Insert title here

ISSN: 2583-3677

HTML Full Text

Review Article


Year: 2023 |Volume: 2 | Issue: 01 |Pages: 11-17


“Scientific applicability of Shodasha Samskara”.

About Author

Katkar S. 1 , Katkar D.2

1Assistant Professor, Panchakarma Dept., Bhausaheb Mulak Ayurved Medical College, Nagpur.

2Assistant Professor, Dravyaguna Dept.,Govt. Ayurved College, Nagpur.

Correspondence Address:

Vd. Katkar Supriya Dattatray Assistant Professor, Panchakarma Dept., Bhousaheb Mulak Ayurved Medical College, Nagpur. E-mail:- dr.deshmukhsupriya@gmail.com Mobile No. 8888145439

Date of Acceptance: 2022-12-24

Date of Publication:2022-01-11

Article-ID:AYU_77_01_23 https://ayuscript.com

Source of Support: Nill

Conflict of Interest: None declared

How To Cite This Article: Katkar S. Katkar D. “Scientific applicability of Shodasha Samskara”. AYUSCRIPT 2023;2(1):11-17

Abstract

The first aim of Ayurved is to maintain good health and strong well-being and prevent unborn diseases . Ayurveda describes not only how to cure diseases but also lights up on prevention aspects, which are very effective in maintaining the health of the body, mind, and soul. Here we study the action of Rakshoghna Gana in Dhoopan karma(fumigation) to purify the air rather than face the polluted environment's disorders . We live in full billions of microorganisms. A maximum of them are not harmful but some of them are hazardous to children and old age, immunocompromised, and hin satva people. Hence proper sterilization and proper disinfection are necessary. But modern science disinfection processes many side effects. So, there is a constant need to develop disinfectant methods with negligible side effects. Due to many reasons like effectiveness, convenience, and cost, modern physical and chemical fumigating agents have been replaced by these classical techniques. The present study is aimed to compile the classical concept of Dhoopan Karma described in Sushrut Samhita.

KEYWORDS: Shodasha, Samskara,Dhoopan, Rakshoghna

Introduction

The word Samskar is derived from root word “Kri” with “Sam” Upasarga i.e., religious customs. “Samskaro Hi Gunantaradhanam” means which improve qualitative by incorporating the specific qualities. Samskaras are the rite of passage in a human beings life in our science. They includes important cultural event in a individual life from birth to till death. The number of Samskaras varies in different “Granthas” i.e. it about 16-40, but applicable Samskaras are 16 (Shodasha) in number from Garbhadhan to Anteysthi Samskara

Number of Samskaras – According to Gautama -40 according to Manusmriti -13 and according to Maharshi Dayanand-16 in number. Ayurveda is an ancient science which explains our traditions and Smskaras in different manner. “Samskaras” are the rites of passage in a human beings life. “Samskarohi Gunantaradhanm.” by Samskara improvement qualitative by specific qualities.

Aims and Objects:

  1. Scientific applicability of Shodasha Samskara .
  2. This Samskara would be definitely think twice before doing a sin.
  3. Samskara does killing of our inner demon.
  4. Improve and development of our cultural ceremony which is rite passage.

Materials and Method:

The literary material is collected from various classical Ayurvedic text and pediatrics text, journals etc. Classical description is correlated with changes in developmental milestone as per contemporary text.

Number of Samskara:

  1. In Manusmruti -13
  2. In Gautama Grihya Sutra -40
  3. Mharshi Dayanand-16
  4. Here explain 16 Samskara which traditionally accepted.

