Kumkum- It's benefits and significance

Kumkum- It's benefits and significance an article by Forum for Hindu Awakening

1. Vermilion: An adornment for Hindu women

Subtle experiment of a woman wearing a synthetic mark (Bindi) and a woman wearing vermilion (Kumkum)): Look at the two pictures below with concentration and note whether you feel good, distressed or nothing at all after looking at the pictures.

Figure A	Figure B

Answer: By looking at the woman in picture ‘A’, one experiences distress. The woman shown in picture ‘A’ has applied a bindi on her forehead. By looking at the woman in picture ‘B’, one feels good. The woman shown in picture ‘B’ has applied Kumkum on her forehead.

1.1 The effect of applying a bindi (sticker bindis) on the forehead

The woman in picture ‘A’ above, has applied a bindi which can be stuck on the forehead in place of kumkum. The glue applied for sticking on the back of the bindis is made of artificial objects like paper, plastic etc. is Tama-dominant. The subtle effect of a bindi is as follows:

• Raja-Tama-dominant frequencies in the atmosphere are attracted towards the glue behind the bindi.
 
 
• These frequencies spread in the body of the woman wearing the bindi through the Āgnyā-chakra.
 
• As a result, the strength of the Raja-Tama particles in the woman’s body increases.

It is evident from this why one experiences distress by looking at the woman in picture ‘A' who has applied a bindi sticker on her forehead. Due to the lack of knowledge of Spiritual science some women overlook the auspicious things mentioned in Hindu Dharma.

1.2 The effect of applying vermilion (kumkum) on the forehead

In picture ‘B’, the woman has applied kumkum on the forehead. The subtle fragrance emitted by kumkum has the ability to attract and emit the pavitraka of Deities, that is, their subtlest particles in the Universe. Due to the saviour-destroyer Chaitanya-frequencies emitted by kumkum the woman wearing it is protected from negative energies. This explains why one gets good spiritual experiences by looking at the woman wearing kumkum.

Spiritual experience

Kumkum not wiped off even when in the sun or rain: I was regularly using a sticker bindi. On reading a message to seekers in the weekly ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ about ‘apply kumkum in place of a bindi’, I started applying kumkum from that very day onwards. Since then, till date, the kumkum I have applied for the day has never been wiped off even in the sun or upon getting wet in the rain. - Mrs. Manisha Kshirasagar, Maharashtra

1.3 Significance of applying kumkum on forehead (red dot on forehead)

Kumkum is a form of Shakti. Applying kumkum on the forehead is a symbol of Sanatan Hindu culture and also of sacredness and auspiciousness. In some regions Hindu women apply kumkum in the centre parting of their hair in addition to the forehead. Applying kumkum in the parting is also a symbol of the marital status of the Hindu woman.

1.4 Benefits of applying kumkum

A. The blood supply to the face muscles is facilitated: While applying kumkum, the points on the mid-brow region and Āgnyā-chakra are automatically pressed. This facilitates the blood supply to the face muscles.

B. After applying kumkum, the ability to attract the Shakti Principle is generated in the woman:

• The ability of the kumkum to attract the saviour and destroyer Shakti Principle is the highest.

• By a woman applying kumkum, the soul-energy is awakened in her.

• In this soul-energy, a tremendous ability to attract the saviour or destroyer Devi Principle is generated.

• The vibrations of the saviour Shakti Principle present in the woman are awakened.

• Due to this, the Shakti Principle pavitraks in the environment, that is, the subtlest particles of the Shakti Principle are attracted to the woman.

• Due to kumkum, obstacles are created in the entry of the negative energies in the body of the woman through the Āgnyā-chakra.

1.5 Effect of fragrance, colour and Shakti of kumkum

Due to the fragrance of kumkum, the subtle excretory air in the woman’s body is disintegrated. Particles of Absolute Fire Element (Tēj-tattva) are emitted through the colour pigments present in the kumkum and are gained by the woman. Due to the Shakti frequencies present in the kumkum, the sāttvik frequencies present in the environment are absorbed and emitted as per the need.

