16 sacraments of Sanatan Dharma
1 Conception, 2 Punsavan, 3 Seemantonnayan, 4 Jatkarma, 5 Naamkarma, 6 Nishkramana, 7 Annaprashan, 8 Chudakarma 9 Vidyarambha, 10 Karnavedha, 11 Yagyopaveet, 12 Vedarambha, 13 Keshant, 14 Samavartan, 15 marriages, 16 funerals
1 conception-
Conception is the first of the sixteen sacraments accepted in our scriptures. After entering the householder life, this sanskar has been recognized as the first duty. The main aim of a healthy life is the production of excellent children. Parents who wish to have a good child should perform this sanskar for the purity of their body and mind before conception. This rite was considered very important in the Vedic period.
2 Punsavan-
This sanskar is considered useful from the point of view of mental development of the fetus. There is a law to perform this sanskar in the second or third month of conception. Our sages have considered this sanskar to be done for the purpose of procreation. This sanskar related to the fetus is performed in the auspicious constellation. The purpose of Punsavan Sanskar is to give birth to healthy and perfect progeny. It is considered appropriate to conceive only on the basis of the particular date and the calculation of planets.
3 Upgradation-
Seemantonnayan is also called marginalization or marginal rituals. Seemantonanayan means being blessed with good fortune. Along with preventing abortion, the main purpose of this rite is to protect the fetus and its mother. Through this sanskar, to keep the mind of the pregnant woman happy, fortunate women fill the demand of pregnant women. This sanskar takes place in the sixth or eighth month of conception.
4 Jatkarma-
There is a law to perform this sanskar before the umbilical cord of a newborn baby. A child coming in direct contact with this divine world is licked with honey and ghee from the golden block with the recitation of Vedic mantras for intelligence, strength and longevity. This sanskar is performed with special mantras and rituals. After licking a mixture of two drops of ghee and six drops of honey, the father performs a yajna and after specially reciting nine mantras, prays for the child to be intelligent, strong, healthy and long-lived. The mother then breastfeeds the child.
5 Nomenclature-
This rite takes place on the eleventh day after HH birth. Our Dharmacharyas have considered asaucha (sutak) for ten days after birth. Therefore, it is a law to perform this sanskar on the eleventh day. Maharishi Yagyavalkya also has the same opinion, but many ritualistic scholars consider it appropriate to perform this sanskar in an auspicious constellation or on an auspicious day. The naming ceremony has more importance in Sanatan Dharma. Our sages have told the effect of name more because it helps in the development of personality. That is why it has been said that the name of Ram is bigger than Ram, our theologians, after doing a lot of research, invented the naming ceremony. The science of astrology prepares the outline of the future on the basis of the name itself.
6 Exodus-
The child's intensity from the divine world should increase and after becoming well acquainted with the creation of Brahmaji, he should enjoy this world for a long time while protecting the religion and dignity. In this ceremony, there is a law to show the child the light of the sun and the moon. Its purpose is to make the child aware of the radiance of Lord Bhaskar and the coolness of the moon. Behind this, the sages will have a vision to make the child bright and humble. On that day, darshan of deities and blessings are taken from them for the long and successful life of the child. There is a law to perform this sanskar in the fourth month of birth. For three months, the body of the baby is not adapted to the external environment such as strong sunlight, strong wind etc., so for three months it should be kept very carefully in the house. After this, gradually he should be allowed to come in contact with the external environment. The meaning of this sanskar is that the child should come in contact with the society and become aware of the social conditions.
7 Annaprashan-
The purpose of this sanskar is to focus on the physical and mental development of the child. The clear meaning of Annaprashan is that the infant, which was based on drinks, especially milk, until now, by taking food, which is called life in the scriptures, make himself physically and mentally strong and enlightened. Food plays a major role in strengthening the body and mind. The body remains healthy only by a pure, sattvik and nutritious diet and a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. Only when the food is pure, the conscience becomes pure and the mind, intellect and soul are all nourished. That is why this ritual has a special importance in our life. Our religious leaders have considered the sixth month from birth to be suitable for Annaprashan. In the sixth month, seeing the auspicious constellation and auspicious day, this sanskar should be performed. Feeding a baby with kheer and sweets is considered auspicious. Amrit: Kshirbhojanam In our scriptures, Kheer is considered as good as nectar.
8 Chudakarma-
Chudakarma is also called Mundan ceremony. Our teachers have told the law to perform this sanskar in the first, third or fifth year of the child. The concept of purity and intellectual development behind this sanskar will be in the mind of our sages. The meaning of the Mundan ceremony is to make the child strong by removing the impure hairs produced at the time of birth. After being in the womb for nine months, many contaminated germs remain in her hair. These defects are eliminated by the Mundan ceremony. According to astrology, there is a law to perform this sanskar in an auspicious time. The ceremony ends with Vedic chanting.
9 Vidyarambh-
There is a difference of opinion among our teachers regarding the order of Vidyarambha Sanskar. Some Acharyas are of the opinion that Vidyarambh ceremony should be done after Annaprashan, while some consider it appropriate after Chudakarma. In my opinion the baby starts speaking only after annaprashan. That is why Vidyarambh ceremony seems appropriate only after Annaprashan. The purpose of Vidyarambh is to introduce the child to the elementary level of education. In ancient times, when there was a tradition of Gurukul, before sending the child to study the Vedas, the alphabet was taught in the house. Earlier, his parents and teachers used to make him practice verses, mythological stories etc. orally so that there would be no difficulty in Gurukul. Our scripture is knowledgeable. The saying of the scriptures is Sa Vidya or Vimuktaye, that is, knowledge is that which can lead to liberation. Vidya or knowledge is the means of spiritual progress of man. Vidyarambh sanskar should be performed only in auspicious time.
