Sacrament system of Vedic religion : The first use of the word ‘Sanskara’ has occurred in Rigveda. In vedas it means the purity of religion, purity of being. According to the Mimansa philosophy, the process is the one, through which a person or an object becomes eligible for any work. According to Kumaril Bhatt, Sacramens are the actions or rituals which give merit to man and distinguish him from demonic or animal kingdom. To make up with divine, receive divine attributes up till the time of death, and to prepare for the next birth, the system of sixteen sacraments has been given.
Their detailed description is as follows :
- Garbhadhan sacrament: Parents should consider what kind of child they want and start eating food, observe ethics and behave accordinngly and considering the event of pregnancy, use favorable conditions, health and favourable time, and observe rituals.
- Punswan sacrament: This ritual takes place in the second or third month for healthy growth of embryo after fertilization.
- Seemantonayan sacrament : This is the second ritual for the physical and mental health of the foetus, which is in the sixth or eight month.
- Jatakurma sacrament: After the birth, the rituals of cutting the umblical cord and the prayers of the father for the child to be healthy and brilliant.
- Naming sacrament : According to the condition of the corresponding constellation after the birth of eight or ten days, the ritual of keeping the child’s qualitative name.
- Nishkraman sacrament: In the fourth month of birth, the father brings the child out of the home so that he can see the sun and adapt to the external environment.
- Annaprashan sacrament; In the sixth month of birth, the child begins to take food in addition to the mother’s milk. In this ritual, the child is fed Kheer and three mantras are read, which means we get peace, get the taste of food and enjoy its aroma.
- Churakarma sacrament: When the age of approximatly one year is attained, the first haircut of the hair of birth is done.
- Karnabheda sacrament : Acupuncture for the prevention of diseases such as inflammation, etc. is a medical sacrament, in which the ears are pierced by silver or gold jewellery.
- Upanayan sacrament : It is also called Yagyopavit sacrament. The ability to start school was the form of entrance into the spiritual life. Three threads in Yajnopavit are the reminiscences pf ancestral debts, divine debts and debts to sages.
- Vidyarambha sacrament: The sacrament of education started in Gurukul.
- Samavartan Sacrament: After the completion of studies and after the completion of the period of Brahmacharya, a convocation ceremony before becoming a householder.
- Marriage sacrament: In Hindu religion, marriage is not a contract or agreement, it is a sacrament. The oath of adherence to the household, duties is to be taken.
- Vanprasth sacrament: After completing the duties of a householder, one takes up the work of social service.
- Sanyas sacrament: Sacrament performed while taking up solitude for contemplation, meditation and public welfare during the last period of life.
(xvi) Funeral sacrament : The end of physical life and the last ritual is done in the funeral rite of consecrating the body to the fire by law.
