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FAQ on Hinduism (2)
What if any are the obligatory duties of the Hindu ? What is meant by Samskaaras ? Are Samskaaras the only obligatory duties ? And if so, isn't there too much emphasis on ritual and less on helping those in need . Hindu samskaras are like other daily practices of the Hindus , of great antiquity. An excellent discussion of the origin, meaning and significance of the Samskaras is given by Rajbali Pandey in a monograph titled' Hindu Samskaaras", published by Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, Delhi. What follows is a synopsis of some of the essential ideas which are treated in much greater detail in the book. The word Samskara has uncertain etymology, as far as we are aware, and there does not exist an exact English equivalent. The word ceremony or Latin caeremonia does not convey an exact sense of the word. It s in fact related to the word Karma in Sanskrit. Samskaara does not mean "mere outward religious rite ,polite observances, empty form, stately usage, formal qualities and punctilious behavior" which is the meaning of the word ceremony in the oxford dictionary, and as it is falsely understood in many circles. A more closer rendering of the word SamskAram is contained in the word sacrament "religious ceremony or act regarded as outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace" applied by the Eastern, pre-reformation Western and Roman Catholic church to the seven rites of baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist , penance, extreme unction , orders and matrimony. A Samskaara is that which refines and purifies the performer. There are 52 Samskaaras meant to uplift the Jivaatma to the Paramaatma, out of which some rishis have recommended 10. These are prescribed by the Smritis, based on Vedas. For the purification of mind, these karmas have to be performed sincerely. The purified mind can then undertake Atma Vichaaram to attain Moksha.
Sl. Nos. 01 to 09 are to be done by the parents. The
parents should see that their children do not blame them later for not
doing these Samskaaras.
Sl. Nos. 10 is to be done by the Brahmacharies during Gurukulavaasam. This duration is about 12 years.
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FAQ on Hinduism (2)
What if any are the obligatory duties of the Hindu ? What is meant by Samskaaras ? Are Samskaaras the only obligatory duties ? And if so, isn't there too much emphasis on ritual and less on helping those in need . Hindu samskaras are like other daily practices of the Hindus , of great antiquity. An excellent discussion of the origin, meaning and significance of the Samskaras is given by Rajbali Pandey in a monograph titled' Hindu Samskaaras", published by Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, Delhi. What follows is a synopsis of some of the essential ideas which are treated in much greater detail in the book. The word Samskara has uncertain etymology, as far as we are aware, and there does not exist an exact English equivalent. The word ceremony or Latin caeremonia does not convey an exact sense of the word. It s in fact related to the word Karma in Sanskrit. Samskaara does not mean "mere outward religious rite ,polite observances, empty form, stately usage, formal qualities and punctilious behavior" which is the meaning of the word ceremony in the oxford dictionary, and as it is falsely understood in many circles. A more closer rendering of the word SamskAram is contained in the word sacrament "religious ceremony or act regarded as outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace" applied by the Eastern, pre-reformation Western and Roman Catholic church to the seven rites of baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist , penance, extreme unction , orders and matrimony. A Samskaara is that which refines and purifies the performer. There are 52 Samskaaras meant to uplift the Jivaatma to the Paramaatma, out of which some rishis have recommended 10. These are prescribed by the Smritis, based on Vedas. For the purification of mind, these karmas have to be performed sincerely. The purified mind can then undertake Atma Vichaaram to attain Moksha.
Sl. Nos. 01 to 09 are to be done by the parents. The
parents should see that their children do not blame them later for not
doing these Samskaaras.
Sl. Nos. 10 is to be done by the Brahmacharies during Gurukulavaasam. This duration is about 12 years.
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