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== व्युतपत्तिः ॥ Etymology and Definition ==

== व्युतपत्तिः ॥ Etymology and Definition ==

The term Samskara is pregnant with meaning and hence untranslatable. Samskara in the present article refers to any rite prescribed by scriptures either for purification (removal of papa) or generating, infusing some qualities by which a person becomes eligible or qualified to perform some rites. Viramitrodayam defines a Samskara thus:<blockquote>आत्मशरीरान्यतरनिष्ठः अतिशयविशेषः संस्कारः। ātmaśarīrānyataraniṣṭhaḥ atiśayaviśeṣaḥ saṃskāraḥ ।</blockquote>A special virtue or quality that is connected with mind or body is called Samskara (the rite for such a virtue or quality is also called Samskara). Samskaras refine, condition and purify the psychosomatic processes.<ref name=":1" />   

The term Samskara is pregnant with meaning and hence untranslatable. Samskara in the present article refers to any rite prescribed by scriptures either for purification (removal of papa) or generating, infusing some qualities by which a person becomes eligible or qualified to perform some rites. Viramitrodayam defines a Samskara thus:<blockquote>आत्मशरीरान्यतरनिष्ठः विहित क्रिया जन्य: अतिशयविशेषः संस्कारः।। (Viramitrodaya, Vol. 1, Page 132)</blockquote>Rites and observances aiming at producing a peculiar (an indefinable kind of merit) virtue or quality that is connected with mind or body is called Samskara (the rite for such a virtue or quality is also called Samskara). Samskaras refine, condition and purify the psychosomatic processes.<ref name=":1" />   

The term Samskara is defined in various ways according to the context in which it is used based on the subject matter. Basically a Samskara is a मानसकर्म्म इति मेदिनी ॥ an activity pertaining to the manas (mind) according to Medini.<ref name=":2">Shabdakalpadhruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B8 See संस्कारः])</ref>   

The term Samskara is defined in various ways according to the context in which it is used based on the subject matter. Basically a Samskara is a मानसकर्म्म इति मेदिनी ॥ an activity pertaining to the manas (mind) according to Medini.<ref name=":2">Shabdakalpadhruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B8 See संस्कारः])</ref>   

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|8

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|Annaprasana

|Annaprashana

|Annaprasana

|Annaprashana

|Annaprasana

|Annaprashana

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|9

|9

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|4

|4

|Annaprasana

|Annaprashana

|Vishnubali

|Vishnubali

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|8

|8

|Godana

|Godana

|Annaprasana

|Annaprashana

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|9

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[[Dharmasutras (धर्मसूत्राणि)|Dharmasutras]] are texts that are primarily associated with laws and customs, hence they do not elaborate on Samskaras. They contain rules about the [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]], [[Vivaha (विवाहः)|Vivaha]], [[Upakarma (उपाकर्म)|Upakarma]], [[Utsarjana]], [[Anadhyayana (अनध्ययनम्)|Anadhyayanas]] and [[Asoucha (आशौचम्)|Asoucha]].<ref name=":1" />  

[[Dharmasutras (धर्मसूत्राणि)|Dharmasutras]] are texts that are primarily associated with laws and customs, hence they do not elaborate on Samskaras. They contain rules about the [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]], [[Vivaha (विवाहः)|Vivaha]], [[Upakarma (उपाकर्म)|Upakarma]], [[Utsarjana]], [[Anadhyayana (अनध्ययनम्)|Anadhyayanas]] and [[Asoucha (आशौचम्)|Asoucha]].<ref name=":1" />  

