Lesson 1 – Rites of Hinduism (Sanskars)

Meaning:
In Hindu religion, there are some special celebrations or rituals that are done at
different important times in a person’s life. These are called rites (sanskars).
Ten rites mentioned in Smriti Shastra:
1. Gorvodhan – Ceremony before a child is born. (Not practiced now)
2. Pungsobon – Another ritual before birth. (Not practiced now)
3. Shemon to Unnoyon – Blessing for mother and unborn child. (Not practiced
now)
4. Jatkarma – Ritual right after a baby is born.
5. Namkaran – Naming ceremony.
6. Annaprashan – First time a baby eats rice.
7. Churakarn – First haircut.
8. Samavartan – Celebration when a student finishes studies and returns from
teacher’s home.
9. Upanayan – Sacred thread ceremony for boys.
[Link] – Marriage ceremony.

Some rites explained:

• Jatkarma: After a baby is born, the father says mantras and touches the
baby’s tongue with honey, ghee, etc.
• Namkaran: Naming the baby on the 10th, 11th, 12th, or 100th day.
• Annaprashan: Baby eats rice for the first time — in the 6th month for boys,
and 5th, 8th, or 10th month for girls.
 • Samavartan: In old times, when a student returned after learning from
guru, there was a celebration.
• Bibaho: Marriage ceremony of bride and groom.

Lesson 2 – Marriage (Bibaho)

Meaning:
In Hinduism, marriage is a very important part of life. A man cannot complete
religious duties without his wife. Marriage means the man promises to take care
of his wife, meet her needs, and protect her respect.

8 types of marriage mentioned in Smriti Shastra:

1. Brahma
2. Daiva
3. Arya
4. Prajapatya – Most common today.
5. Asura
6. Gandharva – Love marriage by exchanging garlands and promises.
7. Rakshasa
8. Paishacha
Popular today:
• Prajapatya Bibaho: The bride is covered with clothes, given jewelry, and
married to a learned and good man.
• Gandharva Bibaho: Marriage by exchanging garlands and promises —
example: Dushanta and Shakuntala in Mahabharata.
Marriage Mantra meaning:
"Your heart is mine, my heart is yours."
It means husband and wife promise to live together in good and bad times till
death.

Importance of Marriage:
• It is the best celebration among the 10 propitious celebrations in our total
life.
• Man achieves paternity by being child’s father and Women achieve
maternity by being child’s mother.
• A happy family is formed with father, mother, son, daughter.
• Marriage helps build good and ideal human beings.

Dowry is a social sin:

• Meaning: Dowry is when the bride’s family gives money or property to the
bridegroom’s family during marriage.
• Harm: It is a social disease and harms society.
• Crime: Giving or taking dowry is equally wrong.
• Causes: Dowry happens because of illiteracy, carelessness, and a father-
centered social system.
• Solution:
o Dowry should be stopped.
o Women should be made educated and aware of their rights.
o Society’s mindset should change.
o Strict laws should be enforced against dowry.
Hindu Marriage (Bibaho) – Lessons 3 & 4
1. Meaning and Importance:
• Hindu marriage is not just a connection; it is one of the happiest and most
important moments of life.
• It is performed with Mantra, Ulithian, Shonkhodhoni in front of Narayan,
elders, guru, priest, relatives, and invited guests.
• The celebration ends with joggo and other formalities.
2. Parts of Marriage Ceremony:
• Main parts include: Ashirbad, Odhibash, Bridhisradho, Gaye Holud (Gatro
Horidra), Reception of bridegroom (Bar-baron), Shuvodrishti, Garland
Exchange, Somprodan, Worship Ceremony, Saatpaake Bandha (seven
rounds), Marital sign on forehead, Saptapadigaman, Bashi Biye,
Astamangala.
• Some parts are based on scriptures, others are general customs, which may
vary region to region.
• Ashirbad: Blessings from elders.
• Odhibash means the night before the marriage when the bride and
bridegroom stay in their respective houses and preparations are
completed.
3. Bridhisradho:
• On the day of marriage or the previous day, both families pay tribute to
their ancestors.
4. Gaye Holud (Gatro Horidra):
• Starts the formal marriage ceremony at bride and groom’s houses.
• Bride/groom sits on a mat; elders bless with rice and grass, younger ones
say Nomskar.
 • Turmeric mixture (turmeric, methi, sandal, mustard, sundha) applied to
cheeks, forehead, and hands.
• Sweetmeats are given to eat.
• Purpose: Purify the body and wish happiness, peace, and a strong married
life.
5. Garland Exchange:
• Bride and groom exchange garlands three times.
6. Somprodan (Giving Away the Bride):
• Bride and groom sit facing each other (bride west, groom east) on the
marriage seat.
• Person giving the bride sits facing north.
• Groom places right hand on a decorated water pitcher from the Ganges;
bride’s right hand is placed on groom’s hand.
• Five fruits and kushpatra are tied with red cloth and garlands.
• Somprodankorta’s names are mentioned using tongue and shell sounds.
7. Worship Ceremony and Seven Rounds (Saatpakey Bandha):
• Square worship stage is made.
• Mantras from the Veda are recited.
• Mango leaf soaked with ghee thrown in fire to burn pride, anger, jealousy,
and hatred.
• Couple circles the fire seven times, tying their lives together.
• Sometimes corners of their clothes are tied together.
8. Marital Sign on Forehead:
• After Somprodan and worship, groom applies vermillion (sindoor) on
bride’s forehead.
 • Symbolizes she is married and can wear it as long as her husband lives.
• Done on Gaye Holud or Bashi Bibaho (day after marriage).

