upanayan sanskaar

[Hemanshu Desai]

Today I had my upanayan sanskaar also known as thread ceremony or janoi....

For those who don't know what it is and are interested in knowing...an article explaining the same....

Sixteen sanskaars

This article describes 16 Sanskars prevalent in Hindu society, though, only four Sanskars, namely, Vivah, Namkaran, Upanayan and Antyeshti are more commonly visible today.Hope this will inspire all .

Hindus from time immemorial have laid lot of stress on Sanskars. One prepares an eye-catching ornament, by hammering the gold while it is hot. To make one self refined or of good conduct and useful to the community, constant hammering to imbibe good habits is called Sanskar.

Take an example. One is hungry- an inborn instinct. He arranges food - a phenomena which is just natural (Prakruti), He snatches some one's food to satisfy his hunger. This is degradation (Vikruti). There is a third situation. The food is brought to this man. He shares his meals with others. This is Sanskruti or Sanskar. Many of you know that Hindus before eating take out Grogras etc.

Similarly, where marriage is institutionalised, it is Sanskar and is beneficial to the society. Just imagine the condition of the society where there is no institution like marriage. It is frightening to learn that this is being named as "fee society or Living-together? This is much beyond the Hindu perception.

A question can be raised as to 'how a man is made'. Here we are not discussing this question from a biological angle. Biologically the form, shape and inner parts of all human beings are made of flesh, bones and fat etc. but that is not all in a man. The question being analysed here is the qualitativeness and innerself of a man. But this qualitativeness has to be inculcated and penetrated into his/her brain and inner self.

This process of inculcating and penetrating all possible humane qualities is the 'Sanskarisation' or in other words 'Orientation'. The Sanskaras are well designed means of shaping a man in such a way that he can attain godhood after achieving manhood.

Hindu scriptures perceive the human body comprising of the following 5 sheaths:

1. Annamaya kosh - Physical Body (Sthul sharir)

2. Pranamaya Kosh - Energical Body (Shakti Punj)

3. Manomaya Kosh - Mind (Man-Chintan Kendra)

4. Buddhimaya Kosh - Intellect (Vivek)

5. Anandamaya Kosh - Eternal Pleasure (Paramshanti)

Sanskars cover purification or proper channelisation of all the five elements right from womb to the tomb or conception to the sublimation through certain rituals and ceremonies with an object to train an individual to become a responsible citizen with a wholesome personality. Sanskaars inculcate a social conscience and prepare oneself to lead a life of purity, good conduct, fellow feeling and consideration for all in the society.

The question is What are Sanskars? The Sanskars are the supreme most outcome of the churning the living ways (Jeevan Manthan) as established by Hindu seers (Rishis).

If we examine this shaping process of man from a physical angle, we may say that it is like shaping and taming of a mighty river. A river flows in a serpentine way, but the engineers by providing spurs and dams at vulnerable points try to tame the river and its flow. In other words, they try to make it civilised in behaviour. Here it is a physical
process. But in the case of a man, the bestowing of Sanskaras upon a man is a physical cum metaphysical process.

These Sanskaras are sixteen in number and may be considered to be sixteen stages in the span of life from impregnation to cremation. As all Sanskaras are meant for creation of a fine off-spring, therefore the first Sanskar to be dealt with is Vivaha

1)VIVAHA SANSKAR

The sacred Atharva Veda has Elaborated the qualifications of the bride and the bridegroom as follows:

Shuddhaha puta yoshito yagniya ima bramhanam

Hasteshu prapruthak sadyami

Yatkam idambhishigchami wohamindro

Marutwaantsa dadatu tanme

"I handover these pure, pious and venerable women separately in the hands of knowledgeable persons and the desire for which I am doing your Abhisheka, that may all deities fulfil my desire." This mantra lays down same norms for women and men before solemnising the Vivah (marriage). Thus prequalifying Sanskar for Vivah begins. At the time of Vivah the bridegroom is required to take an oath as follows: -

