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Sanaatan Sansthan


To promote Sanaatan Narrative, Sanaatan Sansthan will build a world-class complex (about 100 acres in area) to showcase all tenets - Philosophy, History, Struggle for survival, Arts & Sciences, and Customs & Traditions - of Sanaatan Dharma that includes all Indic darshans like Jain, Buddh, Sikh, and so on. It will enable all people, at any level – elementary to research scholars, to learn about Sanaatan Philosophy and Society.

While we wait for resources needed to build the physical complex, this website will enable collection, collation and verification of content for the physical complex. 

For introduction, please watch [video link will be updated soon]: What is Sanaatan Sansthan, Why Sanaatan Sansthan and Its Vision.

Schematic Layout 


3-D Visualization

 
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Recent Articles

Contributors

Sanaatan Sansthan values all – physical, intellectual, social and financial – contributions to promote awareness and education of Sanaatan Culture and Civilization.
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Contributors [category]

Sanaatan Sansthan values all – physical, intellectual, social and financial – contributions to promote awareness and education of Sanaatan Culture and Civilization. Sanaatan Sansthan is engaged in creating specific projects to showcase History, Philosophy, Customs and Traditions, Arts and Sciences and Our Struggle for Survival. Sanaatan Sansthan invites you to wholeheartedly contribute to this cause.  Read More

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Shradhanjali

Sanaatan Sansthan expresses deep shradhanjali to all- past, present and future- persons/ society who have contributed to, promoted and protected Sanaatan Philosophy & Vedic Culture. These persons could be Rishi, Muni, Philosopher, Rulers, Warriors, Sanyasi, Social Worker, Reformer and so on.

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Top 10 most visited page

Sanaatan Contents on Social Media

YouTube Channel :- https://www.youtube.com/@sanaatansansthan 

Facebook Page :- https://www.facebook.com/sansansthan/

Upcoming Videos/ Live Stream:

Past Videos/ Live Streams

Hyperlinked Title Hyperlinked Title Hyperlinked Title Hyperlinked Title  Hyperlinked Title 
Sanaatan Revival Dream सनातन शास्त्र वनाम सनातनियों का आम ज्ञान प्रवासी सनातनी का प्रयास: क्या, कैसे और अनुभव-1    
Existential Threat to Sanaatan Society सनातन आम ज्ञान - सर्व-व्यापी ब्रह्म [1]: ब्रह्मांड की उत्पत्ति प्रवासी सनातनी का प्रयास: क्या, कैसे और कुछ अनुभव-2    
Shrinking Sanaatan Society सनातन आम ज्ञान - सर्व-व्यापी ब्रह्म [2]: व्यक्ति एवं समाज पर प्रभाव प्रवासी सनातनी का प्रयास - क्या, कैसे और कुछ अनुभव - 3    
सनातन शास्त्र – संक्षिप्त परिचय सनातन आम ज्ञान - सर्व-व्यापी ब्रह्म [3]: व्यक्ति एवं समाज पर प्रभाव सनातन आम ज्ञान – – कला और विज्ञान: तिथी    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान - चक्रीय समय: सूर्य की चाल; समय गणना, कल्प- मन्वन्तर - चतुर युग- युग; सृजन– प्रलय- महा-प्रलय सनातनी का प्रयास की जरूरत –1: पूजा का समाजीकरण    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान - चक्रीय समय:  व्यक्ति एवं समाज पर प्रभाव सनातन धर्म परिचय – 1 : विषय परिचय - 1    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान - चक्रीय समय:  पृथ्वी की चाल; आम अनुभव ; सृजन– प्रलय- महा-प्रलय सनातन धर्म परिचय – 1 : विषय परिचय - 2    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – कर्म-कर्मफल : गीता जी का संदेश [2:47] ; सर्व-व्यापी मान्यता ; कानून-व्यवस्था सनातन धर्म परिचय - शास्त्र परिचय – 1    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – कर्म-कर्मफल: कर्म के प्रकार : कर्म-विकर्म-अकर्म; क्रियामान, संचित, प्रारब्ध; सात्विक, राजसी, तामसी सनातन धर्म परिचय – 2 : शास्त्र  परिचय - 2    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – कर्म-कर्मफल: गीता जी [4:17 & 4:18]; पाप-पुण्य; सुख-दुख

