A Wisdom Archive on Jatakarma

The rites that pertain to the stages of life of man are called Samskaras. The Samskaras are purificatory rites which sanctify the life of the Hindu. They give a spiritual touch to the important events in the life of the individual from conception to cremation. They mark the important stages of a mans life. Just as the outline of a picture is lighted up slowly with the filling in of many colours, so also is Brahmanya with scriptural Samskaras. There are the Samskaras of childhood, of boyhood, of manhood and of old age and death.
 
Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda
 

Read more here: » Hindu Rituals: The Ten Scriptural Samskaras

Read more here: » Hindu Rituals: An overview of Hindu Rituals

jatakarma: (Sanskrit) "Rite of birth."
See: samskaras of birth.

(See also: Jatakarma, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » jatakarma dictionary

samskaras of birth: From the rite of conception to the blessings of the new-born child.
-       garbhadhana: "Wombplacing." Rite of conception, where physical union is consecrated with the intent of bringing into physical birth an advanced soul.
-       punsavana: (Sanskrit) "Male rite; bringing forth a male." A rite performed during the third month of pregnancy consisting of prayers for a son and for the well-being of mother and child. A custom, found in all societies, based on the need for men to defend the country, run the family business and support the parents in old age. The need for male children in such societies is also based on the fact that women outlive men and leave the family to join their husband's family. -
-       simantonnayana: "Hair-parting." A ceremony held between the fourth and seventh months in which the husband combs his wife's hair and expresses his love and support.
-       jatakarma: "Rite of birth." The father welcomes and blesses the new-born child and feeds it a taste of ghee and honey.
See: samskara, samskaras.

(See also: Samskaras of birth, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » jatakarma dictionary

Jatakarma:
Jatakarma: rite of - or first cleansing (birth-ceremony). (BV-2) The jatakarma birth ceremony, which can take place when the umbilical cord, connecting the child and the placenta, is cut, entails the touching of the tongue of the new-born trice with ghee preceded by introductory prayers. The birth ceremony for Krishna is also called Nandotsava. The day of yearly celebrating His birth is called Janmastami [the eight day of the month of Bhadra (August-September)]. [SB 10-5]

 
(See also: Jatakarma , Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)
 

For more dictionary entries, see » jatakarma dictionary

samskara: (Sanskrit) "Impression, activator; sanctification, preparation."
1)    The imprints left on the subconscious mind by experience (from this or previous lives), which then color all of life, one's nature, responses, states of mind, etc.
2)    A sacrament or rite done to mark a significant transition of life.
 
These make deep and positive impressions on the mind of the recipient, inform the family and community of changes in the lives of its members and secure inner-world blessings. The numerous samskaras are outlined in the Grihya Shastras. Most are accompanied by specific mantras from the Vedas.
-       samskaras of birth
-       samskaras of childhood
-       samskaras of adulthood
-       samskaras of later life
See: mind (five states of mind), sacrament, samskaras.

(See also: Samskara, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul )

For more dictionary entries, see » jatakarma dictionary