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Dharma shastras proclaim that samskaras are a series of sacrifices and ceremonies indicating the passage of various stages of the human life and to signify entry to a particular [[Ashrama Dharma (आश्रमधर्मः)|ashrama]]. All human beings, especially the Dvija (द्विजः । twice born - called so after [[उपनयनम्|upanayana]]) and Grhasthas (गृहस्थ-s) are required to perform a number of sacrifices with oblations for devatas, ancestors and guardians in accordance with the vedic mantras laid down for a righteous living. Scholars differ in their opinion about the number of samskaras being forty and a few saying 25 and 16.     

Dharma shastras proclaim that samskaras are a series of sacrifices and ceremonies indicating the passage of various stages of the human life and to signify entry to a particular [[Ashrama Dharma (आश्रमधर्मः)|ashrama]]. All human beings, especially the Dvija (द्विजः । twice born - called so after [[उपनयनम्|upanayana]]) and Grhasthas (गृहस्थ-s) are required to perform a number of sacrifices with oblations for devatas, ancestors and guardians in accordance with the vedic mantras laid down for a righteous living. Scholars differ in their opinion about the number of samskaras being forty and a few saying 25 and 16.     

== संस्काराः || Samskaras ==

== संस्काराः || Samskaras ==

Forty samskaras have been prescribed by Gautama Smriti<ref>Kannan. P. R. Translation of Article : [http://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/articles/INITIAL%20SAMSKARAS.html Initial Samskaras] from Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham</ref>, as a part of purificatory activities, for not just the physical body but the Jivatma also and for removal of papas (पाप | sins) accrued in different ways. They are,     

Forty [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)]] have been prescribed by Gautama Smriti<ref>Kannan. P. R. Translation of Article : [http://www.kamakoti.org/kamakoti/articles/INITIAL%20SAMSKARAS.html Initial Samskaras] from Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham</ref>, as a part of purificatory activities, for not just the physical body but the Jivatma also and for removal of papas (पाप | sins) accrued in different ways. They are,     

* संस्काराः || Samskaras (10 of the षोडश-संस्काराः ॥ Shodasa samskaras)   

* संस्काराः || Samskaras (10 of the षोडश-संस्काराः ॥ Shodasa samskaras)   

* वेदव्रताः || Vedavratas (4)   

* वेदव्रताः || Vedavratas (4)