सनातन धर्म परिचय - शास्त्र परिचय - 3

   
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – कर्म-कर्मफल: गीता जी [4:17 & 4:18]; पाप-पुण्य; सुख-दुख राम मंदिर – अयोध्या – 1 [राम काल, राम वंशावली]    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान: कर्म-कर्मफल + पुनर्जन्म : सनातनी समाज के पतन के कारण और पुनरुत्थान के लिए जरूरी राम मंदिर – अयोध्या – 2 [दान-बलिदान]    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – कर्म-कर्मफल : व्यक्तिगत सफलता – विफलता; व्यक्ति के अच्छाई-बुराई की नाप; सामाजिक संबंधों पर असर राम मंदिर – अयोध्या – 3 [कानून समय काल]    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – कर्म-कर्मफल: कर्म के प्रेरणा-श्रोत्र; ज्ञान, कर्म और कर्ता के प्रकार राम मंदिर – अयोध्या – 4 [स्थापत्य]    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – कर्म-कर्मफल + इच्छा स्वातंत्र्य + पुनर्जन्म राम मंदिर – अयोध्या – 5 [आर्थिक पहलू]    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – पुनर्जन्म:: (क) पुनर्जन्म, स्वेक्क्षा से पुनर्जन्म और अवतार में अंतर (ख) पुनर्जन्म – क्यों ; (ग) 3 - शरीर  सनातन धर्म परिचय – 3 - ईश्वर - 1    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – पुनर्जन्म: दाह-संस्कार, सूक्ष्म शरीर की यात्रा सनातन धर्म परिचय - ईश्वर - 2    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – पुनर्जन्म: आधुनिक शोध सनातन धर्म परिचय – क्लास – 4 – आवतर-ऋषि    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – पुनर्जन्म: पुनर्जन्म उदाहरण, मृत्यु – पुनर्जन्म के बीच का अंतराल सनातन आम ज्ञान – मूर्ती पूजा -2 - Pran-Pratishtha related.    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – पुनर्जन्म: Tucker’s Hypothesis on पुनर्जन्म  सनातन धर्म परिचय – क्लास – 5    
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – पुनर्जन्म: अवतार वाद

भक्ति-भाव-क्यों | Why is reverence needed?

   
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – पुनर्जन्म: विष्णु के अवतार, शिव के अवतार

भक्ति-भाव-कैसे-पैदा करें | How to Develop Reverence for God and Srishti

   
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – ईच्छा स्वतंत्रता :  परिभाषा, प्रभाव

गुरु कौन-गुण | Who can be a Good Guru - Qualities of Guru

   
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – ईच्छा स्वतंत्रता + बुद्धी की प्रधानता

Sanatani Manyata: Kya Ishwar Hai | Hindu Dharm

   
  सनातन आम ज्ञान- असीमित-नैतिकता: परिभाषा, उदाहरण, क्यों

अनेक ईश्वर | So Many Gods in Hindu

   
 

सनातन आम ज्ञान - सभी 6 सिद्धान्त – 1

     
 

सनातन आम ज्ञान - सभी 6 सिद्धान्त – 2

     
 

सनातन आम ज्ञान – सनातन स्तम्भ - समग्र परिचय

     
 

सनातन आम ज्ञान – सनातन स्तम्भ - आश्रम व्यवस्था – 1 

     
 

सनातन आम ज्ञान – सनातन स्तम्भ - आश्रम व्यवस्था – 2

     
 

सनातन आम ज्ञान – सनातन स्तम्भ - वर्ण व्यवस्था – 1 

     
 

सनातन आम ज्ञान – सनातन स्तम्भ - वर्ण व्यवस्था – 2

     
 

सनातन आम ज्ञान – सनातन स्तम्भ - वर्ण व्यवस्था – 3

     
 

