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Upaveshana samskara is described in Ayurveda texts under childhood samskaras. The term upaveshana refers to the act of sitting. Thus it is the samskara done in the period wen the child is made to sit for the first time in life. Making a baby sit with or without support, baby's ability to do so by own and the effects of sitting for a long time all these aspects are related to health of the baby. Thus Ayurveda scholars seem to have meticulously studied it and proposed an appropriate method for it under Upaveshana samskara.

Upaveshana samskara (उपवेशन संस्कारः) is described in Ayurveda texts under [[Childhood Samskaras (बाल्यावस्थे संस्काराः)|childhood samskaras]] (संस्काराः) . The term upaveshana (उपवेशनम्) refers to the act of sitting. Thus it is the samskara done in the period when the child is made to sit for the first time in life. Making a baby sit with or without support, baby's ability to do so by own and the effects of sitting for a long time all these aspects are related to health of the baby. Thus Ayurveda scholars seem to have meticulously studied it and proposed an appropriate method for it under Upaveshana samskara.

== Etymolgy ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः॥ Etymolgy ==

उप + विश--भावे ल्युट् । (वसा) १ आसने २ स्थापने (Vachaspatyam)<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A3 Vachaspatyam] </ref>

उप + विश--भावे ल्युट् । (वसा) १ आसने २ स्थापने (Vachaspatyam)<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A3 Vachaspatyam] </ref>

The term is made up of 2 parts, 'Upa' and 'Visha'. Collectively it refers to the act of sitting.  

The term is made up of 2 parts, 'Upa' (उप) and 'Visha' (विश्). Collectively it refers to the act of sitting.  

== Time to perform upaveshana samskara ==

== उपवेशनसंस्कारस्य कालम्॥ Time to perform upaveshana samskara ==

Ayurveda acharyas have proposed following time to perform this samskara.  <ref name=":0">Arun Raj GR1*, Shailaja U2, Prasanna N Rao. Ayurpharm Int J Ayur Alli Sci., Vol.2, No.12 (2013) Pages 372 - 383</ref> <ref name=":1">Shobhit Kumar. A Critical Appraisal on Various Samskara’s with their Scientific and Medical Importance in Pediatric Age Group. International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research. 2017;5(5):78-81.</ref>

Ayurveda acharyas have proposed following time to perform this samskara.  <ref name=":0">Arun Raj GR1*, Shailaja U2, Prasanna N Rao. Ayurpharm Int J Ayur Alli Sci., Vol.2, No.12 (2013) Pages 372 - 383</ref> <ref name=":1">Shobhit Kumar. A Critical Appraisal on Various Samskara’s with their Scientific and Medical Importance in Pediatric Age Group. International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research. 2017;5(5):78-81.</ref>

# Ashtanga Samgraha, : Upaveshana samskara to be done in the '''5th month'''  

# Ashtanga Samgraha (अष्टाङ्ग संग्रहः) : Upaveshana samskara to be done in the '''5th month'''

# Kashyapa Samhita : It is to be performed in the '''6th month'''.

# Kashyapa Samhita (काश्यप संहिता) : It is to be performed in the '''6th month'''.

According to Kashyapa Samhita, this samskara is performed along with the Phalaprashana Samskara in 6th month.  

According to Kashyapa Samhita, this samskara is performed along with the Phalaprashana Samskara (फलप्राशन संस्कारः) in 6th month.  

== Samskara vidhi ==

== संस्कारविधिः॥ Samskara vidhi ==

Samskaras practiced in Sanatana dharma were supposed to be celebrated in a ceremonious manner. Upaveshana samskara is not an exception to it. It is the samskara wherein the newborn child is made to sit for the first time in his/her life. Usually before this, the child in always kept in lying down position and all his/her activities like eating, playing with the toys are performed in that same position only. Now when the child develops sufficient strength to hold his neck, back, and weight against gravity, he/she enters a new phase of life. For this, the child has to develop certain amount of strength in muscles, bones, joints etc. Thus when this samskara or act of making child sit with or without support is not done properly it can lead to serious adverse effects on the child's health. Hence Ayurveda acharyas have given guidelines and instructions so as to make this transition smooth and trouble-free for the baby.  

