Category: Science in Ancient texts (Hindu Sanskar)
Hi Beautiful and Peaceful Souls,
In the series of blogs about sixteen sanskars, after discussing Nishkraman (https://thepureknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/08/nishkraman-sanskar-outing-ceremony-of.html), Annaprashan (https://thepureknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/08/scientific-explanation-of-annaprashan.html) , Mundan sanskar (https://thepureknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/08/scientific-explanation-of.html), and Karnavedhana sanskar (https://thepureknowledge.blogspot.com/2020/08/scientific-explanation-of-karnavedhana.html) in my previous blogs, today I will discuss about Jaatakarma Sanskar & Swarna Prashan Sanskar which are correlated to each other and should be done simultaneously.
What is Jaatakarma (Birth Ritual) Sanskar?
The word ''Jata" means born or brought into existence. Jaatakarma is the birth rite which helps the baby transcend from intrauterine life to extra uterine life. This is the first and the foremost sanskara performed with the child just after birth.
1. Why do we use Gram flour mixture for child after his birth?
Regarding this sanskar, after cutting the umbilical cord Acharya Sushruta opined that cleaning the vernix (Greasy deposit covering the skin of baby after birth) with a mixture of curd and gram flour (besan) and mouth and nose with a mixture of rock salt and Ghee should be done. Clearing the mouth secretions clears the airway and prevents aspiration. Cleaning the vernix provides tactile stimulation (activating the nerve signals beneath skin's surface that are responsible for texture, temperature and touch sensations) to the baby making him breath and cry.
2. Why do we hold the child after supporting his head by our hand and cover baby's head with cloth all the time?
During this sanskar, vaidhya should examine the fontanelles (location on head where skull bones fused together) to depict child's health. To prevent this portion of head as it is delicate so to make it strong, Acharya Sushruta opined to place the cotton plug dipped in Ghee. This helps to protect the child from hypothermia as baby's homeostatsis does not start working properly immediately. According to Acharya Charak, after the cutting umbilical cord and stabilization of baby, the child should be given first feeding of Honey and Ghee consecrated with mantra on the first day of birth. Thereafter, milk from the right breast should be offered to the child within half an hour.
3. Why do we offer a mixture of Honey and Ghee with gold bashma (powder) before giving breast milk to child?
As per the opinion of some other Acharyas, the mixture of Honey and Ghee can be mixed with Swarna Bhasma to boost the immunity many folds. This technique is called Swarna prashan sanskar (32) has been replaced by costly vaccines now-a-days. Vaccines produce active acquired immunity (immunity to a particular diseases) and thus children are vaccinated to protect from different diseases in present scenario despite knowing the limitations of vaccine. All parents are well aware of how the child behaves (irritated and aggressive) on the scheduled day of vaccination. The more worrying part is, we do not have vaccines for all diseases that may occur in future.
Our ancestors seem to be much more intelligent in this regard. This mixture given to child makes him healthy without any side effects in two ways:
1. Swarna Prashan produces non-specific immunity (activates non-specific immune cells that respond to various antigens) and protect the child from various diseases. Thus, it is Ayurvedic immunization process.
2. Unlike intravenous vaccines, child does not feel any pain, irritation and aggression rather swarna bhasma is sweet in taste. Moreover, child does not suffer from any side effects such as fever, nausea, diarrhoea, seizures and anaphylactic reactions (33).
Acharya Kashyapa described the Swarna Prashan vidhi in which Gold is rubbed on a washed stone with honey, ghee and water. While keeping baby's face towards east, he/she is encouraged to lick the mixture. If swarn prashan is administered to child for one month, child can become a genius and if administrated for six months, child can remember every single word he listens.
Acharya Vagbhat described gold licking by making a paste of many herbs mixed with honey and ghee. This paste is then held in plate made of gold and sanctified by touching the tip of kusha grass along with reciting mantras (15). Four formulations of Swarna prashan are also described by Acharya Sushruta (15). The mixture of Ghee, honey and gold according to another vaidhya Agnidev is as follows:
Instead of using gold bhasma, rub the gold foil till its particles fill the lines of the finger, then again rub it after mixing with honey until gold particles become invisible. Add 2 or 3 drops of Ghee to it and give it to the child. Best honey for this purpose, is Makshika honey (collected by red variety of honey bee) which is red in color (49). This ritual has to be done by child's father.