सनातन आम ज्ञान – सनातन स्तम्भ - वर्ण व्यवस्था – 4

     
 

सनातन आम ज्ञान – सनातन स्तम्भ - मंदिर – 1

     
 

सनातन आम ज्ञान – सनातन स्तम्भ - मंदिर – 2

     
 

सनातन आम ज्ञान – सनातन स्तम्भ: तीर्थ - 1

     
 

सनातन आम ज्ञान – सनातन स्तम्भ: तीर्थ - 2

     
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – सनातन स्तम्भ - कुम्भ      
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – सनातन स्तम्भ - संवाद      
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – सनातन स्तम्भ - समग्र       
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – रीति-रिवाज - समग्र      
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – संस्कार -1      
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – संस्कार -2      
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – संस्कार -3      
  सनातन आम ज्ञान – मूर्ती पूजा -1      
  भभूत, बिंदी, तिलक और जनेऊ      
  रीति-रिवाज: जौहर+शाख, बाल-विवाह, रात्रि-विवाह      

BAPS-Robbinsville,NJ-USA

Beautiful BAPS temple at Robbinsville, NJ. Visit BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville to learn more.

Chhand

From: Hindupedia

Chandas is the science of metres. Syllables are classified into two categories, Guru and Laghu. A string of Guru-Laghu sequence of a particular length is called a metre. There are various metres in which the Vedic mantras are composed, such as Gayatri, Anusthup, Trishtup and Jagati. The chandas of a mantra determines its usage, such as its purpose and context. But it acts more as an error-correcting mechanism. Since the Veda is an oral tradition, any aberration in the chandas because of error in text or the swara, can be easily identified and corrected. Text: Pingala's Chandassastra.

Katas Raj Temple Complex

The beautiful Katas Raj temples complex, consisting of 12 temples [7 are considered main], surrounding the Katas Lake was built by Pandav during their self-exile after Lakshgrih event, in the Potohar Plateau near Kallar Kahar at an altitude of 2,000 feet.  Some links below:
URL Comment
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katas_Raj_Temples Good Introduction to the temple covering most of the aspects of this temple.
https://www.sanskritimagazine.com/katas-raj-temples-pakistan/ - by Adeel Makhdumi It has photos of all the temples and includes description of Mahabharat in brief.
https://www.worldhistory.org/Katas_Raj/  by Muhammad Bin Naveed  Some history and architecture description.
https://www.mahashivratri.org/shiva-temples/katas-raj-temple-in-pakistan.html Social and Religious aspect
https://rising-pakistan.com/katas-raj-temples/ History and Beautiful photos
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=KatasRaj  
 

Geography:

Katas Raj is an area located approximately 40 kilometers off Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan. Its location on Google Map can be seen here 

History

Bhagwan Shiv, while carrying the body of dead Sati, shed two drops of tears on here to form the Katas lake and other at Pushkar, Rajasthan. Pandav, while in self-exile after Lakshagrih, stayed here and built earliest temples. Later rulers of Kashmir built modern standing structure during their reign from 625 CE to 939 CE.

Alexander Cunningham, the first Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India, in 1872-73 CE describes a Buddhist stupa 61m in height with ten streams around also existed there.

Architecture

These were built in Kashmiri architectural tradition and resemble the architecture of the temples of the Karkota and Varma dynasties who ruled from 625-939 CE. Certain defining characteristics such as dentiles, trefoil arches, fluted pillars and pointed roofs are present in most of the temples along the Salt Range foothills. The main building material is soft sand stone which is plastered over.

Philosophical

This area is called Dvaitavana in the Mahabharat and the series of questions between the Panda and the Yaksha took place here.

Social

Shivratri is celebrated here and many devotees from India also travel there. After 2008, Mumbai blast, Indian Hindus stopped travel but resumed in 2010.

Political

After partition, Pakistani government neglected the complex and it deteriorated. Pakistani Hindus and Hindus from India. The locals used the pond and the place for recreational purposes. The Indian Hindus were barred from visiting the temple in 1956, 1960 and 1965. The Indian Hindus were again permitted to visit the temple after 1984.

