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Samskaras (Samskrit : संस्काराः) are the rites prescribed by the vaidika and dharmika texts either for purification (removal of a papa) or generating or infusing some qualities by which a person becomes eligible to perform some more rites. In other words Samskaras are for cleansing the mind and body and leading consequently to a healthy, happy and peaceful life in this world and Moksha after death. Of the worldly beings, man is the only creature, who has the ability to do good and bad karma (papa and punya karmas) with the direction of Viveka-Buddhi.  

Samskaras (Samskrit : संस्काराः) are the rites prescribed by the vaidika and dharmika texts either for purification (removal of a papa) or generating or infusing some qualities by which a person becomes eligible to perform some more rites. In other words Samskaras are for cleansing the mind and body and leading consequently to a healthy, happy and peaceful life in this world and Moksha after death. Of the worldly beings, man is the only creature, who has the ability to do good and bad karma (papa and punya karmas) with the direction of Viveka-Buddhi.  

== Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Indian tradition firmly stands on four pillars, viz. Dharma, Artha (money and other mundane matters), Kama (married life) and Moksha (renouncing the world and studying about Brahman to arrest the cycle of birth and death). The ultimate purpose of samskaras is simply to generate Vividisha (a desire/taste in Vedānta and attain Moksha). Samskaras involve Grhyaagni and are described mostly in [[Kalpa Vedanga (कल्पवेदाङ्गम्)|Kalpa Vedanga]] texts. Thus they involve domestic yajnas and not the Shrauta yajnas of the Vedas.   

Indian tradition firmly stands on four pillars, viz. Dharma, Artha (money and other mundane matters), Kama (married life) and Moksha (renouncing the world and studying about Brahman to arrest the cycle of birth and death). The ultimate purpose of samskaras is simply to generate Vividisha (a desire/taste in Vedānta and attain Moksha). Samskaras involve Grhyaagni and are described mostly in [[Kalpa Vedanga (कल्पवेदाङ्गम्)|Kalpa Vedanga]] texts. Thus they involve domestic yajnas and not the Shrauta yajnas of the Vedas.   

== Definition ==

== व्युतपत्तिः ॥ Etymology and 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). Samskaras refine, condition and purify the psychosomatic processes.   

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.   

The Paddhatis and the Prayogas also deal with only the Brahma Samskaras and leave the Daiva Samskaras altogether, partly because they have now become obsolete and partly the current Pakayajnas are described elsewhere. The funeral is always treated separately. The usual number of the Samskaras in them is from ten to thirteen (from Garbhadbana to Vivaha). Many of the Paddhatis are actually called “The Dashakarma-Paddhati" (of Ganapati, Narayana, Prthvidhara, Bhudeva etc) or ‘The Manual of Ten Ceremonies.’’ The funeral is always treated separately.<ref name=":1" />  

The Paddhatis and the Prayogas also deal with only the Brahma Samskaras and leave the Daiva Samskaras altogether, partly because they have now become obsolete and partly the current Pakayajnas are described elsewhere. The funeral is always treated separately. The usual number of the Samskaras in them is from ten to thirteen (from Garbhadbana to Vivaha). Many of the Paddhatis are actually called “The Dashakarma-Paddhati" (of Ganapati, Narayana, Prthvidhara, Bhudeva etc) or ‘The Manual of Ten Ceremonies.’’ The funeral is always treated separately.<ref name=":1" />  

=== Grouping of Samskaras ===

=== Classification of Samskaras ===

Samskaras can be grouped under the following heads

Samskaras can be grouped under the following heads

# The Pre-natal Samskaras

# [[Pre-natal Samskaras (जन्मात्पूर्वसंस्काराः)|The Pre-natal Samskaras (जन्मात्पूर्वसंस्काराः)]] - Garbhadhana (गर्भाधानम्), Pumsavana (पुंसवनम्) and Simantam (सीमन्तः)

# The Samskaras of Childhood

# The [[Childhood Samskaras (बाल्यसंस्काराः)]] -

# The Educational Samskaras

# The Educational Samskaras (विद्याभ्याससंस्काराः)

# The Marriage Samakara

# The Marriage Samakara (विवाहसंस्कारः)

# The Funeral Ceremonies

# The Funeral Samskara (अन्त्येष्टिसंस्कारः)

Many of them eg., the pre-natal samskaras and few of the childhood are not generally performed at present; so, they have become a thing of the past. The rest are performed at present by a few orthodox families only and, in a distorted form. The only current Samskaras are the Upanayana (Initiation ), not performed by all the Dvijas today, the Vivaha (Marriage ceremonies) and the Antyeshti (Funeral Ceremonies).<ref name=":1" />  