4. Why father should not give honey, ghee and gold mixture with his finger?
The father, who is going to feed this mixture to child should not use his finger. Child can get the infected due to germs present on it. Feeding should be done by gold spoon (Shalakha) and writes ''OM" on the tongue of child and whispers "Vedo asi" in the right ear of the child. This means your secret name is "Veda". The Vedas essentially mean four things-Knowledge, thinking, authority and beneficial for mankind. Right at the beginning of life a child should be aware of knowledge, science, intelligence and believe in the power of God. This ritual plants the seed of spirituality in the child.
5. Why does father write "OM" on the tongue and say "Vedo asi" in the right ear of child ?
In this sanskar while writing "OM" on the tongue of child, parents are pledging to take a big responsibility that we will keep our child in a healthy environment. As per psychologists, till five years of age, the physical and mental health of child depends on the environment in which the child is living. If parents up bring their child properly untill 5 years of age, the child will always stay with their parents. While writing "OM", the parents also take responsibility to put their child on spiritual path and teach him to create a balance between materialistic and spiritual life.
Similarly, the grown up individual if attends such ceremonies, he will see the same rituals. This will make him keep only one expectation from his child i.e., to be conscious and good human being. This will also remind him time and again the pledge taken by his parents in front of whole society "to make him a person who will always do good karma for the mankind". This repetition will not allow the child to divert from the real path of life. Therefore, sanskar plays very important role in physical, mental and spiritual life of child.
The deep meaning of writing "OM" on child's tongue is that whatever he says, it will lead to spiritual path. This is only possible when the seed of spirituality is planted in his mind. This is done by whispering the first word "Vedosi" (My child, you are wise being, not unwise ) in his ear by father. It will remain in his subconscious mind forever. So, whenever he will listen to word "Veda", he will show love and respect for Veda (The Pure Knowledge). Therefore, the child will perform day to day activities consciously and will always surrender to Dharma. If Abhimanyu can learn the technique to penetrate chakravyuh in mother's womb, then why writing "OM" on tongue and saying "Veda" as the first word, before child encounters any other sound, cannot make him devoted to God and Veda? Think about it.
6. Why we should not eat and give equal mixture of honey and ghee to child?
It is very important to make sure that the mixture has more honey (six drops) and only little amount of Ghee (2 drops) in it (10). A mixture of equal proportion of honey and Ghee is not recommended in Ayurveda. It is supported by a scientific study (35) which demonstrated the negative effects when equal proportion of honey and ghee was given to mice for 60 days. It is a classic example of Matra Viriddha (Dose incompatibility) in the viruddha Ahara concept of Ayurveda (36).
7. Why father should not kiss his child after performing above rituals?
After this, father smells the forehead to bless and display his affection towards child. In vedic culture, parents and elders used to bless the children by smelling their heads or putting their hands on the heads of the children. Kissing the child on cheeks and lips is not encouraged in vedic culture. By kissing, parents and elders can transfer the microbes to their child.
8. Why does havan with yellow mustard seeds should be performed in home after child birth for few days?
In this sanskar, it is recommended to perform morning and evening havan in the house for at least ten days. Yellow mustard seeds should be offered in havan as oblation. Mustard seed/oil is considered good for eczema and other skin and blood related diseases in Ayurveda. It also helps to get rid of phlegm from the head of body. The fragrance and smoke arising from the havan kund when breathed by mother keeps her healthy. This ritual helps in purification of both mother and child.
9. Why do we make sound near the ear of child?
According to Ayurvedic acharyas, the very first sense that child become aware of is hearing capacity. So according to Acharya Charak, one should make a sound near the ear of child by striking stones. Therefore, Jaatakarma sanskar is mainly to activate the five sensory organs of child, protecting child from outer environment and increasing child's immunity through swarnaprashan sanskar.
