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| We see an interesting explanation of why should a person undergo Samskaras.<ref name=":0">Pt. Madhavacharya Shastri and Pt. Shrikanth Shastri (1952) ''[https://archive.org/details/whykyondharmadigdarsanpurvardhamadhavacharyashastri1952_248_E Kyon? Dharma Digdarshan, Purvardha.]'' Delhi: Madhav Pustakalay (Page 302 - )</ref> Many followers of Sanatana Dharma believe that Samskaras are a part of expression of human nature, the various emotions, the joys, felicitations and sorrows in different times of human life. They are a part of man's nature. Man receives many things from nature, but he does not use everything as it is. To make it useful for his purpose it becomes necessary to remove the faults (Doshas) it contains. Further to use it he adds some values (Gunas) into it to overcome its inherent limitations. Thus we have three specific goals with which we embellish a particular thing (Samskarana), namely, | | We see an interesting explanation of why should a person undergo Samskaras.<ref name=":0">Pt. Madhavacharya Shastri and Pt. Shrikanth Shastri (1952) ''[https://archive.org/details/whykyondharmadigdarsanpurvardhamadhavacharyashastri1952_248_E Kyon? Dharma Digdarshan, Purvardha.]'' Delhi: Madhav Pustakalay (Page 302 - )</ref> Many followers of Sanatana Dharma believe that Samskaras are a part of expression of human nature, the various emotions, the joys, felicitations and sorrows in different times of human life. They are a part of man's nature. Man receives many things from nature, but he does not use everything as it is. To make it useful for his purpose it becomes necessary to remove the faults (Doshas) it contains. Further to use it he adds some values (Gunas) into it to overcome its inherent limitations. Thus we have three specific goals with which we embellish a particular thing (Samskarana), namely, |
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− | # दोषमार्जनम् । Dosha Marjana - remove the faults | + | # दोषमार्जनम् । Dosha Marjana - remove the faults (mala-apanayana) |
− | # गुणाधानम् । Guna Adhana - add the (good) qualities | + | # गुणाधानम् । Guna Adhana - add the (good) qualities (atishaya-adhana) |
− | # हीनाङ्गपूर्तिः । Hinanga poorti - fill the gaps of deficiencies | + | # हीनाङ्गपूर्तिः । Hinanga poorti - fill the gaps of deficiencies (nyunanga-pooti) |
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| Consider for example preparation of a jewel studded golden crown. Found mixed with dirt and mud in its natural form, a gold block is first processed to remove them. To add the shine and lustre the internal defects are removed by processing it in a kiln. In the fire, it gains lustre thereby removing all the impurities. The goldsmith then beats it around and shapes it into a crown. Now it becomes a thing of quality. Further gaps in beauty and appearance are fulfilled by studding it with precious gems. Thus after the three kinds of samskaras a block of gold is transformed into a beautiful crown, an heirloom.<ref name=":0" /> | | Consider for example preparation of a jewel studded golden crown. Found mixed with dirt and mud in its natural form, a gold block is first processed to remove them. To add the shine and lustre the internal defects are removed by processing it in a kiln. In the fire, it gains lustre thereby removing all the impurities. The goldsmith then beats it around and shapes it into a crown. Now it becomes a thing of quality. Further gaps in beauty and appearance are fulfilled by studding it with precious gems. Thus after the three kinds of samskaras a block of gold is transformed into a beautiful crown, an heirloom.<ref name=":0" /> |
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| Similar is the case of a shirt. Nature only provides cotton to us, but is it in a useful wearable form to us? No. By a variety of processes we remove the impurities and deficiencies to make a piece of cloth. A tailor fashions it out in the shape and size of a usable shirt. Such is the case of all natural things which undergo samksara (a positive transformative process) to attain wholeness, a completeness. It is but natural that a human being originating from the union of a man and woman, also requires a purificatory samskara to attain mental and physical wholeness.<ref name=":0" /> | | Similar is the case of a shirt. Nature only provides cotton to us, but is it in a useful wearable form to us? No. By a variety of processes we remove the impurities and deficiencies to make a piece of cloth. A tailor fashions it out in the shape and size of a usable shirt. Such is the case of all natural things which undergo samksara (a positive transformative process) to attain wholeness, a completeness. It is but natural that a human being originating from the union of a man and woman, also requires a purificatory samskara to attain mental and physical wholeness.<ref name=":0" /> |
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− | Samskara is a process by which the bodily and mental doshas (faults) are cleansed and purified thereby a person attains holistic spirituality naturally as a consequence. Ashvalayana gives a Drshtanta (an example) to understand this process. | + | Samskara is a process by which the bodily and mental doshas (faults) are cleansed and purified thereby a person attains holistic spirituality naturally as a consequence. Ashvalayana gives a Drshtanta (an example) to understand this process.<ref name=":3" /> |
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| चित्रं कर्म यथाऽनेकैरंगैरुन्मील्यते शनैः। ब्राह्मण्यमापिं तद्वत् स्यात् संस्कारैर्विधिपूर्वकैः ॥ | | चित्रं कर्म यथाऽनेकैरंगैरुन्मील्यते शनैः। ब्राह्मण्यमापिं तद्वत् स्यात् संस्कारैर्विधिपूर्वकैः ॥ |
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− | Meaning: Just like by gradually spreading various colors repeatedly in a sketch brings about lustre and liveliness in it, so also by the practice of various prescribed samskaras, Dvijas also become radiant with special qualities.<ref name=":3" /> | + | Meaning: Just like by gradually spreading various colors repeatedly in a sketch brings about lustre and liveliness in it, so also by the practice of various prescribed samskaras, Dvijas also become radiant with special qualities. |
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| The very purpose of each Samskara is explained by Bhatta Gopinatha Dikshita in Samskara Ratnamala as follows.<ref>Apte, Hari Narayana (1899) ''Sanskara Ratnamala By Bhatta Gopinatha Dikshita, Part 1 (Grhyasutrasya Prathama Prashna).'' Poona: Anandashrama Samskrita Granthaavali Series No 39. (Page 6)</ref><ref name=":0" /><blockquote>निषेकात् बौजिकं चैनः गार्भिकं चापमृज्यते। क्षेत्रसंस्कारसिद्धिश्च गर्भाधानफलं तथा॥ | | The very purpose of each Samskara is explained by Bhatta Gopinatha Dikshita in Samskara Ratnamala as follows.<ref>Apte, Hari Narayana (1899) ''Sanskara Ratnamala By Bhatta Gopinatha Dikshita, Part 1 (Grhyasutrasya Prathama Prashna).'' Poona: Anandashrama Samskrita Granthaavali Series No 39. (Page 6)</ref><ref name=":0" /><blockquote>निषेकात् बौजिकं चैनः गार्भिकं चापमृज्यते। क्षेत्रसंस्कारसिद्धिश्च गर्भाधानफलं तथा॥ |