Classification of Samskara:

  1. Garbhavastha:-
      1. Garbhadhan
      2. Punsavanam
      3. Seemantonayanam
  2. Balyavastha:-
  1. Jaatakarmaam
  2. Namakaranam
  3. Annapraashanam
  4. Choodaakaranam
  5. Karnavedhanam
  6. Upanayanam
  7. Vedaarambham
  1. Yuvavastha :-
  1. Samaavartanam
  2. Vivaaham
  3. Vaanprastha
  4. Sanyasam
  5. Antyesthi

Samskara start during Intra-uterine period -

1) Garbhadhan Saskara[1,2]-This Samskara relates to conception. It should be only after marriage. Both partners should be complete Viryavan after Shodhan,this purity the seed of both partners i.e. ovum and sperm thus born child. Male have good health and complete Virya undergo this Samskara said by Acharya Charak. Kashyapa describe detail method of “Putreshti Yagna.’’

Significance of Garbhadhan-This ceremony purifies and refines field and seed, born healthy child.

2) Punsavahan Samskara[3,4,5]- A male procreation so the process which is adopted for achieving progeny of desired sex is known as Punsavan Karma.This performed in second month or before Vyaktibhava, according to Charak Sangraha of Banyan tree, Dhanyamash and Gaurasarsapa Should be taken with curd during Pushynakshatra. According to Sushruta paste of Jivak, Rishabhak, Apamarga and Sahacchara taken with milk.

Significance of Punsavahan- The significance of this Samskara is to invoke celestial and excellent qualities in the child. This will strengthen the relation of husband and wife and bound them together by a common desire for male child.

3) Simantonayan Samskara[6]- This is derived from “Seemant”this vernacular word literally means brain, while “Utnayan ”literally means development. It is usually performed in 4th or 5th or 6th or 7th or 8th month. In Ayurvedic texts during period of pregnancy, Acharyas advised month wise various dietetic regimen and mode of conducts for pregnant woman which results in normal development of fetus who has good health, strength, voice, compactness etc. Acharya also advised that if mother not follow proper advised lifestyle then it may result in Doshas vitiation which produced abnormality in fetus.

Significance of Simantonayan-This Samskara is to bring prosperity to the mother and long life to the unborn child.

4)Jatkarma Samskara[7,8]- According to Ghrihyasutra it is to be performed before the cutting of umbilical cord ,while Charaka has stated that after the cutting of umbilical cord ,Jatkarma Samskara should be performed. On first day of birth, child should be given first feeding honey and Ghrita consecrated with Mantra as given for this purpose. Thereafter, milk from the right breast should be offered to the child. Acharya Sushruta says that on first day after performing Nalachhedan, honey and Ghruta mixed with Ananta powder in minute quantity concerned with Mantras should be offerd to the newborn thrice a day. On second and third day Ghrita medicated with Lakshmana ,on fourth day honey Ghrita in the amount which fills the palm of neonate given teo time and after that breast feeding should be started According to Vagbhata ,Jatkarma should be performed by Prajaptya method.

Significance of Jatkarma Samskara-

1) By this ceremony we should examine the baby to rule out anomalies such as cleft pallet, hare lips, trachea-esophageal fistula, fissured tongue etc.

2) It promotes breastfeeding as weirs beneficial to mother for help in uterine involution, reduces PPH protect against pregnancy.

3) Sucking as well as Sucking-Swallowing reflex coordination is assessed.   

4) Frist feed initiates gastrointestinal movements and activates the gut .

5) Honey has anti-microbial properties which enhances immunity.

6)Ghrita increases Smriti,Medha  , Kanti,voice, oja ,strength, Vishahar ,Rakshoghan.

7) Use of gold increase intellect, digestive and metabolic power, strength

5) Naamkarana Samskara[9]-This ceremony gives special identity to that child. According to Sushruta it done on 10th day, According to Charaka it should be on 10th or 12th day .According to Astanga Sangraha it should on 10th or 12th day .According to Astanga Hridayam end of 10th day .

Significance of NaamakaranaIt give specific identity to the child to know in world.

6)Nishkraamanam Samskara[10]-This is nothing but outgoing ceremony In this the formal Darshana of Sun and Moon is done for child .According to Kshyapa on 4th month the child should be come out from his house in this child is expose to some sort of external environment by visual and auditory.