Gruhaami te saubhagtwaaya hastam mayaa patyaa jardshtiryathasaha

Bhago aryamaa savitaa purandhimarham twaadurgaai patyaaya devaaha


Atharva 14/1/50

Bhagaste hastamgrahit savita hastamgrahit

Patni twamsi dharmanaaham gruhapatistava


Atharva 14/1/51

Bhaga, Aryama, Savita and Purandhi etc. the deities have given you to me for the purpose Gahrapatya, So I hold your hand for good fortune. May you live with me till old age. The Bhaga and Savita etc. gods have made me hold your hand so you are my mistress in the light of Karma and I am your husband in the light of Dharma. The bride, then, vows as follows :

Amitva manujaaten dadhami mam vaasasa

Yathaso mam kevalo nanyasaam kirtiyashchan
-Atharva 7/37/1

O brooding man! I tie you with cloth so that you remain only mine and do not think of other women.

The Vivah gets solemnised after such oaths.

2)GARBHADHAN SANSKAR

After Vivah Sanskar the Sanskar is known as Garbhadhan Sanskar (impregnation).This Sanskar is important to have good off-spring i.e. a child who is qualitatively a great man and proves to be brave. For obtaining such an off-spring, the Atharva Veda has gracefully prescribed the norms and ways to solemnise this Sanskar and to make it a sacred act of life. There are several instructions bestowed upon the couple by the Atharva Veda which should be followed by the newly weds.

3)PUNSAWAN SANSKAR

The next Sanskar is known as Punsawan Sanskar i.e. strengthening the embryo. This is the Sanskar which is a guide to lead a healthy married life i.e. after conception. The prospective parents are expected to lead a life of restraint and celibacy. This Sanskar is performed around two months after conception i.e. after confirmation of pregnancy. The pregnant lady is required to perform a yajna and is advised to lead a life of discipline, restricted diet and confined movements. She should think of great and brave men till the birth of the child so that the child acquires such qualities.

4)SEEMANTONNAYAN SANSKAR

This is performed in the 4th or 5th month of pregnancy, that is the time when the mind gets upgraded and the intellect grows. That is why it is called the promotion of head. The Atharva Veda mentions about this as follows :

Tad-dhaa atharvanaha shiro devakosham samubhjitha

Tat pranoha abhirakshati shiro annamatho manaha


Atharva 10/2/27


Head is the centre of knowledge which is a safe treasure of God. Prana, Manas and Annam safeguard this treasure.

5)JAATAKARMA SANSKAR

The 'Jaatakarma Sanskar is a Sanskar for the newly born child. This entails endeavours for the safe delivery of the baby and bathing and clothing of the newly born. The child is given ghee and honey after performance of a yajnma by the father. Mantras are chanted for the health and prosperity of the child. The beautiful Mantra of the Rig Veda tells as follows:



Dash masatrashashayanaha kumaro adhirmatari

Nirait jivo akshato jivo jivantyaa adhi


Atharva 5/78/6

O-Jeeva (child) you who live on the life of an alive mother, please come out full and undamaged after sleeping for ten months in the mother's womb.

What a beautiful call and a great blessing it is. This reminds us of the greatness and importance of the Sanskars.

6)NAMKARAN SANKAR

The NAMKARAN Sanskar is giving a name to the child. The Yajurveda has showered upon the child the wonderful blessings as follows:

Kosi katmosi kasyasi ko namasi

Yasya te namamanmihi yam twa somenatitrunam

Bhurbhava swa suprujaha prajami swa sudiro viream

Suposham paushamha


Yaju 7/26

Who are you an what is your name? May you be a well-renowned person and grow form earth to space (antariksha) and upto heaven (Dhow) with worship and feed (poshan).

7)NISHKRAMAN SANSKAR
The Nishkraman is taking the child out. But actually this Sanskar is an important one. This Sanskar is to acquaint the child with the wordly objects and also to acclamatise the child for cold and hot weathers.

8)ANNA PRASHAN SANSKAR

The Anna Prashan is giving cereal diet to the child. This is important to enable the child. This is important to enable the child to taste the eatables. Cherish the good ones and to discard the bad ones.

9)CHUDAKARMA SANSKAR

The Chudakarma Sanskar signifies the ceremony of tuft Mundan ceremony. The Atharva Veda guides the humanity in this respect in the following manner in the sacred Mantra.

Yenavpatsavita ksuren somasya

Radnyo varunatsya vidwan.

