The Significance of Namakarana: Choosing a Sacred Name
The rituals in the Hindu culture hold a great significance to increase the spiritual values in the life of an individual person. Naamkaran sanskar is one among the important ceremonies performed to officially give a new identity to a little one. Generally this ceremony is conducted on the eleventh or twelfth day after the birth of the baby. But yes, the time might differ according to the tradition of the particular family and their religious custom.
Here, the ceremony marks the entry of the child in the community with a specific name. The name indeed holds an auspicious meaning which is done with a hope of a great future for the child. The Naamkaran ceremony is performed to symbolize the identity of the baby with blessings and prayers. Also, this marks the initial point of the journey of the little one. Let’s explore more interesting facts about Naamkaran sanskar.
What is Naamkaran sanskar?
Our elders have definitely held the Naamkaran sanskaras for each child. But do you the specific reason behind this ceremony? If not, then stay tuned to know reasons for this auspicious ceremony. In Sanskrit language, Nam means to name and Karan means to create. Therefore, it is a ceremony to choose the name for a little one following the traditional rules and astrological significance. This happy ritual brings the family, friends together to celebrate the joyful birth of little one. In some of the tradition, Naamkaran sanskar is also known as ‘Palanarohan’. This word means to put the child in the cradle for the first time.
Traditional Hindu practice of Naamkaran sanskar
Priest asks the mother and father to start the practice of Naamkaran sanskar. It starts with prayers and mantra chanted aloud in the presence of family members and relatives. These mantras are chanted to seek blessing from the God Agni, spirits of ancestors and elements.
Here, rice is filled and spread on a bronze plate. After this, using a gold stick, father writes the chosen name for the little one. Mantras are continuously chanted along with taking God’s name to witness the ceremony and shower blessings on the baby. Father whispers the chosen name into the ears of the baby for about three to four times accompanied with prayers. All other members present in the family have to repeat the words of the priest to officially accept the chosen name. Following, elders members of the family offer blessings and gift to little one which marks end of Naamkaran sanskar. After naming the baby, the astrologer presents the horoscope in this ceremony and knows a reflection of the future.
How is the name selected for baby in Naamkaran sanskar?
Generally, Hindu families believe to take the advice from vedic astrologer before arriving for the particular name of the baby. The initial letter of the name indeed possesses an auspicious significance. Therefore, one has to follow the five vedic astrology rules to decide the perfect initial letter for the baby. These principles are as follows:
- Janam Nakshatranam - The comparison of the exact position of the planets, lunar asterism, date of birth, time and moon sign are mainly considered. All of these play a significant role in naming the child and predicting its future.
- Masanam- Month of the birth of a child plays great importance.
- Devatanama- It refers to the family deity
- Rashinama- It shows the zodiac sign of the baby
- Samsarikanama- It means a world name. This is a bit of an exception from all above principles.
Traditionally, it is believed that the name of a boy child should consist of an even number of letters like 2,4,6,8 etc. However for girl children an odd number of letters is preferable. But an eleven letter name is considered auspicious for both genders.
Therefore, the name of the baby is preferably selected on basis of their nakshatra or position of their birth star according to astrology in Naamkaran sanskar. Even, there are name of the application available which can help to select the name of baby based on their birth time, date, place etc. All of these detail will help you to know the initial letter of little one after this, you can prefer to name according to your choice.
What is the right time to perform Naamkaran sanskaras?
The Naamkaran sanskaras is conducted generally after performing Jatakarma immediately after birth of a baby. But in modern times, with increasing birth rates in hospitals, people prefer to celebrate Naamkaran and Jatakarma sanskaras together. It is advised to perform the Naamkaran ceremony after eleven days of birth of a little one. This is conducted after Sutika or Shuddhikaran period in which the baby and mother are under postnatal care. But yes, the day of ceremony might differ based upon the selection of priest or astrologer. This ceremony might also delayed in some circumstances till the first birthday of the little one.
What is purpose of performing Naamkaran sanskar?
The definite purpose of performing Naamkaran sanskar is mentioned in Sage Sankha. According to this, the father or any other elder members initiate the connection of baby with this world with devatas, nakshatra and kula or clan.
If the naming of a child is not done according to Naamkaran sanskaras principles then it might lead to great sort of confusion and develop bizarre identities. Hence, the purpose of Naamkaran sanskar is to give a specific identity with taking all principles in consideration.
Impacts of Naamkaran sanskar
Naamkaran sanskar makes a great influence on the baby in different ways. It has a great impact in framing the personality of the individual and nurtures the character too.
Face. the figure and appearance of the individual changes with time but not the name. Yes, the name of a person influences its nature but it also impacts upon the society surrounding him or her. The prosperity of the name of an individual impacts on the way of presenting himself in front of others in terms of words, gestures and deeds. Unknowingly the name of a person also influences his or her presence in the society.