Gautama Dharmasutra enumerated forty Samskaras along with the eight Atmagunas. The samskaras include five Mahayajnas, seven Pākayajñas, seven Haviryajñas and seven Somayāgas. <blockquote>चत्वारिंशत् संस्कारैः संस्कृतः ॥ (Gaut. Dhar. Sutr. 1.8.8)</blockquote>Here the distinction between bodily Samskaras and Shrauta yajnas is not clearly demarcated. All the Shrauta yajnas described in the [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmana]] texts and the [[Shrautasutras (श्रौतसूत्राणि)|Shrauta Sutras]] are intermixed with the Samskaras in the list given below. Haarita gives a classification where the yajnas described are to be taken as Daiva Samskaras and the other bodily samskaras at various occasions in human life are to be considered as Brahma Samskaras.<ref name=":1" /> Only the latter are to be taken in the sense of Samskaras. While the yajnas are indirectly purificatory in nature as mentioned in Bhagavadgita, their direct purpose was propitiation of devatas in different seasons. <blockquote>यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम् ॥१८- ५॥ (Bhag. Gita. 18.5) संस्कारार्थं शरीरस्य यथाकालं यथाक्रमम् । । २.६६ । । (Manu. Smrt. 2.66)</blockquote>The main objective of the bodily Samskaras was to sanctify the personality of the recipient. Many seasonal yajnas such as Chaitri and Asveyuji gradually transformed into popular feasts and rejoicings.<ref name=":1" />

Gautama Dharmasutra enumerated forty Samskaras along with the eight Atmagunas. The samskaras include five Mahayajnas, seven Pākayajñas, seven Haviryajñas and seven Somayāgas. <blockquote>चत्वारिंशत् संस्कारैः संस्कृतः ॥ (Gaut. Dhar. Sutr. 1.8.8)</blockquote>Here the distinction between bodily Samskaras and Shrauta yajnas is not clearly demarcated. All the Shrauta yajnas described in the [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmana]] texts and the [[Shrautasutras (श्रौतसूत्राणि)|Shrauta Sutras]] are intermixed with the Samskaras in the list given below. Haarita gives a classification where the yajnas described are to be taken as Daiva Samskaras and the other bodily samskaras at various occasions in human life are to be considered as Brahma Samskaras.<ref name=":1" />  <blockquote>द्विविधः संस्कारो भवति ब्राह्मो दैवश्च । गर्भाधानादिः स्मार्तो ब्राह्मः। (Harita Dharmasutra) </blockquote>Only the latter are to be taken in the sense of Samskaras. While the yajnas are indirectly purificatory in nature as mentioned in Bhagavadgita, their direct purpose was propitiation of devatas in different seasons. <blockquote>यज्ञो दानं तपश्चैव पावनानि मनीषिणाम् ॥१८- ५॥ (Bhag. Gita. 18.5) संस्कारार्थं शरीरस्य यथाकालं यथाक्रमम् । । २.६६ । । (Manu. Smrt. 2.66)</blockquote>The main objective of the bodily Samskaras was to sanctify the personality of the recipient. Many seasonal yajnas such as Chaitri and Asveyuji gradually transformed into popular feasts and rejoicings.<ref name=":1" />

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* 12. Vivaha

* 12. Vivaha

* 13. Smasana

* 13. Smasana

}}Yajnavalkya Smrti also enumerates the same samskaras except Keshanta which was probably omitted owing to the decline of Vedic studies and its confusion with the Samavartana.   

 

 

}}Yajnavalkya Smrti also enumerates the same samskaras as Manu, except Keshanta which was probably omitted owing to the decline of Vedic studies and its confusion with the Samavartana.<ref name=":1" />  

Gautama Smrti however gives the forty samskaras as per the tradition of its school even though they observe a steady decline of Daiva samskaras. Angira and Ashvalayana Smrti contains a list of twenty-five Samskaras including 7 Pakayajnas. Other Smrtis supply the list of sixteen Samskaras.<ref name=":1" />

Gautama Smrti however gives the forty samskaras as per the tradition of its school even though they observe a steady decline of Daiva samskaras. Angira and Ashvalayana Smrti contains a list of twenty-five Samskaras including 7 Pakayajnas. Other Smrtis supply the list of sixteen Samskaras.<ref name=":1" />

