(“name-giving”) Samskara

The fifth of the traditional life-cycle
ceremonies (samskaras), during which
the newborn child is given a name.
Although some commentators believe
457
Namakarana (“name-giving”) Samskara
Namakarana samskara being performed on an
infant, who in this photo is wrapped in cloth for
protection from the evil eye.
that this rite should be done on the day
of birth, many others insist that it
should be on the tenth day, indicating
a difference between birth and the
social ritual of name-giving. Some
believe that the child’s name should
begin with the first letter of the
nakshatra (sign in the lunar zodiac) in
which the child is born; this practice is
still widespread in northern India.
Although the classical form of this rite
has largely fallen into disuse, naming
ceremonies are still an important part
of the birth of a child.