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== Jatakarma described in Ayurveda ==

== Jatakarma described in Ayurveda ==

Jatakarma is birth rite which helps the baby to smoothly transcend from life inside the womb to that outside the womb. After birth of a baby, the change is not just in the outside environment but, baby's dependency on mother for survival also changes. The child remains only partially dependent on mother post birth who was completely dependent on mother for past 9 months. Therefore the Jatakarma has been advised in this phase of transition which facilitates baby's smooth transition into outside world. Jatakarma samskara or vidhi includes certain rituals and procedures that include certain neonatal  resuscitation methods and certain exclusive methods like giving medicinal linctus to a newborn for health and wellbeing.  

Jatakarma is birth rite which helps the baby to smoothly transcend from life inside the womb to that outside the womb. After birth of a baby, the change is not just in the outside environment but, baby's dependency on mother for survival also changes. The child remains only partially dependent on mother post birth who was completely dependent on mother for past 9 months. Therefore the Jatakarma has been advised in this phase of transition which facilitates baby's smooth transition into outside world. Ayurveda scholars have also at first advised to resuscitate the newborn by various methods    like making sounds in the baby's ears, clearing his mouth and airways, keeping a cotton socked in ghee over head etc. All these measures mentioned serve as primitive resuscitating measures practiced since thousands of years to make baby cry and kickstart his respiration properly. Also keeping cotton socked in ghee over head could have served the purpose of preventing hypothermia or heat loss from largest surface of baby's body. When the baby used to get stabilized by these methods the umbilical cord used to be cut and it was advised to tie it. Once these preliminary measures are done , Jatakarma samskara was advised. Jatakarma samskara or vidhi includes certain rituals and procedures that include some exclusive methods like giving medicinal linctus to a newborn for health and wellbeing.  

 

Once the newborn baby is resuscitated i.e. once he cries and his umbilical cord is cut Jatakarma procedures can be performed.  <blockquote>अतोऽनन्तरं जातकर्म कुमारस्य कार्यम्|

Once the newborn baby is resuscitated i.e. once he cries and his umbilical cord is cut Jatakarma procedures can be performed.  <blockquote>अतोऽनन्तरं जातकर्म कुमारस्य कार्यम्|

स्तनमत ऊर्ध्वमेतेनैव विधिना दक्षिणं पातुं पुरस्तात् प्रयच्छेत्|

स्तनमत ऊर्ध्वमेतेनैव विधिना दक्षिणं पातुं पुरस्तात् प्रयच्छेत्|

अथातः [१] शीर्षतः स्थापयेदुदकुम्भं मन्त्रोपमन्त्रितम्||४६|| (Char. Samh. 8.46)<ref>Charak Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 46)</ref></blockquote>Meaning: Thereafter, birth-rites of the child should be performed per vedic rituals, which are as follows: first of all, honey and ghee duly “consecrated” with vedic mantras (chanted by brahmanas or priests) should be anointed to the child. Breast milk should first be fed from the right breast, and should be done so after performing the rituals mentioned above. An earthen pot filled with water should be consecrated with mantras and kept near the head of the child.<ref>Available from charakasamhitaonline.com</ref>  

अथातः [१] शीर्षतः स्थापयेदुदकुम्भं मन्त्रोपमन्त्रितम्||४६|| (Char. Samh. 8.46)<ref>Charak Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 46)</ref></blockquote>Meaning: Thereafter, birth-rites of the child should be performed per vedic rituals, which are as follows: first of all, honey and ghee duly “consecrated” with vedic mantras (chanted by brahmanas or priests) should be anointed to the child. Breast milk should first be fed from the right breast, and should be done so after performing the rituals mentioned above. An earthen pot filled with water should be consecrated with mantras and kept near the head of the child.<ref>Available from charakasamhitaonline.com</ref>

Placing cotton soaked in ghee on head maintains temperature of the baby which prevents heat loss from baby’s head, which has the largest surface area, thus preventing hypothermia.  

* Giving baby a linctus made up of honey, ghee as per Charaka, Other Ayurveda scholars have advised using Suvarna bhasma (gold bhasma) and some specific herbs in this linctus.<ref>Monika Swami, Kanchan Swami, K. Shankar Rao, Concept of Swarnaprashana(Gold drops) As Jatakarma Samskara,IRJAY, January : 2021 Vol-4, Issue-1; 137-143</ref> Making baby lick the paste made up of herbs, honey , ghee and gold is known as Suvarnaprashana and is popular Ayurveda therapeutic procedure practiced in current times as well.  

 

Only after the baby is stabilised umbilical cord was cut, emphasizing on resuscitative measures.  

* Placing a pot filled with water consecrated by certain mantras near baby.

 

* Mantras are chanted during the entire process. Use of Mantra in Jata Karma gives psychological support to parents especially mother.

Tying the cord to baby’s neck by thread prevents bleeding from cord and minimizes chances of infection.  

Swarnaprashan a type of Lehan given to baby by Suvarna Bhasma, honey and ghee serves the purpose of both nutrition and immunization. This Lehana (licking of medicine preparations) also gives an opportunity to physician to assess the rooting and sucking reflex of neonate. Honey and ghee have a rich caloric value, provide energy to baby whose previous source of nutrition from placenta has stopped. This first feed initiates gastrointestinal movements and activates the gut. Swarna Bhasma gives physical protection to baby. enhances brain development and is in micro particles easily absorbable by baby’s intestine.  

Swarnaprashan a type of Lehan given to baby by Suvarna Bhasma, honey and ghee serves the purpose of both nutrition and immunization. This Lehana (licking of medicine preparations) also gives an opportunity to physician to assess the rooting and sucking reflex of neonate. Honey and ghee have a rich caloric value, provide energy to baby whose previous source of nutrition from placenta has stopped. This first feed initiates gastrointestinal movements and activates the gut. Swarna Bhasma gives physical protection to baby. enhances brain development and is in micro particles easily absorbable by baby’s intestine.  

Breast feeding is to be given on the first day so to ensure proper nutrition and protective immunoglobulin present in colostrum. Early initiation of breast feed also stimulates prolactin reflex. When the baby sucks, the nerve ending in the nipple carry message to the anterior pituitary which in turn release prolactin and that acts on the alveolar glands in the breast to stimulate milk secretion. The water filled earthen jar may serve cooling purpose or maintenance of humidity in baby’s ward room.

Breast feeding is to be given on the first day so to ensure proper nutrition and protective immunoglobulin present in colostrum. Early initiation of breast feed also stimulates prolactin reflex. When the baby sucks, the nerve ending in the nipple carry message to the anterior pituitary which in turn release prolactin and that acts on the alveolar glands in the breast to stimulate milk secretion. The water filled earthen jar may serve cooling purpose or maintenance of humidity in baby’s ward room.

Use of gold (suvara-prashan) increases intellect, digestive and metabolic power, strength, aayusha(provide longevity), increase complexion (varnaya), grahamapahum

Use of gold (suvara-prashan) increases intellect, digestive and metabolic power, strength, aayusha(provide longevity), increase complexion (varnaya), grahamapahum

[[Category:Samskaras]]

[[Category:Samskaras]]