WHAT ARE SAMSKARAS ?

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I learnt about Samskara from the Rikhiyapeet School of Yoga at Devgarh, Jharkhand, India. An ancient place of spiritual learning, penance and wisdom.

Samskara in ancient Indian tradition is a set of rites which take place for a child even before her birth and until after death. It is a process of purification which makes the person fit for a particular phase of life or afterlife. It isn’t just a ritualistic rite and may not be understood as such.

Samskaras help remove obstacles and seek to educate, train and refine the body, mind and consciousness so that the human being becomes fit to be in the company of the ‘devatas’ or highly evolved deities.

Thousands of years ago, the Vedic seers handed down this metaphysical knowledge through the oral tradition. Later, samskaras found their way into the Vedas, the Brahmanas, Upnashids and other texts. So important were the Samskaras that they were even mentioned in the Puranas and the historical records of creation and annihilation of the world.

The first Samskara is the Garbhdhana which translates as ‘entering the womb”. In this samskara, prayers are performed and the couple is given physical, mental and meditation exercises so as to purify their soul, thoughts and bodies. It realises the spiritual importance of conjugal relations so that when the new soul is to be invited into the womb, an appropriate soul of higher transcendence may be attracted. So powerful is this samskara that the couple can attract a soul who can be intellectual. warrior, saintly or possess any other quality, as per their choice. The child can be beautiful, healthy and even the life span of the child can be made longer than what was originally destined.

Modern research also lays substantial stress on the thoughts and mental make up the parents, especially the Mother at this crucial juncture and of course throughout pregnancy.

There are 16 samskaras for the human throughout life, which seek to prepare her for a particular phase in a holistic manner. The total samskaras are 48 out of which 16 are for human life while the others are for the afterlife.

The last smaskara for the human life is Anteshti. This is when life ends and the family has to perform prayers for 13 days along with other spiritual practices so that the soul can easily go into higher spirit planes for onward journey and learning.

Science has only just begun the process of research into these physical, mental and spiritual exercises. Their power is far beyond the ordinary.

Samskaras are far greater than rituals or rites.

They have the potential to transform lives and afterlives.

39 thoughts on “WHAT ARE SAMSKARAS ?”

    • Thank you so much for such kindness always.
      I have been visiting the Rikhiapeet school of Yoga. It is the precursor to the Bihar school of Yoga. There I learnt a lot about various mantras, tantras, and much more. It is very ancient and pristine knowledge.
      But thanks so much once again for being so kind.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. I like that concept of conscious conception, with both parents on board, acknowledging the responsibility of bringing a child into this world and providing the spiritual space for that soul to enter the womb. What a great beginning!

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    • Absolutely. I think our ancient philosophies do provide us with some wisdom.
      I am ever grateful for you wonderful words, always. May the light of the Divine always shine on you and your partner.

      Like

    • It doesn’t really matter because each school is independent and there is no hierarchy in schools.
      However, it all depends upon the goals i.e purely spiritual, health, deep thought control etc. I personally do not go with the renunciation bit.
      In the school that I have mentioned , they are into mantras, tantras and deep penance. Some others do more yogic exercises and so on.
      However, whatever little I know of you, I think, for spiritual training you might not require any school, because you already possess empathy and kindness. Your writing reflects a very noble character. Perhaps you are more self realised than many masters.
      for sheer knowledge about asanas etc, try a school of yoga closest to you.
      The lesser the ritual, the better😊

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      • Oh! Thank you sooo much! I give my mother all the credit for raising me to desire a deep love of God and being open to Spirit, as well as my grandmother who taught me by example and spoke a bit of Native American Indian ways (which also made me be open to learn the ways of others). I have never felt right in “one way,” always sensing their were many ways to God, Divine, Creator, or now what I call Omniscience, but is really the Spirit that needs no name (as I study Daoist / Taoist teachings).
        Namaste. ❤️🦋🌀🙏☮️

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      • I absolutely agree. When the spirit is infinite, how can there be just one way to self realisation? being open is also being humble, a prerequisite to the experience of super consciousness.
        I too have studied the Dao to an extent. I find that various methods, in their own myriad ways ultimately converge on the one and one all pervading unity.
        It is a privilege to be your friend.

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    • Thank you so much for your kind words. I tried to go to your blog, but it says that site is under construction. Do send me the correct link please so that I can visit your blog. Thank you so much

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    • Deeksha, I have been out of the blogging circuit for a while. Actually I was busy with the publisher. Just returned him the first formatted draft of my forthcoming book Prisons. Hopefully, it will be released in Jan 2021.
      you’ll also be shocked to know that I am now growing hydroponic micro greens. No, I haven’t been possessed by any ayurvedic spirit. 😊
      Thanks so much for writing always.
      By the way I did ask Sonu to try out one of your recipees. It came out really well. Very tasty.
      Then came a friend of mine. He cooks like a pro. But strictly non veg. Punjabi.
      They all laughed when I told them about your blog and wondered if I was going to take sanyas😂😂
      I’m not. Punjabi’s are allowed to have vegetarian friends, after all😊😊
      Thanks a lot for your blog and the really creative recipees.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Parneet, that’s wonderful news!
        I understand, publishing a book is a lot of hard work.

        My warm regards to Sonu 😘
        I have heard a lot about hydroponic farming. Would be waiting to hear your experience probably in one of your posts.

        I believe that veg or non veg food, it should be prepared with happy heart and soul and automatically food gives wonderful taste.
        Dil se pakao aur dildaari se khilao, khane vaale ko swaad aa hi jaata hai either that food is cooked in posh kitchen or mitti ka chulha!!!

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      • You are so right. Somehow maine bhi bade dil se try kiya, but you know how it turns out
        😊😊
        shayad kuch goodness genes mein bhi hoti hai. I just have a missing gene for cooking😊😊
        But plentiful for appreciating and eating😂

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