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According to Dr. Pandey, cutting the hair and keeping the head clean was one of the primary reasons to have a shikha; the process for which later on came to be regarded as an important event in the life of an individual. To keep the head clean some device was bound to be invented. Chopping the hair by means of an iron instrument was the natural course but people were also afraid of cutting and injuring themselves in this process. Necessity and fear both mingled together and gave rise to the Chudakarana ceremonies.<ref name=":12" />
According to Dr. Pandey, cutting the hair and keeping the head clean was one of the primary reasons to have a shikha; the process for which later on came to be regarded as an important event in the life of an individual. To keep the head clean some device was bound to be invented. Chopping the hair by means of an iron instrument was the natural course but people were also afraid of cutting and injuring themselves in this process. Necessity and fear both mingled together and gave rise to the Chudakarana ceremonies.<ref name=":12" />
== वेदेषु चौलविषयाः ॥ Chaula in the Vedic times ==
Almost all the mantras that are used in the Grhyasutras at the tonsure ceremony are found in the Vedic literature and they are all of specific character which shows that they were composed for the purpose of cutting the hair only.
Atharvaveda has a short three mantra sukta dedicated to the tonsure ceremony. Wetting the head and invoking deities are the important rites mentioned in it. <blockquote>आयमगन्त्सविता क्षुरेणोष्णेन वाय उदकेनेहि । आदित्या रुद्रा वसव उन्दन्तु सचेतसः सोमस्य राज्ञो वपत प्रचेतसः ॥१॥ (Atha. Veda. 6.68.1)</blockquote>Meaning: This diligent barber, savita, has come with the razor. O man, come fast with water. Let brilliant, wise and noble people with love at heart bless the child with holy water. O men of love and peace with the generosity of soma, join at the shining child’s tonsure ceremony.<ref name=":32">Dr. Tulsi Ram (2013) ''Atharvaveda, Vol 1.'' Delhi: Vijaykumar Govindram Hasanand. (Pages 613-614)</ref><blockquote>अदितिः श्मश्रु वपत्वाप उन्दन्तु वर्चसा । चिकित्सतु प्रजापतिर्दीर्घायुत्वाय चक्षसे ॥२॥</blockquote>Meaning: Let the razor cut the hair. Let water consecrate the child with brilliance. Let Prajapati enlighten the child and bless him to have a long age of good health, knowledge and holy vision.<ref name=":32" /><blockquote>येनावपत्सविता क्षुरेण सोमस्य राज्ञो वरुणस्य विद्वान् । तेन ब्रह्माणो वपतेदमस्य गोमान् अश्ववान् अयमस्तु प्रजावान् ॥३॥</blockquote>Meaning: By the process the expert barber has shaved the head of the shining, loving and intelligent child with the razor, by the same ceremonial process, O Brahmanas, pray complete the tonsure ceremony of the child. May this child be rich in lands, cows and horses and may he have a noble family.<ref name=":32" />
We see above the importance of the Chaula samskara along with the rites that are performed in the ceremony.
In the Yajurveda we find that the shaving razor is praised and requested to be harmless: “Thou art friendly by name Thy father is hard iron. I salute thee; do not injure the child. Cutting the hair by the father himself for abundance of food, progeny, wealth and strength is also referred to. The barber, an impersonification of Savita or the sun, is also welcomed.<ref name=":12" />
== Chaula Samskara ==
== Chaula Samskara ==
=== Medical Basis ===
=== Medical Basis ===
According to Sushruta, shaving and cutting the hair and nails remove impurities and give delight, lightness, prosperity, courage and happiness. Charaka opines, “Cutting and dressing of hair, beard and nails give strength, vigour, life, purity and beauty." At the basis of the tonsure ceremony the idea of health and beauty was prominent.<ref name=":12" />
According to Sushruta, shaving and cutting the hair and nails remove impurities and give delight, lightness, prosperity, courage and happiness. Charaka opines, “Cutting and dressing of hair, beard and nails give strength, vigour, life, purity and beauty." At the basis of the tonsure ceremony the idea of health and beauty was prominent.<ref name=":12" />
At present, the tonsure ceremony is sometimes performed at the temple of a deity, but so are some other Samskaras e.g. the Upanayana.
== References ==
[[Category:Samskaras]]
[[Category:Samskaras]]