Spiritual experience: Once, a woman distressed by negative energy perceived a black covering on her face. After bathing, upon applying kumkum, white rays were emitted from it due to which the woman felt that the black covering on her face and the feeling of heaviness and her thoughts reduced.

Through this spiritual experience one can understand that through kumkum(red dot on forehead), a woman gains Tēj in the form of white rays due to which the black covering formed on her face reduces.

	Benefit (Percentage)	Effect on the woman
1. Fragrance of kumkum	5	Increase in vital energy, disintegration of excretory air
2. Colour of kumkum	5	Disintegration of black energy due to the Absolute Fire Principle emitted by the colour particles
3. Shakti of kumkum	20	Awakening of the Ādnyā-chakra due to Shakti frequencies and absorption and emission of the source of sāttvik frequencies in the atmosphere as per the need

1.6 Time and appropriate ritual of applying kumkum

Normally Hindu women apply kumkum after the morning ablutions, after bath and after washing the face. For applying kumkum, the ring finger should be used. If wax is applied before the kumkum, it remains there for a longer time.

1.7 Spiritual reasons for using the ring finger to apply kumkum on oneself

• As the ring finger is associated with the Absolute Water Principle, the frequencies of the Absolute Water Principle are emitted through the ring finger.
• With the help of these frequencies, the Shakti Principle present in kumkum is awakened in a short time.
• This awakened Shakti Principle spreads in the form of a flow in the Ādnyā-chakra of the woman who wears the kumkum.

As a result, the Raja-guna function of the woman gains strength in the form of Shakti.

1.8 Effects of applying kumkum (red dot) on the forehead of a woman

• The kumkum, being sāttvik, attracts the Divine Principle. A spiral of this Divine Principle is generated in the kumkum and is activated.

• A flow of Chaitanya is attracted in the kumkum and its spiral is generated and it remains activated. A spiral of Chaitanya is emitted from the kumkum. In the body of the woman wearing the kumkum, Chaitanya frequencies are spread and due to this the black energy stored in her body cells is destroyed. A sheath of Chaitanya is created around the body of the woman due to which her body and mind are purified.

• The flows of Shakti are attracted in the kumkum. A spiral of destroyer Shakti filled with particles of Dharma Shakti is created in the kumkum and it becomes activated. A spiral of saviour Shakti is generated in the kumkum and it remains activated. Flows of Shakti are emitted by the kumkum. The Shakti particles are spread in the body of the woman who applies the kumkum. These particles are also emitted in the environment. A protective sheath of Shakti is generated around the body of the woman who wears kumkum. As a result the black energy in the body of the woman is removed.

Vibrations by applying kumkum	Proportion (Percentage)
Shakti	3
Chaitanya	2
Divine Principle	2

 

1.9 Application of kumkum to others

While applying kumkum to others, be it a man or a woman, the middle finger should be used. By using the middle finger which has a maximum of the Absolute Fire Principle, one’s own body is protected.

Subtle effects of application of kumkum by one woman to another:

• While application of kumkum by one woman to another with the middle finger, Divine Shakti is attracted in the kumkum.

• A spiral of this Shakti is generated in the kumkum and these spirals spread through the body of the woman to whom the kumkum has been applied.

• Due to the touch of kumkum, Chaitanya flows in the body of the woman applying the kumkum.

 

1.10 Effects of kumkum on women suffering from distress by negative energies

Due to the sāttviktā of kumkum, the women affected by negative energies experience distress such as continuous itching at the place where kumkum is applied, developing a rash, feeling like ‘not to apply kumkum’, the kumkum getting wiped out automatically etc. Due to kumkum, the women are able to absorb Chaitanya. Hence, to prevent the woman from applying kumkum, the negative energies distress women.