# [[Pre-natal Samskaras (जन्मात्पूर्वसंस्काराः)|The Pre-natal Samskaras (जन्मात्पूर्वसंस्काराः)]] - Garbhadhana (गर्भाधानम्), Pumsavana (पुंसवनम्) and Simantam (सीमन्तः)

# [[Pre-natal Samskaras (जन्मात्पूर्वसंस्काराः)|The Pre-natal Samskaras (जन्मात्पूर्वसंस्काराः)]] - Garbhadhana (गर्भाधानम्), Pumsavana (पुंसवनम्) and Simantam (सीमन्तः)

# The [[Childhood Samskaras (बाल्यावस्थे संस्काराः)]] - Jatakarma, Namakarana, Annaprasana, Chaulam are given under the sixteen samskaras. There are others such as Nishkramana (First Outing), Chudakarana (Tonsure) Karnavedha (Boring the ear) samskaras which are performed in childhood.

# The [[Childhood Samskaras (बाल्यावस्थे संस्काराः)]] - Jatakarma, Namakarana, Annaprashana, Chaulam are generally mentioned under the sixteen samskaras. There are others such as Nishkramana (First Outing), and Karnavedha (Boring the ear) samskaras which are performed in childhood.

# The Educational Samskaras (विद्याभ्याससंस्काराः)

# The [[Educational Samskaras (विद्याभ्याससंस्काराः)]] - Upanayana or Vratadesha, Vedarambha, Vedavratas, Keshanta, Samavartana, Upakarma etc fall into this category of samskaras.

# The Marriage Samakara (विवाहसंस्कारः)

# The Marriage Samskara (विवाहसंस्कारः) - Vivaha

# The Funeral Samskara (अन्त्येष्टिसंस्कारः)

# The Funeral Samskara (अन्त्येष्टिसंस्कारः) - Antyeshti

Many of them eg., the pre-natal samskaras and few of the childhood are not generally performed at present; so, they have become a thing of the past. The rest are performed at present by a few orthodox families only and, in a distorted form. The only current Samskaras are the Upanayana (Initiation ), not performed by all the Dvijas today, the Vivaha (Marriage ceremonies) and the Antyeshti (Funeral Ceremonies).<ref name=":1" />

Many of them eg., the pre-natal samskaras and few of the childhood are not generally performed at present; so, they have become a thing of the past. The rest are performed at present by a few orthodox families only and, in a distorted form. The only current Samskaras are the Upanayana (Initiation), not performed by all the Dvijas today, the Vivaha (Marriage ceremonies) and the Antyeshti (Funeral Ceremonies).<ref name=":1" />

Ashvalayana Smrti gives a classifies twenty-five samksaras based on the time they are performed. There are<ref name=":4">Deshpande, Kamalabai (1936) ''The Child in Ancient India.'' Poona: Aryasamskrti Press</ref>

Ashvalayana Smrti gives a classifies twenty-five samksaras based on the time they are performed. There are<ref name=":4">Deshpande, Kamalabai (1936) ''The Child in Ancient India.'' Poona: Aryasamskrti Press</ref>

