Life Events - Samskaras
Because life is meant for elevating our consciousness and gaining release from the cycle of birth and death, the Vedas sanctify major life events with religious ceremonies, samskaras. These ceremonies serve to remind us of life’s spiritual purpose.
The Vedas specify functions to perform at these major life events: conception, birth, when the child receives a name, when the child takes its first solid food, the start of education, spiritual initiation, marriage, and death.
The rituals described are quite elaborate, yet the Vedas say that the powerful chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is sufficient to purify any event, anything, and anyone.