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{{Short description|Hindu rite of passage}} | {{Short description|Hindu rite of passage}} | ||
{{Hinduism_small}} | {{Hinduism_small}} | ||
The '''Samavartana''' ({{ | The '''Samavartana''' ({{langx|sa|समावर्तन}}, {{IAST|Samāvartana}}), also known as '''{{IAST|Snāna}}''', is a rite of passage in the ancient texts of [[Hinduism]]. Performed at the close of the [[Brahmacharya]] period, it marks the graduation of a student from ''Gurukul'' (school).<ref>For definition of {{IAST|Samāvartana}}, and alternate term {{IAST|Snāna}}, see: {{Harvnb|Pandey|1969|p=146}}.</ref> It signifies a person's readiness to enter [[grihastashrama]] (householder, married life). | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
''Samavartana'' or ''Snana'', is the ceremony associated with the end of formal education and the [[Brahmacharya]] asrama of life. This rite of passage includes a ceremonial bath.<ref>PV Kane, [https://archive.org/stream/historyofdharmas029210mbp#page/n461/mode/2up Samskara, Chapter VII], History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, pages 405-408</ref> | ''Samavartana'', or ''Snana'', is the ceremony associated with the end of formal education and the [[Brahmacharya]] [[Āśrama (stage)|asrama]] of life. This rite of passage includes a ceremonial bath.<ref>PV Kane, [https://archive.org/stream/historyofdharmas029210mbp#page/n461/mode/2up Samskara, Chapter VII], History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, pages 405-408</ref> The ceremony marked the end of school, but did not imply immediate start of married life. Typically, significant time elapsed between exiting Brahmacharya and entering the [[Gṛhastha|Grihastha]] stage of life.<ref>PV Kane, [https://archive.org/stream/historyofdharmas029210mbp#page/n465/mode/2up Samskara, Chapter VII], History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, page 408</ref> | ||
Anyone who had completed this rite of passage was considered a ''Vidya-snataka'' (literally, bathed in knowledge, or showered with learning), and symbolized as one who had crossed the ocean of learning.<ref>Kathy Jackson (2005), Rituals and Patterns in Children's Lives, University of Wisconsin Press, {{ISBN|978-0299208301}}, page 52</ref> | Anyone who had completed this rite of passage was considered a ''Vidya-snataka'' (literally, bathed in knowledge, or showered with learning), and symbolized as one who had crossed the ocean of learning.<ref>Kathy Jackson (2005), Rituals and Patterns in Children's Lives, University of Wisconsin Press, {{ISBN|978-0299208301}}, page 52</ref> | ||
==Ceremony== | ==Ceremony== | ||
The ceremony was a gathering of students, teacher and guests. The student asked the teacher for any gift (''guru-dakshina'') he desired, which if specified was the student's responsibility to deliver over his lifetime.<ref>PV Kane, [https://archive.org/stream/historyofdharmas029210mbp#page/n463/mode/2up Snana or Samavartana, Chapter VII], History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, pages 406-409</ref> Then, after a recitation by the teacher of a graduate's [[dharma]] (snataka-dharma)<ref>PV Kane, [https://archive.org/stream/historyofdharmas029210mbp#page/n469/mode/2up Samskara, Chapter VII], History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, pages 412-417 (note: link has missing pages)</ref> and a fire ritual, the graduate took a ceremonial bath. The ceremony occurred after completion of at least 12 years of school, that is | The ceremony was a gathering of students, teacher and guests. The student asked the teacher for any gift (''guru-dakshina'') he desired, which if specified was the student's responsibility to deliver over his lifetime.<ref>PV Kane, [https://archive.org/stream/historyofdharmas029210mbp#page/n463/mode/2up Snana or Samavartana, Chapter VII], History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, pages 406-409</ref> Then, after a recitation by the teacher of a graduate's [[dharma]] (''snataka-dharma'')<ref>PV Kane, [https://archive.org/stream/historyofdharmas029210mbp#page/n469/mode/2up Samskara, Chapter VII], History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, pages 412-417 (note: link has missing pages)</ref> and a fire ritual, the graduate took a ceremonial bath. The ceremony occurred after completion of at least 12 years of school, that is at about age 21 or later. | ||
[Taittiriya Upanishad] describes, in the eleventh anuvaka of Shiksha Valli, the ''snataka-dharma'' recitation emphasized by the teacher to a graduate at this rite of passage.<ref name=ssastri1112/><ref name=pauldeussentu1112/> The verses ask the graduate to take care of themselves and pursue [[Dharma]], [[Artha]] and [[Kama]] to the best of their abilities. Parts of the verses in section 1.11.1, for example, state<ref name=ssastri1112/> | The [[Taittiriya Upanishad]] describes, in the eleventh anuvaka of Shiksha Valli, the ''snataka-dharma'' recitation emphasized by the teacher to a graduate at this rite of passage.<ref name=ssastri1112/><ref name=pauldeussentu1112/> The verses ask the graduate to take care of themselves and pursue [[Dharma]], [[Artha]] and [[Kama]] to the best of their abilities. Parts of the verses in section 1.11.1, for example, state:<ref name=ssastri1112/> | ||
