Samskara_Intro_2019-20

following:

When you hear the word “samskara”, what first comes to

mind?
What do you already think or know of samskaras?
On a scale of 0-10 (low to high) how much interest do you have for this topic? Why?
What are you hoping to learn in this unit?

formation and use of words

of conception until death for purifying a human being.
>>>

Ref. VedaBase => Glossary

Related words: saìskrti, asaàskåta, Sanskrit

in a person’s life indicative of a transition from one

stage to another, as from adolescence to adulthood.
(American Heritage Dictionary)

examples?

Puîsavana Rite for making a male child

Sámantonnayanam Parting the wife's hair
Ëoìyantá Homa Rite for safe delivery
3. Jàta Karma Birth ceremony
4. Niìkràmaêam Taking the child outside for the first time
5. Nàma Karaêa Name-giving ceremony
6. Pauìèika Karma For continued health of the child 7. Anna Pràëana First grains ceremony
Putra Mârdhàbhighràêam Smelling the son's head
8. Câéà Karaêam Hair-cutting ceremony
Karêavedha Piercing the ears
9. Upanayanam Reformatory rites of a bràhmaêa
Vidyàrambha Beginning education
10. Samàvartana Graduation ceremony

jänätéti brähmaëaù
 
Everyone is born a çüdra. By reformatory practices one

can become a dvija. By cultivation of knowledge and culture, one becomes a vipra. But only one who knows Brahman is a first-class man, a brähmaëa.
– Atreya Smrti

Why Saàskäras?

. . He began to elaborate on the good qualities

of Gopal Bhatta Goswami and told them of His four month with Gopal Bhatta's family in Shri Rangam. . . He sent a package for Gopal Bhatta, which included His loincloth and other personal articles. . . .
Gopal Bhatta was deeply grateful that Shri Chaitanya had sent His cloth, and he treasured the sacred paraphernalia for the remaining portion of his life. Further, as Shri Rupa Goswami read the letter, he found specific instructions for Gopal Bhatta—“Do not become dependent upon security or adopt a permanent residence. Please spend most of your time assisting Rupa and Sanatan in compiling transcendental literature, and thoroughly study this literature as well.”
These instructions he took to heart, and he soon wrote a book entitled Sat-kriya-sara-dipika, a classic on the tenets of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.”
-- The Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, Satyaraja Das

bhaööo ‘yaà sädhünäm-äjïayä bhåçaà

I, Gopäla Bhaööa, receiving the order from

saintly, exalted devotees, present a manual on vedic saàskäras called “Sat Kriyä Sära Dépikä”

From the Mangalacarana:

outside the varnasrama system, I will explain the process of

performing Vedic samskaras taking evidences from the Vedas, Puranas, Manu and other Smrtis, avoiding injunctions which call for worship of the devatas and pitrs, as this would cause seva and namaparadha for the devotees.”

This book is only for householders dedicated solely to Lord Govinda!

by Gopäla Bhaööa Gosvämé on the saàskäras (purificatory rites) and

other practices pertinent to both Vaiñëava gåhasthas and renunciates. He gave his own Bengali translations as well. – The Seventh Goswami

bona-fide by the Vaiìêava world, and since this has been

logically proven with ëàstric evidence, those sense-enjoyers who are inimical to pure devotional service find this fact unpalatable.


However, there is no doubt that the vain hopes and desires of the non-Vaiìêavas will be uprooted by the re-publication of this book. Those whose hearts feel pain as if pierced by a lance, by the spreading of Vaiìêava smãti, will not be able to appreciate topics of devotional service. Nonetheless, the customs of the society of pure Vaiìêavas, being like the Pole Star, will shine forth brightly even in the darkness of the new moon. Now, this is the third printing and we view this as an opportunity to propagate the Vaiìêava faith and the rules, regulations and etiquette of devotional service. -- SKSD Preface by by His Divine Grace Ërála Bhaktisiddhànta Sarasvatá Èhàkura

written in his Sat-kriyä-sära-dépikä: “Vaiñëavas should not perform this ceremony

[Nandimukhi] out of fear of committing offenses against the holy names. In order to satisfy one's forefathers one should remember Lord Viñëu, worship the spiritual master, and give cloth and foodstuffs in charity to the Vaiñëavas and brähmaëas according to one's ability. In this way one's forefathers will be satisfied.”

Caitanya Bhagavat, Adi 15.110

bhakñayiñyanti mlecchä räjanya-rüpiëaù

Indeed, not purified by any Vedic rituals and

lacking in the practice of regulative principles, they will be completely covered by the modes of passion and ignorance. These barbarians in the guise of kings will devour the citizenry. SB 12.1.40

on Krsna in every aspect of life
Learn to express gratitude

& serve the devotees
The strength of blessings
Connection with the community
Health, intelligence, purification, etc.

Rites of passage (samskaras) are a natural part of every society
Creates deep bonds based on Krsna
Allows for loving exchanges
Fulfills need for social interaction in a Krsna conscious manner
It’s fun!

samskaras, or purificatory rites, beginning with garbhadhana-samskara, or the purification

of the sexual act. Generally, sudras and those who do not follow the Vedic system are not attracted to such purificatory ceremonies; therefore they remain ignorant of spiritual life and envious of the bona fide spiritual master. Those whose character has been civilized by a systematic cleansing process give up the tendency to be argumentative and whimsical and instead become submissive and eager to learn in the presence of a bona fide spiritual master.” -- SB 11.17.22, Purport

of the Lord and in such a state the child

is born, naturally good devotee children come; when the society is full of such good population, there is no trouble from demoniac mentalities.
-- Purport, Srimad Bhagavatam 3.20.28

festival

charity.
Revealing one’s mind in confidence.
Inquiring confidentially.
Accepting prasadam.
Offering prasadam.

performed without:

1. regard for the directions of scripture
2. distribution of

prasadam
3. chanting of Vedic hymns
4. remunerations to the priests
5. faith

is considered to be in the mode of ignorance --Bg 17.13

a human being to become Krsna conscious in this material

world, it requires immense blessings: blessings of Vaisnavas, and especially the blessings of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which come through the Vaisnavas.
So at every step, there are samskaras, there are mantras, there are purificatory practices, and most of all, there is an intent to invoke the Lord through his names, through specific rituals for that purpose at that time and to bring saintly people together on that occasion to offer their prayers and blessings for that child. And yes, those blessings give the strength to help that special being to overcome the obstacles of Maya and reach the lotus feet of the Lord.”
-- H. H. Radhanath Swami

of brahmanas who are expert in performing the purificatory processes

prescribed in the system of varnasrama-dharma.” — Srila Prabhupada, Srimad- Bhagavatam 1.12.13, purport

many definitions as you can recall.
Summarize the relevance of

samskaras in your own words.
What components are needed for a KC samskara?
Find three INTERESING quotes from Srila Prabhupada about samskaras. (Please take the time to study – not just the first three you find! Vanipedia or Vedabase are good resources)
Write about a samskara you have personally undergone. What impressions has it left on you? (If you haven’t had any or can’t remember, think of any event that has influenced you either positively or negatively.)