Of all the rites that are part of Hinduism, Mundan is considered an important one. Also known as Tonsor Ceremony, the baby’s head is shaved for the first time since its birth because the hair that grows on its head after birth is considered unclean. Mythological facts state that the Mundan rites are performed to free the child from the sins and negativity of his previous birth. This article sheds light on this auspicious ritual and lists its procedures along with explaining its importance.
Time appropriate for the Mundan ceremony
The Mundan ceremony should be performed exclusively one year after the birth of the child. This can be extended till the third birthday of the child. It is believed that the mental development of the child depends on the Mundan ceremony. The sooner this is performed the better for the child. Therefore tonsil function must be completed before the child turns three years old.
The special importance of Mundan Sanskar
After passing through various yoniis (routes), a man is born. The hair that grows on the baby’s head after birth is a symbol of the negativity of her previous life. The Mundan ceremony is performed to give the child a free life, where he is not under the influence of any negativity related to his previous life. The Mundan ceremony will not only help in getting rid of negativity, but will also help in developing good human values. If the child is born in a human vulva, then good values should be included within it. The occasion should be held at a specially religious place to introduce the child to a divine atmosphere. There are related rules that should be followed while remembering this ceremony.
Following the rules during the Mundan ceremony
Cephalic lapan (application of a sacred mixture on the child’s head)
A mixture of water, milk and ghee is applied on the child’s head. In Hinduism, cow is given the status of Mata (Mother) and is considered to be a very generous and harmless animal. In particular the mixture is initially applied to the child’s hair, so that the child acquires the qualities of the sacred mother cow. Products like milk, yogurt and ghee are known to give great nutrition and as baby hair is washed with these products, family members pray to bless the child with the qualities that the cow possesses . This is done so that the child’s mind moves in the desired and ethical manner.
“ॐ सवित्रा प्रसूता दैव्या, आप उदंतु ते तनूम। दीर्घायुत्वाय वर्चसे “..पार.गृ.सू.2.1.1
- Trishika Bandhan
The human mind is considered a miracle in itself. It is divided into three parts, manufacturing center, nutrition center and control center. These three centers are attributed to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva respectively. The child’s hair is also divided into three parts and all the three parts are tied Kalava made of Kush (green grass). The hair is split in such a way that the first bunch is tied at the extreme front of the head and the other two bunch are tied to the left and right of the head.
“ॐ ब्रह्मजज्ञानं प्रथमं पुरस्ताद विसीमतः सुरुचो वेनआवः। सबुधन्या उपमा अस्यविष्ठा, सतश्च योनिमसतश्च विवः “..1.3.3.
In the same way, the left bunch of hair is tied with sacred thread. While doing so, Lord Vishnu should be evacuated so that through his blessings the creative center of the brain can develop. Chant the mantra during this
“ॐ इदं विष्णुविर्चक्रमे, त्रेधा निदधे पदम्। समूढमस्य पाश्वसुरे स्वाहा। “….5.1.5
Similarly, the front bunch of hair should be tied and this time, everyone should pray to Lord Shiva. This is done to keep the child’s mind away from negativity so that no demonic powers can colonize the child’s mind. During this time one should chant the mantra:
“ॐ नमस्ते मन्यव, उतो तइषवे नमः। बाहुभ्यामुत ते नमः।”…1.6.1
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- Churra Poojan
A special knife or razor, used only for religious purposes, should be used for conducting the Mundan ceremony. Old knives or scissors should not be used for the shaving ceremony. A proper razor that has the right amount of sharpness should be used. In ancient times, pundits who merely conducted ceremonies performed it, but nowadays, barbers are hired to complete the task. It is important to buy a new razor or knife for the Mundan ceremony. A paste of mud should be applied to the device first and then washed with warm water. Then the instrument should be placed on the puja plate. Parents should chant
“ॐ यत क्षुरेण मज्जयता सुपेशसा, वप्ता वपति केशान।छिन्धि शिरो मस्यायुः प्रमोषीः। “…पा.गृ.सृ.2.1.17
- Trishika kartan
After dividing the child’s hair into three parts, divine powers are invoked so that the child can receive protection from any bad habits or negative effects. Just as it is extremely important to remove the unnecessary weeds of the forest, it is important to shave the first growing hair on the baby’s head after its birth. In Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra Granthi, the child’s hair is divided into three parts. It is important to cut the Brahma gland, so that the child does not have feelings of revenge, bitterness, anger and revenge. Similarly, during Vishnu and Shiva Kartan, it is prayed that the child’s brain be adequately nourished and that no negative energy can obstruct his path to spirituality.