In the year 2005, L.K. Advani, the former Deputy PM of India, visited the site and was extremely dissatisfied with its condition. The scenario changed when the Pakistani government agreed to restore the temples to its former glory and also clean the pond. Hindu God's idols were placed in the seven temples after their restoration.

However, as of 2016, there is a suo moto case that has occurred due to the drying up of the pond as the water is being illegally used by the nearby cement factories. The Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has also questioned about the absence of idols in the Shri Ram and Hanuman temples of the Satgraha.

 Points to Ponder

 Same as any other non-Muslim place of worship in Pakistan.

Ved-vs-Purans

Ved and all its associated scriptures [Vedangs, Brahmans, Aranyaks, Upnishads], plus Darshan-shatras describe rituals [Karm-Kandas], essential philosophy, prayers to various deities. However, their main purpose is philosophy [Gyan].

Puranas are generally speaking of TWO types -- Historical in nature and stories with the purpose of developing Bhakti in people. Harivans Puran is historical where as Devi Puran is for Bhakti. In Historical purans, God doesn't appear when a discipline does pooja [tap]; whereas in puranas that intend to promote faith in God, God appears very quickly, gives boon [vardaan] to the person doing tap, punya is rewarded quickly and paap is punished quickly too. The relationship between karm and Karmfal is shown explicitly and quickly, this drives masses to Bhakti -- pooja-path.

Both have their purpose in society. On one hand we find many Rishis spending their lifetime capturing Gyan in the form of Veds and related scriptures including Smritis, adding commentary to Upnishads etc. Rishies in this category are many -- Yajnavalkya, Manu, Vishwamitra, Vashisht, Adi Sankarcharya, Ramujacharya, Ballabhacharya, Vivekanand and so on. Bhagwan Vyas falls in this category as well as he wrote or compiled many Purans as well.

Most of these, so called Dharma Gurus of recent time, tell stories from Purans. This is not necessarily reflective of their lack of knowledge of the essence of Vedic scriptures, but also due to the need of present times. The audience needs stories to be motivated to get to the essence. These gurus are serving a big cause of Sanaatan by keeping majority of less sprititually aware masses engaged and live a life of Sanaatani, even if they don't study scriptures. One day, these masses can be upgraded to read vedic scriptures with deep philosophical meaning.

Similarly, other scriptues aslo have different orientations, though telling the same story/ historical events. For example:

Efffect of Story Telling in the long term: Though no rigorous scientific [in modern terms] have been done to answer this question, here are my opinion:

  • Positive: Keeps the story alive and this faith on Sanaatan Philosophy on-going. Society resisted on-slaught of invasion by Abrahmic religions. 
  • Positive: Provides an opportunity to educated massed on deep Sanaatan Philosophy that is bring back the crux of Sanaatan Civilization. If not for this, almost impossible to undo the damages.
  • Positive: Enables people to people interaction and some cohesiveness of thoughts.
  • Negative: Masses flock to any place that is called GODly by anyone e.g. Majaars including Ajmer Sheriff etc., Sai Shirdi Baba, anyone putting a Stone with some sindoor etc [remember PK cinema], doing any ritual for removing bad omen or for getting some rewards. Overall, breaking the link between Karm and Karmfal.
  • Negative: Many people consider these stories as an end in itself and don't comprehend the main philosophy. For them, getting to actual philosophy effectively becomes Un-learning the stories and then learning the philosophy. A quite difficult task.
  • Negative: There are many stories which are seemingly contractory [due to contextual differences] which confuses people a lot and then people justify their actions using these stories as convenient. For example, a saying -- nothing moves without will of God, can make people so lazy justifiably. Another example of Gaj [the elephant] and the Magar [the crocodile], one interpretation: as long as the Gaj felt he was strong, God didn't come to his rescue, when he gave-up and surrendered, God came and saved his life. Such explanation justifies people's in-action. [Philosophically, the interpretation should be: The Gaj first tried his best and then asked for God's help, when it was beyond his capacity.]

