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Simanta (Samskrit: सीमन्तः) is also called Siimantonnayana (सीमन्तोन्नयानम्). Simantonnayana is the third and last of the pre-natal samskaras after the [[Pumsavana (पुंसवनम्)|Pumsavana Samskara]] performed by a practitioner of the [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana dharma]]. The word Simanthonnayana means ‘parting of the hair’ in Samskrit. The parting of a pregnant woman’s hair is the main ritual in this sacrament.

Simanta (Samskrit: सीमन्तः) is also called Simantonnayana (सीमन्तोन्नयानम्). Simantonnayana is the third and last of the pre-natal samskaras after the [[Pumsavana (पुंसवनम्)|Pumsavana Samskara]] performed by a practitioner of the [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana dharma]]. The word Simanthonnayana means ‘parting of the hair’ in Samskrit. The parting of a pregnant woman’s hair is the main ritual in this sacrament.

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

According to one scholar, this could have been partly because, in the absence of advanced diagnostic tools, it took longer (than now) for the pregnancy to be observed. But the key reason for the differences in texts is because it is believed the texts came later when the Vedic people had dispersed and settled down in various parts of India and acculturated or absorbed local customs and traditions. The differences are thus attributable to differences in local conventions (paddathis) and family customs (kulaachaara). Thus, the ceremony is prescribed starting from the point in time when the movement of the foetus is detected, to third, fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth months and (according to some texts) even at the time of delivery. But, there is one aspect all the texts agree on. They prescribe that the ceremony should be performed during the waxing phase of the moon (Shuklapaksha) during the month when the moon is aligned with a star (nakshatra) that is male. Only the alignment with a male star was considered favourable for producing a male issue.<ref name=":0" />

According to one scholar, this could have been partly because, in the absence of advanced diagnostic tools, it took longer (than now) for the pregnancy to be observed. But the key reason for the differences in texts is because it is believed the texts came later when the Vedic people had dispersed and settled down in various parts of India and acculturated or absorbed local customs and traditions. The differences are thus attributable to differences in local conventions (paddathis) and family customs (kulaachaara). Thus, the ceremony is prescribed starting from the point in time when the movement of the foetus is detected, to third, fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth months and (according to some texts) even at the time of delivery. But, there is one aspect all the texts agree on. They prescribe that the ceremony should be performed during the waxing phase of the moon (Shuklapaksha) during the month when the moon is aligned with a star (nakshatra) that is male. Only the alignment with a male star was considered favourable for producing a male issue.<ref name=":0" />

=== Devatas invoked during this ritual ===

=== Devatas invoked during this ritual ===

The mantras chanted during this ritual invoke [[Agni (अग्निः)|Agni (the fire god)]] seeking his blessings for progeny and freedom from the fear of death. Mantras aimed at pleasing [[Indra (इन्द्रः)|Indra]] are also chanted. In this ritual, Raaka (goddess of moonlight) is invoked to bless the couple with a son who has a sharp intellect and having a charitable disposition. Blessings of the supreme father, [[Brahma (ब्रह्मा)|Brahma]]/Prajapati and the universal mother, Aditi are also sought during the ceremony.<ref name=":0" />

The mantras chanted during this ritual invoke [[Agni (अग्निः)|Agni (the fire god)]] seeking his blessings for progeny and freedom from the fear of death. Mantras aimed at pleasing [[Indra (इन्द्रः)|Indra]] are also chanted. In this ritual, Raaka (goddess of moonlight) is invoked to bless the couple with a son who has a sharp intellect and having a charitable disposition. Blessings of the supreme father, [[Brahma (ब्रह्मा)|Brahma]]/Prajapati and the universal mother, Aditi are also sought during the ceremony.<ref name=":0" />

The ceremony ends with the couple receiving the blessings of all the elders present. The guests are fed and sent home with a shagun that includes a fruit or a coconut, betel nut and betel leaves<ref name=":0" />

The ceremony ends with the couple receiving the blessings of all the elders present. The guests are fed and sent home with a shagun that includes a fruit or a coconut, betel nut and betel leaves<ref name=":0" />

== Purpose of the Samskara ==

== Purpose of the Samskara ==

Early references to this ceremony are found in '''[[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmanas]]''', where the husband says, “As Prajapati establishes the boundary of Aditi for great prosperity, so I part the hair of this woman and make her progeny live to an old age.” (Here Prajapati is taken to refer to the Father (creator) of all living beings and Aditi, to the universal mother.) In the same Brahmana reference is also made to the simile between the Udumbara tree and a fertile woman.  

