Apart from its spiritual purposes, the manusa yadnya rites are also carried out to oversee the person's material well being. The "four companions" (kanda empat) accompany the person throughout the course of his or her life. If treated well, they will act as protectors; otherwise they may cause problems.

The manusa yadnya rites include birth rites. The seventh month of pregnancy is the time for the housing of the soul or Megedong-gedongan ceremony, when the soul is bound within the womb. Birth is celebrated through the penyambutan (welcoming) ceremonies, the true birth rites. The catur sanak or burying of four little siblings is when the after birth is given a ritual burial in four different places within the family compound. On the fifth or seventh day, a ceremony for the fall of the umbilical (kepus pungsed) is held. Twelve days after ", a shrine is placed next to the baby's cot with were and banana offerings to the Dewa Kumara deity , who will protect the baby until its first tooth appears.

At the age of three months, the baby is allowed to touch the ground and is given a name, and it has entered the earthly world and the ceremonies are to welcome and guide the child during his or her first steps in life. This is how a child attains full incarnation of human status. Like any other being, the child will be subjected to the cycle of the Balinese calendar. He or she will have an otonan anniversary in the family temple, with offerings, every 210 days ( i.e., one cycle in the Wuku year).