Ten brahmano watpatedamasya

Gomansyawanayamstu prajanan

Atthrwa 6/6/30

The way in which Savita the great, does remove the hairs of Soma Varuna by a dagger, the same way should be adopted by Brahman to cut his/her hairs so that the child becomes wealthy and full of children. Here the Veda prescribes the way to cut/clean the hairs i.e. the hairs should be cut by pouring hot water on the cold skull of the child.

10)KARANAVEDHA SANSKAR

The Karnavedha is piecing the ears. This hole is termed as 'devkrute chidre' in Sushruta Samhita. It is the hole which is done between three nerves of the ears. By piercing it and by putting on gold, the testicles(or ovaries in females) do not inflate and they remain healthy.

11)UPANAYAN SANSKAR

The tenth Sanskar known as Upanayan is investiture of the sacred thread (yadnyopavit ya janevu). This Sanskar enables the Brahmachari i.e. the boy to mix in the society by attaining excellent qualities.

12)VEDARAMBHA SANSKAR

The Vedarambha Sanskar takes him to perform and follow the Samavartana Sanskar.

13)SAMAVARTANA SANSKAR

It is great importance because it is the root of society. The Atharvaveda directs the mankind as follows :

Taani kalpad brahmachari salilasya prushthe

Tapotishthattapyamanahah samudre

Sa snaatou brabhruhu pidamaglaha pruthiwyam

Bahu rochate

Atharva 115/26

The Brahmachari who after being deep like sea and living in pure celebacy, holds great penance and shines by adopting good qualities, deeds and habits after reading scriptures (Vedas), holding Veerya and serving the feet of Acharyas. After completing the process of Samavartana, he becomes eligible for thanks.

14)VANAPRASTHA SANSKAR

The Vanaprastha is retiring to a forest. Without this Sanskar, man cannot think with full concentration about the next birth.

15)SANYASA SANSKAR

The fifteenth Sanskar is known as Sanyasa i.e. anchorite. The person concerned is supposed to have attained contentment with his accomplishments in life. The Vedic Sanyasis used to be called Deva and they used to make effort at all times to have the darshan of the almighty. This system, though prevails these days but is not seen in its finest form.

For doing a job successfully. One draws an elaborate plan. But human being cannot plan movements of the planets. In Hindu Sanskaars, the ceremonies are planetary to synchronise with the auspicious planetary combinations (muhurta) but for the sixteenth Sanskar this is very secretly planned by the almighty himself.

16)ANTYESHTHI SANSKAR]

The sanskar is known as Antyeshthi. All other Sanskars are performed by the parents or oneself. This Sanskar is done by the sons for the parents. In absence of sons, alternatives are provided.

As per the Hindu tradition human bodies are made of sixteen kalas. When the soul leaves the body, all the sensing organs cease to work. This is called Death. The soul moves around the traces even of physical remains.

The Hindu scriptures are full of mention of Pitru-Rina. A son is normally dutybound to pay back this debt and to persistently remember the late ancestors by performing monthly and annual Shraddha and also during the dark fortnight (krushnapaksh) of the month of Ashvin more commonly known as Pitrupaksh.

It is heartening to recall the sentiments of the Moghul king Shahjahan whose famous couplet pays compliments to this Hindu Sanskar.

A million salulations to Hindus, who offer shraddha to even their long chain of deceased ancestors. Here is a son, who does not bother to send drinking water to his thirsty living father.

Hindu philosophy preaches "Matrudevo bhava, pitrudevo bhava, acharyadeve bhava, atithideve bhava''

These are the Hindu Sanskars. It is painful to mention that due to neglect of these Sanskaras, old people are compelled to take refuge in Old age houses.

CONCLUSION

I need emphasise that though all the prementioned Sanskars are devised by Hindus, they are beneficial to the whole mankind. These are not only for Hindus but should be followed by all. It is very essential to imbibe proper Sanskar at every stage from Womb to the Tomb. Without mincing words I personally subscribe to the periodical review and modification of ceremonies and rituals to match the time, place and the occasion without changing the spirit behind the Sanskar. In other words, there is distinction between ceremony and Sanskar. However, the Hindu Sanskars are as relevant today as they were a lakh years ago. They are beyond time and age.