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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 (Samskrit: कर्णवेधनसंस्कारः or कर्णवेध) is one of the [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Samskaras]] of childhood practiced in [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|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 (आयुर्वेदः)|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 Ashtanga Samgraha ==

== Karnavedha in Ancient texts ==

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,

[[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]] are silent on Karṇavedha and nor are there frequent references found in the Vedic and Post-Vedic literature. The slight reference to the boring of ears in Atharvaveda is not enough to qualify it as a ceremony, because it is less known that in what sense was the term used, and it never implied a specific ceremony. So, it can be concluded that the practice of boring the ears might have existed for centuries together but not as a ceremony rather a common practice with less cultural and religious significance and function.<ref name=":5">Chahal, Mandeep (2020) Ph.D Thesis Titled: ''[http://hdl.handle.net/10603/309999 Samskaras in the Grihyasutras historical account of Jatakarma Upanyana Vivaha and Antyeshti.]'' (Chapter 3)</ref> Vyasa Smrti is one of the Smrtis which mentions Karnavedha as one of the sixteen samskaras.<ref name=":3">Shukla, Sacchidanand (2008) ''Hindu Dharm ke Solah Sanskar''. Delhi: Prabhat Prakashan.</ref>

It is historically tough to trace as to when this practice started but what can be opined about it is that it might have been for wearing ornaments that ears were bored, which was a common practice in ancient India was well among both men and women. But decoration was not a single motive of the Karṇavedha Saṁskāra, it had medical significance as well. Suśruta regards the boring of ears with dual purpose of decoration and protection against the diseases.<ref name=":5" />

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. 

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 discusses 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,

=== The procedure ===

=== संस्कारकालः॥ Time of samskara ===

Elsewhere it is mentioned<ref name=":3" /> that Karnavedha is performed before the Upanayana samskara. It is said that without having the ears pierced a person is not eligible to perform [[Shraddha (श्राद्धम्)|Shraddha]] karma for the ancestors. According to Devala, even seeing a brahman whose ears are not pierced, and the sun rays do not pass through them, causes the loss of punya and such a person should not be invited to Shraddha karma.

* Auspicious rituals and holy recitations should be performed before beginning the samskara.

* Vaidya is advised to take a needle in right hand and hold the ear lobule of the child with left hand.

* The child should be held in lap and his ear lobule should be held against sunlight.  

==== The site of ear piercing ====

 

 

Performing this samskara in a young age may cause less pain and can be done easily. In the present times [[Chaulam (चौलम्)|Chudakarana]], Karnavedha and [[Upanayana (उपनयनम्)|Upanayana]] are being performed at the same time.<ref name=":3" />

 

=== संस्कारविधिः॥ The procedure ===

 

 

==== 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 ==