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Annaprasana (Samskrit:अन्नप्रासनम्) is the samskara of feeding the child with solid food for the first time in its life. Feeding with solid food is the next important stage in the life of the child after stepping out of the house. Until this stage the child was fed on mother's milk. Around six or seven months its body developed and requires greater amount of nutrients. Hence around this time increased nourishment is given with introduction of different types of food, along with the mother's milk for additional supplements.<ref name=":12">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 151-)</ref>

Annaprasana (Samskrit:अन्नप्रासनम्) is the samskara of feeding the child with solid food for the first time in its life. Feeding with solid food is the next important stage in the life of the child after stepping out of the house. Until this stage the child was fed on mother's milk. As the child  develops it requires greater amount of nutrients. Hence around six months of age the child is started on increased nourishment. It is introduced with different types of food, along with the mother's milk for additional supplements.<ref name=":12">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 151-)</ref>

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

Anna (अन्नम्), is a lifegiving substance and has long been recognised as the one that forms the Annamayakosha of the physical body. People were aware from the ancient time that there was something mysterious about it from which life emanated. That source of energy was to be infused into the child with the help of deities.<ref name=":12" />

Anna (अन्नम्), is a lifegiving substance and has long been recognised as the constituent of the Annamayakosha, the physical body. People were aware from the ancient time that there was something mysterious about it from which life emanated. That source of energy was to be infused into the child with the help of deities.<ref name=":12" />

Another important developmental milestone in a child's life is the feeding of solid food.

Annaprasana marks this event of the child where solid food is introduced to it. Thus this Samskara was connected with the satisfaction of the physical need of the child. This fact is endorsed by Acharya Sushruta, who prescribes the weaning of a child in the sixth month and describes the types of food to be given. It was only later on that this system of feeding the child for the first time assumed a religions shape. For the benefit of the child and the mother both', it was thought necessary that the child should not be wholly dependent on mother's milk and some substitute for her milk should be given to the baby.

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

Annam means cooked rice and prāśanam is feeding. The child is to be fed rice –<blockquote>जन्मनोऽपि षष्ठे मासि ब्राह्मणान् भोजयित्वा आशिषो वाचयित्वा दधिमधुघृतम् ओदनम् इति संसृज्य अवदाय उत्तरैः मन्त्रैः कुमारं प्राशयेत्। आपस्तम्बगृह्यसूत्रम् १६.१॥ janmano'pi ṣaṣṭhe māsi brāhmaṇān bhojayitvā āśiṣo vācayitvā dadhimadhughṛtam odanam iti saṃsṛjya avadāya uttaraiḥ mantraiḥ kumāraṃ prāśayet। Āpastambagṛhyasūtram 16.1॥</blockquote>

Annam means cooked rice and prāśanam is feeding. The child is to be fed rice mixed with ghee and other items–<blockquote>जन्मनोऽपि षष्ठे मासि ब्राह्मणान् भोजयित्वा आशिषो वाचयित्वा दधिमधुघृतम् ओदनम् इति संसृज्य अवदाय उत्तरैः मन्त्रैः कुमारं प्राशयेत्। आपस्तम्बगृह्यसूत्रम् १६.१॥ janmano'pi ṣaṣṭhe māsi brāhmaṇān bhojayitvā āśiṣo vācayitvā dadhimadhughṛtam odanam iti saṃsṛjya avadāya uttaraiḥ mantraiḥ kumāraṃ prāśayet। Āpastambagṛhyasūtram 16.1॥</blockquote>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

== आयुर्वेदे अन्नप्राशनम् ॥ Annaprashana as in Ayurveda ==

== आयुर्वेदे अन्नप्राशनम् ॥ Annaprashana as in Ayurveda ==

Annaprashana Samskara (अन्नप्राशन संस्कारः) is described in detail in Kashyapa Samhita (काश्यप संहिता), an authoritative text on pediatrics in Ayurveda written by Acharya Kashyapa. Acharya Kashyapa has advised to perform the ceremony of Annaprashana (अन्नप्राशनम्) in the 6th or 10th month of age <ref>Kashyapa Samhita (Khilasthanam Adhyaya 12 Sutra 6-8,15)</ref> <ref name=":0">Arun Raj GR, Shailaja U, Prasanna N Rao.THE CHILDHOOD SAMSKARAS (RITES OF PASSAGE) AND ITS SCIENTIFIC APPRECIATION. Ayurpharm Int J Ayur Alli Sci., Vol.2, No.12 (2013) Pages 372 - 383</ref> While acharya Sushruta and Vagbhata have advised this ceremony in the 6th month of age only.<ref name=":0" /> Acharya Kashyapa has stated that at the 6th month of age when the child hasn't developed teeth, only the fruits or fruit juices (liquids) need to be introduced and slowly when in the10th month of age child develops teeth, soft solids like rice are to be introduced to the child. This samskara is usually celebrated as a ceremony and an detailed account on it has been given by Acharya Kashyapa.  

Annaprashana Samskara (अन्नप्राशन संस्कारः) is described in detail in Kashyapa Samhita (काश्यप संहिता), an authoritative text on pediatrics in Ayurveda written by Acharya Kashyapa. Acharya Kashyapa has advised to perform the ceremony of Annaprashana (अन्नप्राशनम्) in the 6th or 10th month of age <ref>Kashyapa Samhita (Khilasthanam Adhyaya 12 Sutra 6-8,15)</ref> <ref name=":0">Arun Raj GR, Shailaja U, Prasanna N Rao.THE CHILDHOOD SAMSKARAS (RITES OF PASSAGE) AND ITS SCIENTIFIC APPRECIATION. Ayurpharm Int J Ayur Alli Sci., Vol.2, No.12 (2013) Pages 372 - 383</ref> While acharya Sushruta and Vagbhata have advised this ceremony in the 6th month of age only.<ref name=":0" /> Acharya Kashyapa has stated that at the 6th month of age when the child hasn't developed teeth, only the fruits or fruit juices (liquids) need to be introduced and slowly when in the10th month of age child develops teeth, soft solids like rice are to be introduced to the child. This samskara is usually celebrated as a ceremony and an detailed account on it has been given by Acharya Kashyapa.