The Nishkraman sanskar holds the 6th place in Sodash sanskar. That means this sanskar is known as the 6th sanskar in Hinduism. Nishkraman sanskar is performed After the Naamkaran ceremony of a baby.
According to Vedic astrological principles the Nishkraman sanskar should be performed from within 12th days of baby’s birth up to 4 months of his or her age. The significance of this sanskar is that in this occasion the child for the first time comes in to contact with this beautiful creation of God. The child is blessed in the showers of Sun and Moon rays on this occasion.
Sun’s blessing is taken by the child so that his or her character becomes as bright and mighty like the Sun. And Moon’s blessing is taken so that the child possesses calm and serene qualities in her character. In short, in this ritual a child is wished to have a bright but calm nature. As this ritual has an important effect in child’s life astrology provides muhurat of this occasion. Let’s see what the determinants to consider muhurats for this sanskar are.
Consideration of Nakshatra
Astrology says that the day in which the sanskar will be performed should have either of the Nakshatras like Shravan, Mrigashira, Ghanishtha, Punarwasu, Anuradha, Pushya and Revati. These nakshatras are very auspicious in this ritual.
Consideration of tithi
Tithi is a vital determinant in a muhurat. Astrology says that every tithi is auspicious for Nishkraman sanskar except Rikta tithi i.e. the 4th, 9th and 14th lunar days. That’s why these dates should be avoided. Besides this new Moon day should also be avoided while fixing nishkraman sanskar.
Consideration of week day
According to Vedic astrology Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are auspicious week days for performing this sanskar. Tuesdays and Saturdays are inauspicious to celebrate this ritual.
Astrological restrictions
Astrology says the 3rd, 5th and 7th Tara is not auspicious. Bhadra tithi is very inauspicious for this occasion. The days which have inauspicious combination should be strictly avoided for fixing this ceremony.
Vishesh
Besides nishkraman sanskar there is a sub-sanskar which needs special mentioning. Astrology recommends shashthi pujan to please goddess Kattyani on the 6th day from the child’s birth between Jatakarma and nishkraman sanskar.
A ritual called Dola Arohan is performed on the 10th, 12th, 16th, 18th or 32nd day of the child’s birth. For this sub-sanskar the above mentioned nakshatra, tithi, week days are required to make the ceremony auspicious. For this ritual the 5th nakshatra before and 7th nakshatra after Sun is said to be very auspicious.