Introduction
When a baby arrives, the first question at home is: "What shall we name the baby?" The naamkaran samskara celebrates exactly that. The Muhūrta-cintāmaṇi describes it together with the jātakarma, the rites at birth.
First and above all: your family's own kul tradition comes first. Some families name the baby at the chhathi, some on the twelfth day, some after a month. What follows is the common path of the texts; if your home's custom differs, follow your custom.
Which day
The Muhūrta-cintāmaṇi (Saṁskāra-prakaraṇa, verse 11) places naamkaran on the 11th or 12th day after birth. If that day doesn't suit, a later good day may be chosen. The comfort of mother and baby comes first.
When picking the day, tradition looks at:
- Tithi: the parva tithis (Krishna Ashtami, Krishna Chaturdashi, Amavasya, Purnima) are left aside, as are the Riktā tithis (4, 9, 14).
- Nakshatra: Mrigashira, Revati, Chitra, Anuradha, the three Uttaras (Phalguni, Ashadha, Bhadrapada), Rohini, Hasta, Ashwini, Pushya, Abhijit, Swati, Punarvasu, Shravana, Dhanishtha and Shatabhisha.
What the Dharmasindhu adds
The Dharmasindhu (nāmakaraṇa-kāla) favours Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as weekdays, and leaves aside a few times: the vaidhṛti and vyatīpāta yogas, sankranti, eclipse days, amāvasyā and bhadrā.
On the time of day it is clear:
"अपराह्णे रात्रौ च नामकर्म वर्ज्यम्"
That is, no naming in the afternoon or at night. So the morning is best. It suits the baby too, who is usually calmest and most rested in the morning.
One more point: pāya is not a condition for naamkaran. There are two methods of finding pāya that give different answers, and no samskara depends on it.
The first letter of the name
In North Indian tradition the first letter of the name comes from the pada of the birth nakshatra. Each nakshatra has 4 padas, each with its own syllable. Ashwini's four, for example, are चू, चे, चो, ला (chu, che, cho, la).
Enter the birth date, time and place in ePandit's name-letter calculator and it gives the birth nakshatra, the pada and the letter. Each nakshatra's page also lists its four syllables. Many families keep a rashi-name for rituals and a different everyday name; that is perfectly fine.
How the samskara is done
Usually at home, simply:
- Remembering Ganesha: ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
- The parents sit with the baby in their lap.
- In many homes the father or a grandparent softly speaks the name into the baby's right ear; in others it is written on rice in a plate.
- The elders give their blessings and sweets go round.
Keep the gathering small. Noise, smoke and many hands tire a newborn.
सुरक्षा पहले (Safety first)
- Doctor first: for the baby's health, feeding or any discomfort, the doctor is the first help. A muhurta can always move to fit the doctor's advice.
- Nothing in the baby's mouth: don't put anything in the baby's mouth that the doctor hasn't approved. No honey at all before the first birthday; keep ghutti, coins and rings away from the mouth.
- No tight thread on the neck: never tie a black thread or cord tightly around the neck. If you wish, a loose thread on the wrist, with an adult watching.
- Sterile tools for ear-piercing: if karnavedh is done, only sterile tools and trained hands.
- No gems on babies: no gems, stones or heavy jewellery on small children.
- Havan smoke: if there is a havan, keep the baby away from the smoke, in an airy room.