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The Brahma-Gaudiya-Vaisnava-sampradaya carries within itself the divine transcendental message of Bhaktivata-dharma, the intrinsic culture of the primeval Tradition, to repeat the phrase of the famous philosopher, René Guénon.

This primeval Traditon obviously rests on the original, universal and very sacred foundations of vaisnava-vedanta whose socio-cultural, scientific, philosophical, religious and spiritual legacy is boundlessly rich. Anyone who is interested in this legacy cannot remain indifferent to Vaisnava, ritualistic practices inherent in samskaras.

The word samskara (from the Sanskrit sam-s-kara) means perfect deed. It is highly beneficial, purifying and sanctifying ceremony. Its rite rests on a series of actions in harmony with metaphysical rules that manifest the invisible reality, which our gross senses cannot perceive, in the visible world. Samskaras eradicate bad karma and increase the auspicious influences of material nature. But what do we mean exactly by samskaras?

How are they performed? What purpose do they really serve in Vaisnavism for men and women of this day and age?

Here is a list of the principal Vaisnava samskaras:

vivaha (marriage)
garbhadhåna (conception rite)
- pumsavana (rite for begetting a healthy child / male child)
somantannayana (parting the wife’s hair by drawing a line,
a protection rite against evil influences and for tapping cosmic energies)
- sosyanti (rite for easier childbirth)
jata-karma (birth)
- niskramana (first outing of the child)
nama-karana (name-giving)
- pausti-karma (rite aimed at providing the child with good health)
- mundana (cutting of first hairs)
anna-pra‹ana (first eating of solid food, namely cereals)
- karna-vedha (piercing of the ears)
cuda-karana (first haircut)
vidyarambha (beginning of schooling)
upanayana (initiation)
antyesti-kriya (funeral rites)