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== परिचयः ॥ 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 (चूडाकर्म) and Cūḍākaraṇam ((चूडाकरणम्) 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 "ल (la)" and "ड (ḍa)" are often interchanged. So Caula (चौल) and Cūḍā (चूडा) mean the same. The Saṃskāra for which the purpose is making a "Cūḍā" (tuft / Śikhā) is called Caulam (चौलम्), and also Cauḷam (चौळम्).

According to Dr. Rajbali 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. Rajbali 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" />

Keeping a shikha or arrangement of the hair at the top of the head, while removing all the surrounding hair is an important feature of Chudakarana.  Removing all hair on the head, or tonsuring is prohibited. The place where shikha is kept is the Brahma-randhra. It is from this hole like place on the head that the prana shakti enters or leaves the body. Hence during sandhyavandana, meditation, upaasana and samadhi there is a rule that shikha has to be tied up. Tying up the shikha closes the brahma-randhra.<ref name=":3">Shukla, Sacchidanand (2008) ''Hindu Dharm ke Solah Sanskar''. Delhi: Prabhat Prakashan.</ref>     

Keeping a shikha or arrangement of the hair at the top of the head, while removing all the surrounding hair is an important feature of Chudakarana.  Removing all hair on the head, or tonsuring is prohibited. The place where shikha is kept is the Brahma-randhra. It is from this hole like place on the head that the prana shakti enters or leaves the body. Hence during sandhyavandana, meditation, upaasana and samadhi there is a rule that shikha has to be tied up. Tying up the shikha closes the brahma-randhra.<ref name=":3">Shukla, Sacchidanand (2008) ''Hindu Dharm ke Solah Sanskar''. Delhi: Prabhat Prakashan.</ref>     

According to many scholars, in Chudakarana at a young age of one or three years, head is tonsured (mundana) completely, whereas during the [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]] ceremony a shikha is kept. The hair on the top is arranged as per family tradition. The number of tufts was determined by the number of the Pravara rishis in the lineage, as it may be three or five. Keeping the top hair, in its course of evolution, become an indispensable sign of the Hindus. The shikha and the yajnopaveeta (sacred thread) are the compulsory out-ward signs of the dvija.<ref name=":5" />  

According to many scholars, in Chudakarma samskara at a young age of one or three years, head is tonsured (mundana) completely, whereas during the [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]] ceremony a shikha is kept. The hair on the top is arranged as per family tradition. The number of tufts was determined by the number of the Pravara rishis in the lineage, as it may be three or five. Keeping the top hair, in its course of evolution, become an indispensable sign of the Hindus. The shikha and the yajnopaveeta (sacred thread) are the compulsory out-ward signs of the dvija.<ref name=":5" />

=== आयुर्वेदस्य दृष्टिकोनः ॥ Ayurveda Perspectives ===

==== शिखायाः आवश्यकता ॥ Importance of Shika as per Vaidika texts ====

 

== आयुर्वेदस्य दृष्टिकोनः ॥ Ayurveda Perspectives ==

Ayurveda acharyas have discussed about haircutting and other hygiene related aspects from daily routine like nail cutting, keeping beard etc under the topics of [[Dinacharya (दिनचर्या)|Dinacharya]] (दिनचर्या) or [[Svasthavrtta (स्वस्थवृत्तम्)]] or preventive medicine. The act of cutting hair, nails, beard etc is collectively known as 'Samprasadhana' (संप्रसाधनम्). The benefits of these activities have been given by Acharya Charaka as Sushruta as follows,

Ayurveda acharyas have discussed about haircutting and other hygiene related aspects from daily routine like nail cutting, keeping beard etc under the topics of [[Dinacharya (दिनचर्या)|Dinacharya]] (दिनचर्या) or [[Svasthavrtta (स्वस्थवृत्तम्)]] or preventive medicine. The act of cutting hair, nails, beard etc is collectively known as 'Samprasadhana' (संप्रसाधनम्). The benefits of these activities have been given by Acharya Charaka as Sushruta as follows,

Marmas are known as vital points or the mortal spots. Among multiple types of the marmas, Adhipati marma present in this area is identified as the Sadyapranahara marma. <ref>Sushruta Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read&h=adhipat Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutra 9,27])</ref> That means, any injury to this marma can cause death. If the injury happens not exactly at the marma but even in area nearby it, it can lead to death not immediately but in near future. Therefore it is advised that this part should be protected from any type of injury at every point time.  

Marmas are known as vital points or the mortal spots. Among multiple types of the marmas, Adhipati marma present in this area is identified as the Sadyapranahara marma. <ref>Sushruta Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read&h=adhipat Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutra 9,27])</ref> That means, any injury to this marma can cause death. If the injury happens not exactly at the marma but even in area nearby it, it can lead to death not immediately but in near future. Therefore it is advised that this part should be protected from any type of injury at every point time.  

