Abstract

Dr. Raina A. Khimsurya* Dr. Jasmin K. Gohel

ABSTRACT

All these sanskars are performed since Vedic period. Sanskara means “Gunantaradhanam” which is used for transform the qualities. In Ayurvedic, various Acharya describe many type of Sanskar, in which 16 Sanskar or rites of passage are performed in present era from the birth to the end in a Hindu?s nation. Samskaras are the rites of passage in a human being?s life described in ancient Sanskrit text. They include important cultural events in an individual?s life from birth till death. Samskara build wakefulness for the attainment of social status and rights for the individual. Children are also considered as the most vulnerable class of society as they are unable to express themselves, dependent on caretaker. Thus children need a special attention and nursing as children are in a rapid continuous process of growth and development physically and mentally. While performing Samskaras physician can also assess the proper growth and development of the child. In Ashtanga Ayurveda, Kaumarbhritya is one of the prime branches of Ayurveda. The number of Samskara varies in different Hindu Dharma Granthas, it is about 16-40, but the applicable Samskara are 16 (Shodash) in number which spreads from Garbhadan to Anteysthi Samskara. This article will describe in detail eight Samskaras for growth and development of children, along with their medical relevance: Jatakarma (birth rituals), Namkaran (naming the child), Nishakraman (first outing), Annaprashan (first feeding), Chudakarna (head shaving), Karnavedhan (piercing the earlobes), Upanayana (thread ceremony) and Vedarambha (start of formal education). In the present paper, it can be concluded that the Samskaras described in Ayurvedic texts are based on the various milestones of child growth and developments and hence provide a rational guideline toward his care from very conception to adolescence. Purpose of Samskaras (1) Cultural. The variety of rites and rituals related to the samskaras help in the formation and development of personality. (2) Spiritual. According to the seers, samskaras impart a higher sanctity to life. Impurities associated with the material body are eradicated by performing samskaras.