The sixteen steps of purification among Hindu are commonly called as Shodash Sanskaar. Sanskaar is a means of cleaning and improving. These Sanskaar help in the development of a human being. What is done by elders and knowledgeable people are followed by others - Mahaajanah Yen Gatah Sa Panthah. Sanskaar are of two types - one internal, the other is external. The external Sanskaar are not totally a waste although they should not be mistaken for the real - like the covering on the coconut. The sixteen Sanskaar are the following:

(1) Garbhaadhaan, 2. Punsavan and 3. Seemanthonnayan - These three are done before the baby is born; parents are responsible for these Sanskaar.
(4) Jaatakarm, (5) Naamkaran, (6) Nishkraman, (7) Annapraashan, (8) Karnavedh, (9) Chaula - These six Sanskaar are done before the baby is 5 years old; parents and the relatives are jointly responsible for these Sanskaar.
(10) Upanayan, (11) Vedaarambh, (12) Samaavartan, (13) Marriage, (14) Vaanaprasth, (15) Sanyaas, and (16) Antyeshti.

We may briefly deal with all these Sanskaar to find out the significance and the meaning attached to each of these. But we should always remember that, Уen Yonirnaapi Sanskaaro na Shrutam na cha Santatih Kaaranaa Ni Dwijatwasya Vrittamev tu Kaaranam - means "It is not because a person was born to Braahman parents, not by Sanskaar, not by learning Ved, not because of the dynasty that he becomes a Braahman". Good character is the only way to become a Braahman

(1) Garbhaadhaan - This first Sanskaar is for purification of the seed and the egg and it is in the beginning of the child birth.
(2) Punsavan - After the conception is confirmed, this is done during the third month of pregnancy. After conception, the husband is supposed to follow Brahmacharya till the baby is two months old. There is a practice of administering some Aayurvedic juices through the nose of the lady among some people.
(3) Seemantonnayan - This is to enrich the pregnancy and it is done during the fourth, sixth or eighth month. The husband has to please her through sweet words, entertain through music etc, and the elder ladies reassure her and bless.
(4) Jaatakarm - This Sanskaar is done after the child birth. Cow's ghee and honey are mixed and with these, OM is written on the child's tongue through a golden stick. The mother is bathed in fragrant water and the child is fed first through the right and later from the left breast of the mother. Child is blessed by all the elders present in the house.
(5) Naamkarn - This is the naming ceremony of the baby. It is done on the 11th day, or the 101st day, or the first day of the second year. Poojaa are offered with Hom and elders bless the baby "Twam Aayushmaan varchaswee Tejaswee Shreemaan bhooyaaha". The child is given a name with even number of letters for the male child and with odd number of letters for the female child. It is ordained that the names with stars, trees, rivers, mountains, birds, snakes etc, and fear and servitude should not be given.
(6) Nishkraman - This Sanskaar is done after three months on the third day of the lunar side of the month or on the day of birth during the fourth month. The baby is bathed, new clothes are given to him; Poojaa and Hom are conducted and the baby is brought outside the room and is shown the Sun with the blessing "Be powerful like the Sun and live long".
(7) Annapraashan - Afer five months, smooth rice is given. Yajur Ved Mantra is uttered indicating the nature of the food. "Annaapate annasyasno dehya nameevaasya shushbeenaha, prapradataaram taarish oorjam no dehi dwipade chatushpade - means "Oh Lord of food, give us food which makes us disease free and healthy. Help the farmer who gives us food. Grant all of us the required strength. Then the elders say, "twa mannapatirannaa do vardhamaano bhooyaah.
(8) Choodaakarn - This Sanskaar is only for boys and it is also called Chaula. It is done during the brighter half of the month during Uttaraayan. Prayer to Eeshwar, Swasti Vaachan, special Hom are conducted and then the child is made to sit in front of the barber. The hairs are shaved off amidst Mantra. Sometimes, only a portion of the hairs is removed. The hairs so removed are buried underground. The child's head is then smeared with butter or cream of curds and bathed. New clothes are given. Elders give the Aasheervaad as "Jeevah sharadah Shatam vardhamaanah" - means live for 100 years and live long".