Funerals (Anthesthyakria) – Clear Notes

• The word Antasti = Anta (last) + Isti (fire offering) → meaning last offering
of fire (burning the body after death).
• Death means the soul leaves the body. The body then becomes lifeless,
starts to rot, and must be cremated with respect.
• The funeral rites are called Anthesthyakria.
Funeral Process:
1. The body is covered with cloth, decorated with garlands and sandal.
2. Taken to the cremation ground (samsan).
3. The head is placed towards the south, and the body is laid on reed (bed of
grass).
4. The person doing the cremation bathes the body and applies oil and
turmeric.
5. The body is dressed in new cloth, decorated with garlands and sandal.
6. The seven holes (two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, mouth) are covered with
gold or copper.
7. A funeral cake (pinda) is offered.
8. A pyre (firewood bed) is made with mango wood or sandalwood (any wood
can be used if sandalwood is not available).
9. The body is placed on the pyre (chita) and burned (Dahokarjo).
10. Nowadays, electric furnaces are also used for cremation.
Importance of Funerals:
• If the body is left, it will rot and pollute the environment.
• Funeral is both religious (purifies soul, gives respect) and social (brings
people together).
• Relatives, neighbors, and friends visit, showing sympathy and respect.
• Creates fellow feeling, strengthens social bonds, and develops social
values.

Oshoucha – Easy Notes

• Shoucha = purity. Oshoucha = a state of impurity after the death of close
relatives (parents or dear ones).
• When someone close dies → body and mind become unstable. Oshoucha
gives time to recover.
• During Oshoucha:
o People eat only fruits and a special food called Habisshanno.
o A basil (tulsi) plant is placed in the yard → water and milk are offered
in the name of the dead.
o On the 4th and 10th day → meals are offered (called purok pinda).
o A total of 10 pinda offerings are made.
o During Oshoucha, people shave their heads and wear new dress.
o On the 2nd day after Oshoucha → Shraddha is observed.
• Time of Oshoucha is different for castes:
o Brahmin → 10 days
o Kshatriya → 12 days
o Vaishya → 15 days
 o Shudra → 30 days
o Nowadays, all castes generally observe 10 days Oshoucha and
perform Shraddha on the 11th or 13th day.
• Oshoucha is of two types:
o Janana-Soucho → impurity after birth of a child.
o Maron-Soucho → impurity after death.
Importance of Oshoucha:
• Not only a religious rule but also has social value.
• Death of parents/relatives makes family members mentally weak and sad.
• Oshoucha gives time to calm the mind and prepare to pray for the peace of
the dead person’s soul.
• Brings mental peace, steadiness, and respect for ancestors.
• Strengthens family and social bonds by honoring the dead.