(“going-out”) Samskara

The sixth traditional life-cycle ceremony
(samskara), in which the infant is taken
for his or her first trip outside the house.
Although the traditional texts consider
this a minor rite and the traditional textual procedures are seldom performed,
a young child’s first outing is often still
carefully planned. On a symbolic level, it
represents the child’s first encounter
with the larger world, and thus the
child’s expanding sphere of possibilities.
It also shows the continuing importance
of rites of protection. Even in modern
India many people believe in the power
of the evil eye (nazar), and young
children are considered particularly
susceptible. Thus, a child’s first
encounter with the chaotic outside
world must be carefully structured and
carefully supervised.