Types of Sanskaras

The concept of Sanskaras is yet another unique contribution of Indian philosophy to mankind. It enjoys a dominant place in the Hindu Though. Manu maintained that Sanskaras purify the body. In its literal sense, ‘Sanskara’ means to purify, which starts from Garbhadhana and ends with the last Sanskara i.e. Antheshti.

A Sanskara begins with a havan or yajna in the prescribed manner. There is a divergence of opinion as far as the number of Sanskaras is connected. For example, Gautam Dharma Sutra prescribed 48 Sanskara while some other Sutra outlined only 10 Sanskara. Briefly discussed below, are the eight main Sanskaras.

1. Garbhadhana Sanskara: The Sanskara of human life begins from Garbhadhana. After marriage, the married couple promises before the sacred fire to lead a love-showered life and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu, Sinivali, Ashwinan Agni, and Indra to bless them with the most innocent but powerful children so that they might be able to follow the Dharma. The couple also makes sacrifices to the fire. Thus the Garbhadhana Sanskara is performed with this pure sacred feeling. This all is done for the child that is going to appear in the womb of the woman (mother).
2. Punsavana Sankara: This Sanskara occurs when the wife’s pregnancy reaches its third month. The object of this Sanskara is to get a powerful son as well as the safety and health of the embryo. The prayer is addressed to God to protect the pregnancy. The woman is told to desire a powerful son.
3. Jatakarma Sanskara: This Sanskara is done to create the proper atmosphere suited to the versatile development of the child when he is born and also to reckon parents of their responsibility towards the character building to the child. The Sanskara is performed with the child is born. The father touches the child and whispers some mantras into his ears wishing him to be an intelligent and long life. After it, with a pen of gold, OM is inscribed on the child’s tongue. In essence object of this Sanskara is to remind the parents of their duty towards their child.
4. Namakarna Sanskara: The Namakarna Sanskara is performed when the child becomes ten or twelve days. The child is given his name. On this, Manu feels that the Namakarna should be according to the Varna and ideals.
5. Upanayama: At the beginning of the eighth year of a child’s life, Upanayana Sanskara is performed. The child remains with the ‘Guru’ for undergoing study. The aim of Upanayana Sanskara is to establish a close relationship between the child and teacher to the maximum possible extent. The child is awarded a sacred thread to wear around his neck and taught the principles of Brahamc haya.
6. Samavaratana Sanskara: After finishing his studies and observing all the rules of Brahmacharya, the child, now a Youngman returns to the family told and undergoes the rituals of the Samavaratana Sanskara. At this stage, he is shared for the first time in his life and is permitted to lead a normal domestic life together with other members of his family.
7. Vivaha Sanskara: Vivaha Sanskara signifies man’s entrance in the Grashtha Ashrama. This is the vital stage of socialization for a man and at this stage, he avows to engage in reproduction as his contribution to the furtherance of his race. There occurs a chain of rituals during the performance of Vivaha Sanskara which highlights the importance of wed-lock. This Ashrama continues till he attains his fiftieth year and after that, at 75 years of age he undergoes Vanaprastha Ashrama under the fourfold ashrama system, and the last days of his life are spent in the Sanyasa Ashrama till he breaths his last.
8. Antyeshti Sanskara: When a person dies, the last Sanskara i.e. Antyeshti Sanskara is performed. Tradition is followed and the dead body is burnt on the wooden pyre. Mantras are chanted and ghee beside holy water is sprinkled on the pyre. The eldest son or the eldest male heir of the deceased performs the last rites.