samskara

Samskara is a Sanskrit term used in Indian religious and philosophical traditions with multiple related meanings. Etymologically, it derives from sam- “together, completely” and ska- “to make,” conveying ideas of formation, refinement, or making fit. In Hinduism and related streams, samskara most often denotes rites of passage—ceremonies marking important stages in a person’s life. These rites are traditionally described as a sequence of rituals from conception to death, guiding social identity, ethical formation, and spiritual development. A common conception is that there are sixteen samskaras, though the exact list and number vary by school and region. Representative examples include Garbhadhana (conception), Jatakarma (birth), Namakarana (naming), Annaprashana (first solid food), Chudakarana (first haircut), Karnavedha (ear-piercing), Vidyarambha or Upanayana (entrance into formal learning and the sacred thread), and Samavartana or other life-cycle rites, with Antyeshti (funeral rites) often treated as the final rite. The emphasis and order of these ceremonies differ across communities and texts.

In broader Indian thought, samskara also refers to internal mental impressions formed by actions and experiences. In this sense, a samskara is a latent vasana—an impression that conditions future thoughts, desires, and behavior. Such psychological samskaras are central to discussions of karma, rebirth, and self-transformation in systems like Vedanta, Samkhya, and Yoga. They are described as both shaping and being shaped by conduct, study, meditation, and ritual discipline.

Thus, samskara encompasses both outward ritual practice and inward mental conditioning, reflecting its dual role in culture and philosophy.