Dogs, Cows and Brahmin
Crows are believed to be the avatars of deceased souls who come to earth to seek food and water. Feeding them is like feeding our ancestors. Another belief is that crows are messengers to 'pitri loka' (the land of the deceased). Ants are also offered food in shradh puja. Feeding sweet food to ants is considered auspicious and brings the blessings of our ancestors. Dogs are believed to guard the doors of heaven and hell, and feeding a dog is an auspicious deed. Cows have already been given a significant status in the Hindu religion, and feeding them during shradh is considered auspicious. It is believed that only after feeding the Brahmins did our ancestors accept the food and water, so if you have missed this part, then the puja is incomplete.
The Bhatia Association UK annually conducts Bhajans in memory of our dear departed souls on one Sunday during Shradh.
In Hindu Panchang, Pitra Paksha is observed from the 1st Tithi of Ashwin Maas until New Moon day (Amavasya). The entire 15-day period is also known as Pitri Pokho, Sola Shradha, Kanagat, Jitiya or Apara Paksha. During this time, the Shraddha or Tarpan of the ancestors is performed on the day they met eternity.
What is the purpose of Shradh?
Hindu mythology states that the soul wanders through various worlds after death. Shraddha is performed during Pitra Paksha to appease the departed ancestors. It is a ritual to repay debts to the ancestors. According to beliefs, Shradh rituals help ancestors find salvation or moksha.
What is the story of the origin of the Shradh?
Yudhishthira asked the same question to Bhishma in Mahabharata,
Then Bhishma told him about a Rishi Atri whose son Dattatreya was the father of Nimi, whose son was Shrimata. Shrimata passed away before his father. So Nimi performed purificatory rites, invited seven Brahmana, and offered them food; by mistake, he offered food to his dead son. After that, Nimi was filled with regret because no one had ever performed such a ritual. When he called Sage Atri, he was told he had done the right thing.
Weddings are avoided during Pitru Paksha since it is an "inauspicious" time. The Hindus do not take on new business or make large purchases during Pitru Paksha.
During Pitru Paksha, Hindus fast, and many devote their time to ancestral worship or donating food and money to their local priests.
The shraddha is performed on a specific day during the Pitru Paksha (Tithi), which is determined by the place, month, date and the time the person passed away. Exceptions are made to the Tithi rule for people who die in a particular manner or have a certain status in life. During Chautha Bharani and Bharani Panchami, the fourth and fifth lunar days, people who have passed away in the past year are remembered. The ninth lunar day, Avidhava Navami, is dedicated to married women who died before their spouses. You can ask your priest to determine the tithi, or some websites have online calculators.
How Is Shradh Performed?
Usually, the eldest male member of the family or the eldest son performs the shradh puja. The puja begins when a priest comes home to perform a havan. After the havan, rice is offered to the departed souls, followed by food for the priest. Nowadays, people send food and donations to Brahman families they know.
In conclusion, the puja concludes with daan and Dakshina for the priest and the needy. A portion of the food is also offered to crows, dogs, and cows. If the date or tithi of the deceased is unknown, then the shradh ceremonies are performed on Amavasya, the last day of shradh.
Pind Daan
Pind Daan is a duty that every child needs to perform for his deceased parents. A priest performs Pind Daan, and a food ball made of rice and wheat flour is offered to the departed souls. It is believed that after completing the Pind Daan, our ancestors achieve moksha.
Feeding Crows, Ants, Dogs, Cows and Brahmin
Crows are believed to be the avatars of deceased souls who come to earth to seek food and water. Feeding them is like feeding our ancestors. Another belief is that crows are messengers to 'pitri loka' (the land of the deceased). Ants are also offered food in shradh puja. Feeding sweet food to ants is considered auspicious and brings the blessings of our ancestors. Dogs are believed to guard the doors of heaven and hell, and feeding a dog is an auspicious deed. Cows have already been given a significant status in the Hindu religion, and feeding them during shradh is considered auspicious. It is believed that only after feeding the Brahmins did our ancestors accept the food and water, so if you have missed this part, then the puja is incomplete.
The Bhatia Association UK annually conducts Bhajans in memory of our dear departed souls on one Sunday during Shradh.