10. Why do we offer warm food rich in ghee, hot herbs and spices to mother? Moreover, why do we keep water pot near mother's head?
According to Ayurveda, the human body is made up of three energies or doshas i.e., vata, pitta and kapha. The process of childbirth creates an empty space within the womb, giving air the opportunity to occupy this space and causes an imbalance in the vata energy. This is manifested as anxiety, dryness, gas, constipation, bloating and interrupted sleep. Therefore, after postpartum, there is need to calm vata of mother. As the mother is full of mobile, light, dry and cold qualities after the loss of energy, blood and fluids. This results into weak digestive fire, so there is need to give food and qualities opposite to vata such as warm, mushy, oily, smooth and dense which balances vata and restore digestive fire. Light foods such as warm soups, khichdi and ghee to promote digestion, keep energy level high and to ensure that stool are soft. Hot herbs are also given that expel gas and support lactation. However, these hot herbs can negatively affect mother's brain. Therefore, in this sanskar, water pot processed with mantra is kept along the side of the head of mother as recommended by Acharya Charak. The water pot near the head of the mother keeps her head and mind cool and healthy.
11. Why do we covers ears of mother and child?
Moreover, ears are regarded as an entry point for air to enter the body. To prevent an imbalance of the vata, new mothers and babies are advised to plug their ears with cotton. Keeping feet warm and massaging with oil can also help to balance vata (43).
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1. The concept of tropic feed is completely fulfilled by given the mixture of unequal proportion of honey and Ghee in Jaatakarma sanskar. Tropic feeding is the practice of minute volumes of feed to child through gastrointestinal tract in order to initiate intestinal movement and to activate the gut. This helps in passing the meconium (The earliest stool of a mammalian infant which is composed of materials ingested during the time the infant spends in the uterus) at the earliest. Moreover, a clinical study have shown that trophic feeding alters gastrointestinal dissachride activity, hormone release, blood flow, motility, microbial florain in preterm infants. Trophic feeding improves milk tolerance, helps in greater postnatal growth, reduces systemic sepsis and shortens hospital stay (1).
2. Rooting and sucking reflexes as well as sucking and swallowing coordination is assessed while offering honey and Ghee. Rooting reflex (2) allows a newborn baby to find mother's breast. The sucking reflex gets activated when the roof of newborn's mouth is touched to mother's breast or nipple of bottle.
3. We can examine the baby to rule out anomalies such as cleft palate (It is opening in the roof of the mouth that occurs when the tissue doesn't fuse together during development in the womb), Tracheo-Oesophageal fistula (is an abnormal connection in one or more places between the oesophagus and the trachea), fissured tongue (Tongue has wrinkled appearance) (3).
4. Ghee is a great source of energy even if given in small amounts as Ghee contains omega-3 fatty acid and DHA which helps in better brain growth and development. Ghee helps in increasing memory, intellect, complexion, voice, strength, semen, ojas and age. Ghee is beneficial for eyes, bones (due to the presence of fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin A and D) and increases immunity. Ghee also has lubricating property, so results in lubrication of mucosa of gastrointestinal tract. Ghee is used to treat Pitta related disorder in Ayurveda.
5. We know that bacterial resistance to the antimicrobial agents poses a very serious threat to public health. So, alternative antimicrobial strategies are needed which lead the evaluation of plants and plant based products such as Honey. In most ancient cultures, honey is used for both nutritional and medicinal purposes. Many researchers have found that raw untreated and unprocessed honey has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity when tested to pathogenic bacteria in vitro (16, 17) as well as in vivo (18, 19, 21). The antimicrobial property of honey is due to the high osmolarity, acidity, presence of phytochemical compounds and enzymatic production of hydrogen peroxide. It is thus helpful in enhancing immunity of child. In addition to this, honey given in this sanskar is a rich source of carbohydrates providing instant energy to child. Moreover, a clinical study showed that children admitted into hospital with gastroenteritis indicated remarkable reduced duration of diarrhea when treated with honey (20). In addition to this, when a low dose of honey is administered to newborn regularly, the child gradually develops resistance for allergens with age and remains unaffected by allergic disorders (30). Honey helps in balancing Tridosha as per Ayurveda.
