According to the ancient sage Panini, are the ornaments that decorate one’s personality. They mark the important stages of one’s life and pave the way for one’s physical and spiritual journey through this life. It is believed that the various Hindu samskaras meticulously lead to a purification of one’s sins, vices, faults, and even correction of physical deformities. The Upanishads mention samskaras as a means to grow and prosper in all four aspects of human pursuit – Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Karma and Kama (work and pleasure), and Moksha (salvation).
The Vedic literature describes that there are many opportunities during one’s life – from before birth to after death – when one may perform a ceremony for purification to evoke auspiciousness and ensure advancement in spiritual life.