Changes

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

When the child and mother withdraw out of the Sutikagriham, the mother slowly begins to take part in the family life again. The child's world also widened to move to any part of the house. But within a month or, two the universe of the child was found too small. The curiosities of the child and the movements of its limbs required wider scope to satisfy themselves. So it was thought proper that it should be introduced to the outer world. Indeed, it was a land-mark in the life of the child and the parents gave expressions to the sense of joy at this occasion. Life outside the house, however, was not free from natural and supernatural dangers. Therefore, for the protection of the child, deities were worshipped and divine help was sought.<ref name=":12">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 145-)</ref>

When the child and mother withdraw out of the Sutikagriham, the mother slowly begins to take part in the family life again. The child's world also widened to move to any part of the house. But within a month or, two the universe of the child was found too small. The curiosities of the child and the movements of its limbs required wider scope to satisfy themselves. So it was thought proper that it should be introduced to the outer world. Indeed, it was a land-mark in the life of the child and the parents gave expressions to the sense of joy at this occasion. Life outside the house, however, was not free from natural and supernatural dangers. Therefore, for the protection of the child, deities were worshipped and divine help was sought.<ref name=":12">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 145-150)</ref>

Nishkramana marks the baby's first step out of the house. This event is marked with the invocations of deities, which a 3 or 4 month old child may never understand, however, they are significant to the new parents to whom the child is the central point of hope, aspiration and their future. The child is regarded as the boon bestowed by the devatas. A prayer is recited to the elements of nature to guard and protect the child as he steps out of the house. Such a prayer appears to reflect the emotional state of the new parents, but more importantly it reveals the medical basis of the ritual involved in this Samskara. Such rituals reinforce the connect that ancient people had with nature and depict how the rituals blended into the daily life of a person.<ref name=":02">Pt. Madhavacharya Shastri and Pt. Shrikanth Shastri (1952) ''[https://archive.org/details/whykyondharmadigdarsanpurvardhamadhavacharyashastri1952_248_E Kyon? Dharma Digdarshan, Purvardha.]'' Delhi: Madhav Pustakalay (Page 438 - )</ref>   

Nishkramana marks the baby's first step out of the house. This event is marked with the invocations of deities, which a 3 or 4 month old child may never understand, however, they are significant to the new parents to whom the child is the central point of hope, aspiration and their future. The child is regarded as the boon bestowed by the devatas. A prayer is recited to the elements of nature to guard and protect the child as he steps out of the house. Such a prayer appears to reflect the emotional state of the new parents, but more importantly it reveals the medical basis of the ritual involved in this Samskara. Such rituals reinforce the connect that ancient people had with nature and depict how the rituals blended into the daily life of a person.<ref name=":02">Pt. Madhavacharya Shastri and Pt. Shrikanth Shastri (1952) ''[https://archive.org/details/whykyondharmadigdarsanpurvardhamadhavacharyashastri1952_248_E Kyon? Dharma Digdarshan, Purvardha.]'' Delhi: Madhav Pustakalay (Page 438 - )</ref>   

=== Time of performance ===

=== Time of performance ===

According to various texts the time for performing the Nishkaramana samskara varied from the twelfth day after the birth to the fourth month. <blockquote>चतुर्थे मासि कर्तव्यं शिशोर्निष्क्रमणं गृहात् । (Manu. Smrt. 2.34)

According to various texts the time for performing the Nishkaramana samskara varied from the twelfth day after the birth to the fourth month. <blockquote>चतुर्थे मासि कर्तव्यं शिशोर्निष्क्रमणं गृहात् । (Manu. Smrt. 2.34) चतुर्थे मासि निष्क्रमणिका ५ सूर्यमुदीक्षयति तच्चक्षुरिति ६ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 1.17.5-6)</blockquote>The twelfth day is recommended by the Bhavishya Purana and the Brhaspati Smrti only perhaps performed with the Namakarana, when the child was brought out of the Sutikagrha for giving it a name. According to the Grhyashtras and the Smrtis this Samskara took place either in the third or in the fourth month after the birth. The rationale of the option between the third and the fourth month is supplied by Yama, who says, "The ceremony of looking at the sun should be performed in the third, and that of looking at the moon in the fourth month.”<ref name=":12" />

 

चतुर्थे मासि निष्क्रमणिका ५ सूर्यमुदीक्षयति तच्चक्षुरिति ६ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 1.17.5-6)</blockquote>The twelfth day is recommended by the Bhavishya Purana and the Brhaspati Smrti only perhaps performed with the Namakarana, when the child was brought out of the Sutikagrha for giving it a name. According to the Grhyashtras and the Smrtis was that this Samskara took place either in the third or in the fourth month after the birth. The rationale of the option between the third and the fourth month is supplied by Yama, who says, "The ceremony of looking at the sun should be performed in the third, and that of looking at the moon in the fourth month.”<ref name=":12" />

If the above prescribed dates expired, the Nishkramana was performed with the Annaprasana ceremony in the opinion of Ashvalayana. There are many astrologically objectionable dates when the ceremony should be postponed. The above options were based on the convenience of the parents, the health of the child and suitability of the weather.<ref name=":12" />

If the above prescribed dates expired, the Nishkramana was performed with the Annaprasana ceremony in the opinion of Ashvalayana. There are many astrologically objectionable dates when the ceremony should be postponed. The above options were based on the convenience of the parents, the health of the child and suitability of the weather.<ref name=":12" />

=== Ceremony and the Significance ===

=== Ceremony and the Significance ===

On the day of performing the Samskara, a square portion of the court-yard, is plastered with cow dung.

On the day of performing the Samskara, a square portion of the court-yard, is plastered with cow dung and grains of rice scattered by the mother. In the Sutra period the ceremony ended when the father made the child look at the sun. The child was fully decorated and brought to  the family deity in the house. Then the deity was worshipped with instrumental music. The guardians of the eight directions, the sun, the moon, Vasudeva and sky were also propitiated. The Brahmans were fed and auspicious verses recited. The child was carried out with sounds of conchshell and recital of Veda mantras. At the time of outing, the father repeated the following mantra, “Whether the child is conscious or unconscious, whether it is day or night, let all the devatas led by Indra protect the child.’’<ref name=":12" />

 

 

== Ayurveda Perspectives ==

== Ayurveda Perspectives ==