Significance of Nishkraamana-

1) This help to confirm the proper function of the sense organ’s especially eye, ear.

2) During early weeks eye movement and coordination may not be perfect so child should be recognizing the things AYUSH.

7) Upaveshana Samskara[11] – It should be done on 6th month according to Kashyapa. Baby should not be sit for a longer time. If it not observed properly then it develop kyphosis, weakness of lumber region, exhaustion, fever, constipation, retention of urine and timpanists. According to Vagbhata 5th month on an auspicious day, the child should be placed on ground. According to Sushruta child should be allowed to sit for a longer time gradually.

Significance of Upaveshana

1) It assess in 5th or 6th month child is able to sit with support, it hold things and put in mouth.

2) It assesses physical neurological growth of child.

8)Annaprashana Samskara[12,13]- According to Kshyapa Phalaprashana should be done in 6th month while in 10th month after eruption of teeth Annaprashana is indicated. According to Sushruta at 6th month light food should be given and which is Hitkar to child. According to Vagbhata on 6th month solid food should be given as per required and beast feeding discontinued gradually.

Significance of Annaprashana

1) It provides essential nutrition like iron which is deficient in mother milk.

2) After eruption of teeth child should be given substitute fruit juice, light and digestible nutrient.

3) It change the taste and improve the sensation of taste.

4) At the age of 6th month breast milk is not sufficient to child growth it is proper time to improve his digestive capacity to providing a light food and fruit juice.

5) Vitamin-C  provide to child which is insufficient getting him by a mothers breast milk, cow milk or any other milk.

6) It develop intrauterine and extra uterine life properly it ensure adequate nutrition, prevent diseases, it adapt to environment for further survival, gives individual identity and educate the child.

9)Choodakaram[14,15] - Choodakarma should be done at the end of 1st year and before the 3rd year said by Manusmriti. According to the Charak the utility of Choodakarama is Paustika (nutritive), Vrishya (aphrodisiac), Ayushya (for increasing life) Suchi (cleanliness) and Rupavirajana (increasing personality).

Significance of Choodakarma-

1) To examine fontanel of the child.

2) Normally anterior fontanel closed at 18 to 24 month.

3) Delayed closure due to dehydration, meningitis can be assess.

10)Karnavyadhana Samskara[16] – According to Sushruta this should be performed at 6th, 7th month According to in winter season during 6th 7thor 8th month keeping child on a lap of mother than ear should be priced. The right ear priced first in case of male and in female it should be in left ear.

Significance of Karnayadhana-

1) This Samskara is protecting child from many diseases and to wear ornament.

2) It provide active immunity to the child, also initiate antigen- antibody reaction.

11)Upanayanam Samskara[17]- This ceremony done in 5th, 6th, 8th year in Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya respectively said by Mansmruti. They provide a sacred thread girdle made of MUNJA grass. According to Sushruta and Vagbhata given the time of starting the education as soon as child fit for the same.

Significance of Upanayanam-

1) To initiate sense of responsibility as well as spiritual well- being of the child.

2) Assessment of maturity of brain to perform intellectual activity during school going age.

3) To assess the physical growth to rule out malnutrition.

4) This threads aware him about the responsibility towards society Guru and mother father.

12) Vedarambha Samskara[18]- At the age of 5 or 6 year child went to “Gurukul”for grasping the knowledge. He should teach right living so that the commencement of youth he will not succumb to the bad sense activity.

Significance of Vedarambha Samskara - By this child should learn his work by himself.

13) Samavartana Samskara- This ceremony marks the end of student hood and Brahmacharya. The ritual Samavartana involve the ceremonial bath by student followed by guru asking for his Guru Dakshina. After this Samskara the Snatak was eligible to start the Grihasta Ashram.

Significance of Samavartana-

1) This ritual associated with samskaras have a spiritual, cultural and psychological purpose.

2) During this ritual the individual was made aware of the privilege and duties of the upcoming stage.

