The science behind ear piercing
Ear piercing ceremony
Karnavedha, or the ear-piercing ceremony, is a Hindu tradition that is being followed since ages. According to scriptures, this ceremony can be conducted on the child’s 10th, 12th or 16th day after its birth or it must be performed on the odd years of the child, like the 3rd year or the 7th year. This is one of the most important rituals in Hinduism and although it has a scientific basis behind it, it has been covered up with a religious excuse and been made compulsory for Hindus.
It is believed that the right ear of the boy child should be bored first and when it comes to a girl, her left ear must be bored first. The child should be made to sit on its father’s lap and must be made to face the east. The ceremony must happen in the first half of the day and can end in a feast.
Susruta, the great Indian surgeon, advocates ear-piercing by saying that it prevents diseases like hernia and hydrocele. It is also believed that ear-piercing regulates the menstrual cycle in girls and prevents hysteria and other diseases. The flow of current in the human body is maintained by wearing earrings.
It is believed that one can use a gold, silver or iron needle to pierce the ears. If the ear of a prince has to be pierced, the needle can be made of gold, if the ear of a Brahmin or a Vysha has to be pierced, the needle can be made of silver and if the ear of a Shudra has to be pierced, the needle can be made of iron. Although it seems discriminatory, this idea was conceived mainly because of the economic situations of these castes. However, the Smriti Maharnava says that a copper needle can be used for any child.
While Susruta advocates the use of a surgeon to pierce the ears of the child, it is usually done by a goldsmith. Priests usually chant holy mantras in the child’s ears before the actual piercing is done and once the piercing is done, a thin wire is inserted in the holes to prevent them from closing.
While many Hindu rituals are just ignored as superstitions, one has to delve deeply to understand the science involved behind prescribing every ritual rather than blindly follow it because it is a sin to do so otherwise.
Did you know that you can visit this temple for ear-piercing ceremonies? – http://www.ishtadevata.com/kaliyuga-varadaraja-perumal-temple.html
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Please tell me !!! I got my right ear pierced iam a boy ! Is this okay?
That is absolutely fine.
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What happens if Ear boring ceremony is not done.Is it very serious iam really worried
Hi Sharath,
Please note that not piercing the ear does not have any serious ramifications. As a hindu ritual it helps, and is also now revered by the Chinese in the name of Acupunture. The meridian points in the ear lobes connect to the left and the right hemisphere of human brain, and the piercing has the activation impact. Similar effect of brain activation may achieved by doing the ‘Thoppukuranam’ or sit-ups.
Hi Mr. Naarayan,
Thanks for the comment.
It is fine if it is done after the first year, as long as it doesn’t fall under an even number it shouldn’t be a problem.
And as for the method of piercing, it doesn’t really matter because the point here is that the ears have to be pierced for health reasons, so anything is fine as long as they are pierced 🙂
Hi – I have two questions..one is regarding the age of the year piercing ceremony..you have mentioned it has to be done either on the 10th, 12th or the 16th day or odd years thereafter like the 3rd or 7th year.. normally I have seen it is done after the ayushhomam or the first year after the child’s birth (including my two sons).. is it fine to do so? the second question is that with the advancement of technology, the actual ear piercing using the needle has been replaced with a gun..does that defeat the very purpose of the ear piercing ceremony itself? sorry if my questions sound knaive 🙂