There are 16 sanskars in Hinduism. Keshant sanskar which is also popularly known as Godaan sanskar is one of the 16 Vedic sanskars. This sanskar is performed when a child completes 16 years of his age.
Basically this ritual used to take place when a child completes his Vedic education in his tutor’s home or gurukul. The boy had to shave his head and then bath in holy water. After these activities the pupil was accredited with the graduation degree. Then he was permitted to step into the family domain of life.
This sanskar is also called godaan sanskar. After the boy has shaven, his hair are mixed with cow dung and either buried under the ground of cow shed or thrown in to a river so that they are out of reach of any trantik. The pupil then has to gift a cow to his teacher.
This ritual was very crucial in a pupil’s life and was thoroughly performed in an auspicious muhurat. Let’s see what were the determinant factors while considering a muhurat of keshant sanskar in those days.
Nakshatra
If the muhurat of keshant sanskar has either Swati, Punarwasu, Shravan, Ghanishtha, Hasta, Jyeshtha, Shatavisha, Mrigashira, Chitra or Revati nakshatras, then the ritual will give auspicious results to the native. So if one wants to fix this sanskar for their child, any one of the nakshatras will make the whole ceremony very fruitful.
Tithi
Tithi has always been an important factor in determining a muhurat. The 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 11th or 13th tithi is very good for this occasion.
Week day
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are auspicious for this sanskar.
Ascendant
Ascendant is a vital factor in determining a good muhurat. In this ritual the birth Ascendant and the 8th sign from the Ascendant is not auspicious. Astrologers say that these Ascendants should be particularly avoided.
Astrological restrictions
Vedic astrology says Moon and Ascendant purification are required in this occasion. The Moon is afflicted on the 4th, 8th and 12th house, that’s why these things should be avoided. The 3rd, 5th and 7th Tara are also malefic.