Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Bengal, from Sanskrit and Bengali Sources c10.s2.33

c10.s2.33

The Simantonnayana (ceremony of the parting of the bride's hair) is to be performed on the fourth, sixth or eighth month of first pregnancy; and it must be preceded by Garbhādhāna and Puṃsavana ceremonies if these two have not been performed in proper time. In it the fire, named Maṅgala, is to be used, and the husband is to tie to the neck of the wife two figs having a common stalk, the footprints of Vāsudeva, barley-grains made of gold or any other metal according to the prevailing custom, and Nimba, mustard etc. for protection. He should also perform Simantonnayana (parting of hair) of the wife with two blades of Kuśa grass (Darbha-pijñali), an arrow (Bāṇa), a spindle (Tarku) or the quill of a porcupine (Śalali). Towards the end of the rite, women, who have husbands and sons, should bathe the bridegroom and the bride, and the latter should eat a dish of spiced rice and peas (Kṛsara).