Since story-telling has been going on by so many Sadhus for so long that most people today think that to be Essence of Sanaatan Dharma and serious teachings by even modern saints - Shri Dayanand Saraswati, Shri Pandurang Shashtri Athwale, Vivekanand, and philosophical aspect conveyed by many others.

Siksha

Siksha deals with phonetics, the pronunciation and accent.

 

Sharda Temple in Multan, Pakistan

The village Shardi in PoK has two important landmarks:
  • Temple of Maa Sharda and
  • The Sharda Peetham (Center for Advanced Studies)

And recently [on Mar 22 2023], Sri Amit Shah, home minister, India, inaugurated rebuilt Sharda Peeth temple at Teetwal near Kupwara, J&K on the Indian side of LoC. 

This page describes the Sharda Temple on Pak Side of LoC. The Sharda Peeth  as well as recently inaugurated Sharda Devi Temple will have its own page.
The table below shows a few URLs that describe the temple, some of these URLs also contain information about the Peeth as well as other information.
https://www.ikashmir.net/sharda/sharda5.html by Sanjay Godbole Captures the story Maa Sharda as narrated by Shri Shambhunathji Thusu, 94 years old [in 2023], gives references of many other travelers and experts.
https://www.sunyaias.com/blogs/mata-sharda-devi-temple  Point-wise summary of this temple.
sharda temple in shirdi village multan pakistan - Google Search Google Images of the Temple and the Peeth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lTVmpP9hc4 A Video showing return of land for construction of Sharda Temple in Jammu regions [Indian Side of LoC].
https://www.sanskritimagazine.com/sharda-temple-pak-occupied-kashmir/ Quite detailed information about this temple.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharada_Peeth Wikipedia link
WION's exclusive ground report from Sharada Peeth corridor inside PoK - YouTube Wion reporting 

Geography

  • The village is located on the South-West Bank of river “Krishna Ganga or Madhumati or Neelam”, between Gurez and Keran (Karna).
  • The temple was situated on a hillock, on the right' bank of river.
  • It is situated at a distance of 130 Kms from Srinagar and 140 kms. from Muzaffarabad. Its current postal address in PoK is: Village Shardi, Tehsil Atta Mukam, District Muzafferabad.
  • There is a place called "Tikkar" at a distance of 1.5 Kms from Kupwara, in Kashmir. From here, there is a short cut for going to Shardi which measures 40 kms.

History

  • Land of Rishi Kashyap, origin of temple?
  • A Gaud King had restored the "Sharda Temple Complex" in ?
  • After the Mughals, the Dogra regime assumed power in Kashmir. Their Collector of Muzaffarabad, Col. Gundu repaired the temple and provided a new ceiling made of wood. He got fixed an annuity for the priest of the temple, under the orders of Maharaja Gulab Singh of Kashmir.
  • Prior to the partition of India, many Kashmiri Hindu families, saints, ascetics and their associates/ disciples and their servants, were settled in Shardi.
  • Sikander Butshikhan destroyed the temple as well as the Peeth in ?.

Architecture

  • Wreckaged remains of the temple of Goddess Sharda can be seen.
  • It had the main girdle of 22 feet dia and the main entrance door in the west with foot steps.
  • The rectangular sanctum had 63 foot steps, each 9' wide.
  • The other entrances had 20 feet high arches. On both sides of the porch, there were two square shaped pillars, 16 feet high and 2'6" x 2'6" in sectional size, carved out of a solid stone block.
  • The construction inside the temple was very plain and unadorned.
  • The Architecture of temples in Kashmir is different than temples at other places. This style was developed, during the reign of King Lalitaditya (724 A.D.) and in 9th Century reached its Zenith, during the regime of Avantiverman.
  • Generally, a temple in Kashmir has two parts, a square sanctum and a porch in front of it. These structures have centres and subcentres of Learning associated with them. There is an expansive courtyard around the temple.
  • The pillars and columns of Kashmiri temples are of Derrik style.

Philosophical

The name and fame of this Sharda Teerath was well spread throughout ancient India. It was equally famous like Som Nath of Gujarat, the Vishnu Temple of Thaneshwar, and the Sun-Temple of Multan.