# [[Jatakarma (जातकर्म)|जातकर्म॥ Jatakarma]]

# [[Jatakarma (जातकर्म)|जातकर्म॥ Jatakarma]]

# [[Namakaranam (नामकरणम्)|नामकरणम्॥ Namakarana]]

# [[Namakaranam (नामकरणम्)|नामकरणम्॥ Namakarana]]

# [[Annaprasanam (अन्नप्रासनम्)|अन्नप्रासनम्॥ Annaprasana]]

# [[Annaprashana (अन्नप्राशनम्)|अन्नप्राशनम्॥ Annaprashana]]

# [[Chaulam (चौलम्)|चौलम्॥ Chaulam]]

# [[Chaulam (चौलम्)|चौलम्॥ Chaulam]]

# [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|उपनयनम् ॥ Upanayana]]

# [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|उपनयनम् ॥ Upanayana]]

=== Ayurveda's Perspective ===

=== Ayurveda's Perspective ===

Ayurveda treatises have described the technical procedures done under Samskaras. They have primarily focused on the health benefits of samskaras. One can find details of the procedures performed under Samskaras in Ayurveda samhitas. These techniques, methods and details are designed with an aim of enabling the person undergoing samskaras to adopt to the new upcoming phase of the life. Since Ayurveda considers any person as not just a physical body but a union of body-mind and life energy, the processes have been planned and designed considering all the 3 components. For example, a newborn baby struggles to adjust from intra-uterine to the extrauterine life immediately after birth. Therefore under [[Jatakarma (जातकर्म)|Jatakarma Samskara]], Acharya Charaka and Sushruta discuss about the ways for initial stabilization of a baby. Some of the procedures discussed under [[Jatakarma (जातकर्म)|Jatakarma samskara]] in [[Charaka Samhita (चरक संहिता)|Charaka Samhita]] and [[Sushruta Samhita (सुश्रुतसंहिता)|Sushruta Samhita]] are similar to neonatal resuscitation interventions performed at the time of birth to support the establishment of breathing and circulation of a newborn. Most of the samskaras performed in prenatal period comprise of using specific herbs or procedures to promote the wellbeing of a baby in womb, prevent pregnancy related complications and to get a superior quality progeny. A systematic and scientific way of introducing new things in the world to the child has been proposed in [[Annaprasanam (अन्नप्रासनम्)|Annaprasana Samskara]]. Ayurveda acharyas have clearly described which types of foods should be introduced and what should be the sequence etc. Thus Ayurveda looks at samskaras as the procedures that will enable that individual develop necessary qualities to adopt to the new phase of life or changes that are going to happen for the 1st time in the life.  

Ayurveda treatises have described the technical procedures done under Samskaras. They have primarily focused on the health benefits of samskaras. One can find details of the procedures performed under Samskaras in Ayurveda samhitas. These techniques, methods and details are designed with an aim of enabling the person undergoing samskaras to adopt to the new upcoming phase of the life. Since Ayurveda considers any person as not just a physical body but a union of body-mind and life energy, the processes have been planned and designed considering all the 3 components. For example, a newborn baby struggles to adjust from intra-uterine to the extrauterine life immediately after birth. Therefore under [[Jatakarma (जातकर्म)|Jatakarma Samskara]], Acharya Charaka and Sushruta discuss about the ways for initial stabilization of a baby. Some of the procedures discussed under [[Jatakarma (जातकर्म)|Jatakarma samskara]] in [[Charaka Samhita (चरक संहिता)|Charaka Samhita]] and [[Sushruta Samhita (सुश्रुतसंहिता)|Sushruta Samhita]] are similar to neonatal resuscitation interventions performed at the time of birth to support the establishment of breathing and circulation of a newborn. Most of the samskaras performed in prenatal period comprise of using specific herbs or procedures to promote the wellbeing of a baby in womb, prevent pregnancy related complications and to get a superior quality progeny. A systematic and scientific way of introducing new things in the world to the child has been proposed in [[Annaprashana (अन्नप्राशनम्)|Annaprashana Samskara]]. Ayurveda acharyas have clearly described which types of foods should be introduced and what should be the sequence etc. Thus Ayurveda looks at samskaras as the procedures that will enable that individual develop necessary qualities to adopt to the new phase of life or changes that are going to happen for the 1st time in the life.  

== Constituents of Samskaras ==

== Constituents of Samskaras ==

vedādhītyadhikārasya siddhirṛṣibhirīritā। devapitrarṇāpagamaḥ vivāhasya phalaṃ smṛtam॥</blockquote>Meaning : Niṣeka and Garbhadhana (both mean the same – the first physical union of wife and husband) would remove the impurities related to sperm, blood and cleanses the womb. Puṃsavanam is for having a male child. Simantonnayana (parting) is as good as Garbhadhanam, for cleansing the womb. Jatakarma (the rite performed to a son just born) removes the unwanted affects born out of consumption of the water of the womb by the child.  

vedādhītyadhikārasya siddhirṛṣibhirīritā। devapitrarṇāpagamaḥ vivāhasya phalaṃ smṛtam॥</blockquote>Meaning : Niṣeka and Garbhadhana (both mean the same – the first physical union of wife and husband) would remove the impurities related to sperm, blood and cleanses the womb. Puṃsavanam is for having a male child. Simantonnayana (parting) is as good as Garbhadhanam, for cleansing the womb. Jatakarma (the rite performed to a son just born) removes the unwanted affects born out of consumption of the water of the womb by the child.  

