Changes

Karnavedhana Samskara is one of the Samskaras of childhood practiced in Sanatana Dharma. The term 'Karnavedhana' suggests piercing of the ear. Thus, it is the samskara wherein, the child's ear lobe is pierced. Ancient acharyas have described in depth about when this samskara is performed, how it is done and all other relevant aspects. Among Ayurveda scholars, Acharya Vagbhata in Ashtanga Samgraha describes this samskara and the health related aspects of it in detail. All other samhitas (treatises) have also mentioned about this and considered this an important rite of passage.

Karnavedhana Samskara is one of the Samskaras of childhood practiced in Sanatana Dharma. The term 'Karnavedhana' suggests piercing of the ear. Thus, it is the samskara wherein, the child's ear lobe is pierced. Ancient acharyas have elaborately discussed about when this samskara is performed, how it is done and all other relevant aspects. Among Ayurveda scholars, Acharya Vagbhata in Ashtanga Samgraha describes this samskara and the health related aspects of it in detail. All other samhitas (treatises) have also mentioned about this and considered this an important rite of passage.

== Karnavedhana as described in Ashtanga Samgraha ==

== Karnavedhana as described in Ashtanga Samgraha ==

Ashtanga samgraha is one of the highly referred Ayurveda treatise authored by Vrddha Vagbhata. Karnavedhana samskara has been described in first adhyaya (Chapter) of section named uttaasthana in it.<ref>Ashtanga Samgraha (Utarasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutra 38)</ref> Also Acharya Sushruta discuss in brief about this samskara in Sushruta Samhita sutrasthanam.<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 16 Sutra 30)</ref> The details are as below,

Ashtanga samgraha is one of the highly referred Ayurveda treatise authored by Vrddha Vagbhata. Karnavedhana samskara has been described in first adhyaya (Chapter) of section named uttaasthana in it.<ref>Ashtanga Samgraha (Utarasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutra 38)</ref> Also Acharya Sushruta discuss in brief about this samskara in Sushruta Samhita sutrasthanam.<ref name=":0">Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 16 Sutra 3)</ref> The details are as below,

=== Time of samskara ===

=== Time of samskara ===

Karnavedhana is one of the post-natal samskaras performed in early childhood. The right time to perform this samskara has been described in terms of age of child, day in a calendar and external climate at that point of time. <blockquote>षट्सप्ताष्टममासेषु नीरुजस्य शुभेऽहनि|

Karnavedhana is one of the post-natal samskaras performed in early childhood. The right time to perform this samskara has been described in terms of age of child, day in a calendar and external climate at that point of time. <blockquote>षट्सप्ताष्टममासेषु नीरुजस्य शुभेऽहनि|

कर्णौ हिमागमे विद्ध्येद्धात्र्यङ्कस्थस्य सान्त्वयन्|</blockquote>It is advised that, ear piercing is to be done when the child is of 6/7/8 months old. It should be performed when the child is not suffering form any other illness or pain. An auspicious day shohul dbe selected when the climate outside is cold.  

कर्णौ हिमागमे विद्ध्येद्धात्र्यङ्कस्थस्य सान्त्वयन्|</blockquote>It is advised that, ear piercing is to be done when the child is of 6/7/8 months old. It should be performed when the child is not suffering form any other illness or pain. An auspicious day should be selected when the climate outside is cold. Acharya Sushruta says that preferably the samskara should be performed in shukla paksha i.e. in the brighter half of the lunar cycle. 

=== The procedure ===

=== The procedure ===

Auspicious rituals and holy recitations should be performed before beginning the samskara.   

 

* Auspicious rituals and holy recitations should be performed before beginning the samskara.   

Vaidya is advised to take a needle in right hand and hold the ear lobule of the child with left hand.  

* Vaidya is advised to take a needle in right hand and hold the ear lobule of the child with left hand.  

 

* The child should be held in lap and his ear lobule should be held against sunlight.  

The child should be held in lap and his ear lobule should be held against sunlight.  