14) Vivaha Samskara- By this Samskara enter in Grahastarama.

15) Vanprasta Samskara- In which his own son come to home after completing the full education then he leave the home and remove his mooring towards his family and went to the Vanpratashrama.

16) Sanyasa Samskara- At the age of 75 years they escape from their illusion and full time they think on Brahma, worship towards God and achieve the Moksha.

Result:-

Importance of Samskara in our life:-

Lack of Samskara the inner demon is aroused that is dangerous to itself and as well as the whole society. So these Samskara mooring the human to each other, so an individual to community the feeling of brotherhood. A person who connected to other around him would be definitely think twice before doing a sin, so he runs his own selfish race against the world.

  1. Scientific applicability of Shodasha Samskara .
  2. This Samskara would be definitely think twice before doing a sin.
  3. Samskara does killing of our inner demon.
  4. Improve and development of our cultural ceremony which is rite passage.

This rituals described in Ayurvedic text in various stages of child growth and development which explain during celebrating different ceremonies from conception to death.

Discussion

Smaskara is nothing but religious purificatory rites and ceremonies for intellectual of an individual, sanctifying the body and mind so that he may become a good member of the community. Samskara as grant him dignity and decorum nourish him and purify him. Samskara which introduce the perfection of humanity. These principles teach us about the model Code of Conduct, style of Human life. With these thought from the rituals at the time of birth of a child to till the funeral rituals for this our Rishi give us the knowledge about our duty. The strength of the morale and good conduct that a man become Sanskari and achieves a respect in the society. Without Sanskara any one cannot control, self-discipline and balance his life. Sanskara based on Dharma. Sanskaras are transmitted and present from generation to generation.

            Sanskara shows Humanity. For human life disciplined and well cultured a number of various Sanskaras are given in a scripture. According to Indian culture Sanskaras are basis of the spiritual life and by following them scrupulously one get rid of all bondage and gets emancipation in human life. Cultured life gets both the worldly benefits as well as spiritual benefits. Sanskaras are completely scientific science is hidden behind every Sanskara which is given direction for human life. By this our life gets purified. Like to purified the gold is essential to given it a sufficient heat of the fire then we get best quality of gold. Only the man how has Sanskaras in his life is a purified human being. With Sanskara we find the atmosphere of love affection, humanity and confidence in the society. In India Sanskaras are given more priority than money and wealth in India human life is much valuable and high placed due to that, they have essential simplicity and magnanimity in human life so that Sanskara are must. Without Sanskara we are getting perverted with the evils like instability fear pessimism, violence hatred mutual animosity among ourselves etc.

Samskaras are also classified according to Vaya Varagikarana

  1. Garbhadhan :- i) Garbhadhanam- Conception of mother by coming together as a husband and wife.

ii) Pumsamvanam- When someone desires a male child this ceremony performed when conception is seen.

iii) Seemantonayanm- In this ceremony a parting of the hairs of the expectant mother to keep her spirit high and positive special music is arranged for her.

  1. Balyavastham-        i) Jatakarmaam- After the birth child given honey and ghee, mother starts the first brest feeding after chatting of Mantra.

ii) Naamakaram- This ceremony performed on the 11th day after birth for the formal name of child.

iii) Nishkraamanam- In this ceremony the formal Darshan of sun and moon is done for the child.

iv)Annapraashanam- When child is given solid food for the first time this ceremony performed

v)Choodaakaranam- “Chooda means the Lock or tuft of haor” kept after the remaining part is shared off

vi)Karnavedhanam- It done in 7th to 18th month piercing of the ears.

vii) Upanayanam- The thread ceremony , the child is thereafter authorised to perform all rituals.

viii) Vedarambham- The beginning of study of Vedas with the Guru.