Many of them eg., the pre-natal samskaras and few of the childhood are not generally performed at present; so, they have become a thing of the past. The rest are performed at present by a few orthodox families only and, in a distorted form. The only current Samskaras are the Upanayana (Initiation ), not performed by all the Dvijas today, the Vivaha (Marriage ceremonies) and the Antyeshti (Funeral Ceremonies).<ref name=":1" />  

=== Ayurveda's perspective ===

=== Ayurveda's perspective ===

Ayurveda treatises have described the technical procedures done under Samskaras. They have primarily focused on the health benefits of samskaras. One can find details of the procedures performed under Samskaras in Ayurveda samhitas. These techniques, methods and details are designed with an aim of enabling the person undergoing samskaras to adopt to the new upcoming phase of the life. Since Ayurveda considers any perosn as not just a physicla body abut a union of body-mind and life energy, the processes have been planned asnd designed considering all the 3 components. For example, a newborn baby struggles to adjust from intra-uterine to the extrauterine life immediately after birth. Therefore under [[Jatakarma (जातकर्म)|Jatakarma Samskara]], Acharya Charaka and Sushruta discuss about the ways for initial stabilization of a baby. Some of the procedures discussed under [[Jatakarma (जातकर्म)|Jatakarma samskara]] in [[Charaka Samhita (चरक संहिता)|Charaka Samhita]] and [[Sushruta Samhita (सुश्रुतसंहिता)|Sushruta Samhita]] are similar to neonatal resuscitation interventions performed at the time of birth to support the establishment of breathing and circulation of a newborn. Most of the samskaras performed in prenatal period comprise of using specific herbs or procedures to promote the wellbeing of a baby in womb, prevent pregnancy related complications and to get a superior quality progeny. A systematic and scientific way of introducing new things in the world to the child has been proposed e.g in [[Annaprasanam (अन्नप्रासनम्)|Annaprasana Samskara]], Ayurveda acharyas have clearly described which types of foods should be introduced and what should be the sequence etc. Thus Ayurveda looks at samskaras as the procedures that will enable that individual develop necessary qualities to adopt to the new phase of life or changes that are going to happen for the 1st time in the life.  

Ayurveda treatises have described the technical procedures done under Samskaras. They have primarily focused on the health benefits of samskaras. One can find details of the procedures performed under Samskaras in Ayurveda samhitas. These techniques, methods and details are designed with an aim of enabling the person undergoing samskaras to adopt to the new upcoming phase of the life. Since Ayurveda considers any perosn as not just a physicla body abut a union of body-mind and life energy, the processes have been planned asnd designed considering all the 3 components. For example, a newborn baby struggles to adjust from intra-uterine to the extrauterine life immediately after birth. Therefore under [[Jatakarma (जातकर्म)|Jatakarma Samskara]], Acharya Charaka and Sushruta discuss about the ways for initial stabilization of a baby. Some of the procedures discussed under [[Jatakarma (जातकर्म)|Jatakarma samskara]] in [[Charaka Samhita (चरक संहिता)|Charaka Samhita]] and [[Sushruta Samhita (सुश्रुतसंहिता)|Sushruta Samhita]] are similar to neonatal resuscitation interventions performed at the time of birth to support the establishment of breathing and circulation of a newborn. Most of the samskaras performed in prenatal period comprise of using specific herbs or procedures to promote the wellbeing of a baby in womb, prevent pregnancy related complications and to get a superior quality progeny. A systematic and scientific way of introducing new things in the world to the child has been proposed e.g in [[Annaprasanam (अन्नप्रासनम्)|Annaprasana Samskara]], Ayurveda acharyas have clearly described which types of foods should be introduced and what should be the sequence etc. Thus Ayurveda looks at samskaras as the procedures that will enable that individual develop necessary qualities to adopt to the new phase of life or changes that are going to happen for the 1st time in the life.  

== Why Samskaras?  ==

== Why Samskaras?  ==