CELEBRATING PREGNANCY AT ALL STAGES WITH DIFFERENT SAMSKARAS

An Approach to Samskara in Ayurveda..

Samskaras : The Hindu Sacraments : The word "Saṁskāra" as "sacrament" means the religious purificatory rites and
ceremonies for sanctifying the body, mind and intellect of an individual. The Saṁskāras are a means of moulding the personality of the individual, and through this moulding one becomes an ideal member of society and an enlightened being.

Samskaras are the turning points of life and need to be celebrated. Samskaras are great, time-tested tools in our traditional systems which help carve out a great personality. 

Samskaras bring about cultural gains.The various ceremonies related to the samskaras help in the formation and development of personality.It convey a higher sacredness to life. Various Impurities associated with the body are cleared by performing samskaras. The samskaras are a form of spiritual sadhana. There are special ceremonies to remove sins, bestow good quality and to increase intellect that are performed since in-utero life to death, called as Samskara.

Just as gold and diamonds that are dug out from the ore need refining and polishing in order to shine in their entire splendor, man too needs these Samskaras or purificatory ceremonies in order to shine in his best form physically, psychically and spiritually.

Samskaras (Sacraments) are rituals and sacrifices. By virtue of their performances the life of the performer receives a higher sanctity.

Ayurveda describes one theory as "Supraja japan". This "Supraja janan", as conceptualised in Ayurveda, involves the preparation of the couple planning pregnancy, three months prior to conception.The beginning is by pinda shuddhi or the purification of the gametes (sperm and ovum).
Samskaras impart a higher sanctity to life. Impurities associated with the material body are eradicated by performing samskaras.

Ancient Indian medicine (charak, susruta and other) has recognized the need for the mental,spiritual and physical preparation of the mother-to-be for the momentous event of childbirth and described detail in Garbhadana Samakara.
All these functions and other activities are done to get a healthy child.In summary Pregnancy should be by choice, and not by chance.

The variety of rites and rituals related to the samskaras help in the formation and development of personality. In the Parashar Smruti it is said, "Just as a picture is painted with various colors, so the character of a person is formed by undergoing various samskaras." Thus, the Hindu sages realised the need of consciously guiding and molding the character of individuals, instead of letting them grow in a haphazard manner. Impurities associated with the material body are eradicated by performing samskaras.

Removal of Dosha, Fulfillment of deficiencies, Increase in good qualities of Body and Soul are the uses of Samskaras. Samskaras are the procedures by which the mala, dosha, bad qualities, and deficiencies are removed from body as well as soul and good qualities are introduced and increased in both of them.

The ancient rishis and sages enjoined the sixteen samskaras for the eternal benefit of mankind through their direct experience with the Divine. 

The samskaras bring together family members, close relatives and friends, hence increase the cohesiveness of the family unit. Therein the unit harmonizes and strengthens the social structure. The consequence of this is a healthy society with a strong cultural identity which easily refines, boosts and perpetuates its traditional beliefs, customs, morals and values. These Samaskaras helps to build good society and so as country.

Samskars are the event done before conception up to death of person; so it is having social as well as medical significance. By all above Samskars, we can access the growth and development of child and can diagnosis any defect at certain age, which will help child to increase his skill of work as well as mental ability. This, also make person aware of his duty towards society and teach him how to behave in society, so that we can make crime free society. During the process of growth and development of child, undergoes different mental and physical changes in his body. 

Samkars help him to accept only good qualities and avoid bad conducts. Samkars also make aware of his responsibilities towards parents, wife, children and society.
There is unique relationship between Samskara and Culture. 

From birth till death, a human being is confined with various types of Samskaras and only these Samskaras grant him dignity and decorum, nourish him and purify him. It is this Samskara which introduces the perfection of humanity.
With these thoughts from the rituals at the time of birth of a child till the funeral ritual, our great Rishis have granted us the knowledge about our duties. It is only on the strength of the morale and good conduct that a man becomes Samskari and achieves a place of respect in the society.

It is very much essential that our children have in them Vedic code of conduct and discipline. If the best qualities and characteristics are cultivated in them right from their childhood then its impact remains through- out his life. Only those human beings have become human beings in real sense in whose life there is an impact of these Samskaras.

Samskaras are great, time-tested tools in our traditional systems which help carve out a great personality.
As a painting is made by joining the different kinds of colours with a brush, similarly by following the ritual consecrations, this body also becomes able to achieve BRAHMA (Salvation).

Thus, the entire life of a Hindu is one grand sacrament.
Postpartum :The birthing process for any woman is both physically traumatic and emotionally chaotic.

The ancient Rishis were well aware of the nature of childbirth and in order to facilitate a therapeutic environment instituted the concept of asaucham.

The period of asaucham prescribed after birth was for ten days and applied to the mother. During these ten days the mother was exempt from all domestic and ritual chores. The reason for this today is obvious for medical reasons. The new-born child receives its antibodies and ability to fight off infection through the mother’s milk. Therefore until its immunity is strengthened it should be protected from the possibility of catching infections from hordes of visitors.
The mother should be allowed to rest and to bond with her new-born child rather than expending unnecessary energy chatting to visitors. 

So even in modern society it is possible to maintain this tradition and avoid visiting new mothers before the ten day period is over.

There are specific times in the life of a human being that, according to Vedic philosophy, are said to greatly impact his or her character. These are called samskaras. These times and the rituals associated with them are a process of purification and divinizing. One of them is the seventh month of pregnancy, which is heavily emphasized (the first two are at the time of conception and during the fourth month of the pregnancy). 

During pregnancy, samskaras are celebrated for a happy course of the pregnancy and the good health of the mother and the baby during the pre-natal period. The significance of this samskara is highly important, as these ceremony purify and refine field (woman’reproductive system) and seed (sperms), thus the born child will posses high qualities.

