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Sixteen sacred ceremonies (Shodasha Sanskara Vivechana): Vangamaya Vol-33

The ancient Indian rishis were scientists of spirituality, consciousness and Nature. Their acumen into the deepest depth of human mind had enabled them to develop a perfect science of systematic refinement and escalation of intrinsic faith and inherent tendencies of human self…. The system of shodash sanskaaras – sixteen ‘rituals’ or ‘methods of conditioning or training’ corresponding to specific experiments of purification of existing sanskaaras and inculcation of virtuous tendencies, performed during specific transitional phases of life. The conjugation of powerful mantras and procedures of Yagya associated with each of these rituals had resulted from long-term dedicated research conducted by the rishis. This system of shodash sanskaaras was devised to affect the subtle levels of human consciousness and hence had impact on the psychology, endocrine system and genetic machinery too. The shodash sanskaaras are integral part of the Indian culture and philosophy of life which aims at culmination of humanity up to the highest realms of divinity….
The high ideals of humanity were evolved and glorified in the ancient Indian society where the system of shodash sanskaaras was implemented and followed in its original form. This had helped maintain the mode of life in total harmony with nature and healthy development of personality of every individual….. Prosperity had blossomed in all walks of life because of the original talents and righteous deeds of the people…. However, in the later years, as the edifice of divine culture was shaken along with the large scale devastation of ancient civilization during the disastrous war of Mahaabhaarata, the global influence of this original system was waned and got practically lost in the materialistic comfort oriented dormant phase of Indian history in the medieval era.
The modern age saw a deformed ‘short-cut’ version of the shodash sanskaaras propagated and performed by the so called sages and priests professionally in the name of religious rituals. Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya a sagacious spiritual scholar, devoted saint and social reformer had endeavored revival of the original tradition of shodash sanskaaras along with elucidation of different facets of Indian philosophy in scientific light.
Considering the mode of living, attitude towards life and spiritual level of an average person in today’s society, Acharya Sharma had found that six out of the sixteen (shodash) sankaaras cannot be performed in present circumstances. As would be expected from a foresighted inventor, he, rather than sticking to ‘traditions’, modified the list of shodash sanskaaras to serve the basic purpose effectively in modern conditions. He added four new methods and disciplines to this system which are most relevant in the modern age and which are to be performed regularly throughout the span of one’s life. These new sanskaaras are – janma-diwasa, vivaaha-diwasa, deekshaa and shikhaa. The ten sanskaaras of the ancient system which were retained by him in their original forms are – punsavana, naamakaran, annapraashana, mundana, vidyaarambha, yagyopaveeta, vivaaha, vaanaprastha, antyeshti and shraaddha-tarpana. He had analyzed the scientific foundation and effects of each of them in detail and had explained them in simple language for educating the masses.
The punsavan sanskaara of an individual is performed when he or she is in the form of a foetus – three months old in the mother’s womb. Specific herbal preparations energized in the sacrificial fire of Yagya is given to the mother to reach the foetus. This special ‘treatment’ performed with chanting of mantras during a Yagya strengthens healthy development of the gross (physical), subtle (mental) and astral (conscious) body of the child…. The team of scientists at Brahmvarchas research centre – established by Acharya Sharma at Shantikunj, Hardwar in India – has conducted research experiments in its yagyopathy, haemetology, biochemistry and psychometry laboratories on the effects of different sanskaaras.
The experiments on the punsavan sanskaara have revealed startling results: the mothers, who were prone to abortion or whose earlier issues were subjected to metabolic system’s deficiencies or to some genetic disorders since birth, had delivered healthy babies after this sanskaara. It has now been accepted by the researchers that the charu or purodashu (herbal preparation) processed under the vitally charged vapors of Yagya affects the cellular and molecular (including genetic) systems too.
The naamakarana sanskaara (naming ceremony) and the annaprashan, mundana and vidyarambha sankskara are performed successively after the birth of the child – from the age of few days till 3 to 5 years. Each of these is performed with a Gayatri—Yagya and specific mantras are chanted during the sacrifices of specific herbal preparations in the sacred fire of Yagya. The vibrations of the Gayatri Mantra purify the child’s subtle and astral bodies and effects of this and the other mantras and the inhalation of the vapors of the sublimated herbs soothingly condition his brain and body too. This is an excellent pre-school training procedure established by the rishis for cultivation of ideal tendencies in the children.
The annprashan sanskara is performed for healthy growth and strength of the body; mundana is aimed at harmonious titillation of the nerves and proper development of the brain. The vidyarambha sanskara is indeed the righteous initiation of knowledge…. School and college teaching may make a child ‘learned’ but true knowledge comes through the arousal and training of the sentimental core, righteous orientation of thoughts and appraisal and aspiration of the divine purpose of life – attainment of vidya meets these objectives in a natural way.
The rishis – the scientists of yore and many great personalities of the modern times had, without having any formal education, generated vast amounts of trenchant knowledge grasping and studying which had remained a symbol of honor for the erudite scholars of the later ages.…. Pt. Shriram Sharma had himself written on almost all aspects of human life. His eminence and depth of knowledge is perfect like that of an absolute expert in the associated topics or disciplines. Though he had not undergone any formal training or education in a school, his comprehensive vidya has made him an eminent writer and revered philosopher cum scientist of the present times.
