The word Samskara has two meanings according to Kanchi Periyaval. One is familiar to all of us. It stands for the forty rites of passages in the life of a Vedic Hindu starting with three ceremonies before birth all the way to the final rites.
The other meaning of samskara
is from the Nyaya philosophy and stands for something between experience and
impression. It is also called atheentriyam. Kanchi periyaval explains it
with an example. Let us say we visited Varanasi and had a great experience
visiting Vishvanatha temple. We forget that experience after some time. If we
go back and visit the temple again after a few years, we remember the prior
experience. This interval when the memory is not on our “radar” is what is
called samskara. During this period
our initial impression of the experience was still there, but dormant. Memory
according to the Nyaya philosophy is the initial impression of the original
experience.
In the Kalpa sastra in which the forty samskaras are included is meant to link
our original impression of our own Divine nature, which lies dormant, with
living experience by means of actions we undertake. They are meant to purify
our minds, thoughts and action and prepare us for inner realization or atma
gnana.
Therefore, it is no surprise that detailed descriptions of
how each samskara should be performed
starts with a description of eight noble virtues in the texts of dharma
shastra. I call them Spiritual Qualities or Properties of Inner Self which
should be cultivated for atma gnana or inner realization. They are
called atma gunas.
What are those eight virtues?
Daya – Compassion. Universal Love. This is Loving
Kindness to all creatures
Kshanti – Tolerance, patience. This is towards those who
do not follow dharma. (dama?)
Anasuya – lack of jealousy. This is towards those who
are better than us. Also called mudita in Buddhism.
Sowcham – Inner purity. Virtuous thought, speech and
action
Anaayasam – calm in action. In Buddhism, this is samatta
Mangalam – Pure and majestic joy.
Akaarpanyam – Generous in giving. Dana.
Aspruha – unattached (to worldly and impermanent
things)
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