(9) Karn Vedh - It is done during the 3rd or 5th month. After Abhyang a new set of clothes are given and special Poojaa are conducted. To please the child play things are given along with whatever the child likes amidst Mantrochchaaran. His ears are pierced in this Sanskaar. The right ear is pierced first, and then the left one. Golden wire is inserted and tightened. Prayer is offered for good words falling on the ears.
(10) Upanayan - The word Upanayan has two meanings. One is to take the boy near and the other one is eye. This second eye is Shaastra Drishti or knowledge. For this, teaching from a Guru starts. When the boy grows fit enough to move to the Gurukul, he is given the Yagyopaveet. The three lines in the Yagyopaveet represent the determination to study through Kaayaa, Vaachaa and Manasaa. Normally the Braahman boys are given this Sanskaar at the eighth year. It is preferable to hold this function during the spring time. On the previous day the boy and his parents take Mangal Snaan and pray to the assembly of learned people and then to Ganesh, then Punyaah, Ankuraarpan, Rakshaa Bandhan, Naandee, Graha Yagya, Isht Devataa Poojaa, Mandap Poojaa are done. Ankuraarpan, Punyaah, Rakshaa Bandhan, Nava Tantu Dhaaran, Yagyopaveet Dhaarane, Maatrikaa Bhojan (also called Chaulaa Pankti Bhojan), Digvapana, Kshaur Karm, Agni Sthaapanaa, Palaashanmeedaa Daan, Ashmaarohan, Udakaanjali, Hast Grahana, Devataa Pradaan, Brahmopadesh, Pradhaan Hom, Gayatri Upadesh, Oshta Karm Sparshan, Palaash Dand Sweekaar, Aadityopasthaan, Kaamya Vidhi, Agni Kaarya, Shikshaa, Bhikshaacharya, Palaash Karm are all done. Next is the Brahm Bhojan (feeding Braahman). Then, the guests are honored and their Aasheervaad is taken.

The Upanayan Sanskaar is sometimes performed when the boy is only five years old. This is called "Kaamyopanayana" Sanskaar also, "Kaamya" means in pursuance of a desire. Such early Upanayan Sanskaar is all right if we want the child to develop inwardly at an early age. Aadi Shankar's Upanayan Sanskaar, it is believed, was performed when he was five years old. If the child is extraordinarily intelligent and can articulate words properly, his Upanayan Sanskaar can be performed at five years
(11) Vedaarambh - This Sanskaar is done the next day after the Upanayan Sanskaar. Signifies the starting of the Ved Abhayaas. The four Ved, Upa Ved, Upaang, Braahman and Upanishad are studied from that day.
(12) Samaavartan - This Sanskaar is done after the completion of the Ved Abhyaas. Now a days this Sanskaar is done before marriage, but normally, this has to be done at the Guru's place signifying that he has now graduated from his studies, sibce it is the graduation ceremony. End of Brahmcharya period and ready to enter the world as a Grihasth. He then adorns himself with all his jewels and returns to his father. The Guru is lavished with gifts etc.