Spiritual experience: At the time of doing aukshan of a seeker kumkum was applied on her forehead. The seeker experienced that a rapid flow of Energy entered her body through the Ādnyā-chakra. She experienced a burning sensation in her stomach.

From the seeker’s spiritual experience it is understood that the ornament ‘kumkum’ is not only for enhancing the beauty.

 

1.11 Effects of applying kumkum or sindur(sindoor) in the hair parting by married hindu women

A. It being possible to keep the flame of warrior radiance constantly awakened in husband: In earlier times by looking at the kumkum or sindur in the parting of married Hindu women, the warrior attitude and enthusiasm of men used to increase. For this reason, it is appropriate from the viewpoint of both psychology and Spirituality.

B. Protection from negative energies: The head of women is more soft and sensitive than men. Hence, in order to protect this part of the body from the negative energies, the sindur(sindoor) is filled in the hair parting.

 

1.12 Spiritual science underlying the use of kumkum being more appropriate than sindur (sindoor)

Due to the destroyer Principle in kumkum, the subtle body of the woman is protected from negative energies. The proportion of destroyer Principle is less in sindur(sindoor) than in the kumkum. This is the reason why the use of kumkum is more appropriate and beneficial than the sindur(sindoor).

 

1.13 Reason for application of kumkum by widows being unauthorised by Scriptures

A. Obstacle in the onward journey of the dead husband’s subtle body: After the death of husband, while applying kumkum the woman remembers her husband because of which the subtle body of the husband is again compelled to come to the Earth.

B. Sacrifice of the Great Illusion (Māyā) and creation of sense of detachment in self: After the death of husband, it is necessary to awaken a sense of detachment in the woman. Hence she has to sacrifice the ornaments that are suggestive of state of a married woman. Hence, this conduct assists a widow to proceed on the path of God realisation.

Due to lack of religious education and the increasing influence of Western culture, some widows say, ‘So what if the husband is dead?’ and indulge in irreligious conducts by doing inappropriate actions like applying kumkum on the forehead and wearing a mangalasutra. By doing so, they also cause spiritual harm to the husband. In order to prevent the harm, they should pay attention to observing righteous conducts in daily life seriously.

Sacral Chakra or Swadishtana Chakra

Post is written by Dr.Manisha from Spiritual Konnect : http://www.spiritualkonnect.org

Sacral Chakra Sacral Chakra, also known as Swadhishtana Chakra is located in the sacral region, hence the name Sacral Chakra. To locate it on your body, imagine a rotating wheel about two inches below naval. This Chakra is responsible for the feeling of Self worth. You get the “gut feeling” right here in this Chakra. Sacral Chakra is our radar for the psychic phenomena like intuition and the secret place where we harbor our desires, sexuality, and the “need for respect” from others.     Now visualize the body parts that are a part of this region. This Chakra affects ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus in females, adrenals, testicles in males, hips, pelvis, prostrate, small intestine, urinary bladder, spleen, and lower abdomen. This Chakra is also known to affect the circulatory and lymphatic system, and also Urino-genital system. Therefore, if this Chakra is not balanced, it may manifest in the form of illnesses of the above written body parts.     Psychologically, it has a great impact on our emotions, feelings, intimate relationships, expression and acceptance of sexuality, psychic instincts, procreation, and social security. This Chakra mainly helps an individual to feel recognized and satisfied in all spheres of his or her life.     Emotionally it has a direct impact on one’s desires. The color of this chakra is ORANGE. An underactive Sacral Chakra makes one feel insecure, possessive, envious, angry, arrogant, withdrawn, victimized, guilty, confused, and more materialistic; while an overactive Sacral Chakra may bring in emotional instability, hyperactivity, hypersensitivity, restlessness, and will make an individual lustful, selfish, controlling others, judgmental, overly attached to things, thoughts and opinions of self and others. This Chakra stores the information about our childhood—pleasures, traumas, emotional well being—expression or repression of our feelings, emotions during childhood.     To balance this Chakra you may consider doing the following : Imagine a vibrant orange beam of light, entering your body at the Sacral Chakra from all the sides of your body. Same as in Root Chakra, imagine the orange beam converting into a spinning wheel. At first, imagine the wheel spinning anticlockwise. This will deplete negative energy, if any; and then spin the wheel clockwise. This will absorb positive energy from the universe. You may consider doing some creative activities like music, dance, an art form, belly dancing, listening to sensual songs etc. to balance this Chakra. You should consider doing meditation.  Depending upon the energy of your Sacral Chakra, you may reduce or enhance the use of color Orange on your body and in surroundings.

