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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 शीर्षतः स्थापयेदुदकुम्भं मन्त्रोपमन्त्रितम्||४६|| (Char. Samh. 8.46)<ref name=":0">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>

Thus Jatakarma includes,

Thus Jatakarma includes,

आयुष्य मङ्गल पुख्य वृष्य चस्य म्रहापहम् ॥ मासात् परसमेधाथी व्याधिभिने च धृष्यते |

आयुष्य मङ्गल पुख्य वृष्य चस्य म्रहापहम् ॥ मासात् परसमेधाथी व्याधिभिने च धृष्यते |

षडभिमसिः श्रुतधरः सुवणपराशनाद्ेत् ॥ (Kash. Samh. Sutra 18.26-27)

षडभिमसिः श्रुतधरः सुवणपराशनाद्ेत् ॥ (Kash. Samh. Sutra 18.26-27)<ref name=":1">Kashyapa Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 18.Sutra 26-27)</ref>

(TBE) 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.  

(TBE) 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.

Honey and ghrita is rich sorce of carbohydrate and fate respectively which can provide adequate energy even in a minute quantity

 

 

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

=== Rakshavidhi ===

=== Rakshavidhi ===

Rakshavidhi is an integral part of Jatakarma samskara mentioned in Ayurveda.<ref>Charaka Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=read&h=rakShAvidhAna Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 47])</ref> The term Rakshavidhi indicates practices or procedures performed to protect a newborn child and also his/her mother. Ayurveda acharyas have given immense attention and importance to the newborn baby's protection. This includes protection from insects, microbes and also evil forces that have capacity to inflict the baby's [[Manas (मनः)|manas]] (mind) as per Ayurveda. The Rakshavidhi starts right from the birth of the baby and at every stage of childhood samskara it has been given first place. It is similar to modern day disinfection or sterilization methods in the objective but the methods differ. Ayurveda advocates use of certain herbs and food ingredients to be spread or kept near child in order to prevent infection and infliction of child's body-mind from external harmful factors. Following are the measures that are collectively called as Rakshavidhi,<ref>Available from charakasamhitaonline.com </ref>

Rakshavidhi is an integral part of Jatakarma samskara mentioned in Ayurveda.<ref name=":2">Charaka Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=read&h=rakShAvidhAna Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 47])</ref> The term Rakshavidhi indicates practices or procedures performed to protect a newborn child and also his/her mother. Ayurveda acharyas have given immense attention and importance to the newborn baby's protection. This includes protection from insects, microbes and also evil forces that have capacity to inflict the baby's [[Manas (मनः)|manas]] (mind) as per Ayurveda. The Rakshavidhi starts right from the birth of the baby and at every stage of childhood samskara it has been given first place. It is similar to modern day disinfection or sterilization methods in the objective but the methods differ. Ayurveda advocates use of certain herbs and food ingredients to be spread or kept near child in order to prevent infection and infliction of child's body-mind from external harmful factors. Following are the measures that are collectively called as Rakshavidhi,<ref>Available from charakasamhitaonline.com </ref>

* The place of delivery and newborn baby's room should be surrounded by the branches of ''khadira'' (Acacia catechu Willd.), ''karkandhu'' (Zyzyphus nummularia W.&A.), ''pilu'' (Salvadora persica Linn.), and ''parushaka'' (Grewiaasiatica Linn.) plants.

* The place of delivery and newborn baby's room should be surrounded by the branches of ''khadira'' (Acacia catechu Willd.), ''karkandhu'' (Zyzyphus nummularia W.&A.), ''pilu'' (Salvadora persica Linn.), and ''parushaka'' (Grewiaasiatica Linn.) plants.

* In order to bestow auspicious blessings on the mother and the child, ''brahmins'' well versed in Atharva Veda should perform ritual sacrifices in the sacred fire two times a day.  

* In order to bestow auspicious blessings on the mother and the child, ''brahmins'' well versed in Atharva Veda should perform ritual sacrifices in the sacred fire two times a day.  

These are, rituals and measures that need to be put in place to protect the mother and the child. [47]

These are, rituals and measures that need to be put in place to protect the mother and the child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honey has antimicrobial properties and enhances immunity.