Samskaras provide sound mental and physical health and the confidence to face life's challenges.

The word Saṁskāra is derived from the Sanskrit root meaning “to refine”. In the classical Sanskrit literature the word Sanskara is used in a very wide sense:— in the sense of education, cultivation, training, making perfect, refining, polishing, embellishment, impression, form, mould, operation, impression on the sub-conscious mind, a purificatory rite, a sacred rite or ceremony, consecration, sanctification and hallowing; idea, notion and conception; effect of work, merit of action, adorns one’s personality etc.

From conception to the end of childhood several precautionary measures and health care are taken for the well being of the mother and child. Likewise, rituals and ceremonies also play an important role in the health care and well being of the mother and child.

* Rituals and Ceremonies For Conception
* Rituals and Ceremonies during Pregnancy 
* Rituals and Ceremonies after Childbirth

Method of conception is described in Ayurveda in the form of certain rituals and regime to be followed before achievement of conception to acquire a desired progeny.

Ayurveda gives natural, scientific and simplified methods of obtaining a desirable pregnancy. By adopting these simple methods and following the rule, restrictions and specific regimen, one can procure a desirable, healthy, intelligent, beautiful progeny with strength, vigor and longevity.

The sage Gautama gives eight spiritual-virtues of the Self (ātma-guṇas), that need to be cultivated for spiritual unfoldment and this is achieved through the medium of the Saṁskāras.

The eight gunas or qualities of the Self are are: daya, ksanti, anasuya, sauca, anayasa, mangala, akarpaṇya, asprha..viz., compassion, forbearance, freedom from envy, purity, calmness, right behaviour, and freedom from greed and covetousness

Samskaras are the turning points of life and need to be celebrated. These rituals prepare the mind to assimilate not only the Vedic knowledge but also make one a person of character. 

So Samskaras are purificatory acts, making both body and mind pure and thereby helping one in spiritual upliftment.
Thus since the time of conception right upto the birth of the baby, family has to took all precautionary steps to guard the womb and the baby-to-be-bom against all evil influences.

16 RITES OF PASSAGE

IF YOU ARE PLANNING FOR PREGNANCY 16 SAMSKARAS ARE MORE IMPORTANT FOR YOU AND YOUR UNBORN BABY.

The ancient rishis and sages enjoined the sixteen samskaras for the eternal benefit of mankind through their direct experience with the Divine. 

Hindus believe that every aspect of life is sacred.
That is why each significant stage, from conception to cremation, is celebrated as a reminder that life is a gift from God which should be duly respected and lived according to His wishes. This is the first installment describing the significance of the 16 Samskaras. These samskaras are meant to cultivate positive qualities which help purify the soul and ultimately lead it to Realization, or union with God.

This sacrament is performed to ensure the physical and spiritual health of the baby by keeping the mother in good morale.

Samskraras in the Vaidic tradition are celebrations which include pertinent ceremonies, performance of rituals, chanting of mantras, use of specific herbs, fruits, flowers, grains etc.,..another meaning is “to refine or purify”

The variety of rites and rituals related to the samskaras help in the formation and development of personality.

Samskaras impart a higher sanctity to life. Impurities associated with the material body are eradicated by performing samskaras. 

Pre-natal Samskaras

1. Garbhadana Samsara (Conception) – Garbhaadhana is the conception ritual for having healthy children. The word, Garbhadana, is a combination of two Sanskrit words, Garbha, meaning the womb, and Dana, meaning a gift. Thus it literally means a gift of/to the womb, embodying perhaps one of the most beautiful concepts in the Vedic way of Life.
It is to be concluded that while conceiving a child one’s mind must be very sober and devotional. For this purpose the Garbhadhana-sanskara is recommended in the Vedic scriptures.

2. Pumsavana Samskara – is usually performed between the second and fourth month of pregnancy. Its purpose is: to insure the good health of the foetus and the proper formation of its organs.

3. Simantonoyana Samskara – In the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy & to protect the foetus–especially its newly forming mind–from all negative influences, and also to stimulate the development of the unborn child’s intellect.

CHILDHOOD SAMSKARA

4. Jatakarma Samskara is the ritual performed at the birth of a child noting the birth time and star to create a birth chart which would be the blue print of child's life.

5. Namakarana Samskara – After the child’s birth, namakarana Samskara is performed. In this ceremony, the child has given its name.

6. Nishkramana Samskara – The baby’s first outing into the world.

7. Annaprashana (First Feeding) – The first feeding of solid food to the baby, usually in the sixth month after birth.

8. Karnavedh (Piercing the earlobes)

9. Chudakarana Samskara – This ritual shaving of hair, performed with ceremony, prayers, and chanting of Vedic hymns.

EDUCATIONAL SAMSKARAS

10. Vidyarambha Samskara – Learning the alphabet, begins a student’s primary education by ceremonially introducing the child to the alphabet.

11. Upanayana Samskara – Sacred thread initiation

12. Vedarambha (Beginning Vedic study)

13 Keshant (Godaan) (Shaving the beard)

‘Kesh’ means hair and ‘ant’ means the end. This Samskara involves the first shaving of the beard by the student at the age of sixteen. The ceremony included gift giving such as to the barber and the teacher at his school.

14 Samavartan (End of studentship)-Sama Vartan’ meant ‘returning home from the house on completion of the studies of the Vedas and other scriptures in Gurukul when the student leaves his guru and gurukul Samavartan Sanskara is performed.

Marriage Samskara
(15) Vivaha (Marriage Ceremony)

Death Samskara
(16) Antyeshti (Death rites) – The final sacrament, the funeral rites, are known as antyeshti Samskara.

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