Root Chakra or Muladhara Chakra

Post is written by Dr.Manisha from Spiritual Konnect : http://www.spiritualkonnect.org

Root Chakra

Root Chakra, also known as Muladhara Chakra is located at the base of the spine. To locate it on your body, imagine yourself sitting cross-legged on the floor. The place exactly between the sex organs and the anal opening is the place of the Root Chakra. As the name suggests, this Chakra is responsible for the feeling of grounding yourself. This is the only Chakra that is in direct contact with the earth, and hence is responsible for the energy flow from our body toward the earth and vice versa. Now visualize the body parts that come in this region. This Chakra affects kidneys, adrenals, sex organs, hips, pelvis, large intestine, urinary bladder, legs, male gonads and tail bone (coccyx). This Chakra is also known to affect the blood circulation, nails, teeth and bones. Therefore, if this Chakra is not balanced, it may manifest in the form of illnesses of anus, rectum, sexual disorders in males, constipation, fluctuation in body temperature, anemia etc. Psychologically, it has a great impact on our behavior, impulsiveness, grounding, the feeling of belongingness, sexuality, vitality, survival instinct, and security. This Chakra mainly helps an individual to feel satisfied in his or her material world. Emotionally it provides the passion for anything and everything. The color of this chakra is RED. An underactive Root Chakra makes one feel insecure, fearsome, anxious, impulsive, and lonely; while an overactive Root Chakra may bring in falsehood in behavior, ego, lust, and excessive hunger for money. This Chakra stores the information about our past beliefs, biases, physical pleasures and pains, and importantly basic instincts. To balance this Chakra you may consider doing the following : Imagine a vibrant red beam of light, entering your body at the Root Chakra. Imagine the beam converting into a spinning wheel. At first, imagine the wheel spinning anticlockwise. This will deplete negative energy, if any; and then spin the wheel clockwise. This will absorb positive energy from the universe. You may listen to some tribal music, drum beats, or any soft music to balance this Chakra. You may even consider doing some physical exercises like yoga, Mantra meditation, walking, jogging etc. Depending upon the energy of your Root Chakra, you may reduce or enhance the use of color RED on your body and in surroundings. I sincerely wish that you all have a balanced Root Chakra so as to have satisfaction in your material life. Once this Chakra is balanced, you may go up toward the Sacral Chakra.

Introduction to Body Chakras

Whenever I have tried to read and learn about the Significance of our Samskaras/rituals/routines, always there  has been a mention of empowering and balancing  body chakras. So, to the benefit of all seekers regarding this information on Chakras, I thought of sharing the articles written by Smt.Dr.Manisha who holds a PHD in Metaphysical Science and is a Spritual Counsellor in Mumbai. Her articles can be read on http://www.spiritualkonnect.org/. Articles shall be in parts covering all 7 Chakras.

Picture is from Wikipedia

The Body Chakras

They are basically energy vortices along the spinal cord; starting at the last vertebra—coccyx and ending at the crown (head). When we talk of Chakras, we generally talk of the seven major Chakras. These are supposed to have major impact on our well being—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Chakras are wheels of energy that exchange our inner energy with the universal energies. These universal energies are comprised of the energies of nature, celestial energies, our own thoughts, emotions, traumas, and the energies from surroundings.

