The subject matter "Karma" is an ocean.
Classification of Karma
The Karmas are broadly classified into five types as follows:
1) Nitya Karma – Daily Obligatory Duties
2) Naimittika Karma --Occasional Obligatory duties
3) Kamya Karma – Rites done to attain desired results like Jyotistoma Yaga for reaching Heaven
4) Prayaschitta Karma – Rites for expiation of sins like Candrayana Vrata
5) Nishiddha Karma – Forbidden action like killing, drinking etc
Nitya Karmas
Nitya Karmas representing the Daily Obligatory Duties for a Grhastha (householder) includes the following:
1) Pratah Sandhya Vandanam (Morning)
2) Samitadanam ( For Brahmachari)
3) Aupasanam
4) Agnihotram (For Agnihotris)
5) Agni Sandhanam
6) Deva-Rishi-Pitru Tarpanam
7) Brahma Yajnam,
8) Vaisva Devam
9) Bhagavad Aradhanam
10) Madhyanikam ( Afternoon)
11) Sayam Sandhya Vandanam (Evening)
12) Pratyabdika Sraddham ( Yearly Ceremony)
13)Amavasya
14) Mahalayam
The non-performance of Nitya Karmas results in sins.
Naimittika Karmas
Naimittika Karmas representing the rites to be performed on special occasions for a Grhastha (householder) mainly includes the following main 16 Samskaras (40 Samskaras are mentioned in the Scriptures) and other Pitru Karmas:
Samskaras
1) Garbhadana - Conception rite
2) Pumsavana – Rite before Birth
3) Simantonnaya- Rite before Birth
4) Jatakarma – At Birth
5) Namakaranam – Naming ceremony
6) Niskramana – First Outing of the baby and viewing the Sun
7) Karna Vedana – Ear Piercing rite
8) Annaprasana – Feeding
9) Chaula – Tonsure
10) Vidyarambha – Beginning of Studies
11) Upanayan – Sacred Thread
12) Vedarambha – Beginning of Study of Vedas
13) Keshantha – Shaving of Beard
14) Samvartana – Completion of Studies
15) Vivaha – Marriage
16) Anthyeshti – Death
Pitru Karmas
1) Preta Sraddham
2) Sapindikaranam
3) Sankramana Sraddham ( Monthly)
4) Grahana Sraddham ( Solar / Lunar Eclipse)
5) Sodakumbham
6) Nandi Sraddham
Others
1) Upakarma (Avani Avittam)
2) Gayathri Japam
The non-performance of Naimittika Karmas results in sins.
The Priests are required normally for the performance of Naimittika Karmas for overseeing the proper conduct of the Ritual ( Brhaspati, Brahma), performance of Japa , homams and also for giving Danams as ordained in the Scriptures.
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