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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.   

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.   

(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.  

* Honey and ghee are rich sources of carbohydrate and fat respectively which can provide adequate energy even in a minute quantity. <ref name=":3">Singh Karam et.al, An approach to Samskara in Ayurveda. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 2012, 3(3)</ref> 

* Honey has antimicrobial properties and according to Ayurveda, it helps to clear the slimy secretions stuck to the walls of oral cavity and throat owing to its 'Chhedana' property. <ref name=":3" /> 

* Ghee is also known to be detoxifying and protecting in nature.<ref name=":3" /> 

* Use of gold (suvara-prashan) increases intellect, digestive and metabolic power, strength, aayusha(provide longevity), improves complexion and protects from external inflictions. <ref name=":3" /> 

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

Since Suvarna prashana is in the form of energy feed given for the first time after birth, it initiates gastrointestinal reflex in the newborn. In neonatal care, passing stools and urine by a baby within a day after birth is considered highly important for health. This can be achieved with the help of feed of suvarnaprashana. This feed is given in the form of lintus and thus newborn baby's rooting and sucking reflex can be assessed at the time of suvarnaprashana. Presence of these reflexes at birth is crucial for baby to take the breast feeding which is the only source for nourishment till 6 months of the age. <ref>Kaur, Charanpreet & Mukesh, Chandra & Sharma, Mukesh. (2016). A Study to Assess the Sucking Reflex of Neonates Born at Selected Hospitals. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). 5. 6-391. </ref> 

 

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

=== Rakshavidhi ===

=== Rakshavidhi ===

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.  

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.  

If we observe the childhood samskaras mentioned in Ayurveda we can see that Ayurveda acharyas have laid high emphasis on protecting the child at every stage before any samskara right from the jatakarma samskara at birth.<ref name=":2" /> <ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> <ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Uttratantram Adhyaya 1 Sutra 21,24-28</ref><ref>Kashyapa Samhita (Khilsthanam Adhyaya 12 Sutra 5)</ref><ref>Kashyapa Samhita (Khilasthanam Adhyaya 12 Sutra 7)</ref> It is thus clear that ancient Ayurveda scholars were well aware of the weak immune status of the children and their susceptibility to the infections. To overcome this deficiency and support the child to grow healthy they must have recommended use of Suvarnaprashana and Rakshavidhi in Jatakamr asamskara. According to Ayurveda, Suvarnaprashana increases intelligence, strength and longevity. It also has a power to prevent infliction of the manas by evil powers and thus it protects not only child physical health but also preserves mentla health.<ref name=":1" /> Rakshavidhi mentioned in Charaka Samhita is a clear indicator that newborn needs to be protected with all possible methods and utmost care is to be given to ensure child's safety so as to lower the chances of over exposure to the environmental harmful factors that might otherwise cause serious diseases and even prove fatal for a child who has weaker immune system. Although the vaccination schedule for children is to be followed by every individual as a law of land, these samskaras can provide additional benefit of preserving mental health and also enhancing strength, immunity, intelligence and vigour.  

If we observe the childhood samskaras mentioned in Ayurveda we can see that Ayurveda acharyas have laid high emphasis on protecting the child at every stage during any samskara right from the jatakarma samskara.<ref name=":2" /> <ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> <ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Uttratantram Adhyaya 1 Sutra 21,24-28</ref><ref>Kashyapa Samhita (Khilsthanam Adhyaya 12 Sutra 5)</ref><ref>Kashyapa Samhita (Khilasthanam Adhyaya 12 Sutra 7)</ref> It is thus clear that ancient Ayurveda scholars were well aware of the weak immune status of the children and their susceptibility to the infections. To overcome this deficiency and support the child to grow healthy they must have recommended use of Suvarnaprashana and Rakshavidhi right under the Jatakarma samskara. According to Ayurveda, Suvarnaprashana increases intelligence, strength and longevity. It also has a power to prevent infliction of the [[Manas (मनः)|manas]] by evil powers and thus it protects not only child's physical health but also preserves mental health.<ref name=":1" /> Rakshavidhi mentioned in Charaka Samhita is a clear indicator that newborn needs to be protected with all possible methods and utmost care is to be given to ensure child's safety so as to lower the chances of over exposure to the environmental harmful factors that might otherwise cause serious diseases and even prove fatal for a child who has weaker immune system. Although the vaccination schedule for children is to be followed by every individual as a law of land, these samskaras can provide additional benefit of preserving mental health and also enhancing strength, immunity, intelligence and vigor.  

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Samskaras]]

[[Category:Samskaras]]