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Nishkramana Samskara (Samskrit: निष्क्रमणम्) is one of the [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Samskaras]] practiced by the followers of [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana dharma]]. It signifies new born child's first outdoor visit or first exposure to environment outside home. It is celebrated as a ceremony of socializing the newborn for the first time. It is the time when for the first time in his/her life the baby goes to the place outside home and the first place to visit is the temple. Divine blessings are invoked by offering prayers to [[Surya (सूर्यः)|Surya]] and Chandra devatas for the well being of the baby.   

Nishkramana Samskara (Samskrit: निष्क्रमणम्) is one of the [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Samskaras]] practiced by the followers of [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana dharma]]. It signifies new born child's first outdoor visit or first exposure to environment outside home. It is celebrated as a ceremony of socializing the newborn for the first time. It is the time when for the first time in his/her life the baby goes to the place outside home and the first place to visit is the temple. Divine blessings are invoked by offering prayers to [[Surya (सूर्यः)|Surya]] and Chandra devatas for the well being of the baby.   

== Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

When the child and mother withdraw out of the [[Sutikagara (सूतिकागारम्)|Sutikagara]], the mother slowly begins to take part in the family life again. The child's world also widened to move to any part of the house. But within a month or, two the universe of the child was found too small. The curiosities of the child and the movements of its limbs required wider scope to satisfy themselves. So it was thought proper that it should be introduced to the outer world. Indeed, it was a land-mark in the life of the child and the parents gave expressions to the sense of joy at this occasion. Life outside the house, however, was not free from natural and supernatural dangers. Therefore, for the protection of the child, deities were worshipped and divine help was sought.<ref name=":12">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 145-150)</ref>

When the child and mother withdraw out of the [[Sutikagara (सूतिकागारम्)|Sutikagara]], the mother slowly begins to take part in the family life again. The child's world also widened to move to any part of the house. But within a month or, two the universe of the child was found too small. The curiosities of the child and the movements of its limbs required wider scope to satisfy themselves. So it was thought proper that it should be introduced to the outer world. Indeed, it was a land-mark in the life of the child and the parents gave expressions to the sense of joy at this occasion. Life outside the house, however, was not free from natural and supernatural dangers. Therefore, for the protection of the child, deities were worshipped and divine help was sought.<ref name=":12">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 145-150)</ref>

All activities related to this samskara focus on improvement of the child's wellbeing. Advised to perform in the fourth month, it is the time when a child starts to recognize the outside world both by his jnana and karma indriyas. He becomes older and stronger enough to bear the natural forces such as wind and heat.<ref name=":02" />   

All activities related to this samskara focus on improvement of the child's wellbeing. Advised to perform in the fourth month, it is the time when a child starts to recognize the outside world both by his jnana and karma indriyas. He becomes older and stronger enough to bear the natural forces such as wind and heat.<ref name=":02" />   

== Nishkramana Samskara ==

== निष्क्रमणसंस्कारः ॥ Nishkramana Samskara ==

The custom of taking the child out ceremoniously may be very old, but we do not get any reference to it in the Vedic literature. Smrtis and Nibandhas elaborate the rituals and customs relating to it.<ref name=":12" />

The custom of taking the child out ceremoniously may be very old, but we do not get any reference to it in the Vedic literature. Smrtis and Nibandhas elaborate the rituals and customs relating to it.<ref name=":12" />

=== Time of performance ===

=== उपयुक्तकालः ॥ Time of performance ===

According to various texts the time for performing the Nishkaramana samskara varied from the twelfth day after the birth to the fourth month. <blockquote>चतुर्थे मासि कर्तव्यं शिशोर्निष्क्रमणं गृहात् । (Manu. Smrt. 2.34) चतुर्थे मासि निष्क्रमणिका ५ सूर्यमुदीक्षयति तच्चक्षुरिति ६ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 1.17.5-6)</blockquote>The twelfth day is recommended by the Bhavishya Purana and the Brhaspati Smrti only perhaps performed with the Namakarana, when the child was brought out of the [[Sutikagara (सूतिकागारम्)|Suti]]<nowiki/>karaga for giving it a name. According to the [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]] and the Smrtis this Samskara took place either in the third or in the fourth month after the birth. The rationale of the option between the third and the fourth month is supplied by Yama, who says, "The ceremony of looking at the sun should be performed in the third, and that of looking at the moon in the fourth month.”<ref name=":12" />

According to various texts the time for performing the Nishkaramana samskara varied from the twelfth day after the birth to the fourth month. <blockquote>चतुर्थे मासि कर्तव्यं शिशोर्निष्क्रमणं गृहात् । (Manu. Smrt. 2.34) चतुर्थे मासि निष्क्रमणिका ५ सूर्यमुदीक्षयति तच्चक्षुरिति ६ (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 1.17.5-6)</blockquote>The twelfth day is recommended by the Bhavishya Purana and the Brhaspati Smrti only perhaps performed with the Namakarana, when the child was brought out of the [[Sutikagara (सूतिकागारम्)|Suti]]<nowiki/>karaga for giving it a name. According to the [[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]] and the Smrtis this Samskara took place either in the third or in the fourth month after the birth. The rationale of the option between the third and the fourth month is supplied by Yama, who says, "The ceremony of looking at the sun should be performed in the third, and that of looking at the moon in the fourth month.”<ref name=":12" />