Friends, I want to add here that though honey contains inhibitory agents for microbes but is also a reservoir for many microbes (23). Modern science does not recommend to give raw honey to child below 6 months of age due to the presence of harmful bacteria Clostridium botulism spores in it (22, 24). These spores are rare accidental contaminant carried into the hive on dust, water, or pollen from the environment which remain dormant in raw honey due to its antimicrobial environment. These bacteria are present in soil, inside homes on floors, carpet and counter tops even after cleaning. For almost all healthy children and adults, ingesting botulism spores does not cause botulism. However, these spores grow in the immature intestine (immature intestine lining does not have a coat of antibodies A which allows the growth of germs) in infants, produce toxins and cause botulism in infants.
Contrary to this, Ayurveda recommends honey at the first day of birth of child. So, who is right? After doing some research, I came to know that the processed (heated) honey can destroy spores of botulism. Unfortunately, it also destroys antimicrobial activity of the honey. So, Ayurveda can definitely not recommend processed honey as it defeats the whole purpose of giving it to child. Therefore, Ayurveda is surely talking about raw honey. Now the question is, how parents avoided the danger of botulinum spores present in honey in ancient times? Let us try to understand this.
1. The contamination of honey by spores of Clostridium botulinum occurs either in the beehive or during the extraction phase. In both cases, the contamination seems to occur via dust, either carried into the beehive by bees and accumulating in the beeswax or carried into the extraction facilities by the beekeeper or on production equipment. Hand washing facilities, adequate illumination and the use of different footwear inside the extraction room helps in decreasing contamination of botulism spores (40).
Were ancient beekeepers able to make pure raw honey without any contamination?
2. Did mother's breast milk has superior quality (highest antimicrobial activity) in ancient times compared to today's mothers due to changed lifestyle? A scientific report showed that colostrum contains antibodies against this bacteria and differences in the intestinal microflora of infants depends mainly on their diet; the intestinal microflora of formula-fed infants has significantly more clostridia than that of breast-fed infants (40). Another scientific report showed that breast-feeding may delay the clinical severity of this condition, allowing these infants to receive medical attention before the botulism becomes fatal. Although this toxicity is very rare around the world.
3. Were our ancestors aware of this disease so advised to use honey and ghee with some herbs and metal such as gold which possesses immuno boosting capacity along with other properties required for the overall development of child? There is a wide spread practice of administering "Ghutti" (an herbal concoction mixed with honey) as a prelacteal feed (food provided to new born before initiating breastfeeding) to new born babies among Asian families (24).
After doing some research, I learned one more thing, we should consume only raw honey from a good brand which follows GMP for pure honey devoid of any harmful contaminants. We should also avoid consuming heated honey and honey along with hot water. It is an example of sanskar viruddha (Processing incompatibility) and Krama viruddha (Sequence Viruddha) in the viruddha Ahara concept of Ayurveda (36).
6. Swarna bhasma is given to child for its immuno modulation as well as physical, mental and intellectual growth. As mentioned above, it increases intellect, memory, immunity, aphrodisiac, digestive and metabolic power, strength, improves complexion and provide longevity. Many pharmaco clinical studies showed that gold has antioxidant, restorative property and immunomodulating effects (15). In a clinical study on neonates, honey-Ghrit-Swarna-Vacha combination showed significant effect on humoural antibody formation. Swarnabhasma has a stimulatory effect on peritoneal macrophages which may be helpful to fight against infections.
Swarnaprashan can be done in any age group till 16 years providing different benefits. As an immunomodulator it can be given in early ages as it is stage of developing immune system. It can be used in immunodeficiency disorders provided there is no serious illness associated with it. As an intelligence enhancer it can be given from birth to six months daily. As a fertility enhancer it can be given in adolescence because this is the stage of developing reproductive system (25, 26, 29, 30, 31). In addition to this, a clinical study showed positive effect of a mixture of gold ash, honey, ghee and Medhya herb (brain stimulant) indicating less infections with fast recovery and weight and height gain in preterm infants (27, 28). Moreover, an in vivo study showed the augmentation of non-specific immunity in mice by ayurvedic gold preparation (26). A clinical study conducted on swarna parashan sanskar along with many herbs in Ghee as medium showed that there is improvement in cough, sleep disturbance and other diseases in children of 0 to 16 age groups (39).
