
Samavartana marks the end of student hood and
Brahmacharya. The student initially shuts himself up in a room the entire morning. This is done so the sun is not insulted by the lustre of the learned student. During the midday the child comes out and embraces his teachers feet. He pays his tribute to the
Yajna by putting fuel to it. Eight vessels of water were kept that indicates the eight quarters of the earth thereby suggesting the idea of honour and praise showered on the student from each and every part of the earth. Thereafter the student draws out water from any one of the vessels.
After the grand bath, the student casts off his entire outfit into water and puts on new clothes. He shaves off his beard, cuts his hair, nails and cleans his teeth. The bath symbolises that the student had practiced continence in food and speech. It also denotes as to how he would be preparing himself for a more active life. Austere life of the student was over. He bathes in fragrant water. The student in his new attire would proceed to the nearest assembly of the learned. Here he is introduced as a capable scholar by his teacher. He is now eligible for entering into household life after doing a rightful marriage. He is called as `Vidyasnataka` that is one who has bathed in learning and `Vratasnataka` that is one who has bathed in vows.
The student whose "Samavartana" is being conducted gives water to the Acharya, King, uncle, maternal uncle for washing feet first and then for washing mouth and then for sipping. Honey mixed with curd or the ghee mixed with curd in a clean pot is offered. This is called `Madhuparka`. The time of "Samavartana" depends on the categories of Brahmacharya. On the day of the ceremony, the "Yajnakunda` is set up at the house of the Acharya as per the `Samanya prakarana`. The `Sthalipaka`, which is required for the ceremony is prepared earlier and also the ghee and pots etc should be kept ready near `Yajnashala`.
The "Samavartana" ceremony continues with the Acharya taking his seat in the west and keeping his face eastward. Then he offers four Agharavajyabhagahuti, four Vyahriti Ahutis, four Svistakrit, one Prajapatyal and eight Ajahutis. The Brahmachari then piles together the fire of the `Kunda` along with the prescribed mantra. Then he offers three sticks in the fire of the `Kunda` along with a mantra and touches his mouth, limbs as prescribed in `Vedarambha`.
As per the next step of "Samavartana" ceremony, the Brahmachari wears the garland and chants a mantra. Now they will continue with the other procedure of "Samavartana" ceremony, which includes `Madhupark`, offering good garland, gift of clothes and cow to the Acharya if their financial condition permits. Now days, "Samavartana" ceremony have been simplified a lot. It is performed either with the "
Upanayana" or during the "Vivaah" in hurry.
(Last Updated on : 9/03/2011)