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The Puranas on Sacramental, Ethical and Philosophical Planes
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the Jainas Furthermore, the impracticability of the Sanskāras from the thirtythird to the thirtyninth in the above list is too obvious to require any explanation
It is, however, well-known to us that, according to the Brahmanical Āframa scheme, the Vanaprasthas and Samnyasins cease to be the members of the society and the main object of their life becomes spiritual culture through strict austerities and restraints without any sense of attachment to the world around them The sacraments, on the other hand, involve outward ritualism and mannerism and, as such, have no meaning and value for a man who is out for spiritual discipline through inner sacrifices ? It is for this reason that the Brahmanical sources do not prescribe, for the last two Aśramas, any extra ritual or sacrament
Under the circumstances, we undertake a study of some of the important sacraments, which have their parallels in the Brahmanıcal rites and rituals and, are still performed by the members of the three twice-born classes in varying degree of importance attached to the individual sacraments The study of these purificatory rites unfolds many interesting points of considerable significance, which we shall discuss in proper contexts
The first ceremony, as noted above, is the Ādhāna or Garbhādhana (foetus-laying rite) According to Jinasena “the sacrament, performed before conception with the recital of the Mantras, is called Adhāna” 8 This ceremony is enjoined to be performed after the bride had taken purificatory bath after menstruation The formalities to be undergone according to the MP are more elaborate than those prescribed by the Brahmanıcal sources The expectant parents are required to draw mystical diagrams of a circle (Cakra) and a parasol (chatra), three each respectively on the right and left sides of the fina 7 MBh XII 192 1-6 8 प्राधान नाम गर्भादौ सस्कारो मन्त्रपूर्वक ।
-MP 38 70a Gf Manu II 26-27, III 45 Also see Hindu Sams
kära, pp 60 68 0 38 71-73.
