When the child and mother withdraw out of the Sutikagara, the mother slowly begins to take part in the family life again. The child's world also widened to move to any part of the house. But within a month or, two the universe of the child was found too s
When the child and mother withdraw out of the Sutikagara, the mother slowly begins to take part in the family life again. The child's world also widened to move to any part of the house. But within a month or, two the universe of the child was found too small. The curiosities of the child and the movements of its limbs required wider scope to satisfy themselves. So it was thought proper that it should be introduced to the outer world. Indeed, it was a land-mark in the life of the child and the parents gave expressions to the sense of joy at this occasion. Life outside the house, however, was not free from natural and supernatural dangers. Therefore, for the protection of the child, deities were worshipped and divine help was sought. [1]
Nishkramana marks the baby's first step out of the house. This event is marked with the invocations of deities, which a 3 or 4 month old child may never understand, however, they are significant to the new parents to whom the child is the central point of hope, aspiration and their future. The child is regarded as the boon bestowed by the devatas. A prayer is recited to the elements of nature to guard and protect the child as he steps out of the house. Such a prayer appears to reflect the emotional state of the new parents, but more importantly it reveals the medical basis of the ritual involved in this Samskara. Such rituals reinforce the connect that ancient people had with nature and depict how the rituals blended into the daily life of a person. [2]
All activities related to this samskara focus on improvement of the child's wellbeing. Advised to perform in the fourth month, it is the time when a child starts to recognize the outside world both by his jnana and karma indriyas. He becomes older and stronger enough to bear the natural forces such as wind and heat. [2]
