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Samskaras (संस्काराः) (view source)
Revision as of 19:47, 20 February 2022
, 19:47, 20 February 2022→The Purpose of Shodasha Samskarakarmas: adding content
The number of samskaras have been enumerated from ten to fiftytwo and so on depending on various traditions. Grhyasutras and Smrti texts give varying lists of these sacraments. In later lists, we find other Samskaras particularly that of death and yagnas being added. The question as to whether a few Samskaras were increased to have elaborate rituals or many Samskaras were reduced to have definite and limited numbers suiting to the requirements of people is a debatable one. Generally, it is found that south Indian tradition contains elaborate ceremonies for death and cremation, Later, slowly, the north Indian tradition appears to have incorporated these into their Samskara list. For example, the rituals of Ekadashah, Dvadashah, Sapindikarana followed by the monthly shraddha etc mentioned in the Garudapurana are not performed in some communities. But, in South India, even in remote villages after death and cremation/burial, the 13th day or 16th day ceremonies are elaborately performed.
The number of samskaras have been enumerated from ten to fiftytwo and so on depending on various traditions. Grhyasutras and Smrti texts give varying lists of these sacraments. In later lists, we find other Samskaras particularly that of death and yagnas being added. The question as to whether a few Samskaras were increased to have elaborate rituals or many Samskaras were reduced to have definite and limited numbers suiting to the requirements of people is a debatable one. Generally, it is found that south Indian tradition contains elaborate ceremonies for death and cremation, Later, slowly, the north Indian tradition appears to have incorporated these into their Samskara list. For example, the rituals of Ekadashah, Dvadashah, Sapindikarana followed by the monthly shraddha etc mentioned in the Garudapurana are not performed in some communities. But, in South India, even in remote villages after death and cremation/burial, the 13th day or 16th day ceremonies are elaborately performed.
== The Purpose of Shodasha Samskarakarmas ==
== The Purpose of Shodasha Samskara- karmas ==
An investigation into the real purpose and significance of samskaras is fraught with many difficulties such as - the ages of time period elapsed since the start of these sacraments, popular superstitions surrounding them, along with a national sentiment trained to look only at the bright side of these sacraments (and ignore the negative aspects). But there are stubborn failings of the modern mind too. It is filled with prejudices labelling anything ancient must be superstitious. It fails to understand the strict discipline of the ancients and takes a suspicious view of the spiritual values associated with the sacraments. Keeping these viewpoints a careful study of the Samskaras should be undertaken overcoming, with sympathy, the shortfalls in human nature through the ages of development.<ref name=":5">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 39-57)</ref>
We can broadly divide the purpose of the Samskaras into two classes. The first class is popular and superstitious, which is motived by unquestioned faith and naive simplicity of the unsophisticated mind. The second class is priestly (pertaining to rituals) and cultural. Its origin is due to conscious forces governing the development and evolution of the society, when human beings try to improve upon nature.<ref name=":5" />
The popular and superstitious believed in the superhuman influences. They thought that these influences (both hostile and beneficial ones) could interfere in every important occasion in a man's life. The hostile influences such as bhutas, pisachas (loosely translated as spirits and goblins) rakshasas which caused unfavorable hindrances were removed by propitiation, deception or by threatening them. The householder also invoked the help of deities, to drive away foul influences. Specific physical actions (like combing the hair at the time of Simantonnayana, shaking the body, making noise etc), material things (water is used to remove physical impurities as well as warding off pisachas) weapons (a staff given to the student during Upanayana helps in protection) were other devices used to remove unwanted supernatural influences. In addition to having ways to remove hostile forces, favorable influences were invited and attracted for the benefit of the recipient of a particular samskara. Presiding devatas for each occasion are invoked and pleased to confer blessings on the man.<ref name=":5" />
The very purpose of each Samskara is explained in the following verses:<blockquote>निषेकात् बौजिकं चैनः गार्भिकं चापमृज्यते। क्षेत्रसंस्कारसिद्धिश्च गर्भाधानफलं तथा॥
The very purpose of each Samskara is explained in the following verses:<blockquote>निषेकात् बौजिकं चैनः गार्भिकं चापमृज्यते। क्षेत्रसंस्कारसिद्धिश्च गर्भाधानफलं तथा॥