  1. Yuvavastha- i) Sarmavartanam- After completing the studies he comes to house.

ii) Vivaaham Marriage ceremony.

iii) Vaanaprasthasram- The person retires for a life of Tapas and studies at old age.

iv) Sanyaasam- Before leaving the body a Hindu sheds all senses of responsibility and relationship to awake and revel in the timeless truth.

v) Antyesthi- This ceremony done after the death.

            The different phase of motor, sensory, neuromuscular, social and mental development are termed as developmental milestones through in the span of growth and development. It is also occurs in given time otherwise it is a delayed developmental milestones. Someone should indicate this ceremony or Samskaras in different view.

Conclusion

The various stages of child growth and development are based on Samskaras, they provides guidelines towards his care during celebrating different ceremonies from conception to death. Samskara are solemn ceremonies are performed according to Vaya Vargikaranam.

References

Brahmanand Tripathi,Charak Samhita,Vimanstana by Chaukhamba Surbharti Prakashan,Varanasi,2015, 1,680p; 1-21.

2. Brahmanand Tripathi ,Charak Samhita,Sharirstana by Chaukhamba Surbharti Prakashan,Varanasi,2015,  8/10.

3. Vidyo tini Hindi Commentary, Charak Samhita of Agnivesh by Varanasi; Chaukhamba Bharati Acadamy,Sharirstana 8/19.

4. Vidyo tini Hindi Commentary, Charak Samhita of Agnivesh by Varanasi; Chaukhamba Bharati Acadamy,Sharirstana 8/19.

5. Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shastri ,Sushruta Samhita edited with Ayurveda Tattva Sandipika, Hindi commentary by, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Sharir Shana 2004,2-35.

6. Vidyo tini Hindi Commentary, Charak Samhita of Agnivesh by Varanasi; Chaukhamba Bharati Acadamy,Sharirstana 8/32-38.

7. Vidyo tini Hindi Commentary, Charak Samhita of Agnivesh by Varanasi; Chaukhamba Bharati Acadamy,Sharirstana 8/46.

8. Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shastri ,Sushruta Samhita edited with Ayurveda Tattva Sandipika, Hindi commentary by, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Sharir Shana 2004,10-15,17.

9. Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shastri ,Sushruta Samhita edited with Ayurveda Tattva Sandipika, Hindi commentary by, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Sharir Shana 2004,10/27.

10. Pandit Hemraj Sharma, Kashapa Samhita, Vrddhyagivakaya Tantra with Vidyotini Hidi commentary and Hidi translation of Sanskrit introduction, Varanasi, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Khila Sthana 2006; 12/4-5 P-316.

11. Pandit Hemraj Sharma, Kashapa Samhita, Vrddhyagivakaya Tantra with Vidyotini Hidi commentary and Hidi translation of Sanskrit introduction, Varanasi, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Khila Sthana 2006; 12/10.

12. Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shastri ,Sushruta Samhita edited with Ayurveda Tattva Sandipika, Hindi commentary by, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Sharir Shana 2004, 10/54 P-81.

13. Dr. Shivaprasad Sharma, Astanga Sangraha with Shashilekha Commentary by Indu, edited by repriented in Varanasi, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series office, Uttartantra (1)77.

14. Vidyo tini Hindi Commentary, Charak Samhita of Agnivesh by Varanasi; Chaukhamba Bharati Acadamy,Sutra Sthana(5):99.

15. . Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shastri ,Sushruta Samhita edited with Ayurveda Tattva Sandipika, Hindi commentary by, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Sharir Shana 2004, 10-57.

16. Bramhananda Tripathi, Ashtang Hrudayam Shrimadvagbhata, edited with Nirmala Hindi commentary by, repriented in Varanasi, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series office, Uttartantra 2009(1):28-32,882-883.

17. Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shastri, Sushruta Samhita edited with Ayurveda Tattva Sandipika, Hindi commentary by, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Sharir Shana 2004, 10-57.

18. Dr. Shivaprasad Sharma, Astanga Sangraha with Shashilekha Commentary by Indu, edited by repriented in Varanasi, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series office, Uttartantra (1)77.

PDF
Insert title here