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Jaina Ethics and Miscellaneous Customs and Manners
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is performed; or sometimes it is performed on the second or third day after the Šuchikarma'. In the presence of all members of the family, the astrologer reads the child's horoscope prepared by him and the preceptor conducts the worship of vital planets. Then they all proceed to the Jaina temple where after the worship of Tirthankara a name is given to the child by its paternal aunt. Annaprāśana : It means the giving of food to the child for the first time. This is performed on any auspicious day during the sixth month in the case of a male child, and during the fifth month in the case of a female child. After the worship to be performed by the preceptor is over, the mother feeds the child from the food offered
to the family deity. (10) Karnavedha : This is piercing the lobes of ears of the
child when it becomes three, five or seven years old. At this time the preceptor duly performs the worship of Mātās or Hindu goddesses and chants certain
‘mantras.' (11) Kshaurakurma or Chūdā karma : Then on any auspici
ous day this tonsure ceremony is performed. The preceptor worships the Mātās and then the barber of the family shaves the child. In the case of the upper three classes a tuft of hair is kept on the crown of the head and in the case of a Sūdra the head is shaven
completely. (12) Upanayana : This initiation ceremony is allowed only
for the first three classes and that too at a specific time, namely, for the Brahmins during the eighth year, the Kshatriyas during the eleventh year and the Vaiśyas during the twelfth year. Sūdras are not entitled to have this ceremony. On an auspicious day the preceptor after performing the worship of a Jaina idol in front of the house, chants certain hymns and gives the sacred thread to the boy. Then he communicates three times the Pañcha Parameshthi Mantra' in the boy's ears and making him a Brahmachārī the preceptor teaches
