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Chaulam (Samskrit: चौलम्) is one of the childhood samskaras rarely followed by traditional Indian families even in present times. While Chudakarana or Chaulam have been prescribed in various texts as a prerequisite for performing various rituals, it was also supported by the medical texts of Acharyas Sushruta and Charaka.<ref name=":12">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 158-)</ref>

Chaulam (Samskrit: चौलम्) is one of the childhood samskaras rarely followed by traditional Indian families even in present times. While Chudakarana or Chaulam have been prescribed in various texts as a prerequisite for performing various rituals, it was also supported by the medical texts of Acharyas Sushruta and Charaka.<ref name=":12">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 158-)</ref>

== Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Chaulam is also called Cūḍākarma and Cūḍākaraṇam (Chudakarana). Cūḍā means tuft (of hair) that is kept on the back side of the head while the remaining part is clean shaven. In tradition it is popularly called "Śikhā". In Sanskrit the letters "la" and "ḍa" are often interchanged. So Caula and Cūḍā mean the same. The Saṃskāra for which the purpose is making a "Cūḍā" (tuft / Śikhā) is called Caulam, and also Cauḷam.

Chaulam is also called Cūḍākarma and Cūḍākaraṇam (Chudakarana). Cūḍā means tuft (of hair) that is kept on the back side of the head while the remaining part is clean shaven. In tradition it is popularly called "Śikhā". In Sanskrit the letters "la" and "ḍa" are often interchanged. So Caula and Cūḍā mean the same. The Saṃskāra for which the purpose is making a "Cūḍā" (tuft / Śikhā) is called Caulam, and also Cauḷam.

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.  

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" />

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.

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" />

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, a personification of Savita or the sun, is also welcomed.<ref name=":12" />

== Chaula Samskara ==

== चौलसंस्कारम् ॥ Chaula Samskara ==

=== Time of performance ===

=== उपयुक्तकालः ॥ Time of performance ===

Chaulam is to be performed during the third year by counting days from the date of birth –<blockquote>जन्मनोऽपि तृतीये वर्षे चौलं पुनर्वस्वोः । आपस्तम्बगृह्यसूत्रम् १६.३॥ janmano'pi tṛtīye varṣe caulaṃ punarvasvoḥ । Āpastambagṛhyasūtram 16.3॥</blockquote>Caulam has to be performed during the third year by counting days from the date of birth and in the star Punarvasu.

Chaulam is to be performed during the third year by counting days from the date of birth –<blockquote>जन्मनोऽपि तृतीये वर्षे चौलं पुनर्वस्वोः । आपस्तम्बगृह्यसूत्रम् १६.३॥ janmano'pi tṛtīye varṣe caulaṃ punarvasvoḥ । Āpastambagṛhyasūtram 16.3॥</blockquote>Caulam has to be performed during the third year by counting days from the date of birth and in the star Punarvasu.

=== Purpose of the Samskara ===

=== संस्कारस्य प्रयोजनम् ॥ Purpose of the Samskara ===

The purpose of the Samskara as given in the scripture was the achievement of long life for the recipient. <blockquote>तेन ते आयुषे वपामि सुश्लोक्याय स्वस्तय इति । (Ashv. Grhy. Sutr. 1.17.12)</blockquote>Life is prolonged by tonsure; without it, it is shortened. Therefore, it should be performed by all means as mentioned in Viramitrodaya.<ref name=":12" />

The purpose of the Samskara as given in the scripture was the achievement of long life for the recipient. <blockquote>तेन ते आयुषे वपामि सुश्लोक्याय स्वस्तय इति । (Ashv. Grhy. Sutr. 1.17.12)</blockquote>Life is prolonged by tonsure; without it, it is shortened. Therefore, it should be performed by all means as mentioned in Viramitrodaya.<ref name=":12" />