Page 64 - Hinduism
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also prescribed for the Kśatriya and the Vaiśya. The special duty of a Kśatriya is to protect the people and their dharma. Agriculture, cattle rearing and trade are assigned to the Vaiśya. The only duty assigned to the Śudra is to help the other castes in carrying on their duties. In this way, the varṇas specialise in religion, politics, economics and labour according to their station in life, whatever its nature.
In addition to the above social duties, certain religious duties are enjoined, most of which are common to all the castes. These are comprehensively known as the saṁskāras. They are Garbhādhāna or ceremony for conception; Puṁsavana or ceremony of wishing a male child; Sīmantonnayana or ceremonial parting of the hair; Jātakarma or birth rites; Namakarana or naming; Annaprāśana or giving solid foodto the child; Caula or tonsure; Upanayana or investiture with the sacred thread; and Vivāha or marriage. After Upanayana, the study of the Veda is prescribed and at the end of the Vedic study five more saṁskāras are prescribed. So to the Hindu life itself is a sacrament from birth to death or conception to cremation. Every act is an adoration of God including the smallest details of life relating to birth, food, study and duties of the family.
In addition to the above saṁskāras which are enjoined once for a life time, there are some others which are to be performed daily or at regular
intervals. The daily duties are the performance of 64































































































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