Sacraments

Sloka 91

What Are Hinduism's Rites of Passage?

Hindus celebrate life's major changes by holy sacraments, or rites of passage, called samskaras. These ceremonies deeply impress the mind, inspire sharing among family and community and bring blessings from the Gods.

Sloka 92

What Are the Sacraments of Childhood?

The essential religious sacraments of childhood are name-giving, called namakarana; head-shaving, or chudakarana; feeding of first solid food, or annaprasana; ear-piercing, or karnavedha; and the beginning of formal study, called vidyarambha.

Sloka 93

What Are the Sacraments of Adulthood?

The most important sacrament of adulthood is the marriage ceremony, or vivaha samskara, which follows a formal engagement. A boy's or girl's coming of age is also blessed through special ceremony in the home.

Sloka 94

What are the Sacraments For Child Birth?

The essential child-bearing samskaras are the rite of conception, garbhadhana; the third-month blessing, punsavana; the hair-parting ceremony, simantonnaya; and the rite welcoming the new-born child, jatakarma.

Sloka 95

Are There Rites for the Wisdom Years?

Special ceremonies may mark the entrance into the elder advisor stage at age 48, renewal of marriage vows at age 60, and the stage of renunciation at 72. Funeral rites, antyeshti samskara, honor the transition called death.