Vedas are revered as the language of God in human speech expressing wisdom, knowledge and vision about life and its existence in the universe. The essence of the Vedas is to regulate the social, legal, domestic and religious customs of the Hindus. The rituals, anushtanams and all customs followed by Hindus over many centuries are based on the vedic doctrins from time immemorial. As per the Arya and Dravida origins in our Nation, the category of people who were then engaged in the study of vedas, performance of poojas and rituals for the benefit of all living being were called as Brahmins. The fourth slokam in the phalasruthi of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam read as “VEDANTHAKO BRAHMANASYA KHSATHRIYO VIJAYEE BHAVETH VAISYO DHANA SAMUDRASYA SOODRA SUKHAMAVAPNYUYATH”. Brahmins continued to be the group of people to learn Veda, and follow their life with the anushtanams prescribed in the Dharma Sasthra. Among the many described therein, the SHODASA SAMSKARAMS are assigned with very high significance and importance.
The purpose in human life is to understand who we really are. As human beings we pass through several phases in the journey of life namely childhood, school life, teenage, professional life, marriage, parenthood etc., our vedic tradition identifies sixteen such important stages in one’s life and associate one samskara at each stage. Samskara literally mean impression or performance to refine and purify the performer. The Shodasa Samskaras are based on MANU SMRITHI and GRIHYA SUTHRA. The performer is blessed with positive impressions in his mind for fulfilment of success, harmony in every stage of life and also provides protection to the individual’s body and mind.
Several measures were brought out by our forefathers for Brahmin community undergo all the shodasa samskaras prescribed by the Dharma Sasthra during their life. Due to the change in the lifestyle and adaptation of modernisation in the personal life, it is evident that most of the present generation are either aware of all these or do not follow them the way in which it was done in ancient days. This is the reason behind VEDA SAMRAKSHANA NYASA, a trust for mankind, is formed and efforts are put in to educate the present generation not alone about the Shodhasa Samskaras but also the Dharma Sasthras which only can help them mould their life free from all sorrows, pains and difficulties and bring out the much needed happiness and peace of mind.