Simantonnayana

Simantonnayana (Sanskrit: सीमन्तोन्नयन, Sīmantonnayana) (literally: parting the hair) or Simantha, is the third of the 16 Saṃskāras (sacraments, rites of passage) in the ancient texts of Hinduism. It is observed in the last trimester of pregnancy to wish for safe delivery and is similar to a baby shower.^[1]

The authorities are not unanimous whether this saṃskāra should be performed for the first child or it should be performed for every child.^[2]

^ Pandey, R.B. (1962, reprint 2003). The Hindu Sacraments (Saṁskāra) in S. Radhakrishnan (ed.) The Cultural Heritage of India, Vol.II, Kolkata:The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, ISBN 81-85843-03-1, pp.390-413
^ Pandey, Rajbali (1969, reprint 2002). Hindu Saṁskāras: Socio-Religious Study of the Hindu Sacraments, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0434-1, pp.64-9

[pandey2-1] Pandey, R.B. (1962, reprint 2003). The Hindu Sacraments (Saṁskāra) in S. Radhakrishnan (ed.) The Cultural Heritage of India, Vol.II, Kolkata:The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, ISBN 81-85843-03-1, pp.390-413

[Pandey-2] Pandey, Rajbali (1969, reprint 2002). Hindu Saṁskāras: Socio-Religious Study of the Hindu Sacraments, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0434-1, pp.64-9

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