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Added content in biological implications
At this time another cultural aspect is included in the sacrament. A pen, a book, toys, sweets, some astra (like a knife) like things, gold ornaments and many such things are kept in front of the crawling child. The child is left free to find out what things attract the child's attention to a great extent. The kind of thing that the child has an attraction for, it is said, describes the child's future interests in life and so the elders have a clue about the direction in which the child has to be encouraged.
At this time another cultural aspect is included in the sacrament. A pen, a book, toys, sweets, some astra (like a knife) like things, gold ornaments and many such things are kept in front of the crawling child. The child is left free to find out what things attract the child's attention to a great extent. The kind of thing that the child has an attraction for, it is said, describes the child's future interests in life and so the elders have a clue about the direction in which the child has to be encouraged.
=== Significance ===
=== Biological Implications ===
The significance of the Annaprasana-Sanskara was that the children were weaned away from their mothers at proper time. They were not left at the caprice of their parents who often injure their children by overfeeding them without taking into consideration their digestive capacity. The feeding ceremony also warned the mother that at a certain time she should stop suckling the child. The ignorant mother, out of love for her child, goes on suckling it up to year or more, thereby she allows her own energy to be sapped away without doing real good to the child. A timely caution was given by the ceremony for the benefit of both the child and the mother.<ref name=":12" />
The significance of the Annaprasana-Sanskara was that the children were weaned away from their mothers at proper time. They were not left at the caprice of their parents who often injure their children by overfeeding them without taking into consideration their digestive capacity. The feeding ceremony also warned the mother that at a certain time she should stop suckling the child. The ignorant mother, out of love for her child, goes on suckling it up to year or more, thereby she allows her own energy to be sapped away without doing real good to the child. A timely caution was given by the ceremony for the benefit of both the child and the mother.<ref name=":12" />
Since the prescription of solid food contains rice, corn, curd, ghee, some kinds of fruits etc, the nutrient intake of the child significantly increases to fulfil its biological demands. Nutrition-wise the food given to the child should have specified levels of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and fiber; alongside on many labels it is mentioned that "Breast milk is best for your baby. Give cereals in addition to mother's milk". Unfortunately, due to various reasons the mothers of present times are refraining from breast feeding their infants. While Annaprashana focuses on additional supplements, breast feeding till the specified age is a requirement. Today we find that tinned food or processed food is greatly used in many parts of the world to reduce the burden of cooking fresh food. Such measures are detrimental to the child who at such a young age is exposed to the harmful chemicals used in preparing processed foods. The aim of Annaprashana is to introduce a wholesome diet to the child with the element of sacredness and purity in the act of eating food. Though the child is personally unaware of the benefits of the samskara, it instills sanctity and carefulness in the mother to prepare a healthy diet for the child.<ref>Ramakrishna Rao, K. V. (1994) ''[https://ia803008.us.archive.org/30/items/ThePsychologyOfSamskaras/The%20Psychology%20of%20Samskaras_text.pdf The Psychology of Samskaras.]'' Article in Vivekananda Kendra Patrika. (Pages 56-65)</ref>
== आयुर्वेदे अन्नप्राशनम् ॥ Annaprashana as in Ayurveda ==
== आयुर्वेदे अन्नप्राशनम् ॥ Annaprashana as in Ayurveda ==