It is said that for every physical part of our body there is a corresponding Chakra. There are approximately 80,000 Chakras in our body. That means every cell of our body is connected to a Chakra—major, minor, or even at lower levels some way or another. As we learn about Chakras, you’ll notice that every major Chakra corresponds to an endocrine gland of our body.

Imagine these Chakras as a pipe running along the length of your body. When you visualize Chakras; you should be able to see a clear pipe, without any blockages. Such passage will only allow a proper and healthy flow of energy in our body. If there is a blockage, the flow of energy will be disrupted and the blocked energy will manifest in some form of imbalance—physical, mental, emotional or spiritual.

Therefore, one must be very careful about his or her thoughts, emotions, resolving issues, getting over a trauma, and interaction with his or her inner-self, universe, and surroundings.

Chakras- Our Energy Centers

Chakras are energy centers in our body, and hence are vulnerable to attracting energies that may or may not be conducive to one’s growth. What do I mean by this sentence? We have learned some time back that thoughts are energy, and there are other vibrations also in the universe around us. Every thought generates energy in the form of thoughts that follow the first thought, or in some kind of an action. If the very first thought was positive, it is likely to generate other positive thoughts and actions; but if it was not, negative thoughts and actions are generated. We all know that in metaphysics, “Like attracts like.” So if there are positive thoughts, they will attract positive energy; and vice versa. Energy generated from every thought, every action will end up either opening a Chakra or blocking it. If it is open it will attract more positive energy; and if it is blocked, it goes on attracting negative energy. This negative energy blocks the Chakra further and manifests in the form of various illnesses. Apart from our own thoughts, Chakras are affected by the thought vibrations of people around us and surroundings. Again, positive vibrations will attract positive vibes, and negative ones—negative vibes. So be cautious of what to think, talk, do, and also watch your company. Chakras are also affected by feelings—happiness, love, compassion, selflessness, satisfaction, meaning, give and take, ability to forgive and forget and any other positive feeling; and also by negative feelings like—fear, guilt, anxiety, revenge, stress, and any other emotional traumas. Colors too play an important role in Chakras’ health as every Chakra vibrates on a particular frequency. Excessive use of any particular color may influence the health of a Chakra. For more information or queries: http://www.spiritualkonnect.org/

Hand Mudras

Five fingers on our hand represent the "five elements" or "Pancha Tatwa" our body is made of. The Thumb represents Fire, Index finger-Wind, Middle finger-Heaven(Sky)/Ether, Ring Finger-Earth, and the little finger-Water.

In Indian society we still use our hand while eating, especially at home. This is a very good practice as it brings all the five elements together. This helps in balancing all of them at one go. Also we blow Prana in our food by doing so. So please make sure that you eat at least one meal in a day, the very Indian Traditional way. This is the best way to balance Five Elements in our body.

Health in Your Hand: Ten Mudras for Amazing Health Benefits

Mudras are very powerful. If you practice these mudras regularly you can see the wonderful health benefits.

1. Gyan Mudra (Mudra of Knowledge):

Method:

Touch the tip of the thumb to the tip of the index finger, with the other three fingers stretched out.

Significance:

As it is a mudra of knowledge, it enhances the knowledge. The tip of thumb has centers of pituitary and endocrine glands. When we press these centers by index finger the two glands work actively.

Time duration:

There is no particular time duration for this mudra. You can practice by sitting, standing or lying on bed whenever and wherever you have time.

Benefits:

1. Increases memory power and sharpens the brain.
2. Enhances concentration and prevents Insomnia.
3. If we practice it regularly, it will cure all psychological disorders like Mental, Hysteria, Anger and Depression.

2. Prithvi Mudra (Mudra of Earth):

Method:

Tip of the ring finger touches the tip of the thumb, with the other three fingers stretched out.

