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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
namakarana: (Sanskrit) "Name giving."
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Hindu -
Hinduism Dictionary on Samskaras of childhood
samskaras of childhood: From naming to education.
- namakarana: "Name-giving" and formal entry into one or another sect of Hinduism, performed 11 to 41 days after birth. The name is chosen according to astrology, preferably the name of a God or Goddess. At this time, guardian devas are assigned to see the child through life. One who converts to or adopts Hinduism later in life would receive this same sacrament.
- annaprashana: (Sanskrit) "Feeding." The ceremony marking the first taking of solid food, held at about six months. (Breastfeeding generally continues).
- karnavedha: "Earpiercing." The piercing of both ears, for boys and girls, and the inserting of gold earrings, held during the first, third or fifth year.
- See: earrings.
- chudakarana: (Sanskrit) "Head-shaving." The shaving of the head, for boys and girls, between the 31st day and the fourth year.
- vidyarambha: (Sanskrit) Marks the beginning of formal education. The boy or girl ceremoniously writes his/her first letter of the alphabet in a tray of uncooked rice.
- upanayana: Given to boys at about 12 years of age, marks the beginning of the period of brahmacharya and formal study of scripture and sacred lore, usually with an acharya or guru.
- samavartana: Marks the end of formal religious study.
See: samskara, samskaras.
(See also: Samskaras of childhood, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul )
For more dictionary entries, see » Namakarana Dictionary |
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Hindu -
Hinduism Dictionary on Samskara
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 » Namakarana Dictionary |
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Hindu -
Hinduism Dictionary on Hindu
Hindu: (Sanskrit) A follower of, or relating to, Hinduism.
Generally, one is understood to be a Hindu by being born into a Hindu family and practicing the faith, or by declaring oneself a Hindu. Acceptance into the fold is recognized through the name-giving sacrament, a temple ceremony called namakarana samskara, given to born Hindus shortly after birth, and to self-declared Hindus who have proven their sincerity and been accepted by a Hindu community. Full conversion is completed through disavowal of previous religious affiliations and legal change of name.
While traditions vary greatly, all Hindus rely on the Vedas as scriptural authority and generally attest to the following nine principles:
1) There exists a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both creator and unmanifest Reality.
2) The universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.
3) All souls are evolving toward God and will ultimately find moksha: spiritual knowledge and liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Not a single soul will be eternally deprived of this destiny.
4) Karma is the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds.
5) The soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved.
6) Divine beings exist in unseen worlds, and temple worship, rituals, sacraments, as well as personal devotionals, create a communion with these devas and Gods.
7) A spiritually awakened master or satguru is essential to know the transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, self-inquiry and meditation.
8) All life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore one should practice ahimsa, nonviolence.
9) No particular religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others. Rather, all genuine religious paths are facets of God's pure love and light, deserving tolerance and understanding.
See: Hinduism.
(See also: Hindu, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul )
For more dictionary entries, see » Namakarana Dictionary |
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Hindu -
Hinduism Dictionary on Conversion to Hinduism
conversion to Hinduism: Entering Hinduism has traditionally required little more than accepting and living the beliefs and codes of Hindus. This remains the basic factor of adoption, although there are, and always have been, formal ceremonies recognizing an individual's entrance into the religion, particularly the namakarana, or naming rite.
The most obvious sign of true sincerity of adoption or conversion is the total abandoning of the former name and the choosing of the Hindu name, usually the name of a God or Goddess, and then making it legal on one's passport, identity card, social security card and driver's license. This name is used at all times, under all circumstances, particularly with family and friends. This is severance. This is adoption. This is embracing Hinduism. This is conversion. This is true sincerity and considered by born members as the most honorable and trusted testimony of those who choose to join the global congregation of the world's oldest religion.
Many temples in India and other countries will ask to see the passport or other appropriate identification before admitting devotees of non-Indian origin for more than casual worship. It requires nothing more than one's own commitment to the process. Belief is the keynote of religious conviction, and the beliefs vary greatly among the different religions of the world. What we believe forms our attitudes, shapes our lives and molds our destiny. To choose one's beliefs is to choose one's religion. Those who find themselves at home with the beliefs of Hinduism are, on a simple level, Hindu. Formally entering a new religion, however, is a serious commitment. Particularly for those with prior religious ties it is sometimes painful and always challenging.
The acceptance of outsiders into the Hindu fold has occurred for thousands of years. As Swami Vivekananda once said, "Born aliens have been converted in the past by crowds, and the process is still going on." Dr. S. Radhakrishnan confirms the swami's views in a brief passage from his well known book The Hindu View of Life: "In a sense, Hinduism may be regarded as the first example in the world of a missionary religion. Only its missionary spirit is different from that associated with the proselytizing creeds. It did not regard it as its mission to convert humanity to any one opinion.
For what counts is conduct and not belief. Worshipers of different Gods and followers of different rites were taken into the Hindu fold. The ancient practice of vratyastoma, described fully in the Tandya Brahmana, shows that not only individuals but whole tribes were absorbed into Hinduism. Many modern sects accept outsiders. Dvala's Smriti lays down rules for the simple purification of people forcibly converted to other faiths, or of womenfolk defiled and confined for years, and even of people who, for worldly advantage, embrace other faiths (p. 28-29)."
See: Hindu, Hinduism.
(See also: Conversion to Hinduism, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul )
For more dictionary entries, see » Namakarana Dictionary |
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