7. In Jaatakarma Sanskar, milk is given to child within half an hour after all rituals had been performed to ensure proper nutrition and protective antibodies present in colostrum. This sanskar is also helpful for mothers. Breastfeeding protects child from various diseases and leads to less illness, hospitalization and sudden death of child (42). The mantra used during this sanskar gives psychological support to parents especially mothers. A relaxed, confident attitude of mother helps the milk ejection reflex. Therefore, this sanskar promotes breast feeding and strengthens the bond between mother and child. It benefits mother as it helps in uterine involution (process in which uterus is transformed from pregnant to non-pregnant state), reduce postpartum hemorrhage incidence (heavy bleeding after delivering) and protection against pregnancy.
Protection from pregnancy!! Yes it is true. Breastfeeding is a natural contraceptive method called lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM). High level of oestrogen is responsible for ovulation while breastfeeding reduces oestrogen hormone levels in women's body. This leads to women not ovulating and thus prevents pregnancy. If women exclusively (at least every 4 hours during the day and every 6 hours at night) breastfeeds till six months of child birth without giving any supplementary food then it is highly effective to avoid pregnancy (44, 45). However, this method is not effective once mother starts mensturating after childbirth. A scientific study showed that women who returned to work and were using LAM to exclusively feed their babies with breast milk were more likely to get pregnant than non-working moms using LAM (47).
Moreover, there are many other benefits of breastfeeding for mothers such as faster weight loss, less urinary infections, anemia, postpartum depression and protection from various types of cancer (42). Delayed initiation of breast feeding (hour to day 7) increases the risk of mortality in child.
This is my effort to share the best possible information on scientific research related to this sanskar. Hope you like it.
Take care all of you
Your's Sincerely
Purnima Ghai
References:
1.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11332950/
2.https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/rooting-reflex
5.http://www.allresearchjournal.com/archives/2017/vol3issue3/PartG/3-2-98-953.pdf
6.http://interscience.org.uk/images/article/v8-i1/9ijahm.pdf
8.https://www.ijam.co.in/index.php/ijam/article/view/142/143
10.https://www.swaminarayan.faith/media/3688/sanskar-english.pdf
12.https://www.wjpmr.com/home/article_abstract/2272
13.https://www.arya-samaj.org/content/sacraments/Sacrament_of_Jatakarma.pdf
14. Photo Courtesy: https://sarairasiyouth.blogspot.com/2019/07/Jaatkarm.html
15.http://oaji.net/articles/2019/1791-1572708562.pdf
16.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/
17.https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijmicro/2019/7686130/
18.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267030493_Antimicrobial_Properties_of_Honey
19.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5424551/
20.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1416773/pdf/bmjcred00453-0024.pdf
21.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3758027/
22.https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2012/930849/
23.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2269714/
24.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3448763/
25.http://iamj.in/posts/images/upload/104_107.pdf
26.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11968954/
30.http://impactfactor.org/PDF/IJPPR/9/IJPPR,Vol9,Issue6,Article12.pdf
31.http://www.ijpera.com/papers/Vol-3%20iss-2/A03020104.pdf
32.http://iamj.in/posts/images/upload/617_619.pdf
33.http://www.gujaratresearchsociety.in/index.php/JGRS/article/view/736/612
34.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4492018/
35.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7235625/
36.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665091/
37.https://www.journalijcar.org/sites/default/files/issue-files/2598-A-2017.pdf
38.https://wjpr.net/admin/assets/article_issue/1506666200.pdf
39.https://ijrap.net/admin/php/uploads/866_pdf.pdf
41.https://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0401/p1388.html
42.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15274-the-benefits-of-breastfeeding-for-baby--for-mom
43.https://www.freshlymoms.com/blogs/news/ayurvedic-postpartum-care-1
45.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3549114/
46.https://www.apollocradle.com/breastfeeding-method-contraception/
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