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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 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 Ayurveda ==

== आयुर्वेदे कर्णवेधनम्॥ Karnavedhana as described in Ayurveda ==

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,

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 ===

=== संस्कारकालः॥ 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 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.   

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 ===

=== संस्कारविधिः॥ The procedure ===

* Vrddha vagbhata in Ashtanga samgraha and Sushruta have advised a skilled Vaidya to perform this procedure.  

* Vrddha vagbhata in Ashtanga samgraha and Sushruta have advised a skilled Vaidya to perform this procedure.  

* 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 ====

==== कर्णवेधनस्थानम्॥ 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| नोर्ध्वं न पार्श्वतो नाधः सिरास्तत्र हि संश्रिताः|</blockquote>

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>

* 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 ====

==== कर्णे सिराः तेषां भेदेन दुष्परिणामाः च॥ 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 ===

=== प्रतिषेधाः॥ 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,

The piercing done in contraindicated situations can lead to adverse effects and impaired healing of the wound.  

The piercing done in contraindicated situations can lead to adverse effects and impaired healing of the wound.  

=== Precautions ===

=== प्रतिविधानम्॥ Precautions ===

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 ear 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 ear lobe tissue and reduces pain.  

=== The objective behind ear piercing ===

=== कर्णवेधनस्य हेतवः॥ The objective behind ear piercing ===

<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.  

<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.  

=== Treatment of complications resulting from wrong ear piercing ===

=== कर्णदुर्विद्धलक्षणानि॥ Treatment of complications resulting from wrong ear piercing ===

If the prick of the needle happens at the wrong place or in wrong direction, if the wick inserted is thicker than the hole or if the individual is already having imbalance of doshas in body then complications of ear piercing may develop. If the pain or swelling develops in the ear after piercing then, the cotton wick introduced into the ear hole should be immediately removed first.  

If the prick of the needle happens at the wrong place or in wrong direction, if the wick inserted is thicker than the hole or if the individual is already having imbalance of doshas in body then complications of ear piercing may develop. If the pain or swelling develops in the ear after piercing then, the cotton wick introduced into the ear hole should be immediately removed first.  

Once the wound heals completely again the ear piercing is to be performed appropriately and with more caution.  

Once the wound heals completely again the ear piercing is to be performed appropriately and with more caution.  

=== Karnavedhana or ear piercing in today's time/ Auricular acupuncture ===

=== संप्रति काले कर्णवेधनम्॥ Karnavedhana or ear piercing in today's time/ Auricular acupuncture ===

Ear piercing as one of the 16 samskaras is widely practiced in Bharata. Ayurveda literature only speaks about 2 chief purposes for karnavedhana viz,. to wear ornaments having gems and for protection. Wearing some specific substances in this ear hole might be proving beneficial in terms of protection of the child from external forces like grahas, Other than this probably no other specific reason for karnavedhana has ben given in mainstream Ayurveda literature. However the claims have been made by many that this piercing is probably done to enhance the intellect, regulate the menstrual cycle or prevent all types of illnesses etc.  

Ear piercing as one of the 16 samskaras is widely practiced in Bharata. Ayurveda literature only speaks about 2 chief purposes for karnavedhana viz,. to wear ornaments having gems and for protection. Wearing some specific substances in this ear hole might be proving beneficial in terms of protection of the child from external forces like grahas, Other than this probably no other specific reason for karnavedhana has ben given in mainstream Ayurveda literature. However the claims have been made by many that this piercing is probably done to enhance the intellect, regulate the menstrual cycle or prevent all types of illnesses etc.  

== References ==

== References ==