Significance:

It reduces all physical weaknesses.

Time Duration:

It has no particular time duration. You can practice it any time you want.

Benefits:

1. It helps to increase the weight for weak people .
2. It improves the complexion of skin and makes the skin to glow.
3. It makes the body active by keeping it healthy.

3. Varuna Mudra (Mudra of Water):

Method:

Tip of little finger touches the tip of thumb, with the other three fingers stretched out.

Significance:

It balances the water content and prevents all diseases which come due to lack of water.

Time Duration:

It has no specific time duration and one can practice it according to their time.

Benefits:

1. It retains clarity in blood by balancing water content in the body .
2. Prevents the pains of Gastroenteritis and Muscle Shrinkage.

4. Vayu Mudra (Mudra of Air):

 Method:

Keep the index finger on the base of the thumb and press with thumb keeping the other three fingers straight.

Significance:

It prevents all the diseases that occur due to the imbalance of the air.

Time Duration:

The practice of this mudra for 45 minutes reduces the severity of the disease in 12 to 24 hours.

Benefits:

1. It cures Rheumatism, Arthritis, Gout, Parkinson's disease and paralysis without any medicine.
2. It is useful for Cervical Spondilytis, paralysis to face and catching of nerve in neck.
3. It corrects the disorder of gas in the stomach.

5. Shunya Mudra (Mudra of Emptiness):

Method:

Keep the middle finger at the mount of Venus and press it with thumb.

Significance:

It reduces the dullness in our body.

Time Duration:

One can practice it for 40 to 60 minutes daily until to be cured from the disease.

Benefits:

1. It relieves an earache within 4 or 5 minutes.
2. It is useful for the people who have developed hearing problem.

6. Surya Mudra (Mudra of Sun):

Method:

Bend the ring finger and press it with thumb.

Significance:

It sharpens the center in thyroid gland.

Time Duration:

Practice it daily twice for 5 to 15 minutes.

Benefits:

1. It reduces cholesterol in body and helps in reducing weight.
2. It reduces anxiety .
3. It corrects indigestion problems.

7. Prana Mudra (Mudra of Life):

 Method:

Bend ring finger and little finger and touch the tip of thumb with their tips keeping the remaining two fingers stretched.

Significance:

As it is the mudra of life, it improves the power of life. Weak people become strong. It reduces the clamps in blood vessels. If we practice it regularly, we will become active.

Time Duration:

No specific time duration. One can practice it any time.

Benefits:

1. It improves immunity.
2. Improves the power of eyes and reduces eye related diseases.
3. It removes the vitamin deficiency and fatigue.

8. Apana Mudra (Mudra of Digestion):

Method:

The tips of middle finger and ring finger touch the tip of thumb while the other two fingers are stretched out.

Significance:

It plays an important role in our health as it regulates the excretory system.

Time Duration:

Practice it daily for 45 minutes, but practice for longer time yields more benefits.

Benefits:

1. It regulates diabetes
2. It cures constipation and piles
3. It helps excreting the normal waste regularly

9. Apana Vayu Mudra (Mudra of Heart):

Method:

The tips of the middle finger and ring finger touch the tip of thumb, while the index finger touches the base of thumb and little finger stretched out.

Significance:

It benefits the heart. It works like injection in the reduction of heart attack. It is as powerful as sorbitate tablet. It reduces the gas content in body.

Time Duration:

Practice it as many times as you can. Heart patients and BP patients can practice it for 15 minutes daily twice for better results.

Benefits:

1. It strengthens the heart and regularizes palpitation.
2. It regulates excretory system.
3. It redeems gastric trouble.

10. Linga Mudra (Mudra of Heat):

Method:

Interlock the fingers of both the hands and keep the thumb of the left hand vertically straight and encircle it with the thumb and the index finger of the right hand.

Significance:

It generates heat in our body. Take milk, ghee, more water and fruit juices in addition to practice of this mudra for much benefits.

