Abstract: The research paper explores the role of women in the performance of Saṁskāras during the vedic period. The Saṁskāra occupies a vital place in the socioreligious framework of ancient Indian culture. These rites of passage were designed to purify, refine and prepare an individual for different stages of life, beginning from conception and continuing until death. Though rooted in vedic tradition and elaborated in later texts like Gṛhyasūtras and Manusmṛti, Saṁskāras played a dual role as both sacred rituals and instruments for shaping social order and moral values. Through a historical lense, the author aims to critically examine the participation of women in the performance of saṁskāras through an analysis of Vedic texts, including the Atharvaveda as well as Dharmasūtra and Smṛti literature.
Dr. Sanu Sinha (Mon,) studied this question.