The Vedic rituals performed by the parents and the teacher on the son or daughter from the time of conception till marriage so that they may perform balanced sattvik (sattva predominant) actions are referred to as sanskars (rites). There are sixteen important sanskars.

    The word ‘sanskar’ has several meanings, such as to improve, purify, and remove shortcomings in an object, and to endow a new, attractive form to it. In short, the process by which positive qualities in man are developed and enhanced is known as a sanskar.