What are Samskaras?

Samskaras or sanskaras (Sanskrit: संस्कार) can be defined as “mental impression, recollection, psychological imprint”. Samskaras (impressions) are embedded in the subconscious mind. An experience in the sense-plane sinks down into the depths of the subconscious mind and becomes there a ‘Samskara’. These Samskaras manifest as tendency, karmic impulse, subliminal impression, habitual potency or innate dispositions.

Thus, Samskaras are guiding principles that are supposed to make life easier. They steer you in the right direction, helping you decide between right and wrong. And that ensures that none of your decisions ever cause harm to anyone.

Why we need Samskaras?

During modern times, it is not easy to lead a virtuous life if you are not taught good values during childhood. The fast-paced nature of our daily activities means that we often do not have the time to introspect. And think whether our elders would approve of the decisions that we take.

This is why most parents bring samskaras or values into their child’s life at an early age. This is the main role that samskaras serve in an individual’s life. They are a way of passing on lessons of behaviour, knowledge and wisdom that have been a part of Indian heritage for the longest time.

How can you inculcate samskaras in children?

Earlier, children would divide time equally between their parents and their guru. Through both of these sources, they imbibed various samskaras. These could be simple things like saying their morning prayers to start the day well, touching feet of all elders, bowing their head in respect in front of a deity, reverence towards one’s guru, reading the holy scriptures, etc.

The best way to introduce these all important life lessons to the child is practising these themselves. Once you are able to set an example for your child to follow, they will do as you do. This is the secret of how you can teach samskaras to a child. This also elicits genuine honesty from the parent, because you cannot teach what you do not follow.

All of these values or samskaras together help make a childhood complete. The thing to remember is that these teachings are important even today. If your child is taught to live a virtuous life, then no matter what the surroundings are, he or she will always make the right decisions.

As a start, we suggest involving your child in the small but significant things like daily prayer, making a deity an ideal, etc. At Chinmaya Upahar, we have products for children that can help you along this journey, so do take a look.

We wish you all the best!