The image you've provided illustrates the 16 Sanskaras (sacraments or rites of passage) in
Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism). These are a series of ceremonies and rituals that mark the
different stages of a person's life, from conception to death. The purpose of these Sanskaras is
to purify and refine an individual, preparing them for their spiritual and worldly duties.
Here is a breakdown of each of the 16 Sanskaras shown in the image:
Pre-Natal Sanskaras (before birth):
1. Garbhadhan (Conception): This is the first Sanskar, performed by the couple before the
act of conception. The goal is to sanctify the union and seek blessings for a virtuous,
healthy, and intelligent child.
2. Punsawan (Fetus Protection): Performed in the second or third month of pregnancy, this
ritual is intended to ensure the health of the mother and the proper mental and physical
development of the fetus.
3. Simantonnayan (Parting of the Hair): Held during the fourth, sixth, or eighth month of
pregnancy, this ceremony is to keep the expectant mother's mind cheerful and free from
anxiety, with the belief that her state of mind influences the child in the womb.
Childhood Sanskaras (after birth):
1. Jatakarma (Birth Rites): This Sanskar is performed right after the child is born. The
father whispers sacred mantras and gives the newborn a taste of honey and ghee to
invoke good health and a long life.
2. Namakaran (Naming Ceremony): Performed on the 11th or 12th day after birth, this is
the ceremony where the child is formally given a name, often chosen based on
astrological calculations.
3. Nishkraman (First Outing): This ritual takes place when the baby is around four months
old. The child is taken outside the home for the first time to be exposed to the natural
elements and seek blessings from the sun and other deities.
4. Annaprashan (First Feeding of Solid Food): This ceremony, performed when the child
is six months old, marks the introduction of solid food. It's believed to purify any impurities
the child may have ingested in the womb.
5. Chudakaran (First Haircut): Also known as Mundan, this ceremony is performed in the
first, third, or fifth year of the child's life. It is believed to cleanse the child of any negativity
from past lives and promote intellectual development.
6. Karnavedh (Ear Piercing): This ritual, typically performed in the child's third or fifth year,
involves piercing the earlobes. It is believed to have health benefits, including stimulating
the brain and protecting against certain diseases.
Education & Adolescence Sanskaras:
1. Upanayan (Sacred Thread Ceremony): This is a very significant Sanskar, also known
as the "second birth." Traditionally for boys of the three upper varnas (Brahmin, Kshatriya,
and Vaishya), it marks the beginning of their formal education under a guru. The boy
receives the sacred thread (Yagyopavitam) and is initiated into the Gayatri Mantra.
2. Vedarambh (Beginning Vedic Studies): This ceremony is performed to mark the formal
commencement of a student's study of the Vedas and other scriptures.
3. Samavartan (Graduation Ceremony): This Sanskar marks the completion of a student's
formal education under a guru. It signifies the end of the student phase of life
(Brahmacharya Ashrama) and prepares them for the next phase of life as a householder.
Adult Sanskaras:
1. Vivah (Marriage): This is the most celebrated Sanskar, marking the transition from the
student life to the householder's life (Grihastha Ashrama). It is a sacred union for
procreation, fulfilling one's dharma (duty), and pursuing mutual spiritual growth.
2. Vanaprastha (Retirement from Worldly Life): This Sanskar signifies the transition into
the third stage of life, where a person gradually hands over household responsibilities to
their children and moves towards a life of detachment and spiritual contemplation, often in
the forest.
3. Sannyas (Renunciation): The final stage of life, where an individual completely
renounces all worldly attachments, possessions, and familial ties to dedicate their life
solely to the pursuit of moksha (liberation).
4. Antyesti (Final Rites): This is the last Sanskar, performed after a person's death. It is the
funeral ceremony, which is believed to help the departed soul transition from the physical
body and begin its next journey.
