THE 16 SAMSKARAS

THE SAMSKARAS ORIGINATED DURING VEDIC TIMES. GENERALLY, THERE ARE 40 SAMSKARSAS BUT 16 ARE THE MAJOR OF THEM. THE SAMSKARAS ARE BASED ON THE SIMPLE FAITH OF UNSOPHISTICATED MIND.

THE 16 SAMSKARAS CYCLE

SERIAL NUMBER	SAMSKARAS	PERFORMED
1	GARBHADHANA	CONCEPTION.
2	PUMSAVANA	ENGENDERING A MALE ISSUE.
3	SIMANTONNAYANA	IN 7-8 MONTH OF CONCEPTION, OBSERVED FOR THE MENTAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILD IN MOTHER’S WOMB.
4	JATAKARMAN	THE FATHER TOUCHES NEWLY BORN CHILD AND BLESSED HIM. HE PUTS HONEY IN ITS MOUTH AND PUT INTO HIS EARS THE MANTRA TO DEVELOP THE INTELLECT.
5	NAMAKARANA	NAMING.
6	NISHKRAMANA	ON THE 12TH DAY THE CHILD IS TAKEN OUT IN AN ATTRACTIVE DRESS BY HIS FATHER OR MATERNAL UNCLE.
7	ANNAPRASANA	THE FIRST FEEDING IN THE 6TH MONTH BY THE ELDEST MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.
8	CHUDAKARANA	IN THE 3RD YEAR THE HAIRS OF CHILD ARE SHAVED OFF.
9	KARNAVEDHA	IN 3RD OR 5TH YEAR THE EAR PIERCING CEREMONY.
10	VIDHAYAMBHA/ AKSHARAMBHA	IN THE 5TH YEAR THE CHILD IS TAKEN TO A TEACHER OR GURU AND HE OR SHE IS INITIATED INTO THE KNOWLEDGE OF LETTERS.
11	UPANAYANA	INITIATION OF BRAHMACHARYA, CELIBACY. HE WORE A SACRED THREAD OR THE JANEOO. AT THE AGE OF 8 IT IS PERFORMED IN BRAHMANS, AT 11 IN KSHATRIYAS, AT 12 AMONG VAISHYAS.
12	VEDARAMBHA	FIRST STUDY OF VEDAS.PERFORMED AFTER UPANAYANA WITHIN A YEAR.
13	KESHANTA AND RITUSUDDHI	THE FORMER IS FOR BOYS FIRST SHAVE. LATER IS FOR GIRLS ONSET MENSTRUAL CYCLE.
14	SAMVARTANA	GRADUATION.
15	VIVAH	MARRIAGE.
16	ANTYESTI	FUNERAL.