Dharma preaches that the purpose of human birth is God-realisation. The religious scriptures therefore impart guidance on how to undertake spiritual practice so as to be able to get closer to God in every incident of life, right from birth till death. Life span from birth till marriage completes one cycle. A similar cycle is completed from the birth of a son/daughter to his/her marriage. This goes on generations after generations. These articles imparts knowledge on what sanskars should be performed to get closer to God in the sixteen rituals in life from conception to marriage. These sanskars later help in improving spiritual practice.
Vivah sanskar
Hindu Dharma has advised sanskars to be performed during the sixteen principal events of life, so as to move closer to God. The most important of them being the ‘Vivah sanskar (Marriage sanskar)’! Read more »
Why is Kanyadan performed after garlanding of bride and groom?
The giving away of the bride (daughter) to the groom is called the ritual of giving away of the daughter (Kanyadan). Let us understand the ritual of Kanyadan Read more »
Why is the earthen pot used in all important sanskars?
To bury the umbilical cord at the time of birth, to install the deity of the pandal (mandapdevata) during the thread ceremony, while worshipping the deity of the pandal and Gourihar during marriage, so also when taking fire to the crematorium an earthen pot is used. Read more »
What is the purpose of doing Oukshan?
Oukshan is the the ceremony of moving lit lamps (arti), that is moving an oil dish lamp (niranjan) or a brass lamp with a chain (lamandiva) in a circular motion. Read more »
Why is Gaurihar puja performed prior to the marriage?
Gaurihar Puja : On the wedding day the bride should be given a ritualistic bath (mangalsnan) and new clothes to wear. Then on the grinding stone and muller used in the house (or two other stones) pictures of Gouri and Har should be drawn with turmeric. Read more »
Which factors are considered while arranging marriage?
After the thread ceremony at the age of eight, a boy would remain at his Guru’s home for study for atleast another twelve years. Thus the parents would not think of getting him married till he was twenty years old. Read more »
What do the three strands of the sacred thread represent?
The sacred thread is held in the hand and chanting the Gayatri mantra ten times, is sprinkled with water charged with mantras. This endows it with the tej (absolute fire) element. The boy is then asked to wear it. Read more »
Why are certain rituals performed before commencing any sanskar?
To prevent any obstacle from disrupting an auspicious occasion, it is begun with the worship of Lord Ganapati, a practice which is prevalent since the last century. Read more »
Which sanskars are vital for overcoming defects in foetus?
2% of all physical and psychological problems are constituted by defects in the ovum and womb, half of them being physical and the other half psychological in nature. Read more »
Why are specific sanskars performed after birth of a child?
Jatakarma is performed to eliminate the defects in the foetus arising from intake of liquor (amniotic fluid) and to liberate the father who has glanced at the son’s face, from the three debts (to the ancestors, to the sages and to the deities) as well as the debt to society. Read more »