Time Duration:

Practice it any time you want. But don't practice it a lot as it produces heat in the body.. It can cause sweating even in winter if you practice it longer.

Benefits:

1. It stops production of phlegm and gives power to lungs.
2. It cures severe cold and bronchial infection.
3. It invigorates the body .

Note:

Above information has been obtained through two sources. The first one is my yoga teacher from Vivekananda Yoga Kendra, Hebbal and the second one is  Smt.Manisha who is a doctorate in Metaphysical Humanistic Science with specialization in Spiritual Counseling in Mumbai.  The above information is a compilation of what I learnt from both of them. I hope this post will be liked by some. If you like it, please leave me a comment :).

The Samskaras

A samskara is a rite of passage, and virtually every world culture has such ceremonies. Rites of passage are ceremonies that mark important events in the life of an individual.In Sanskrit the word samskara literally means, “making perfect” or “refining,” and so a samskara is a ceremony of refinement, which is to say, refining or raising an individual beyond his or her mere physical existence and marking a higher spiritual existence. Samskaras bind an individual into his or her social group.

All human beings, especially the Dvija or twice-born are required to perform a number of sacrifices with oblations for gods, Ancestors and Guardians in accordance with the Vedic dictums for a Dharmic or righteous life. Basically all these rituals are of the nature of purification, and they remove sins (pāpa) and/or bestow good qualities (gunas).

In Hinduism, as with most religious cultures, samskaras are sacred ceremonies performed with the help of a priest and in the presence of family and friends.

The 16 Sanskaras

Although, the number of major samskaras fluctuates between 12 and 18 in the Grhya Sutras, later, it became 16  generally known as "Shodasha Samskaras".

In practice, however, there are only about eight samskaras that are regularly performed.The most common ceremonies are a pre-birth ceremony (Simantoyannayana), the name giving ceremony (Nama Karana), a first grains ceremony (Anna Prashanna), the first hair cutting (Chudakarana), starting school (Vidyarambha), the holy thread ceremony (Upanayana), marriage (Vivaha) and the funeral (Antyesthi). As I briefly describe these ceremonies, be aware that there is a lot regional variation, and how a ceremony may be preformed in one community may vary a lot from how it is performed in another community.

1.Garbhadhana

Garbhadhana (literally, gifting the womb), is the act of conception. This is the first sacrament which followed immediately on every matrimonial union. There are a number of rites performed before conception.

The different Grhyasutras differ in their point of view, whether the garbhadhana is to be performed only once, during the first conception, or every time the woman conceives. In the first case it is considered as a kshetra-samskara (once the kshetra, or 'field', has been purified, it remains pure), and in the second case as a garbha-samskara (every time the garbha, or 'womb' conceives, it needs to be purified).

 

2.Pumsavana

 Pumsavana (literally, engendering a male issue) is a ritual conducted in the third month of pregnancy. If it is the first pregnancy, it can be in the forth month also. The pregnant woman consumes one bead of barley and two beads of black grain, along with a little curd. This is accompanied by religious chanting.

The time prescribed for the pumsavana differs in different Grhyasutras, and can be extended up to the eight month of pregnancy, according to some. Some grhyasutras also give a later date for pregnancies after the first (which might be related to the fact that the signs of pregnancy are less prominent during the first few months, if the woman has already given birth once).

3.Simanatonnayana

Simantonnayana  (literally, parting the hair) sacrament is performed in the fourth or fifth month of a woman's first pregnancy. Simantonnayana is conducted for the protection of the mother at the critical period of gestation. This samskara is performed to both invoke protection of the mother and unborn child from demons and spirits that might want to cause harm to the mother and child, as well as to ensure good health, success and prosperity for the unborn child.