{{Quote| | {{Quote| | ||
<poem> | <poem> | ||
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|Taittirĩya Upanishad, I.11.1<ref name=ssastri1112>[https://archive.org/stream/AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English/05AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English#page/n93/mode/2up Taittiriya Upanishad] SS Sastri (Translator), The Aitereya and Taittiriya Upanishad, pages 89-92</ref><ref name=pauldeussentu1112>Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pages 229-231</ref>}} | |Taittirĩya Upanishad, I.11.1<ref name=ssastri1112>[https://archive.org/stream/AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English/05AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English#page/n93/mode/2up Taittiriya Upanishad] SS Sastri (Translator), The Aitereya and Taittiriya Upanishad, pages 89-92</ref><ref name=pauldeussentu1112>Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pages 229-231</ref>}} | ||
The eleventh anuvaka of ''Shiksha Valli'' | The eleventh anuvaka of ''Shiksha Valli'' lists behavioral guidelines for the graduating students from a ''[[Gurukula|gurukul]]'':<ref name=roberthume/><ref>Original: मातृदेवो भव । पितृदेवो भव । आचार्यदेवो भव । अतिथिदेवो भव । | ||
यान्यनवद्यानि कर्माणि तानि सेवितव्यानि । नो इतराणि । यान्यस्माकँ सुचरितानि तानि त्वयोपास्यानि । नो इतराणि ॥ २ ॥; [http://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/तैत्तिरीयोपनिषद् Taittiriya Upanishad (Sanskrit)], Wikisource</ref> | यान्यनवद्यानि कर्माणि तानि सेवितव्यानि । नो इतराणि । यान्यस्माकँ सुचरितानि तानि त्वयोपास्यानि । नो इतराणि ॥ २ ॥; [http://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/तैत्तिरीयोपनिषद् Taittiriya Upanishad (Sanskrit)], Wikisource</ref> | ||
{{Quote| | {{Quote| | ||
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Be one to whom a mother is as god, be one to whom a father is as god, | Be one to whom a mother is as god, be one to whom a father is as god, | ||
Be one to whom an ''Acharya'' (spiritual guide, scholars you learn from) is as god, | Be one to whom an ''Acharya'' (spiritual guide, scholars you learn from) is as god, | ||
Be one to whom a guest is as god.<ref name=roberthume>[https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n301/mode/2up Taittiriya Upanishad] Thirteen | Be one to whom a guest is as god.<ref name=roberthume>[https://archive.org/stream/thirteenprincipa028442mbp#page/n301/mode/2up Taittiriya Upanishad] Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Robert Hume (Translator), pages 281-282</ref> | ||
Let your actions be uncensurable, none else. | Let your actions be uncensurable, none else. | ||
Those acts that you consider good when done to you, do those to others, none else. | Those acts that you consider good when done to you, do those to others, none else. | ||
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|Taittirĩya Upanishad, I.11.2<ref name=ssastri1112>[https://archive.org/stream/AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English/05AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English#page/n93/mode/2up Taittiriya Upanishad] SS Sastri (Translator), The Aitereya and Taittiriya Upanishad, pages 89-92</ref><ref name=pauldeussentu1112>Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pages 229-231</ref>}} | |Taittirĩya Upanishad, I.11.2<ref name=ssastri1112>[https://archive.org/stream/AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English/05AitareyataittiriyaUpanishadsWithShankaraBhashya-English#page/n93/mode/2up Taittiriya Upanishad] SS Sastri (Translator), The Aitereya and Taittiriya Upanishad, pages 89-92</ref><ref name=pauldeussentu1112>Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120814684}}, pages 229-231</ref>}} | ||
The third section of the eleventh anuvaka lists charity and giving, with faith, sympathy, modesty and cheerfulness, as ethical | The third section of the eleventh anuvaka lists charity and giving, with faith, sympathy, modesty and cheerfulness, as ethical precepts for the graduating students at the ''Samavartana'' rite of passage.<ref name=pauldeussentu1112/> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Saṃskāra]] | *[[Saṃskāra]] – a list of rites of passage in Hinduism | ||
*[[Rites of passage]] | *[[Rites of passage]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:55, 18 November 2024
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The Samavartana (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist., Samāvartana), also known as Snāna, is a rite of passage in the ancient texts of Hinduism. Performed at the close of the Brahmacharya period, it marks the graduation of a student from Gurukul (school).[1] It signifies a person's readiness to enter grihastashrama (householder, married life).
