h. What are 16 Samskaras?

Samskaras (Sanskar) are vedic rituals performed at various stages of a Hindu’s life – some are performed by parents, others by self, and last ones by progeny.

Hindu society, since its emergence, has invested in the concept of saṃskāra, for the sake of its smooth functioning.  The sages have prescribed that during the lifetime of a human being, several saṃskāras be performed.  They envisioned human life as a progression of several stages of physical, psychological, social and spiritual advancement and ordained that appropriate saṃskāras be performed to mark the onset of each stage to make a lasting impression on the mind. Below are the 16 saṃskāras that signify the passage of a Hindu from one stage of the life to the next.

  1 Garbhādhānam: Establishment of fetus, i.e. consummation of marriage

  2 Puṃsavanam: In pregnancy (2nd or 3rd mo.)

  3 Sīmantonnayanam: In pregnancy (6th or 7th mo.) (video)

  4 Jātakarma: At birth ceremony. Praying for the child’s intelligence.

  5 Nāmakaraṇam: Naming ceremony. Around the 12th day

  6 Niskramaṇam: Child’s first outing. Around 2 to 4 months

  7 Annaprāśanam: First feeding of solid food Around 6 months

  8 Cūdā(Chauda) karma: Child’s first haircut (tonsure) as an offering to  Īśvara

  9 Vidyārambhah: Beginning of education – learning to read and write

10 Upanayanam: Taking the child to a Guru Sacred thread ceremony. Around 7 to 12 years

11 Vedārambhah: Start learning the Vedas or formal education

12 Samāvartanam: Graduation, return home

13 Vivāhah: Wedding

14 Vānaprasthah: Withdrawal from the duties of the householder stage of life

15 Saṃnyāsah: Renunciation

16 Antyestih: Final rites – cremation

Source: The book Vivāha Saṃ̣skāra: The Hindu Wedding Ceremony.

Other reading material:

Relevant videos:

Author: Dilip Amin

Location of this post (18h): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-are-16-samskaras/