Samskaras practiced in Sanatana dharma were supposed to be celebrated in a ceremonious manner. Upaveshana samskara is not an exception to it. It is the samskara wherein the newborn child is made to sit for the first time in his/her life. Usually before this, the child in always kept in lying down position and all his/her activities like eating, playing with the toys are performed in that same position only. Now when the child develops sufficient strength to hold his neck, back, and weight against gravity, he/she enters a new phase of life. For this, the child has to develop certain amount of strength in muscles, bones, joints etc. Thus when this samskara or act of making child sit with or without support is not done properly it can lead to serious adverse effects on the child's health. Hence Ayurveda acharyas have given guidelines and instructions so as to make this transition smooth and trouble-free for the baby.  

=== Preparation of baby ===

=== Preparation of baby ===

The baby should be bathed, adorned with ornaments and dressed in new clothes.

The baby should be bathed, adorned with ornaments and dressed in new clothes. The baby should not be sick or unwell on the day of samskara

 

The baby should not be sick or unwell on the day of samskara

=== Preparation of the sitting place ===

=== Preparation of the sitting place ===

The place is also decorated with various attractive toys with which the baby can play.

The place is also decorated with various attractive toys with which the baby can play.

=== Worship of deities ===

=== देवतापूजनम् ॥ Worship of deities ===

Before starting the samskara, parents, relatives and all those present at the time should first worship the deities, offer prayers to devatas and brahamana by offering food and donation.  

Before starting the samskara, parents, relatives and all those present at the time should first worship the deities, offer prayers to devatas (देवता)  and brahamana (ब्राह्मन्) by offering food and donation.  

 

Vagbhata in Ashtanga Samgraha has advised to start samskara by giving bali to all 4 directions <blockquote>बलिं दत्वा चतुर्दिशम् (Asht. Samg. 1. 36)<ref name=":2">Ashtanga Samgraha (Uttarasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutra 36)</ref> </blockquote>And last but not the least, Vagbhata has described a mantra which should be chanted and the mother earth should be worshiped which would be holding the child in place in this samskara ans thereafter in life. The mantra to be chanted is as follows,<blockquote>धरण्यशेषभूतानां माता त्वमसि कामधुक्|

baliṃ datvā caturdiśam </blockquote>And last but not the least, Vagbhata has described a mantra which should be chanted and the mother earth should be worshiped which would be holding the child in place in this samskara and thereafter in life. The mantra to be chanted is as follows,<blockquote>धरण्यशेषभूतानां माता त्वमसि कामधुक्| अजरा चाप्रमेया च सर्वभूतनमस्कृता|

अजरा चाप्रमेया च सर्वभूतनमस्कृता|

चराचराणां लोकानां प्रतिष्ठास्यव्ययासि च| कुमारं पाहि मातेव ब्रह्मा तदनुमन्यताम्| (Asht. Samg. 1. 36)<ref name=":2" />

चराचराणां लोकानां प्रतिष्ठास्यव्ययासि च|

dharaṇyaśeṣabhūtānāṃ mātā tvamasi kāmadhuk| ajarā cāprameyā ca sarvabhūtanamaskṛtā|

कुमारं पाहि मातेव ब्रह्मा तदनुमन्यताम्| (Asht. Samg. 1. 36)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>With this mantra, mother earth is praised. Mantra expresses gratitude towards mother earth for holding all the lives in place and requests her to protect and safeguard the child for lifetime on whom the samskara is being done. The land/soil/ground is worshipped and given a place or name of mother, the mother earth for supporting and nurturing all lives.  

carācarāṇāṃ lokānāṃ pratiṣṭhāsyavyayāsi ca| kumāraṃ pāhi māteva brahmā tadanumanyatām| (Asht. Samg. 1. 36)</blockquote>With this mantra, mother earth is praised. Mantra expresses gratitude towards mother earth for holding all the lives in place and requests her to protect and safeguard the child for lifetime on whom the samskara is being done. The land/soil/ground is worshipped and given a place or name of mother, the mother earth for supporting and nurturing all lives.  

