Changes

== Jatakarma described in Ayurveda ==

== Jatakarma described in Ayurveda ==

Jatakarma is that samskara in early human life which helps the newborn baby to smoothly transcend from life inside the womb to the life 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 is that samskara in early human life which helps the newborn baby to smoothly transcend from life inside the womb to the life 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 the outside world, a completely new environment for the baby.   

Ayurveda scholars at first have advised to resuscitate the newborn baby 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.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 42-43)</ref>All these measures mentioned here 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 head, largest surface of baby's body. When the baby used to get stabilized by these methods the umbilical cord used to be cut and tied. Once these preliminary measures are done, Jatakarma samskara was performed. Jatakarma samskara or vidhi includes certain rituals and procedures that include  exclusive methods like giving medicinal linctus to a newborn for health and wellbeing.  

Ayurveda scholars at first have advised to resuscitate the newborn baby 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.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 42-43)</ref>All these measures mentioned here serve as primitive resuscitating measures practiced since thousands of years to make baby cry and kickstart his respiration and other systems properly. Also keeping cotton socked in ghee over head could have served the purpose of preventing hypothermia or heat loss from head, largest surface of baby's body. When the baby used to get stabilized by these methods the umbilical cord used to be cut and tied. Once these preliminary measures are done, Jatakarma samskara was performed. Jatakarma samskara or vidhi includes certain rituals and procedures that include  exclusive methods like giving medicinal linctus to a newborn for health, nourishment, longevity and wellbeing.  

=== Procedure ===

=== Procedure ===

Thus Jatakarma includes,

Thus Jatakarma includes,

* Giving baby a lehana (linctus) made up of honey and 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.

* Giving baby a lehana (linctus) made up of honey and 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 which is practiced in current times as well.

* Breast feeding  

* Breast feeding preferably from the right side first.

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

* 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.

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

==== Suvarnaprashana ====

==== Suvarnaprashana ====

Suvarnaprashana (a type of medicine) given to baby under jatakarma samskara, derives its name from the chief ingredient of it, the Suvarna Bhasma (gold). The other ingredients are honey and ghee. Since the mixture is in the form of linctus and the baby is supposed to lick it, it is called as Suvarnaprashanama. It serves the purpose of both nutrition and immunization.

Suvarnaprashana (a type of medicine) given to baby under jatakarma samskara, derives its name from the chief ingredient of it, the Suvarna Bhasma (gold). The other ingredients are honey and ghee. Since the mixture is in the form of linctus and the baby is supposed to lick it, it is called as Suvarnaprashanama. It serves the purpose of both nutrition and immunization.   <blockquote>विघृष्य धौते दृषदि प्राङ्मुखी लघुनाऽम्बुना

द्रव्याणां लेहनीयानां बिधिश्चेवोपदेचयते ॥ विघुष्य धौते दृषदि प्राङ्मुखी लघुनाऽम्बुना

आमथ्य मधुसर्पिभ्यां लेहयेत् कनकं शिशुम् ॥ सुवर्णप्राशनम् ह्येतत् मेधाग्निबलवर्धनम् |

मभ्य मधुसर्पिभ्यां लेहयेत् कनकं शिशुम् ॥` सुत्णेप्राशनं द्येतन्मेधाग्निबलवधनम् |

आयुष्य मङ्गल पुण्यं वृष्य वर्ण्यं ग्रहापहम् ॥ मासात् परसमेधावी व्याधिभिर्न च धृष्यते |

षड्‍ भिः मासैः श्रुतधरः सुवर्णप्राशनाद्भवेत्॥ (Kash. Samh. Sutra 18.26-27)<ref name=":1">Kashyapa Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 18.Sutra 26-27)</ref></blockquote>Meaning: The gold is thoroughly cleaned and rubbed over a washed flat surface of the with a little water. The rubbed gold particles are then mixed with honey and ghee and the mixture is given to the baby as a linctus. This is called as Suvarna prashana. It increases Medha (intellectual power), Agni (digestive fire), balam (strength). It acts as a potion which enhances longevity, auspiciousness, virtue and vitality. It improves complexion, removes infliction of mind by evil forces. 

 

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.