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== The Four Vratas ==

== The Four Vratas ==

Ashvalayana grhyasutra (1.22.20) mentions in general terms that in the vratas (Vedavratas) all the ceremonies beginning from shaving the head up to Paridana, performed during Upanayana are repeated each time during the start of each vrata. The four vratas according to Ashvalayana Smrti were '''Mahanamni vrata, Mahavrata, Upanishad Vrata and Godana'''. Each vrata is to be performed for a year.<ref name=":2" />

Ashvalayana grhyasutra (1.22.20) mentions in general terms that in the vratas (Vedavratas) all the ceremonies beginning from shaving the head up to Paridana, performed during Upanayana are repeated each time during the start of each vrata. The four vratas according to Ashvalayana Smrti were '''Mahanamni vrata, Mahavrata, Upanishad Vrata and Godana'''. Each vrata is to be performed for a year.<ref name=":2" />

According to Āpastambagṛhyasūtram – the entire Veda is divided into four parts, viz. '''Prājāpatya, Saumya, Āgneya and Vaiśvadeva'''. These are the names of four Vratas also.  

According to Āpastambagṛhyasūtram – the entire Veda is divided into four parts, viz. '''Prājāpatya, Saumya, Āgneya and Vaiśvadeva'''. These are the names of four Vratas also.  

The Gobhila grhyasutra (3.1.26-31) which is connected with Samaveda mentions the vratas as '''Godanika, Vraatika, Aditya, Aupanishada, Jyeshtha-samika''' each lasting for a year. It also mentions that some do not perform the Aditya vrata. Th Godanika vrata is connected to the [[Godana (गोदानम्)|Godana]] samskara by the Gobhila grhyasutra. It prescribes some observances namely, avoiding falsehood, anger, sexual intercourse, perfumes, dancing and singing, wearing collyrium, eating honey and meat, and wearing shoes in this vrata. It also prescribes that wearing the mekhala, begging for food, carrying the danda, daily bath, offering of samith and touching the teacher's feet in the morning are common to all vratas. The Godanika enables the student to study the Purvarchika of the Samaveda (mantras related to Agni, Indra, Soma and Pavamana). The Vraatika was introductory to the study of Aranyaka (excluding Shukriya sections), the Aupanishada vrata to the study of Upanishad-brahamana, the Jyestha-samika to the study of the Ajya-doshas.<ref name=":2" />

The Gobhila grhyasutra (3.1.26-31) which is connected with Samaveda mentions the vratas as '''Godanika, Vraatika, Aditya, Aupanishada, Jyeshtha-samika''' each lasting for a year. It also mentions that some do not perform the Aditya vrata. The Godanika vrata is connected to the [[Godana (गोदानम्)|Godana]] samskara by the Gobhila grhyasutra. It prescribes some observances namely, avoiding falsehood, anger, sexual intercourse, perfumes, dancing and singing, wearing collyrium, eating honey and meat, and wearing shoes in this vrata. It also prescribes that wearing the mekhala, '''begging for food''', carrying the danda, daily bath, '''offering of samith''' and touching the teacher's feet in the morning are common to all vratas. The Godanika enables the student to study the Purvarchika of the Samaveda (mantras related to Agni, Indra, Soma and Pavamana). The Vraatika was introductory to the study of Aranyaka (excluding Shukriya sections), the Aupanishada vrata to the study of Upanishad-brahamana, the Jyestha-samika to the study of the Ajya-doshas.<ref name=":2" />

If a student failed in observing the vratas, he had to perform prayaschitta by undergoing the prajapatya penance thrice or six or twelve times. If a brahmachari is guilty of failing in his daily duties of observing saucha and achamana, of the performance of sandhyā prayer, of using darbha, of begging for food, of offering fuel stick to fire, of avoiding the touch of śüdras and the like, of wearing the cloth (for covering his private parts), the loin thread, the yajñopavita, the girdle and the staff and deerskin, of not sleeping by day, of not holding an umbrella over his head or of not wearing shoes, or not putting on garlands, of avoiding luxurious bath, sandal paste, collyrium, of not sporting in water, of avoiding gambling, and addiction to dancing, singing and music, of not engaging in conversation with heretics, he had to undergo the penance of three kṛcchras (according to Baudhayana) and to perform a homa with the vyährtis separately and together (i. e. four oblations of clarified butter were to be offered). If he was guilty of other more serious lapses he had do heavier prayaschittas.<ref name=":2" />

If a student failed in observing the vratas, he had to perform prayaschitta by undergoing the prajapatya penance thrice or six or twelve times. If a brahmachari is guilty of failing in his daily duties of observing saucha and achamana, of the performance of sandhyā prayer, of using darbha, of begging for food, of offering fuel stick to fire, of avoiding the touch of śüdras and the like, of wearing the cloth (for covering his private parts), the loin thread, the yajñopavita, the girdle and the staff and deerskin, of not sleeping by day, of not holding an umbrella over his head or of not wearing shoes, or not putting on garlands, of avoiding luxurious bath, sandal paste, collyrium, of not sporting in water, of avoiding gambling, and addiction to dancing, singing and music, of not engaging in conversation with heretics, he had to undergo the penance of three kṛcchras (according to Baudhayana) and to perform a homa with the vyährtis separately and together (i. e. four oblations of clarified butter were to be offered). If he was guilty of other more serious lapses he had do heavier prayaschittas.<ref name=":2" />