Early references to this ceremony are found in '''[[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmanas]]''', where the husband says, “As Prajapati establishes the boundary of Aditi for great prosperity, so I part the hair of this woman and make her progeny live to an old age.” (Here Prajapati is taken to refer to the Father (creator) of all living beings and Aditi, to the universal mother.) In the same Brahmana reference is also made to the simile between the Udumbara tree and a fertile woman. In the Grhyasutras the Samskara is described at length and all the features are fully developed.<ref name=":1" />

 

In the Grhyasutras the Samskara is described at length and all the features are fully developed.  

The primary objective of the ritual appears to be to wish a healthy development of the baby and safe delivery to the mother, although '''Asvalayana sutra''' does state that the ritual is intended to ward off certain female goblins that want to destroy the foetus. The text, however, says that the parting of the hair, adorning her with a garland and feeding her boiled rice mixed with mudga (moong bean) and ghee and asking the lute (veena) players to sing indicates the festive nature of the ritual. According to Ayurveda, in the forth month Hrdayam (the site of mind) of an embryo develops. Then in the fifth month of pregnancy, [[Manas (मनः)|manas]] of the baby develops. <ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 3 Sutra 18,30)</ref> This newly developed mind can be inflicted by the subtle forces around like grahas, bhutas, rakshasas, pishachas etc. The prayers recited at this time might be acting as an armor. The prayers invoke mahalakshmi devata in Simanta. The husband asks devi mahalakshmi to ward off all the evils and protect the child, make his mind pure and bring prosperity. Certain warnings are given to the mother for careful conduct during pregnancy. Husband assures to take responsibility of wife by symbolically doing even parting of her hair during this period.<ref>Hindu Samskaras – Pumsavana & Seemantham – Dr. R Thiagarajan</ref> Thus the purpose of this samskara also seems to be aimed at seeking blessings for the intelligence of the unborn child apart from protecting the mother-to-be and ensuring an easy delivery. According to some interpretations14, the parting of the hair is believed to be a gesture aimed at calming the mind of the mother-to-be, and to keep her in good cheer, free of worries. This is reflected in the embellishments the husband uses to refer to his wife as ‘one with the glow of a full-moon’ or ‘one with beautiful limbs’ . In essence, this ritual is a celebration of womanhood and soon to be motherhood of a fertile woman.<ref name=":0">Sumati Shridhar. VEDIC FERTILITY RITUALS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE (Pumsavana, Seemanthonayana Samskara: Vedic Pre-natal Rituals) Available from [https://www.academia.edu/37297356/VEDIC_FERTILITY_RITUALS_AND_THEIR_SIGNIFICANCE_Pumsavana_Seemanthonayana_Samskara_Vedic_Pre_natal_Rituals academia.edu]</ref>

The primary objective of the ritual appears to be to wish a healthy development of the baby and safe delivery to the mother, although '''Asvalayana sutra''' does state that the ritual is intended to ward off certain female goblins that want to destroy the foetus. The text, however, says that the parting of the hair, adorning her with a garland and feeding her boiled rice mixed with mudga (moong bean) and ghee and asking the lute (veena) players to sing indicates the festive nature of the ritual. According to Ayurveda, in the fourth month Hrdayam (the site of mind) of an embryo develops. Then in the fifth month of pregnancy, [[Manas (मनः)|manas]] of the baby develops.<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 3 Sutra 18,30)</ref> This newly developed mind can be inflicted by the subtle forces around like grahas, bhutas, rakshasas, pishachas etc. The prayers recited at this time might be acting as an armor. The prayers invoke mahalakshmi devata in Simanta. The husband asks Devi Mahalakshmi to ward off all the evils and protect the child, make his mind pure and bring prosperity. Certain warnings are given to the mother for careful conduct during pregnancy. Husband assures to take responsibility of wife by symbolically doing even parting of her hair during this period.<ref>Hindu Samskaras – Pumsavana & Seemantham – Dr. R Thiagarajan</ref> Thus the purpose of this samskara also seems to be aimed at seeking blessings for the intelligence of the unborn child apart from protecting the mother-to-be and ensuring an easy delivery. According to some interpretations, the parting of the hair is believed to be a gesture aimed at calming the mind of the mother-to-be, and to keep her in good cheer, free of worries. This is reflected in the embellishments the husband uses to refer to his wife as ‘one with the glow of a full-moon’ or ‘one with beautiful limbs’ . In essence, this ritual is a celebration of womanhood and soon to be motherhood of a fertile woman.<ref name=":0">Sumati Shridhar. VEDIC FERTILITY RITUALS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE (Pumsavana, Seemanthonayana Samskara: Vedic Pre-natal Rituals) Available from [https://www.academia.edu/37297356/VEDIC_FERTILITY_RITUALS_AND_THEIR_SIGNIFICANCE_Pumsavana_Seemanthonayana_Samskara_Vedic_Pre_natal_Rituals academia.edu]</ref>  

== Significance of hair-parting ritual ==

== Significance of hair-parting ritual ==