Fragrant oil is poured on the head of pregnant woman. A line of parting is drawn three times through her hair from the forehead upwards with three stalks of 'Kusha' grass bound together. The Pranava mantram Aum and the sacred words called Vyahritis (Bhur, Bhuvah, Svah) are chanted during each operation. If the child is still-born, this has to be repeated during the next pregnancy.

 4.Jatakarman

Jatakarman (literally, natal rites) is meant for the development of the intellect of the child. When a male child is born, the ritual connected with birth is performed immediately (within 90 Naazhika). A small portion of a mixture of gold, ghee and honey is given to the new born infant. This rite symbolises good fortune.

5.Namakarana

Namakarana) (literally, naming) ceremony is performed to name the child. It is performed on the 12th day after birth.

 

6.Nishkramana

 Nishkramana (literally, first outing) is taking the child outside the house for the first time. The child is usually taken out into the open only in the fourth month after birth.

7.Annaprashana

Annaprashana (literally, feeding food) ritual, which takes place when a child is six months old, is the first time the child eats solid food, in India, rice. A few grains of rice mixed with ghee are fed to the infant. This is an important ritual among all sections of Hindus.

8.Chudakarana

Chudakarana (literally, arrangement of the hair tuft), also known as choulam or mundana (literally, tonsure) is the ceremony of cutting child's hair for first time. In the child's third or fifth year, the head is shaved, leaving behind a small tuft of hair.

9.Karnavedha

Karnavedha (literally, ear-piercing) is piercing the ears. This is done with a particular thorn. Butter is applied to the wound. It is applicable to both male and femalechildren.

10.Vidyarambha

Vidyarambha (or Akshararambha) (literally, commencement of studies) is done either when the child attains three or five years. On the tongue of the child the letters "Hari Sri Ganapataye Namah Avignamastu" and all the alphabets are written with a piece of gold. The child is made to write the same letters from "Hari Sri" onwards with its index finger on raw rice in a bell metal vessel and the child is made to utter each word when it is written. Either the father of the child or an eminent teacher officiates at this ritual.

11.Upanayana

Upanayana is the ceremony of wearing the sacred thread called Yajñopaveetam. When male child attains eight years, the wearing of the sacred thread Yajñopavita, is ceremoniously done. It is taking the child to the teacher for initiation of formal education. The upanayanam ceremony is followed by brahmopadesham - teaching Gayatri mantra to the boy.

12.Praishartha

Praishartha (or Vedarambha) is the learning of Vedas and Upanishads in‘Gurukulam’ or ‘Pāṭhaśāla’. In the beginning of each academic period there is a ceremony called Upakarma and at the end of each academic period there is another ceremony called Upasarjanam.

13.Keshanta and Ritusuddhi

Keshanta (literally, getting rid of hairs) is the first shave. It is ceremoniously performed for a boy at his age of 16.

Ritusuddhi is a ceremony associated with a girl's first menstruation.

14.Samavartana

Samavartana (literally, graduation) is the ceremony associated with the end of formal education of Vedas in ‘Gurukula’ or ‘Pāṭhaśāla’. This ceremony marks the end of studenthood. This also marks the end of Brahmacharya ashrama of life.

 15.Vivaha

  Vivaha (Marriage) The Ritual of marriage.

 16.Antyeshti

Antyeshti (literally, last rites), sometimes referred to as Antima Sanskara, are the rituals associated with funeral. This samskara is not mentioned in the lists of samskaras in most of the grhyasutras and other texts that speak about samskaras. The details and procedures of this rite are given in separate texts, dealing only with this topic. The reason for leaving this rite out is that it is not considered as a pure and auspicious rite, and it should therefore not be mentioned along with the other, pure, samskaras.

*The above mentioned Samskaras are quoted in Manusmrti and Grhya Sutras, the ancient texts of India.

Devara mane - 2

Shri Sridhar and Smt.Suma Sridhar avara maneya Devaramane, bengaluru

Shri Govinda Rao and Smt.Shantha Govindarao avara maneya Devaramane, bengaluru