=== The process ===

=== The process ===

==== Duration of sitting ====

==== Duration of sitting ====

Ayurveda scholars have advised that, the child should not be made to sit for more than 1 muhurta i.e. 48 minutes.   

Ayurveda scholars have advised that, the child should not be made to sit for more than 1 muhurta (मुहूर्तम्) i.e. 48 minutes.   

==== Frequency ====

==== Frequency ====

The activity of sitting certainly requires more energy than that of sleeping or lying down. Thus when the baby is made to sit in initial days, it is to be looked after that the activity of sitting is performed in a controlled manner i.e. for a limited period. There are some adverse health effects seen in the baby due to sitting for prolonged time. Ayurveda acharyas have listed those adverse effects as below, <ref>Kashyapa Samhita (Khilasthana Adhyaya 12 Sutra 10-16)</ref>

The activity of sitting certainly requires more energy than that of sleeping or lying down. Thus when the baby is made to sit in initial days, it is to be looked after that the activity of sitting is performed in a controlled manner i.e. for a limited period. There are some adverse health effects seen in the baby due to sitting for prolonged time. Ayurveda acharyas have listed those adverse effects as below, <ref>Kashyapa Samhita (Khilasthana Adhyaya 12 Sutra 10-16)</ref>

# Staimitya - Rigidity, immobility or numbness in limbs

# Staimitya (स्तैमित्यम्) - Rigidity, immobility or numbness in limbs

# Kati dourbalya - Weakness in low back region

# Kati dourbalya (कटीदौर्बल्यम्) - Weakness in low back region

# Prushthabhanga - Breaking (pain) at back or inability to sit straight

# Prushthabhanga (पृष्ठभङ्गः)- Breaking (pain) at back or inability to sit straight

# Shrama - Exertion and tiredness

# Shrama (श्रमः)- Exertion and tiredness

# Jwara - Fever

# Jwara (ज्वरः)- Fever

# Sanrodha of vit, mutra, anila- Total constipation leading to retention of feces, urine and flatus  

# Sanrodha of vit, mutra, anila(विण्मूत्रानिलसंरोधः) - Total constipation leading to retention of feces, urine and flatus

# Adhmana - Bloating

# Adhmana (आध्मानः)- Bloating

==== Adverse effects of making child sit before 5th or 6th month- ====

==== Adverse effects of making child sit before 5th or 6th month- ====

If the child of small age i.e. lesser than 5-6 months or the one who is weak and hasn't appear to have gained enough strength to sit, is made to sit early and for long time it leads to multiple health issues like,

If the child of small age i.e. lesser than 5-6 months or the one who is weak and hasn't appear to have gained enough strength to sit, is made to sit early and for long time it leads to multiple health issues like,

# Gatrabhedana - Injury to the limbs

# Gatrabhedana (गात्रभेदन) - Injury to the limbs

# Nirghata- Inability to balance body weight and hence the child keeps on falling down  

# Nirghata (निर्घातः)- Inability to balance body weight and hence the child keeps on falling down

# Jarjar angata- Limbs become weak

# Jarjar angata (जर्जर अङ्गता) - Limbs become weak

# Vedana- Pain at various body parts

# Vedana (वेदना)- Pain at various body parts

# Jwara- Fever

# Jwara (ज्वरः)- Fever

# Disturbance in growth and development

# Disturbance in growth and development

# Inability to develop strength and firmness in the body

# Inability to develop strength and firmness in the body

== References ==

== References ==