Samskaras - The Early Indian Tradition

Samskaras which are ''rites of passage'' in Indian context, can be thought of as similar rites, rituals and ceremonies, which are meant to train and hence, transform individuals as per their life and social stages. Ancient Indian literature, particularly the Grhyasūtra and Dharmasūtra contains detailed and elaborate injunctions about rites, rituals and ceremonies associated with the Samskaras. Given Samskaras were primarily meant to ritually and socially transform an individual and to make them fit for a particular life stage, if one is to analyse the rites. rituals and ceremonial injunctions related to Samskaras in texts like the Grhyasutra and Dharmasûtra, one can interpret the social dimensions associated with Samskaras.