Namakarana (naming a child) is for increased longevity and brightness and to pronounce name during rites as well as mundane day to day transactions. Annaprāśana (feeding rice for the first time) purifies the child from the defects of eating the bad material while in the womb. Chudakarma (cutting of hair on the head for the first time) is meant for increased strength, longevity and brightness. Upanayanam is for attaining Dvijatva (second birth) that is essential to get eligibility to learn Veda and perform different rites. The four Vedavratas, viz. Agneya, Saumya, Vaisvadeva and Prajapatya are performed before the beginning of the learning of Veda for injecting more power into the Veda that is learnt. Vivaha (marriage) is for paying back the debt of deities and pitrs.

Namakarana (naming a child) is for increased longevity and brightness and to pronounce name during rites as well as mundane day to day transactions. Annaprāśana (feeding rice for the first time) purifies the child from the defects of eating the bad material while in the womb. Chudakarma (cutting of hair on the head for the first time) is meant for increased strength, longevity and brightness. Upanayanam is for attaining Dvijatva (second birth) that is essential to get eligibility to learn Veda and perform different rites. The four [[Vedavratas (वेदव्रतानि)|Vedavratas]], viz. Agneya, Saumya, Vaisvadeva and Prajapatya are performed before the beginning of the learning of Veda for injecting more power into the Veda that is learnt. Vivaha (marriage) is for paying back the debt of deities and pitrs.

=== Ayurveda's Understanding ===

=== Ayurveda's Understanding ===

The Samskaras from Jatakarma to Chudakarma are to be performed in the case of a male child of Dvijas, viz. Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. In the case of the female child of a Dvija, only marriage (Vivaha) has to be performed with Vedamantras. Samskaraprakasa rules that there cannot be any Samskara for a Klība (impotent child).

The Samskaras from Jatakarma to Chudakarma are to be performed in the case of a male child of Dvijas, viz. Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. In the case of the female child of a Dvija, only marriage (Vivaha) has to be performed with Vedamantras. Samskaraprakasa rules that there cannot be any Samskara for a Klība (impotent child).

Nirṇayasindhu, by quoting Smrtis, says that Shudras are entitled to perform six Samskaras, viz. Jatakarma, Namakaranam, Niskramanam (bringing the child into sunshine for the first time), Annaprasanam, Chuda and Vivaha and the daily Panchamahayajnas (Devayajñaḥ, Pitṛyajñaḥ, Bhūtayajñaḥ, Manuṣyayajñaḥ and Brahmayajñaḥ). Shraddhakarma (death ceremony) and other Samskaras for Shudras have to be performed with verses from Puranas and not Vedic mantras. Varahapurana says that for a Shudra, the Brahmana can repeat the Mantras.

Nirṇayasindhu, by quoting Smrtis, says that Shudras are entitled to perform six Samskaras, viz. Jatakarma, Namakarana, Niskramana (bringing the child into sunshine for the first time), Annaprashana, Chuda and Vivaha and the daily Panchamahayajnas (Devayajñaḥ, Pitṛyajñaḥ, Bhūtayajñaḥ, Manuṣyayajñaḥ and Brahmayajñaḥ). Shraddhakarma (death ceremony) and other Samskaras for Shudras have to be performed with verses from Puranas and not Vedic mantras. Varahapurana says that for a Shudra, the Brahmana can repeat the Mantras.

== संस्कारफलम् || Effect of Samskaras ==

== संस्कारफलम् || Effect of Samskaras ==