If the above prescribed dates expired, the Nishkramana was performed with the [[Annaprasanam (अन्नप्रासनम्)|Annaprasana]] ceremony in the opinion of Ashvalayana. There are many astrologically objectionable dates when the ceremony should be postponed. The above options were based on the convenience of the parents, the health of the child and suitability of the weather.<ref name=":12" />

If the above prescribed dates expired, the Nishkramana was performed with the [[Annaprasanam (अन्नप्रासनम्)|Annaprasana]] ceremony in the opinion of Ashvalayana. There are many astrologically objectionable dates when the ceremony should be postponed. The above options were based on the convenience of the parents, the health of the child and suitability of the weather.<ref name=":12" />

=== Adhikara to perform the Samskara ===

=== अधिकारः ॥ Adhikara to perform the Samskara ===

According to the Grhyasutras, the father and the mother performed the ceremony. But the Puranas and the astrological works extend this privilege to others also. In the opinion of the Muhurtasangraha it was desirable that the maternal uncle should be invited to perform the ceremony.<ref name=":32">Shukla, Sacchidanand (2008) ''Hindu Dharm ke Solah Sanskar''. Delhi: Prabhat Prakashan.</ref> <blockquote>उपनिष्क्रमणे शास्ता मातुलो वाहयेच्छिशुम्। (Viramitrodaya, Part 1, Page 253) </blockquote>The Visnudharmottara recommends that the solicitous nurse should take the child out.  

According to the Grhyasutras, the father and the mother performed the ceremony. But the Puranas and the astrological works extend this privilege to others also. In the opinion of the Muhurtasangraha it was desirable that the maternal uncle should be invited to perform the ceremony.<ref name=":32">Shukla, Sacchidanand (2008) ''Hindu Dharm ke Solah Sanskar''. Delhi: Prabhat Prakashan.</ref> <blockquote>उपनिष्क्रमणे शास्ता मातुलो वाहयेच्छिशुम्। (Viramitrodaya, Part 1, Page 253) </blockquote>The Visnudharmottara recommends that the solicitous nurse should take the child out.  

These customs are non-Vedic and popular. When the Samskara was regarded a domestic sacrifice, only the father could properly perform it. But when it ceased to be so, the right of performance was transferred even to persons other than him.<ref name=":12" />

These customs are non-Vedic and popular. When the Samskara was regarded a domestic sacrifice, only the father could properly perform it. But when it ceased to be so, the right of performance was transferred even to persons other than him.<ref name=":12" />

=== Samskara Vidhi ===

=== संस्कारविधिः ॥ Samskara Vidhi ===

On the day of performing the Samskara, a square portion of the court-yard, is plastered with cow dung and grains of rice scattered by the mother. In the Sutra period the ceremony ended when the father made the child look at the sun. The child was fully decorated and brought to  the family deity in the house. Then the deity was worshipped with instrumental music. The guardians of the eight directions, the deities of the panchabhutas, sun, the moon, Vasudeva and sky were also propitiated as per the Atharvaveda mantra.<ref name=":32" /><blockquote>शिवे तेऽऽस्तां द्यावापृथिवी असंतापे अभिश्रियो । शं ते सूर्य आ तपतु शं वातो वातो ते हृदे । शिवा अभिक्षरन्तु त्वापो दिव्याः पयस्वतीः ॥१४॥ (Athar. Veda. 8.2.14)</blockquote>The Brahmans were fed and auspicious verses recited. The child was carried out with sounds of conchshell and recital of Veda mantras. At the time of outing, the father repeated the following mantra, “Whether the child is conscious or unconscious, whether it is day or night, let all the devatas led by Indra protect the child.’’<ref name=":12" />

On the day of performing the Samskara, a square portion of the court-yard, is plastered with cow dung and grains of rice scattered by the mother. In the Sutra period the ceremony ended when the father made the child look at the sun. The child was fully decorated and brought to  the family deity in the house. Then the deity was worshipped with instrumental music. The guardians of the eight directions, the deities of the panchabhutas, sun, the moon, Vasudeva and sky were also propitiated as per the Atharvaveda mantra.<ref name=":32" /><blockquote>शिवे तेऽऽस्तां द्यावापृथिवी असंतापे अभिश्रियो । शं ते सूर्य आ तपतु शं वातो वातो ते हृदे । शिवा अभिक्षरन्तु त्वापो दिव्याः पयस्वतीः ॥१४॥ (Athar. Veda. 8.2.14)</blockquote>The Brahmans were fed and auspicious verses recited. The child was carried out with sounds of conchshell and recital of Veda mantras. At the time of outing, the father repeated the following mantra, “Whether the child is conscious or unconscious, whether it is day or night, let all the devatas led by Indra protect the child.’’<ref name=":12" />