===== अवेध्या सिरा॥ Avedhya sitra =====

===== अवेध्या सिरा॥ Avedhya Sira =====

Sira refers to a blood vessel in Ayurveda. Ayurveda described few siras which should never be injured either during [[Raktamokshana (रक्तमोक्षणम्)|raktamokshana]] or any surgerical procedure and even be protected from external injury. If injured it could lead to significant morbidity and mortality. These siras are thus called as Avedhya sira. One can find that one such avedhya sira is present at the adhipati site.<ref>Sushruta Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read&h=adhipat Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 7 Sutra 22])</ref> Therefore apart from being a sadyapranahara marma, Adhipati also contains an avedhya sira and both these marma as well as sira should be protected from an injury

Sira refers to a blood vessel in Ayurveda. Ayurveda described few siras which should never be injured either during [[Raktamokshana (रक्तमोक्षणम्)|raktamokshana]] or any surgical procedure and even be protected from external injury. If injured it could lead to significant morbidity and mortality. These siras are thus called as Avedhya sira. One can find that one such avedhya sira is present at the adhipati site.<ref>Sushruta Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read&h=adhipat Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 7 Sutra 22])</ref> Therefore apart from being a sadyapranahara marma, Adhipati also contains an avedhya sira and both these marma as well as sira should be protected from an injury

While cutting the hair with  the sharp instruments in a small child who can not sit still for hair cut, there are chances of adhipati marma and sira injury. Therefore probably to avoid the dreadful effects of this injury the provision of the ritual of keeping the shikha intact could have been suggested in ancient times.  

While cutting the hair with  the sharp instruments in a small child who can not sit still for hair cut, there are chances of adhipati marma and sira injury. Therefore probably to avoid the dreadful effects of this injury the provision of the ritual of keeping the shikha intact could have been suggested in ancient times.  

== Possible Scientific basis for timing of Chaulam samskara ==

== Possible Scientific basis for timing of Chaulam samskara ==

At birth, the newborn's skull consists of five major bones (two frontal, two parietal, and one occipital) that are separated by connective tissue junctions known as cranial sutures. The sutures function as seams, and they are highly necessary to facilitate the movement and molding of the cranium through the birth canal during labor. They also allow for rapid postnatal growth and development of the brain. However, the bones that shape the cranium being unfused, leave several gaps between the individual bones of the infant's skull. These gaps are composed of membranous connective tissue and are known as fontanelles. Fontanelles, often referred to as "soft spots," are one of the most prominent anatomical features of the newborn's skull. Six fontanelles are present during infancy, with the most notable being the anterior and posterior fontanelles. Fontanelle morphology may vary between infants, but characteristically they are flat and firm. Certain conditions such as dehydration or infection can alter the appearance of the fontanelles, causing them to sink or bulge, respectively. Below these soft spots or fontanelles, lie the brain and vessels surrounding it. Thus protection of the fontanelles is crucial. <ref>Lipsett BJ, Reddy V, Steanson K. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Fontanelles. [Updated 2021 Jul 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: <nowiki>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542197/</nowiki></ref> These soft spots close in a sequential manner in humans. 3 fontanelles (Posterior, sphenoidal and mastoid) close between 3 months of age to 18 months of age. The last to close is anterior fontanelle which generally fuses between 1-3 years of age. Thus it is clear that, in humans, all fontanelles are generally fused by the fifth year of life with 38% of fontanelles closed by the end of the first year and 96% of the fontanelles closed by the second year. <ref>Melanie Beasley. AGE OF FONTANELLES / CRANIAL SUTURES CLOSURE. https://carta.anthropogeny.org/moca/topics/age-fontanelles-cranial-sutures-closure</ref> While performing the tonsure in samskara, as mentioned earlier injury to the soft spots can happen. An thus it can be best avoided if th etonsure is done after completing 3 years of age when most of the fontanelles are closed.   

At birth, the newborn's skull consists of five major bones (two frontal, two parietal, and one occipital) that are separated by connective tissue junctions known as cranial sutures. The sutures function as seams, and they are highly necessary to facilitate the movement and molding of the cranium through the birth canal during labor. They also allow for rapid postnatal growth and development of the brain. However, the bones that shape the cranium being unfused, leave several gaps between the individual bones of the infant's skull. These gaps are composed of membranous connective tissue and are known as fontanelles. Fontanelles, often referred to as "soft spots," are one of the most prominent anatomical features of the newborn's skull. Six fontanelles are present during infancy, with the most notable being the anterior and posterior fontanelles. Fontanelle morphology may vary between infants, but characteristically they are flat and firm. Certain conditions such as dehydration or infection can alter the appearance of the fontanelles, causing them to sink or bulge, respectively. Below these soft spots or fontanelles, lie the brain and vessels surrounding it. Thus protection of the fontanelles is crucial. <ref>Lipsett BJ, Reddy V, Steanson K. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Fontanelles. [Updated 2021 Jul 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: <nowiki>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542197/</nowiki></ref> These soft spots close in a sequential manner in humans. 3 fontanelles (Posterior, sphenoidal and mastoid) close between 3 months of age to 18 months of age. The last to close is anterior fontanelle which generally fuses between 1-3 years of age. Thus it is clear that, in humans, all fontanelles are generally fused by the fifth year of life with 38% of fontanelles closed by the end of the first year and 96% of the fontanelles closed by the second year. <ref>Melanie Beasley. AGE OF FONTANELLES / CRANIAL SUTURES CLOSURE. https://carta.anthropogeny.org/moca/topics/age-fontanelles-cranial-sutures-closure</ref> While performing the tonsure in samskara, as mentioned earlier injury to the soft spots can happen. An thus it can be best avoided if the tonsure is done after completing 3 years of age when most of the fontanelles are closed.   

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Samskaras]]

[[Category:Samskaras]]