The True Power of Sanskaar
Mythili
Bengaluru
Pranaams to H H Maa Purnananda ji.
Prostrations at the Holy Feet of Sree Guru Parampara.
The incredible Call Talk “Vaidik Sanskaar & Laukik Sanskaar” by H H Maa Purnananda ji, on 30th March 2025, the auspicious Ugadi day (new year), was a complete capsule of knowledge that every seeker has to know about our auspicious traditions and important sanskaars to follow.
Maaji started with thought provoking statement, “Dharm must be understood on the foundation of Vaidik and Laukik sanskaar. We may be devoted to God, but if we do not know the basics of sanskaars properly then there will not be any stability in following the Dharm”.
Maaji explained basically, what is meant by Vaidik, Laukik and Sanskaar:
Vaidik- Knowledge/ instructions that are given about the Supreme (the Changeless) in the four Vedas and Upanishads.
Laukik- Knowledge/ instructions that are given pertaining to our Lok (the changing). We are in 7th Lok called Mrityalok.
Sanskaar - Set of instructions/ practices that have gone through refinements over the passage of time.
Example of Vaidik sanskaar are - celebrating Deepavali, Navraatri, Shivaraatri, Sree Ram Navami etc. The traditions followed for these sanskaars are same throughout India.
Example of Laukik sanskaars are - celebrating Rakshabandhan, Karvachauth, Gangaur etc. These sanskaars are followed pertaining to some region/community in India.
The important sanskaar that we should practice from our childhood is, “Do namaskar to the Supreme, to our parents, to our Gurus and to our guests”.
Then, Maaji explained the 16 important Vaidik sanskaars, that must be performed in one's life journey-
1. Garbhadhan - To get a Saatvik child and good dynasty to follow, a Homam is performed before uniting.
2. Punsavaan - is performed in the 3rd month, so that the foetus is set well in the womb, and to have good strength, health, long life, brilliant and beautiful.
3. Seemantha - is performed in 7th month for good development of intellect (brain) of the foetus.
4. Jathakarma - is performed on the 10th day after the birth of the child. For the child to take the right direction from the Scriptures, the sacred letter “ॐ” is written on the tongue of the child with the mixture of ghee and honey with a golden/silver stick preferably by the Guru or grandparent or parents and sacred Mantra is also put into the ears of the child.
5. Naamkaranam - The naming ceremony is performed. A proper inspiring, meaningful name is given to child. Child’s character is dependent on his/her name.
6. Nishkramana - on the 40th day, the child is taken out of the house the first time during the day preferably to Guru's ashram or to a temple to get blessings.
7. Annaprashan - Child is given the solid food for the first time preferably by the Guru or by the parents. This is performed on the 6th month of the child.
8. Choodakarma - also known as Mundan ceremony- Hair has to be removed from the head for the first time to remain healthy and to get nourishment. Single strand of hair is left at the back of the head so that the child remains single pointed towards God.
9. Karnavedha - refers to the ear-piercing ceremony of the child, done to protect the child as well to open the inner ear to receive sacred sounds and auspicious things towards the Supreme.
10. Upanayana - also known as sacred thread ceremony is performed at the right age. Gayatri mantra is chanted into the ears of the child, bringing the child close to the Guru.
11. Vidyarambh - marks the child’s initiation of journey into Scriptural knowledge/formal education from a proper source.
12. Samavartanam - marks the end of Brahmacharya period/ education and graduation of the child from the Gurukul or school.
13. Vivaah - is the important sanskaar, the child is entering the Grihasthashram along with her/his spouse with proper mantras and Homam.
14. Vaanaprasth - after going through Grihasthashram for sufficient period and after becoming grandparent for at least one grandchild then it’s time to take vaanaprasth, that is, to take retirement from all day-to-day activities and devote and dedicate completely towards the Supreme.
15. Sanyaas, here the person has to give up all the worldly activities completely detached from family and devote towards the Supreme.
16. Anthyeshti - the final sanskar, which is done for everyone after death according to the ashram which he or she belongs.
These are the 16 Vaidik sanskaars, that a Soul has to go through its journey according to Hindu traditions.
Maaji concluded the session by chanting nine names given in Markandeya Puran to Mother Goddess as “Glory of Mother Goddess”.
Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandrakanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaraatri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.
By contemplating on these nine names let us seek Blessings from Mother Goddess and Lord Sree Ram.
Hari Aum!