श्रीमद् दयानंद बाल सदन

9. Karnavedha (Ear piercing)

This samskara is performed in the third or fifth year.

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10. Upanayana (Sacred thread ceremony)

This introduces the male child to a teacher in order to receive education and marking the entry of the child to Brahmacharya.

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11. Vedarambha (Study of Vedas)

This samskara is performed at the time of Upanayana or within one year. The Guru teaches the Gayatri Mantra.

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12. Samavartana (Returning home after completion of education)

This samskara is performed at the age of about 25 years.

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13. Vivaha (Marriage)

This is the most important of all the Hindu Samskaras. The Smrutis laud the gruhastha(householder) ashram as the highest, for it is the central support of the other three ashrams.

By marriage an individual is able to achieve the four purusharths (endeavors) of life: dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (desire) and moksha (salvation). He is also able to pay off ancestral debt by having children.

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14. Vanaprastha (Preparation for renunciation)

This samskara is performed at the age of 50 to celebrate the departure from the householder stage to the Vanaprastha stage when the person begins to engage in spiritual activities.

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15. Sannyasa (Renunciation)

This samskara is performed after Vanaprastha.

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16. Antyesthi (Cremation)

This is the final samskara performed after death by his or her descendents.