Social

  • A fair used to be held at Shardi in the month of Bhadrapada [Bhado] on the eighth day of Shukla Paksha. 1000s of devotees from all over India, flocked the place.
  • The Kashmiri Scribes, kept their Bhurjapatra manuscript covered in a platter overnight, in front of Goddess Sharda, for obtaining her blessings. If the pages of writings remained undisturbed, it was taken for granted that the works had the blessings of the Goddess. If, however, the pages of the works were found sifted, the works were considered as disapproved by the Goddess. 

Political

The Save Sharda Committee (SSC), founded by Sri Ravinder Pandita Ji, is taking the lead in campaigning to start the pilgrimage to Sharda Peeth Complex. As of May 2023, GoI and GoP are in talks to start this corridor, local assembly of PoK has agreed to this proposal.

Points to Ponder

  • It's obvious Muslims destroyed it, so there is nothing to ponder about. It is well known that Islam encourages destruction of places of worship of all communities except its own denomination.
  • Sikander Butshikhan - the destoryer ruler died in 1413, and there after it was rebuilt/ repaired by Collector of Muzaffarabad, Col. Gundu [under Dogra Regime]. So, it was further destroyed after 1947 and Government of Pakistan/ PoK was neither interested nor capable of protecting it.
  • Hindu population has beentotally eliminated, so even if world [mostly Sanaatani people, but also other well-meaning, civilized people] restores it, can Pakistan Government or PoK or UN or any other [to be created] administrative body take the responsibility of protecting it? 
  • Would it be worth while to restore it? It should be considered human heritage. It is our ancestors' [including ancestor of current people of Pakistan, who now follow Muslim way of life], achievements.

Overall-16Sanskar

The Smritis and Grihasutras explain the sanskaras. Different Grihasutras differ on both the names and numbers of sanskaras. While the sage Aswalayana lays down 11 customs, Bauddhayana, Paraskar, and Varaha explain 13. Sage Vaikhana has 18 and Maharishi Gautam talks of 40 sanskaras and 8 self-qualities. However, the 16 sanskaras that Rishi Veda Vyas propounded are considered the most important in a Hindu's life.  
Sanskar [also spelled as Samskar] give a spiritual touch to the important events at different stages of a life – right from pre-birth to post-death. As part of celebration of each sanskar, God is invoked and worshipped by chanting of Vedic Mantras. 
Sanskars means Sanshodhan-Parishodhan-Parishuddhi. Through Sanskar, Shudhi (purification) of Jeev (soul) is performed through all three types (Adhyatmik-Aadhibhautik- Aadhideivik).
These sanskars are: 
Garbhadhan (Conception) is performed with an objective of the development and continuance of the progeny of the parents and with a view to get a noble and intelligent child. 
Punsavana (Fetus Protection) For the physical and mental development of the baby in the womb of the mother
Simantonayana (Satisfying Wishes Of The Pregnant Mother) performed at different stages of pregnancy, objective to keep the mother free of any worry. The fetus emulates the achar-vichar-shravan.
Jatakarma (Birth Rituals) It is performed on the six days from the birth, for the purification of the house. Honey and Ghee is also touched on the lips of the child. It is also called Shashthi [6th] pooja.
Nam)karan (Name–Giving It is performed on 10th, 11th or 12th day. The child gets name from the Hora Shatra, based on 27 Nakshatra and the position of the moon at the time of child’s birth. 
Nishkramana (Taking The Child Outdoors) The child is taken out of the home for the first time and sees the Panchmahabhut. It is done at the time of Namkaran or on 4oth day or other day, as per local custom.  
Annaprashana (Giving The Child Solid Food) On sixth month, the child is given solid food (anna) for the first time, with poojan of Annapurna Devi.
Chudakarana Or Mundan (Hair Cutting), Between the age of one-three- five years from the birth, hair of the child is removed.
Karnvedh (Ear Piercing) Ears of a child pierced in the third or fifth year, with the commencement of Surya Puja; the father says “Oh God may we hear bliss with our ears” in  the right ear of the child. 
Upanayana Or Yagyopaveet (Sacred Thread)

