This is the sixth
Vedic Sacrament and as the name of the sacrament implies it is accomplished
for the naming of the new-born.
The
Vedic Philosophy leading up to this sacrament
The Vedic sacrament
as has been stated in our previous issues , is a special spiritual prayer
to the Omnipresent Protector wherein we seek His grace and guidance in
modifying our lives with spiritual and ethical attributes and noble
social behaviors.
A newly wed couple
have many ideas and aspirations in the establishment of a happy and
prosperous family .
They now recall
their own steps taken in keeping the whole process as holy as possible .
They had faithfully performed the sacrament for conception. In the days
following the conception they had refrained from indulgences and had
followed the rules of celibacy. They spent the leisure hours in religious
fellowships. They had the priest perform the punsavanam sacrament at the
second month of the pregnancy in the presence of the family members,
relatives and well-wishers. The vows thus were renewed.
They further recall
that on the fourth , sixth and eight months the simantonayan sacraments were
performed for the welfare of the mother as well as the child in the womb.
Throughout the pregnancy the tempo of the religious fellowships were
enhanced. They had maintained honesty and transparency in all their
activities which again had the embodiment of sacrificial motives. They gave
donations in kind and in money to the needy and poor. They also gave due
respect to the elders. These are positive values. At the birth of the
new-born the Jaat Karam sacrament was accomplished with the father of the
family-unit leading the ceremony. With arrival of the child efforts were
made to further improve the physical, psychological and religious
environments to allow for the attainment of positive values as much as
possible .
Such were their
personal accounts, and with these glad feelings they are now making all the
due preparations for the Naam Karan Sanakar .
They wish for a name
which in a nut shell very adeptly would reflect their own inner feelings
and would then become a beacon for the growing child to follow the chosen
path. Whenever his/her name would be called out affectionately, the very
sound of that name would ring the bells for a chain reaction in his/her
mental processes for positive responses. The intensity of such responses
would gain with age and eventually a personality would take shape which
would then be endeared by all around him/her. These are some of the
reasons why in the Vedic culture and philosophy the accomplishment of Naam
Karan Sanskar is so vital and significant.
What is in a name?
The letters in a word create the name which in turn spells out the meaning
of that name . All names have either a positive or a negative effect
depending upon the word chosen. One should remember that this particular
name, this very name , would become the life-long identification mark of
that person . Therefore it is very imperative that an utmost of intelligence
and wisdom is exercised to choose this name and assistance should be sought
from the learned and the wise.
The choice of a name
The choice of a name
is of immense significance . In our choices we visualize a situation -a
word- where all our aspirations are encased. The name when uttered should
have the weight and authority to impinge an effect. The loudness of the
name so uttered would also signal a message to all around in the family,
relatives, all well-wishers and members of the community, that a person of
certain characteristics is now a focus of attention among them. There is a
sense of a proclamation to all and sundry to hear and listen. In the growing
child himself / herself there is intensity of reaction to this loudness
of the name so uttered. The Vedic scriptures state that this very name then
has the potentials of moulding a person's character and personality. Due
diligence should be exercised when choosing a name. Name should not
resemble and represent the name of animals , trees, rivers, flowers or any
material object. Names should have connotations of high ideals and
aspirations, which in addition to identifying the child with ease should
also create in him / her a sense of immense responsibility.
The name chosen
should be easy and gentle, and which could be easily and readily
pronounced. A name with many syllables is inappropriate and becomes
cumbersome in pronunciation. The name may thus be wrongly emphasised giving
a distorted hearing perception .
The Choice of an Auspicious Day for the Naam Karan Sanskar
The “ Sanskar Vidhi
“ text clearly stipulates the timing of the sacrament. There are three
different times but the importance is given to the first one. It should be
performed on the eleventh day (counting the day one -the day the child was
born); on one hundred and one days later; or on the first anniversary of the
child.
Eleventh Day:
If the birth had been normal without any ill effect to the mother - assuming
that the child is well and healthy and the mother can actively participate
in this ceremony .
One Hundred and One
days
: When the mother has some physical and mental failings and
illness it is envisaged that she will be well at the end of three months.
On the First Anniversary: There are occasions when the parents would
prefer a larger number of relatives from distant places to arrive, and they
would be able to meet the deadline on the 1st anniversary .
It is very
important that the Naam Karan Sacrament should be accomplished as soon as
possible so that the psychic impact is maximised as early as possible ; and
the process of identifying the child by name becomes practical and
unhindered. Without a proper name others begin to give odd names and / or
nicknames and this process creates adverse psychic impact. And when the
proper name is given much later in time some adverse psychological reactions
tend to develop due to the change in the name. That is why it is prudent to
have this sacrament accomplished on the 11th day.
It is observed that
even after the Naam Karan Sacrament , nicknames are given and sometimes it
is more than one nickname. This attitude is not appropriate and for obvious
reasons the effect of the real name is nullified and the whole purpose of
the Naam Karan Sacrament is defeated and will lead to deleterious = harmful
effect on the child‘s mind . It is prudent to seek the assistance of the
learned and wise people in the community when the choice of name is made.
The day the
Sacrament is to be performed there should be rejoicing all around, and
everyone should be happy and in joyful mood. Relatives , friends and
well-wishers should be invited and welcomed accordingly with seating
arrangements and provided with refreshments and food.
The father is now
seated on the right side of the mother - this procedure places the father in
the leading role in this Sacrament as laid down in the “ Sanskar Vidhi “
text. The ceremony is officiated by the Vedic Priest . The father joins in
the performance of the Havan -Yaj, and on indication by the priest the
father announces the chosen name . It is important that the meaning of the
name and its subsequent significance is properly understood by the parents
, family members . the relatives and friends and as the child grows the
subtle meanings of the name is made known to him / her, and this measure
should be repeated on various occasions to have a meaningful effect on the
child .
