History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v2.c23.292

v2.c23.292

*Karṇavedha* :—(piercing the lobes of the ears of the child). In modern times this is generally done on the 12th day after birth. In the Baud. gṛ. śeṣa-sūtra (I. 12) karṇavedha is prescribed in the 7th or 8th month, while Bṛhaspati quoted in Saṁskāraprakāśa (p. 258) says that it may be performed on the 10th, 12th or 16th ⁵⁸¹ day from birth or in the 7th or 10th month from birth. The Sm. C. has a brief note on karṇavedha. The gṛhyapariśiṣṭa says that the father sits facing the east in the first half of the day and first addresses the right ear of the boy with the mantra 'Oh gods, may we hear bliss with our ears' (Ṛg. I. 89. 8) and then also the left ear. If the boy cries honey is to be given to him; after the rite brāhmaṇas are to be fed. In modern times, generally a goldsmith is called who pierces the lower lobes of the ears with a pointed golden wire and turns it into a ring round the lobes. In the case of girls the left ear is pierced first. That ears of boys were pierced even in ancient times is suggested by a mantra quoted in the Nirukta.⁵⁸² 'He (the teacher) who pierces the ear with truth, without causing pain and yet bestowing ambrosia, should be regarded as one's father and mother'.