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== Definition ==
== Definition ==
The term Samskara is pregnant with meaning and hence untranslatable. Samskara here refers to any rite prescribed by scriptures either for purification (removal of papa) or generating, infusing some qualities by which a person becomes eligible or qualified to perform some rites. Viramitrodayam defines a Samskara thus:<blockquote>आत्मशरीरान्यतरनिष्ठः अतिशयविशेषः संस्कारः। ātmaśarīrānyataraniṣṭhaḥ atiśayaviśeṣaḥ saṃskāraḥ ।</blockquote>A special virtue or quality that is connected with mind or body is called Samskara (the rite for such a virtue or quality is also called Samskara).
The term Samskara is pregnant with meaning and hence untranslatable. Samskara here refers to any rite prescribed by scriptures either for purification (removal of papa) or generating, infusing some qualities by which a person becomes eligible or qualified to perform some rites. Viramitrodayam defines a Samskara thus:<blockquote>आत्मशरीरान्यतरनिष्ठः अतिशयविशेषः संस्कारः। ātmaśarīrānyataraniṣṭhaḥ atiśayaviśeṣaḥ saṃskāraḥ ।</blockquote>A special virtue or quality that is connected with mind or body is called Samskara (the rite for such a virtue or quality is also called Samskara). Samskaras refine, condition and purify the psychosomatic processes.
Samskaras refine, condition and purify the psychosomatic processes.
Mimamsakas speak of samskaras in a different context, as Panch-bhusamskaras and the Paaka samskaras by which they mean sweeping, sprinkling and purifying the yajnashala, and boiling or preparing food for the yajna.<ref name=":1">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 28-38)</ref>
Grhyasutras classify the entire domestic rituals under the names of different classes of yajnas. The bodily samskaras are included in the list of the '''[[Pakayajnas (पाकयज्ञाः)|Pakayajnas]]''', for example, Paraskara Grhyasutra divides the Pakayajnas into four classes, the huta (हुतः), the ahuta (अहुतः), the prahuta (प्रहुतः) and praashita (प्राशित).<ref name=":1" /> <blockquote>चत्वारः पाकयज्ञा हुतोऽहुतः प्रहुतः प्राशित इति १ catvāraḥ pākayajñā huto'hutaḥ prahutaḥ prāśita iti 1
पञ्चसु बहिःशालायां विवाहे चूडाकरण उपनयने केशान्ते सीमन्तोन्नयन इति २ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 1.4.1-2) </blockquote>Where the offerings are offered into the fire it is called '''Huta class of pakayajna'''. This class includes the Samskaras from [[Vivaha (विवाहः)|Vivaha]] to the [[Simantam (सीमन्तः)|Simantonnayana]] (hair-parting).Where the after making the offerings to the fire, gifts are given to the Brahmans and others it is called '''Prahuta class of pakayajna'''. This group contains the Samskaras from the Jatakarma (birth ceremonies) to the Chaula-karma (tonsure). The yajnas were after making offerings to the fire and gifts to the Brahmans, one receives presents from others are classified under '''Ahuta class of pakayajna'''. The Upanayana and Samavartana samskaras are included in this list.<ref name=":1" /> Thus here what are later on, called the Samskaras, are treated as Pakayajnas.
== Number of Samskaras ==
== Number of Samskaras ==
* Grhyasutras
* Grhyasutras
The Samskaras in the strict sense fall within the purview of the Grhyasutras.
The Samskaras in the strict sense fall within the purview of the Grhyasutras.
Gautama in his Smṛti (Dharmaśāstram) enumerated forty Samskaras, including five Mahayajnas, seven Pākayajñas, seven Haviryajñas and seven Somayāgas. Finally, it is decided in Samskaradipika that the following sixteen Samskaras are essential:<blockquote>आधानपुंसवनसीमन्तजातनामान्नचोलकाः। मौञ्जीव्रतानि गोदानसमावर्तनविवाहकाः॥ ādhānapuṃsavanasīmantajātanāmānnacolakāḥ।mauñjīvratāni godānasamāvartanavivāhakāḥ॥
Gautama in his Smṛti (Dharmaśāstram) enumerated forty Samskaras, including five Mahayajnas, seven Pākayajñas, seven Haviryajñas and seven Somayāgas. Finally, it is decided in Samskaradipika that the following sixteen Samskaras are essential:<blockquote>आधानपुंसवनसीमन्तजातनामान्नचोलकाः। मौञ्जीव्रतानि गोदानसमावर्तनविवाहकाः॥ ādhānapuṃsavanasīmantajātanāmānnacolakāḥ।mauñjīvratāni godānasamāvartanavivāhakāḥ॥