Samskaras Dictionary

samskaras:

samskaras - memories

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

 Samskaras:

memories

(See also:  Samskaras , Body Mind and Soul)

samskaras

Vedic purificatory rites of passage.

(See also: samskaras , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

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)

samskaras:

rituals and rites in one's life cycle

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

SAMSKARAS: Impressions in the subconscious mind.

(See also: SAMSKARAS ,Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

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)

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)

Samskaras: the tendencies, potentialities and latent states which exist in the subconscious and unconscious areas of the mind. Are built up by the continued action of the thought-waves.

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

samskaras of adulthood: From coming-of-age to marriage.

-       ritukala: (Sanskrit) "Fit or proper season." Time of menses. A home blessing marking the coming of age for girls.

-       keshanta: Marking a boy's first beardshaving, at about 16 years. Both of the above are home ceremonies in which the young ones are reminded of their brahmacharya, given new clothes and jewelry and joyously admitted into the adult community as young adults.

-       nishchitartha "Settlement of aim." Also called vagdana, "word-giving." A formal engagement or betrothal ceremony in which a couple pledge themselves to one another, exchanging rings and other gifts.

-       vivaha: Marriage." An elaborate and joyous ceremony performed in presence of God and Gods, in which the homa fire is central. To conclude the ceremony, the couple take seven steps to the Northeast as the groom recites: "One step for vigor, two steps for vitality, three steps for prosperity, four steps for happiness, five steps for cattle, six steps for seasons, seven steps for friendship. To me be devoted (Hiranyakeshi Grihya Sutras 1.6.21.2 VE)."

See: samskara, samskaras.

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

Samskaras:

Impressions of past actions or thought which remain in the unconscious and are stored in the sushumna, the central nerve channel in the subtle body. They are brought to the surface and eliminated by the action of the awakened Kundalini energy.

(See also: Samskaras , Kundalini, Kundalini Yoga, Kundalini Dictionary)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V X Y Z

A dictionary Of Commonly Used Sanskrit terms. From Pada to Svastikasana.

Please note that all words in grey, like "yoga", "enlightenment" or "kundalini" are hyperlinked to archives further explaining the term. At the corresponding archive you will also find articles related to the term.

Kundalini Dictionary

Dictionary over terms related to kundalini and kundalini awakening. Please note that words in grey like " Kundalini " are links to archives with related articles.

bone-gathering: Asthisanchaya. Part of Hindu funeral rites. About twelve hours after cremation, family men return to the cremation site to collect the remains.

Water is first sprinkled on the ashes to separate the black ash of the wood from the fine, white ash of the body. The white ash and bones (up to four inches long, called flowers) are collected in a tray or brass pot.

Some Hindus send the ashes and bones for deposition in the Ganges. Or they may be put into any ocean or river. Arrangements can be made with crematoriums in the East or West for the family to personally gather the ash and flowers.

See: cremation, samskaras of adulthood.

(See also: Bone-gathering , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

upanayana: (Sanskrit) "Bringing near."

A youth's formal initiation into Vedic study under a guru, traditionally as a resident of his ashrama, and the investiture of the sacred thread (yajnopavita or upavita), signifying entrance into one of the three upper castes.

The upanayana is among twelve samskaras prescribed in the Dharma Shastras and explained in the Grihya Sutras. It is prescribed between ages 8-16 for brahmins (who received a white thread), 11- 22 for kshatriyas (red thread), and 12-24 for vaishyas (yellow thread). At present the color white for the sacred thread has been adopted universally.

The upanayana is regarded as a second or spiritual birth, and one so initiated is known as dvija, "twice-born." Until about the beginning of the common era, the upanayana was also afforded to girls. Great value was placed on their learning the Vedas in preparation for the duties of married life.

See: samskaras of childhood.

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

garbhadhana: (Sanskrit) "Womb-placing." The rite of conception.

See: reincarnation, samskaras of birth.

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

vasana: (Sanskrit) "Subconscious inclination." From vas, "living, remaining." The subliminal inclinations and habit patterns which, as driving forces, color and motivate one's attitudes and future actions. Vasanas are the conglomerate results of subconscious impressions (samskaras) created through experience. Samskaras, experiential impressions, combine in the subconscious to form vasanas, which thereafter contribute to mental fluctuations, called vritti. The most complex and emotionally charged vasanas are found in the dimension of mind called the subsubconscious, or vasana chitta.

See: samskara, mind (five states), vasana daha tantra, vritti.

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

jatakarma: (Sanskrit) "Rite of birth."

See: samskaras of birth.

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

betrothal: Mutual pledge to marry; engagement. In Sanskrit, vagdana or nishchitartha. See: samskaras of adulthood.

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

namakarana: (Sanskrit) "Name giving."

See: samskaras of childhood.

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