It is the ceremony of wearing the sacred thread called Yajnopaveetam [Janeu]. It is generally performed between the age of 5 and 12. This Sanskar is second birth for child – A spiritual birth. The ceremony has six parts: –
Puja: worshipping the Gods,

  • Havan: sacrifice,
  • Shiksha: teaching the morality and duties in life,
  • Bhiksha: begging as a renounced Brahmchari of Gurukula. 
  • Diksha: giving the most sacred Gayatri Mantra to the child, and
  • Blessings: child is bless by all Gods, Goddesses, ancestors, and elders
Vedarambh (Study Of Vedas And Scriptures)  It is done along with Upanayana, starts in the learning of Vedas and Upanishads in ‘Gurukula’ or ‘Pathashala’. In the beginning of each academic period there is a ceremony called Upakarm and at the end of each academic period there is another ceremony called Upasarjana. 
Samavartana (Completing Education) It marks the end Brahmacharya Ashram and end of formal education. 
Vivaha (The Marriage), Vaanprastha)

It denotes the entry into the Grihast Ashram. Vedic marriage is viewed as sacramental, and is a lifelong commitment of one wife and one husband.

(PAY BACK PITRI-MATRI RIN)

Vaanprastha

 This ceremony marks completion of Grahastha Dharma.

(PAY BACK RISHI RIN)

Sanyasa

A  sanyasi is supposed to renounce the world and lead a life of study and meditation by living on alms.

Antyeshti (Last Rite). 

Antyeshti (Antim-Sanskar - Last Rites). When death is imminent, a small piece of gold, tulsi leaf and drops of Ganga water are put in the mouth of the person on the death bed. The body is laid on the ground with the head towards the north. The eldest son generally performs the last rites. The dead body is washed, perfumed and wrapped in a new white cloth and decked with flowers.For ten days following death, food is not prepared at home and relatives and friends take the responsibility of getting food for the family.

The Chinmaya Mission's Upanishad Ganga- Episode 19 to 21 shows this very well. Links to three episodes are povided below.
You may also download pdf from: 8232.pdf (ignca.gov.in)
Other links: 

Murti Shapes

One question reagrding the shapes of various deities that a young mind would ask, is: 

  • How did current shape of various deity evolve and is consistent across the world?

This one is tough question and I could not find any good answer anywhere. GaneshaSpeaks link provides references of Murti Pooja in Vedic Scriptures, Sri Ratnakar Sadasyula Ji provides some background to origin of the shapes in Quora

Our understanding is as follows: 

  • Inital / Main Form by Rishi during Meditation: Various Rishis saw these deities in various forms in their meditation. They gave shapes to these deities and over time these were standardized.
  • Additional Shapes and Weapons to Fulfill Their Roles: Various aspects of the shapes [number of hands, heads, weapons, posture, body shape] might have evolved overtime to enable these deities to fullfill their role as imagined by Rishis. For example: 
    • Lord Ganesh: All non-Sanaatani must be intrigued by Murti of Ganesh. This site explains various origins of Ganesh Ji, symbolism in his form and meaning of his many names.
    • Lord Shiv: Shiv is one of the main deity in Sanaatan Society. There are many sites explainig various aspects of his forms. Some of these sites are: Art of Living; Isha; etc.
  • Additional Shapes, Forms to Assimilate Various Groups: Various aspects of these forms also suggest an effort on part of our Rishies to assimilate various tribes [community] into Sanaatan Society by accepting their form of deity into main forms of Sanaatan Deity, e.g. say a Tribe worships Snakes [even today there are tribes that worship snake and snakes don't bite anyone in that tribe; look here for an example village.]; Rishis added a story that our Lord Shiv has snakes around his neck and Lord Vishnu sleeps on Sheshnaag etc.  Some other tribe might be worshipping moon and moon is placed on the head of Shiv and so on. 

Sanaatan-Sanskriti-Book

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