The choice of the name for the little one should follow principles appropriately. Or else the situation might come when he or she needs to face humiliation from others in society. This situation might influence the baby’s life in a negative way and affect its emotional, sensual and mental health. You will never know as the baby grows up with inferiority complexes in life.
Contemporary a good name for the baby brings self-confidence, happiness and comfort in life. Therefore, naming the baby isn’t just a formality but the entire ceremony of Naamkaran sanskar which will influence the rest of life. Also, this is done with the witness of family, friends and other well wishers to impart blessing to little one with its journey of life. This traditional ceremony will impact the health and welfare of little ones in a positive way.
Scientific significance of Naamkaran sanskar
Above all, the main aim for the Naamkaran sanskaras is to impart the particular identity to the baby which is used in all documentation procedures. But there are also other scientific significance for performing of Naamkaran sanskar.
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Sutika Snan
The mother and the baby are offered with ‘Sutika Snan’ after ten days of birth. Sutika Snan is a word that comes from the ‘Sutak’. It is basically a period of ten days followed strictly for all family members. In this period, it is restricted to visit any holy place like temple, ceremonies and more. Also, the mother and child are confined together in a room. After the passing of these ten days, mother and baby are given a hot water bath mixed with Ganga Jal. They are confined to a room to give them space to regain their physical strength and immunity. After this bath, mother completely feels stress free.
Apart from this, a little one is confined to a room to protect it from all high risk of vulnerable diseases which might prove life threatening conditions. It mainly includes diseases like congenital abnormalities, severe birth asphyxia, RH incompatibility and more. Even the wounds gained from the severing of umbilical cord needs ten days of time to get cured. The condition of jaundice and cephalic hematoma also ends within ten days of time. If a baby has faced any such situation then it indeed comes to an end and the baby regains the birth weight. Behind this tradition, babies are actually provided a safe environment during these ten days.
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Janam Nakshatra and concept of sound/phonetics
Janam Nakshatra is made on the basis of the exact position of the planets at the time of birth of the baby. Nakshatra here refers to the star transiting with the moon in a particular way at the exact time of birth. It is believed that performing Naamkaran sanskar according to Janam Nakshatra greatly influences in shaping character of the baby and even deciding its destiny in future.
From Janam nakshatra the initial letter of the baby’s name is decided. After this, you can choose any name according to the initial letter. Many of the couples prefer to find the name according to Janam Nakshatra and matching it with numerology. It brings luck to the baby's life and fits well with the family's surname.
Benefits of Naamkaran sanskar
The cherished tradition of the Naamkaran sanskaras has have many benefits to offer the baby some of which are as follows
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Cultural significance
It passes the cultural heritage and tradition to the next generation to get benefits of choosing a right name which can impact directly on one’s character and nature.
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Identity
This provides the child with a personal identity which is important for social recognition and also personal development.
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Astrological importance
The name of the baby is chosen based on the astrological charts. These have a great role to align the destiny of the baby with making cosmic forces to lead a harmonious life.
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Blessings and positivity
Naamkaran sanskar involves the family and community members to offer prayer and blessings to the little one. The divine atmosphere created helps in bringing positivity and good fortune to the child.
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Social bonding
The ceremony becomes a reason for the social gathering of family, friends and relatives to celebrate the arrival of new members in the family.
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Spiritual significance
This ceremony is considered a spiritual milestone to shape the character of a baby with religious practices.
Conclusion
Naamkaran sanskar is tagged as an important and cherished tradition among sixteen sanskar in Hindu culture. It is performed with the aim to begin the social life of the child with passing on cultural heritage and strengthening the family bonding. This ceremony is a beautiful blend of spiritual values, culture and family bonding to celebrate the arrival of little members in the family. Naamkaran sanskar performed at the right time and following principles of Naamkaran will help in shaping the nature, character and destiny of the baby. In short, Naamkaran sanskar is a ceremony to shower blessings, love and meaning to a little one.
FAQs
1. Which are the mantras chanted during Naamkaran sanskar?
Naamkaran sanskar involves chanting of specific Vedic mantras which helps to get divine blessings, protect the child. These mantras are proven to create a positive sound vibration which is beneficial for the baby.
2. Who plays an important role in Naamkaran sanskar?
Presence of the priest, parents and family elders plays an important role in Naamkaran sanskar. These members essentially imparts the blessings and help in choosing right name of baby.
3. When is Naamkaran sanskar performed?
It is advised to conduct the ceremony of Naamkaran sanskar at eleventh day after the birth of baby. Further, you can prefer an astrologer to get the perfect time for Naamkaran sanskar.
4. How is the baby’s name chosen according to Naamkaran sanskaras?
The name is decided for the baby with consideration of some factors like time of birth, position of stars and planets, family’s culture and tradition etc.
5. Which god is prayed in Naamkaran sanskar?
The Naamkaran sanskar ceremony is performed to get blessings from the Agni dev and other gods and goddesses.