* For a male child, right ear is to be pierced while for the female child, left ear lobule is to be pierced

 

For a male child, right ear is to be pierced while for the female child, left ear lobule is to be pierced

==== The site of ear piercing ====

==== The site of ear piercing ====

The site of ear piercing should be carefully selected because pricking at wrong site might be troublesome for the child and lead to illness. The directions on hoe to select the site have been given in the Ashtanga samgraha as below,<blockquote>विध्येद्दैवकृते छिद्रे सकृदेवर्जु लाघवात्|

The site of ear piercing should be carefully selected because pricking at wrong site might be troublesome for the child and lead to illness. The directions on hoe to select the site have been given in the Ashtanga samgraha as below,<blockquote>विध्येद्दैवकृते छिद्रे सकृदेवर्जु लाघवात्| नोर्ध्वं न पार्श्वतो नाधः सिरास्तत्र हि संश्रिताः|</blockquote>

नोर्ध्वं न पार्श्वतो नाधः सिरास्तत्र हि संश्रिताः|</blockquote>When the ear lobule is held in a position against the sunlight, one can see the the sunrays directly passing through a point in an ear lobule. This point is called as Daivakrt cchidra and it is the point where piercing done doesn't cause any adverse effect and hence is the right site of pricking.  

* When the ear lobule is held in a position against the sunlight, one can see a point where the sunrays appear to be directly passing through in an ear lobule. This point is called as Daivakrt cchidra and it is the point where piercing done doesn't cause any adverse effect and hence is the right site of pricking.  

The point of piercing should be in the middle of the ear lobule and slightly towards the cheek area.  

* The point of piercing should be in the middle of the ear lobule and slightly towards the cheek area.  

Increasing of pierced hole should be done by oil soaked cotton or small Nimba (Azadirachta indica) twig or smooth ear ring made of lead. These modes to increase the pierced hole offer lubrication and prevention of wound infection.

* Increasing of pierced hole should be done by oil soaked cotton or small Nimba (Azadirachta indica) twig or smooth ear ring made of lead. These modes to increase the pierced hole offer lubrication and prevention of wound infection.

Holding ear lobule against sun visualizes course of fine vessels, to avoid bleeding.

* Holding ear lobule against sun visualizes course of fine vessels, to avoid bleeding.

==== Sira related to this part of ear and effects of their rupture ====

==== Sira related to this part of ear and effects of their rupture ====

Ayurveda scholars have denoted that there are 2 different types of vessels in the ear lobule. Those have been named as Kalila, marmarika and rakta. These vessels when inadvertently punctured while ear piercing might lead to multiple ill effects like inflammation, severe pain, fever, swelling, burning sensation, neck stiffness and even sometimes spasmodic contractions. Thus one needs to be very careful while selecting the site for ear piercing. If the ear is pierced at the right site as described earlier, it does not bleed and doesn't cause pain or even inflammation.   

Ayurveda scholars have denoted that there are 2 different types of vessels in the ear lobule. Those have been named as Kalila, marmarika and rakta. These vessels when inadvertently punctured while ear piercing might lead to multiple ill effects like inflammation, severe pain, fever, swelling, burning sensation, neck stiffness and even sometimes spasmodic contractions. Thus one needs to be very careful while selecting the site for ear piercing. If the ear is pierced at the right site as described earlier, it does not bleed and doesn't cause pain or even inflammation.   

=== Contraindications ===

=== Contraindications ===

Ayurveda scholars have described some conditions when Karnavedhana is contraindicated. Those are as below,

Ayurveda scholars have described some conditions when Karnavedhana is contraindicated. Those are as below,

Those who already have some health issues related to the ear lobule are advised to apply oil daily on the ear lobes. Regular abhyanga (oil massage) provides strength to the era lobe tissue and reduces pain.  

Those who already have some health issues related to the ear lobule are advised to apply oil daily on the ear lobes. Regular abhyanga (oil massage) provides strength to the era lobe tissue and reduces pain.  

=== Post procedure ===

=== The objective behind ear piercing ===

Once the ear hole generated on ear piercing is found to be in healthy state it is suggested to wear ornaments in it.  

<blockquote>रक्षाभूषणनिमित्तं बालस्य कर्णौ विध्येते | (Suhs. Samh. 16.3)<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>The ear piercing should be done for raksha (protection) and aabhushana (wearing ornaments). Once the ear hole generated on ear piercing is found to be in healthy state it is suggested to wear ornaments in it.  

The ear rings made up of gold studded with ratna (precious stones) should be worn in the ear.  

The ear rings made up of gold studded with ratna (precious stones) should be worn in the ear.  

कर्णामयनिषेधोक्तसन्धानविधिना भिषक्||३८||

कर्णामयनिषेधोक्तसन्धानविधिना भिषक्||३८||

== References ==

== References ==