The daksha sanskara is coupled with initiation of creative use of vidya by afflatus and under auspicious guidance of a noble spiritually refined master. This sanskara is essential for the arousal of intrinsic faith and devotion which are necessary for spiritual refinement and experiments with mantras.
The yagyopavita sanskara (thread ceremony) performed before teenage indeed gives ‘new birth’ to a person. Although each one of us is born as human being, but that is true only biologically or in terms of the gross body. The development of personality coherent with the dignity of humanness begins only after one adopts certain moral values and disciplines of humanity and enlightens his mind and inner self for progressive march towards ideal goals in life…. The yagyopavita sanskara is performed to channelize this development. The initiation of the Gayatri Mantra and experiments of spiritual elevation is associated with this sanskara.
Acharya Sharma had eliminated all misconceptions and illusions associated with yagyopavita and Gayatri. He had revived the methods of performing this sanskara without elaborate rituals and ceremonies. He propagated the universalities of yagyopavita and Gayatri and made their knowledge available and attainable for all humans – without any discrimination of sex, caste, religion, creed or social status….. He also invoked the discipline of maintaining shikha (hair-knot) on head along with wearing of yagyopavita (sacred thread) – both of which stand as symbols of adoption of divine principles of Indian Philosophy.
On the scientific front, wearing yagyopavita has excellent association with psychological evolution. This shikha is placed at a point which is very important for positive impact of yoga and meditation; it lies at a special junction of many nerves which are linked with intellectual processing and memory registration in the brain and is found to have controlling effect on harmonious functioning of the endocrine system.
The vivaha sanskara is not only a social function or religious celebration of marriage; rather, it aims at spiritual conjugation of the souls of the individuals who are getting married. The fire in a furnace helps welding of two metal pieces. The subtle effects of the sacrificial fire of Yagya performed during vivaha sanskara with collective chanting of special mantras serves the purpose of joining the lives of the two individuals. The piety and disciplines associated with ideal marriage institution are effectively initiated via this sanskara. Marriages performed with this sanskara stand on the strong foundation of faith and religious inspirations associated with the former and are therefore never broken or subject to untoward tensions.
If what the couple pledges during the vivaha sanskara is sincerely followed by the husband and the wife, the two would arouse and multiply each other’s capabilities and virtues several times and also cooperatively contribute like ‘one and one eleven’ to the development of the society. Today, when ‘marriage’ for many people has become a license for sexual pleasure…, a contract for sharing each other’s support and resources…., or a source for collecting dowry and exploiting the ‘weaker’ sex, the campaign of ideal marriages – performed without any dowry and without gorgeous celebrations, and revival of vivaha sanskara by the mission of Acharya Sharma is a great social service indeed.
The janma-diwas and vivaha-diwas sanskaras as propagated by Acharya Sharma correspond to ideal celebration of the birthday and wedding anniversary. Rather than spending time and money in expensive parties and unreasonable activities in the name of ‘fun and entertainment’, one should consider these days as most auspicious occasions and look at them as milestones of the journey of life. Thorough review of the achievements and failures, in terms of one’s own deeds and level of refinement of personality, vis-a`-vis what was resolved for the past year – should be given due attention and time on these days. Feasible resolution for improvement and greater progress should be taken for the next year while performing these sanskaras with dipa Yagya.
Acharya Sharma preached what he sincerely adopted and implemented in his own life too. He had set live example of how a married couple can, along with happily bearing the responsibilities of the family, be dedicated to altruist service of the society and the world at large…. He brought into light the true meaning of vanaprastha – after completion of the phase of duties towards the dependents in the family, the later phase of life should be spent for selfless service of others, for the upliftment and welfare of the deprived and the backward ones….. He inspired thousands of people towards vanaprastha and enabled them live a more creative and meaningful life for the ideal cause of revival of divine culture…..
The antyeshti sanskara is performed during the funeral of the body after death. This is a great Yagya in which the nature’s invaluable gift – the gross body, is sacrifised back to the nature in original forms of its basic constituents…. The shraddha—tarpana sanskara is performed for the peace of the departed souls. It is also a means for presenting the sentiments of affection and homage to the ancestors and to the great souls of people who had worked for others’ welfare with compassion and sincerity. This sanskara is supposed to set the subtle linkage between our sentiments and the higher domains of consciousness… and bestows the blessings of kind souls….
The scientific, psychological and spiritual implications of all the above mentioned sanskaras were also reviewed by Acharya Sharma…. These are taught by his disciples during the training programs at Shantikunj, Hardwar, on how to conduct the Yagya procedures and the rituals associated with the shodash sanskaras. The present volume gives substantial information on each aspect of these sanskaras. The topics covered here also include –the original texts from the scriptures, methods and materials for herbal preparations and Yagya procedures for different sanskaras, reports on scientific experiments and directions for future research and social impact….., etc.
The system of shodash sanaskaras as presented and used in practice by the author offers the key to perfect development of the personality and ideal progress of the successive generation of the human society. Revival of this integral component of the ancient Indian culture promises resurrection of the divine era in the years to come in the next millennium….. This volume will then be regarded as a monument of “eternal secrets of glorious progress and ultimate evolution of life and culture….”.