Karnavedha (Piercing the Ear Lobes) – Karna meaning Ears and Vedha meaning piercing, this ritual is performed usually within the first year of the child’s birth. This is a minor ritual and no feast is arranged this time. The origins of this Sanskara aren’t yet clear. The reason behind this Sanskara is to ensure the child hears bliss as they grow up. Some texts also mention that this Sanskara is done to commemorate ornamentation of the child’s body. A gold thread or a silver needle is used for piercing the child’s ears. In case of girl child, both the ears are pierced along with the left nostril in some case and in case of a boy child just the right ear is pierced. The piercing of the ears also symbolizes the importance of hearing and speech in the Vedas for the child. These Nine Sanskaras form the first two to three years of the child’s life, from conception. In the next blog, we cover the next seven Sanskaras that begin with an introduction to education and end with cremation. Click here to click the next blog