(13) Marriage (Vivaah) - One who does not marry becomes Yagyaheen and condemnable, thus says Taittiareeya Braahman (2.2.2.6). A Braahman has to fulfill his Rishi Rin by Brahmcharya, Dev Rin by Yagya and Pitri Rin by getting children, says the Samhitaa (6.3.10.5). A Grihasth is the pivot of the society. Manu Smriti says - "As all living beings live by the air, all Aashram people live because of the Grihasth. Thus, marriage is not only a social obligation, but a Dhaarmik Sanskaar as well. Two persons born and brought up at different places, have to live together throughout their lives after that. Patience, sacrifice, love are essential for this and this is what the marriage ceremony teaches. However, amidst so many unnecessary procedures, the main purpose is being lost now a days. Paraashar, Bodhaayan, Ashwalaayan, Kaatyaayana, Gadaadhar, Maandaleek and other Sootrakaar have indicated that the essential parts of a marriage are Vaagdaan, Madhupark, Var Poojaa, Kanyaa Daan, Kankan Bandhan, Maalaa Arpan, Akshat Ropan, Maangalya Bandhan, Agni Sthaapan, Paanigrahan, Saptapadee, Pradhaan Hom, Ashmaarohan, and Laajaa Hom. After all these ceremonies and at the boy's place Dhruv and Arundhatee Nakshatra Darshan, Aagneya Sthaalee Paak Karm, Oupaasanaa Hom, and Shesh Hom are done. Before the Paanigrahan Sanskaar, the boy is given another Yagyopaveet. This indicates that he has to shoulder additional responsibilities of service to mother and father, wife and children and the guests and invitees. Now, we may consider the extravagant way this is being done now in our society. There are several procedures which have lost significance, for example Vaagdaan and Var Poojaa. Kaashee Yaatraa etc are a joke today. These require to be deleted. The most important part of marriage is the Saptapadee. The first step is for Ras, then Savi, Vriddhi, Saulabhya, cattle wealth, Ruthus and Sapt Hotri. Lastly, the boy says - "My Friend, Remain with me for all these seven in life. Love me. In any case, keeping only the essential parts of the Vivaah all the unnecessary paraphernalia should be dispensed with. After marriage, the boy and the girl have to observe three nights celibacy. On the fourth day, the Garbhaadhaan is celebrated. The Mantra are chanted during this Karm is, "May we get strong, healthy, long living children. May our ancestors get Mukti by this. May god give you the strength to bear children. May Twashtraa, Dhaataa and Ashwinee give beauty to our children."
(14) Vaanprasth - The old couple when decided to leave the house should chant Swasti Vaachan, do Shaantikaran etc, and get peace after relinquishing all attachments. Time should be spent in learning and teaching and in prayers, trying to attain Moksh.
(15) Sanyaas - There are four types of Sanyaas - (1) Karm Sanyaas, (2) Sanyaas without Vaanprasth, (3) Sanyaas while in Grihasth stage itself and (4) Sanyaas directly from Brahmcharya stage. Relinquishing Kaam, Krodh, Moh, Lobh, Mad and Maatsarya is a prerequisite for Sanyaas. He will not have Shikhaa and Yagyopaveet. Saffron clothes with a stick in hand and begging without any remorse etc, and guiding others towards Moksh are the duties of a Sanyaasee. Before one takes Sanyaas, he has to eschew solid food for three days and spend time praying alone. On the fourth day getting up at Brahm Muhoort after due prayers etc, hairs are cut and bathed. Standing in a river or tank turning to east he utters, "Putraishan, Viththaishan, Lokaishan Maayaa Parityaktaa Matthah Sarv Bhootebhyo Abhayanastu" and keeping fire as a witness, becomes a Sanyaasee.
(16) Antyeshti or Antim - This is a Karm done by the children after the person's death. The body is washed, new dresses are put on and sandal paste applied. Then taking the body to the burial ground a small pit of size 8' x 4' in the North-South direction is excavated and sanctified with cow dung water. Over the pile of firewood, the body is kept with head towards north and additional firewood is placed. Ghee mixed with sandal, Kastooree, Kesar and other sweet smelling materials are dipped with a fire wood and fire started. After the body is completely burnt, those who had gone there return home after bathing and Shaanti Karan Mantra uttered at home. Next day, the Asthi Sanchayan (collection of remaining  ones and ash) and releasing them in a flowing water. For 13 days Shraaddh Karm are done. After that monthly, Moonaamaasik, annual Shraaddh are done. Here it is Shraaddhaa that is more important than the luxury. It is condemnable if someone does these Shraaddh luxuriously after the parents are gone without looking after them carefully when they were alive.