Honey and ghrita is rich sorce of carbohydrate and fate respectively which can provide adequate energy even in a minute quantity

 

Jatakarma Samskar is performed right after the birth of the baby and thus the procedures and rituals performed under it provide a vaidya present at that time to examine the baby and assess his growth directly for the first time. As per the western medicine Rooting and sucking reflexes in a child are primitive reflexes present at birth normally and which when abnormal suggest dysfunction of nervous system.<ref>Yoo H, Mihaila DM. Rooting Reflex. [Updated 2021 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: <nowiki>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557636/</nowiki></ref> Thus lehana/Suvanraprashana and breast feeding advised under jatakarma provide an opportunity to check these reflexes of a baby and assess his health. 

Ghrita increases samriti medha (intellect), kaanti, voice, oja, strength, vishahar, rakshoghan

 

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

First feed given in the form of suvarnaprashana to the child initiates gastrointestinal movements and activates the gut. Moreover the ingredients of Suvarnaprashana and breast milk generated during this period have such medicinal properties that those help to enhance immunity e.g. Honey. Honey has antimicrobial properties and is a source of carbohydrates. Ghee is a rich source of fat. Thus the mixture of ghee and honey can provide adequate energy quickly in a minute quantity. <ref>Panchal K, Baldaniya H. Concept of Sanskara and its relation to developmental milestone.International Journal of Applied Research 2017; 3(3): 422-426 </ref>  

the immune system is relatively immature at birth and has to evolve during a life of exposure to multiple foreign challenges through childhood, via young and mature adulthood (including pregnancy), to the decline of old age. Besides frank infections and vaccinations, the newborn is exposed to other antigens. He or she comes from a relatively sterile environment ''in utero'' and is then rapidly exposed to multiple microbes [43]. The first major exposure to bacteria is during passage through the birth canal, and then as soon as he/she makes oral, skin and respiratory contact with the exterior. From then on, exposure to microorganisms is continuous. Many of the bacteria that colonize the gut and other mucosal sites are essential for healthy life, including digestion of food and acquisition of vital nutrients. They also impact on the development of the immune system <ref>Simon AK, Hollander GA, McMichael A. Evolution of the immune system in humans from infancy to old age. ''Proc Biol Sci''. 2015;282(1821):20143085. doi:10.1098/rspb.2014.3085</ref>

the newborn, and especially premature infants, have impaired neutrophil functions [4], putting the child at risk of bacterial infections. In preterm and newborn infants, classical monocytes and macrophages are also immature. Consequently, there is poor tissue repair, impaired phagocytosis of potential pathogens and poor secretion of bioactive molecules.

Breast feeding given on the first day ensures proper nutrition and protective immunoglobulin present in colostrum is received by the newborn which aids in enhancing immune responses.  

Overall, the innate immune system is muted at birth, a price probably paid by the fetus not only to tolerate non-shared maternal antigens but also to ignore the considerable amount of stress and remodelling that takes place during development. This makes the newborn, and particularly the premature baby, relatively susceptible to bacterial and viral infections.

The modern studies have proved that, the immune system of a child is relatively immature at birth. It evolves through exposure to multiple foreign challenges in childhood, youth and then mature d at adulthood (including pregnancy) which ultimately shows decline in old age. Newborn baby comes from a womb of mother which is a relatively sterile environment. After birth the child is exposed to multiple microbes rapidly. The first major exposure is during passage through the birth canal and then the exposure goes on widening when the newborn baby makes oral, skin or respiratory contact with the exterior. Then onwards the exposure to microbes is continuous. With this, gradually newborn develops immunity. It is known that newborns especially the infants have impaired neutrophil function which play important role in immune defense mechanism thus putting the child at risk of bacterial infections. Apart from that, classical monocytes and macrophages are also immature in preterm and newborn children. As a result, the processes of tissue repair, eliminating potential pathogens entering into the body and secreting bioactive molecules for immune defense are also below par. <ref>Simon AK, Hollander GA, McMichael A. Evolution of the immune system in humans from infancy to old age. ''Proc Biol Sci''. 2015;282(1821):20143085. doi:10.1098/rspb.2014.3085</ref> Thus it is clear that the innate immunity is muted at birth. This makes newborn relatively susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. This is the reason why a child receives multiple vaccination in today's time right from his birth up till his immune system becomes mature at a certain age. Vaccinations are mainly intended for passive protection or to stimulate immune system development in a child.  

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Samskaras]]

[[Category:Samskaras]]