Keshanta ( sa, केशान्त, ) (literally, cutting the hair) is the thirteenth of the sixteen
saṃskāra
Samskara ( IAST: , sometimes spelled ''samskara'') are sacraments in Hinduism and other Indian religions, described in ancient Sanskrit texts, as well as a concept in the karma theory of Indian philosophies. The word literally means "putting t ...
s (
sacraments) practiced by the
Hindus. This ''saṃskāra'' is connected with the first shaving of a student's beard when his age is about 16 years. The procedure of this ''saṃskāra'' is almost the same as that of the
Chudakarana. This ''saṃskāra'' was also known as the ''Godana'' (giving a cow) or the ''Godanakarman'' (rite of giving a cow), as the student offered a cow to the teacher at the end of the ceremony.
[Pandey, R.B. (1962, reprint 2003). ''The Hindu Sacraments (Saṁskāra)'' in S. Radhakrishnan (ed.) ''The Cultural Heritage of India'', Vol.II, Kolkata:The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, , pp.390-413] According to the
Manusmriti
The ''Manusmṛiti'' ( sa, मनुस्मृति), also known as the ''Mānava-Dharmaśāstra'' or Laws of Manu, is one of the many legal texts and constitution among the many ' of Hinduism. In ancient India
According to consen ...
(II.65), this ''saṃskāra'' should be performed for a
Brahmin
Brahmin (; sa, ब्राह्मण, brāhmaṇa) is a varna as well as a caste within Hindu society. The Brahmins are designated as the priestly class as they serve as priests ( purohit, pandit, or pujari) and religious teachers ( ...
in the sixteenth year (from conception), for a
Kshatriya
Kshatriya ( hi, क्षत्रिय) (from Sanskrit ''kṣatra'', "rule, authority") is one of the four varna (social orders) of Hindu society, associated with warrior aristocracy. The Sanskrit term ''kṣatriyaḥ'' is used in the co ...
in the twenty-second year and for a
Vaishya
Vaishya (Sanskrit: वैश्य, ''vaiśya'') is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order in India. Vaishyas are classed third in the order of caste hierarchy.
The occupation of Vaishyas consists mainly of agriculture, taking care ...
in the twenty-fourth year.
Notes
{{Hindu samskaras
Samskaras