Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.1382

c7.1382

If it is a male child jātakarman should be done before cutting the umbilical cord. At that time gold is to be rubbed in ghee and honey and the tongue of the child should be touched with it, uttering mantras (spells) (Colloquial name of this rite is giving gold and honey). The child should be named on the tenth or twelfth day after birth, selecting suitable lunar day, good star and auspicious moment. The name should imply prosperity to Brāhmaṇs, might to Kṣatriyas, wealth to Vaiśyas and humility to Śūdras. That is, the word ‘Śarman’ in the case of Brāhmaṇa, ‘Varman’ for Kṣatriyas, ‘Gupta’ for Vaiśyas and ‘Dāsa’ for Śūdras, should be added to the name. The names given to girls should be of easy utterance, having clear meaning but not cruel, very beautiful, charming, and propitious avoiding long letters as far as possible. Four months after delivery, the child should be taken out of the room of confinement to see the Sun. On the sixth month the rite of ‘Annaprāśa’ (feeding with rice) should be performed. In accordance with hereditary customs the two rites mentioned above may be performed at any time after the third month. For Brāhmaṇas and Kṣatriyas the ceremony of ‘Caula’ (tonsure) may be performed at the time of birth or at the age of three. The ceremony of Upanayana (Investiture with the Brāhma string) should be conducted at the age of eight from pregnancy for Brāhmaṇas, at the age of eleven from pregnancy for Kṣatriyas and at the age of twelve for Vaiśyas. But Upanayana could be performed at the age of five for Brāhmaṇas who desire Brāhma-radiance, at the age of six for Kṣatriyas who desire might and at the age of eight for Vaiśyas who desire wealth. There is another opinion that Upanayana could be performed up to the age of sixteen for Brāhmaṇas and twentytwo for Kṣatriyas. Even after the attainment of this age, if this ceremony is not performed, that boy will be considered an out-cast from the mantra (spell) of Gāyatrī, and will have no admittance to the rituals and ceremonies performed by Brāhmaṇas and will be known by the name Vrātya (an outcast, uninvested Brāhmaṇa). These Vrātyas could not be taught Vedas or be given women as wives.