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[[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Samskaras]] performed at each developmental milestone that a child crosses starting from birth are well recorded and celebrated every dharmik household. Every stage establishes his religious, social and cultural identity. There are at least five to eight such samskaras which mark the major developmental stages that a developing child crosses until the age of 5-7 years. Thus childhood samskaras are very important social and medically important sacraments prescribed in various texts. The instruments and the substances that were employed in the rituals followed in these sacraments had their own social, cultural and symbolic significance, of unity, strength, mental development, and medical basis.

[[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Samskaras]] performed at each developmental milestone that a child crosses starting from birth are well recorded and celebrated every dharmik household. Every stage establishes his religious, social and cultural identity. There are at least five to eight such samskaras which mark the major developmental stages that a developing child crosses until the age of 5-7 years. Thus childhood samskaras are very important social and medically important sacraments prescribed in various texts. The instruments and the substances that were employed in the rituals followed in these sacraments had their own social, cultural and symbolic significance, of unity, strength, mental development, and medical basis.

== Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

We have seen that the [[Pre-natal Samskaras (जन्मात्पूर्वसंस्काराः)|pre-natal samskaras]] primarily focus on conception, health, engendering and protection of both the mother and foetus. The Post-natal Saṁskāras seen in broader sense, were the progressive steps in the life of a child, marking every important stage of his or her life. Every stage establishes the religious, social and cultural identity of the child. Every single Saṁskāra highlights the transition of physical and mental development of the child to the next level of the growth chart. Many important events in the life of a child are recorded through celebrations in the family in a festive manner. Along with the festivities, embedded in these rituals are the social, cultural, spiritual and medical aspects of daily life which are becoming insignificant in the present day society.  

We have seen that the [[Pre-natal Samskaras (जन्मात्पूर्वसंस्काराः)|pre-natal samskaras]] primarily focus on conception, health, engendering and protection of both the mother and foetus. The Post-natal Saṁskāras seen in broader sense, were the progressive steps in the life of a child, marking every important stage of his or her life. Every stage establishes the religious, social and cultural identity of the child. Every single Saṁskāra highlights the transition of physical and mental development of the child to the next level of the growth chart. Many important events in the life of a child are recorded through celebrations in the family in a festive manner. Along with the festivities, embedded in these rituals are the social, cultural, spiritual and medical aspects of daily life which are becoming insignificant in the present day society.  

Some of these are not classified under the Shodasa Samskaras and have become customary rather than of spiritual significance. Some of them have significance in Ayurvedic health systems.  

Some of these are not classified under the Shodasa Samskaras and have become customary rather than of spiritual significance. Some of them have significance in Ayurvedic health systems.  

== Post-natal Samskaras ==

== बाल्यावस्थे संस्काराः ॥ Post-natal Samskaras ==

The birth of a child itself holds great cultural significance. So the event is marked both by requests of blessings as well as protection of the helpless newborn. [[Jatakarma (जातकर्म)|'''Jātakarma''']] is the first of such Saṁskāras categorized under the group post-natal Saṁskāras, which is observed right at the birth of a child. Birth was considered to be a much leveraged event owing to its importance in paying off the religious debt of the forefathers, called Pitṛ Ṛna, whilst sons were born and getting the merit of giving away the highest donation, kanya-dana whilst the daughters were, holds much relevance in this context of Jātakarma. The recognition and identity must have been one of the biggest challenges of the mankind once the evolution reached at its high. Naming each individual for separate identity was biggest saving grace which soon became tradition all over the habitation zones in this world. Thus came into being the activities related to '''[[Namakaranam (नामकरणम्)|Namakarana]]'''. We find two aspects of the naming in ancient India, one being the composition of the name and other the ceremonies and rituals associated with it.<ref name=":5" />

The birth of a child itself holds great cultural significance. So the event is marked both by requests of blessings as well as protection of the helpless newborn. [[Jatakarma (जातकर्म)|'''Jātakarma''']] is the first of such Saṁskāras categorized under the group post-natal Saṁskāras, which is observed right at the birth of a child. Birth was considered to be a much leveraged event owing to its importance in paying off the religious debt of the forefathers, called Pitṛ Ṛna, whilst sons were born and getting the merit of giving away the highest donation, kanya-dana whilst the daughters were, holds much relevance in this context of Jātakarma. The recognition and identity must have been one of the biggest challenges of the mankind once the evolution reached at its high. Naming each individual for separate identity was biggest saving grace which soon became tradition all over the habitation zones in this world. Thus came into being the activities related to '''[[Namakaranam (नामकरणम्)|Namakarana]]'''. We find two aspects of the naming in ancient India, one being the composition of the name and other the ceremonies and rituals associated with it.<ref name=":5" />