10. Karnavedha-
Our sages have started all the sacraments only after tightening them on scientific basis. The basis of Karnavedha Sanskar is absolutely scientific. The main purpose of this sanskar is to protect the child from physical ailments. All the parts of this body given by nature are important. Ears are our hearing gates. Ear piercing cures diseases and increases hearing power. Along with this, jewelery in the ears is also a sign of our beauty sense.
There is a law to perform this sanskar before the Yagyopaveet. According to astrology, it is best to perform this ritual in the auspicious time of Shukla Paksha.
11 Yagyopaveet-
Yagyopaveet or Upanayana is the most important sacrament for intellectual development. Religious and spiritual advancement is completely included in this sanskar. Our sages have given a provision to assimilate Vedmata Gayatri through this sanskar. Even in the modern era, special research has been done on Gayatri Mantra. Gayatri is the most powerful mantra. Yajnopaveetam Paramam Pavitam i.e. Yajnopaveet, also known as Janeu, is very holy. Prajapati naturally created it. It prolongs life, gives strength and radiance. There is a special mention about this sacrament in our scriptures. There is also a scientific significance of wearing Yagyopaveet. In ancient times, when there was a tradition of Gurukul, at that time, usually at the age of eight years, the sacrificial ceremony was completed. After this the child used to go to Gurukul for special study. The child was given initiation into celibacy from the Yagyopaveet, which was followed till he entered the householder. The purpose of this sanskar is to motivate the child to be engaged in spiritual development along with a restrained life.
12 Vedarambh-
This sacrament is related to the acquisition of knowledge. Veda means knowledge and through Vedarambh the child should now start imbibing the knowledge in himself, that is the meaning of this sanskar. No other light has been understood in the scriptures than knowledge. It is clear that in ancient times this rite had special importance in the life of man. After the Yagyopaveet, the children were sent to the Gurukuls to the qualified Acharyas to study the Vedas and get acquainted with the specific knowledge. Before Vedarambh, the Acharya used to make his disciples promise to observe the fast of celibacy and lead a restrained life and only after taking his examination, he used to study Vedas. Those who lead an unrestrained life were not considered to be entitled to the study of Vedas. Our four Vedas are the intact storehouse of knowledge. This sanskar is performed in the 5th or 7th year from birth. More authentic is considered the 5th year. This rite is usually performed on Vasant Panchami.
13 Keshant-
After completing the study of Vedas in the Gurukul, this ceremony was performed in front of the Acharya. In fact, this sanskar is an undertaking to bid farewell to the Gurukul and enter the homestead. After being proficient in the Vedas and Puranas and various subjects, the hair was cleaned before the ceremonial rites of Brahmachari and he was given a bachelor's degree after taking a bath. Keshant Sanskar was performed in auspicious time.
14 Inversion-
Before leaving the Gurukul, the disciple's Samavartan ceremony was performed. Before this sanskar, the celibate had to perform Keshant Sanskar and then he was given a bath. This bath was done under the Samavartan ceremony. In this, there is a law to bathe with eight pitchers of water in the north part of the altar filled with water containing aromatic substances and medicines. This bath was accompanied by special chanting. After this, the brahmachari used to leave the Mekhla and the punishment which was worn at the time of Yagyopaveet. After this ceremony, Acharya used to give him the degree of Bachelor of Education. By this title, he was considered to be proudly entitled to enter the householder's home. He used to wear beautiful clothes and ornaments and after taking blessings from teachers and gurus used to leave for his home.
15 marriages-
This is the most important sacrament for both men and women since ancient times. There is a law in our scriptures to observe celibacy fast from Yagyopaveet to Samvartan Sanskar. After the study of Vedas, when the youth attained maturity and ability to maintain the social tradition, then he was admitted to Grihastha Dharma. After observing the fast of celibacy for about twenty-five years, the young man used to tie the knot. Eight types of marriages are mentioned in our scriptures – Brahma, Daiva, Arsha, Prajapatya, Asura, Gandharva, Rakshasa and Paisha. All these practices were prevalent in the Vedic period. With the passage of time their form changed. Before the Vedic period, when our society was not organized, there was disorderly sexism at that time. Our sages tried to organize and organize the society by establishing marriage rites to end this disorder. Today it is the result of his efforts that our society is civilized and cultured.
16 Funerals-
The funeral ceremony is also called the last or the sacrament of fire. The transfusion of fire into the soul is fire possession. According to religious scriptures, the unsatisfied desires of the living being are pacified by the proper action of the dead body. Ihloka and Parloka have been envisaged in our scriptures very easily. As long as the living being takes a body and resides in the Ihloka, he is bound by various karmas. When he loses his life, he leaves this world. The subsequent hypothesis has moksha or nirvana in addition to the various worlds. Man enjoys the fruits according to his deeds. Under this hypothesis, the systematic action of the dead body takes place.
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