Description[edit | edit source]
Samavartana, or Snana, is the ceremony associated with the end of formal education and the Brahmacharya asrama of life. This rite of passage includes a ceremonial bath.[2] The ceremony marked the end of school, but did not imply immediate start of married life. Typically, significant time elapsed between exiting Brahmacharya and entering the Grihastha stage of life.[3]
Anyone who had completed this rite of passage was considered a Vidya-snataka (literally, bathed in knowledge, or showered with learning), and symbolized as one who had crossed the ocean of learning.[4]
Ceremony[edit | edit source]
The ceremony was a gathering of students, teacher and guests. The student asked the teacher for any gift (guru-dakshina) he desired, which if specified was the student's responsibility to deliver over his lifetime.[5] Then, after a recitation by the teacher of a graduate's dharma (snataka-dharma)[6] and a fire ritual, the graduate took a ceremonial bath. The ceremony occurred after completion of at least 12 years of school, that is at about age 21 or later.
The Taittiriya Upanishad describes, in the eleventh anuvaka of Shiksha Valli, the snataka-dharma recitation emphasized by the teacher to a graduate at this rite of passage.[7][8] The verses ask the graduate to take care of themselves and pursue Dharma, Artha and Kama to the best of their abilities. Parts of the verses in section 1.11.1, for example, state:[7]
Never err from Truth,
Never err from Dharma,
Never neglect your well-being,
Never neglect your health,
Never neglect your prosperity,
Never neglect Svādhyāya (study of oneself) and Pravacana (exposition of Vedas).
The eleventh anuvaka of Shiksha Valli lists behavioral guidelines for the graduating students from a gurukul:[9][10]
Be one to whom a mother is as god, be one to whom a father is as god,
Be one to whom an Acharya (spiritual guide, scholars you learn from) is as god,
Be one to whom a guest is as god.[9]
Let your actions be uncensurable, none else.
Those acts that you consider good when done to you, do those to others, none else.
The third section of the eleventh anuvaka lists charity and giving, with faith, sympathy, modesty and cheerfulness, as ethical precepts for the graduating students at the Samavartana rite of passage.[8]
See also[edit | edit source]
- Saṃskāra – a list of rites of passage in Hinduism
- Rites of passage
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ For definition of Samāvartana, and alternate term Snāna, see: Pandey 1969, p. 146.
- ↑ PV Kane, Samskara, Chapter VII, History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, pages 405-408
- ↑ PV Kane, Samskara, Chapter VII, History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, page 408
- ↑ Kathy Jackson (2005), Rituals and Patterns in Children's Lives, University of Wisconsin Press, ISBN 978-0299208301, page 52
- ↑ PV Kane, Snana or Samavartana, Chapter VII, History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, pages 406-409
- ↑ PV Kane, Samskara, Chapter VII, History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, pages 412-417 (note: link has missing pages)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Taittiriya Upanishad SS Sastri (Translator), The Aitereya and Taittiriya Upanishad, pages 89-92
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Paul Deussen, Sixty Upanishads of the Veda, Volume 1, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120814684, pages 229-231
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Taittiriya Upanishad Thirteen Principal Upanishads, Robert Hume (Translator), pages 281-282
- ↑ Original: मातृदेवो भव । पितृदेवो भव । आचार्यदेवो भव । अतिथिदेवो भव । यान्यनवद्यानि कर्माणि तानि सेवितव्यानि । नो इतराणि । यान्यस्माकँ सुचरितानि तानि त्वयोपास्यानि । नो इतराणि ॥ २ ॥; Taittiriya Upanishad (Sanskrit), Wikisource
Further reading[edit | edit source]
- Pandey, Rajbali (1969), Hindu Saṁskāras: Socio-Religious Study of the Hindu Sacraments (Second Revised ed.), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0434-1
- Samavartana, Snāna PV Kane, History of Dharmasastras, pages 407-417
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