The following mantra should be chanted while cutting the Brahma gland:
“ॐ येनावपत सविता क्षुरेण, सोमस्य राज्ञो वरुणस्य विद्वान्। तेन ब्राह्मणो वपतेदमस्य,गोमानश्वानयमस्तु प्रजावान। “…अथर्व.6.6.7.3
While cutting Vishnu Granthi, mantra should be chanted,
“ॐ येन धाताबृहस्पते, अग्नेरिन्द्रस्य चायुषेवपत। तेन त आयुषे वपामि, सुश्लोक्याय स्वस्तये।…आश्र्व.गृ.सू.1.17.12.
Similarly while chanting the Rudra Granthi, chant the mantra given below.
“ॐ येन भूयश्च रात्र्यां, ज्योक च पश्याति सूर्यम। तेन त आयुषे वपामि, सुश्लोक्याय स्वस्तये।…आश्र्व.गृ.सू.1.17.12.
Nava Vastra Pujan (Worshipping New Clothes)
After the Mundan ceremony is over, the New Vastra Pujan is the child of a new life. When a snake sheds its old skin, it leaves its old life behind. The child’s hair is also shaved only for that purpose, so that it leaves its previous life behind and that is why the child is made to wear new clothes as it steps into a new life.
“ॐ तस्माद यज्ञात्सर्वहुत, ऋच चः समानि जज्ञिरे। छन्दा सि जज्ञिरे तस्माद, यजुस्तस्मादजायत “…31.7
After the new Vastu Puja, a special sacrifice is made in the sacred fire chanting the Gayatri Mantra. During Havan, five Ahutis are offered with a mixture of Kheer (sweet rice pudding) and dry fruits and the following mantra is chanted.
“ॐ भूभुर्वः स्वः। अग्नि आयू षि पवस आ सुवोर्जमिषं च नः। आरे बाधस्वदुच्छुना स्वाहा। इदं अगन्ये इदं न मम …19.37, 35.16
The child is finally given new clothes to wear which concludes the Mundan ceremony.
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Mundan Ceremony
After making special offerings, the mother is asked to take the child away from the place as the Mundan ceremony cannot be completed at the place where the yajna is performed. A nearby place is selected where the child sits on the mother’s lap and the mundan ceremony is completed. The mother should try to distract the child while a barber or priest cuts her hair. During this, you should chant the Gayatri Mantra. Those attending the ceremony should pray for a prosperous life for the child. during this time,
“ॐ येन पूषा बृहस्पतेः, वयोरिन्द्रस्य चावपत। तेन ते वपामि ब्रह्मणा, जीवतवे जीवनाय, दीर्घायुष्टवाय वर्चसे।…मं.ब्रा.1.6.7
Should chant. Later, the baby’s chopped hair should be sorted by mixing them with cow dung or flour.
Shikha Pujan
During the ceremony, the child’s unwanted hair that has been growing since its birth is cut for the first time and the top of its head is left untouched for a tuft or crest to grow. Just as it is necessary for Muslims to perform Sunnah, similarly for Sikhs to cut their hair and preserve it with a turban, in the same spirit, protection of Shikha or Fafat is mandatory for all Hindus in Hinduism. Holy oaths are taken for the preservation of the toft only during the Mundan ceremony. From the point where the tuff will rise, the child’s parents are worshiped with roli and rice under that ceremony. Chant the mantra during this
“ॐ चिद्रूपिणि महामाये, दिव्यतेजः समन्विते। तिष्ठ देवि शिखामध्ये, तेजोवृद्धिं कुरुष्व में। “ (सं.प्र.)
Swastika writing
After the Mundan ceremony, either a family priest or an elderly member chants sandalwood or roli with the chanting of the child, making a swastika of the swastika on the child’s shaving.
“ॐ स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः।स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः।स्वस्ति नस्तार्क्ष्योअरिष्टनेमिः।स्वस्ति नो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु ॥”..25.19
During this process, the family members present at the ceremony pray for the presence of happiness, happiness, purity and focus in the child’s life. The Mundan ceremony officially concludes after the successful completion of Swastik writing.