Introduction

The Ayurveda is Upveda of Atharvaveda,1 is a “science of life”, describes the holistic approach towards life and a great heritage of India. Kaumarbhritya is one of  the prime branches of Ayurveda2 and Samskara are studied under this branch.The word Sankara is derived from root word ‘kri’ with ‘sam’ upsarga3,& the word sanskara also introduced as “SanskarohiGunantaradhanam” 4, which is being used for several meaning for example in sense of education,cultivation & training, a purificatory rite or ceremony to change the qualities or intrinsic worth.The life of the performer receives a higher sacredness after performing them, it is believed.Though primarily considered as a religious rite, they were relevant in context of child health and provided opportunity for routine examination of child at regular intervals. Sanskara prepare one for the next stage of growth. Thus, detailed study of the classical description of sanskara is mandatory to understand its significance in child health & its aptness in present era.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. To study in detail regarding factual aspects of sanskaras.

2. To study the effects of Sanskara in today’s modern era regarding immunity , growth & development.

MATERIALS & METHODS:

The materials were collected from the classical Ayurvedic literatures, magazines and research journals.

NUMBER OF SANSKARA 5,6

GautamGrahya Sutra=40 Sanskar

MaharshiAngira=25 Sanskar

DayanandSaraswati=16 Sanskara

Grahya Sutra=18-41 Sanskar

ManaSmriti=13 Sanskar

Religiously we find description of 40 sanskars out of which 16 are applicable.

These are6-

1. Garbhadana (Sacrament of Impregnation or Conception)

2. Pumsavana (Engendering a male issue)

3. Simantonayana (Hair-parting)

4. Jatakarma (Birth ritual)

5. Namakarana (Naming ceremony)

6. Nishkrama (First outing or outing ceremony)

7. Annaprashana (feeding ceremony)

8. Chudakarma or Mundan (Shaving of head)

9. Karnavedhana (Piercing the earlobes)

10. Upanayana (Sacred thread initiation)

11. Vedarambha (Beginning of vedic study)

12. Samavartana (End of studentship)

13. Vivaha (Marriage Ceremony)

14. Vanprastha (Renouncing the house holder's life)

15. Sanyasa (Leading the life of a monk)

16. Antyeshti (Death cremation)

1.JATKARMA SANSKAR: (Ceremony performed after birth or birth rituals)8

Jatkarma is the birth ceremony which helps the babytranscend from intrauterine life to extra uterine life. It should be done for clearing the mouth secretions which clears airway and prevents aspiration. Placing cotton soaked in ghee on head maintains temperature of the baby which prevents heat loss from baby’s head, which has the largest surface area, thus preventing hypothermia. Only after the baby is stabilised umbilical cord was cut, emphasizing on resuscitative measures. Tying the cord to baby’s neck by thread prevents bleeding from cord and minimizes chances of infection. Swarnaprashan a type of Lehangiven to baby bySuvarnaBhasma, honey and ghee serves the purpose of both nutrition and immunization. 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. SwarnaBhasma gives physical protection to baby, enhances brain development and is in micro particles easily absorbable by baby’s intestine. Use of Mantra in Jata Karma gives psychological support to parents especially mother. Breast feeding is to be given on the first day so to ensure proper nutrition and protective immunoglobulin present in colostrum. Early initiation of breast feed also stimulates prolactin reflex. When the baby sucks, the nerve ending in the nipple carry message to the anterior pituitary which in turn release prolactin and that acts on the alveolar glands in the breast to stimulate milk secretion. The water filled earthen jar may serve cooling purpose or maintenance of humidity in baby’s ward room.

2. NAMKARAN SANSKAR: (Naming ceremony of baby)9

Name of baby has a significant role in his/her identity. NamakaranaSamskara is a special procedure practiced in pediatrics, in which a newborn child is given with name. This looks like a simple procedure but name gives personal identity to a child which has got its own significance in future life. It is an important tool for socialization and promotes the healthy psychology, good physical and mental development of the child.  This is the time when child has successfully passed the vulnerable early neonatal period (birth to seven days) which bears maximum risk of infections, sepsis, neonatal jaundice, etc.Neonatal physiological jaundice appears on second day of birth reaches peak on 4th or 5th day and disappears by 10-14 days. Bathing of mother and baby with medicated water also ensures hygiene and disinfection. Lodhra used has Shothanashaka (reduces inflammation) and Vranaropaka (wound healing). Keeping the baby`s head towards north or east where maximum illumination of sunlight is present makes any inflammation on head like un-subsided cephalo-hematoma visible. Importance of name in cases like blood transfusion, maintenance of medical records and medico-legal purpose is quite obvious.

3.NISHAKRAMA SANSKAR:

Nishkramana Samskara is taking out the baby in fourth month which is appropriate as by this time baby develops enough immunity and tolerance to external environment. Kashyapa clearly mentioned that child should be taken to a temple. The presence of a Vaidya (paediatrician) on this occasion provides an opportunity for routine check up and following factors in and around the temple helps to assess the developmental milestones at 4th month of age,10

? Presence of neck holding

? Response to sounds

? Head control

? Range of movement of neck

? Hand eye coordination

? Bidextrous grasp approach to a dangling ring

? Laughing loud

? Social smile and

? Recognition of mother

During this Samskara the baby gets in an unfamiliarenvironment when his reaction in form of social smile, anxiety, fear, laugh or reaction to sound of bell can be observed. This provides an opportunity to examine the developmental status of the baby to give necessary suggestions and treatment plan to the parents. Eg. Persistence of primitive reflexes indicative of cerebral palsy.

4. ANNAPRASHAN SANSKAR & PHALPRASHAN SANSKAR

Modern day paediatricians recommend exclusive breast feed till six months, supplemental food should be started only after that. This is exactly the same as recommended by our authors. The food is properly mashed to avoid difficulty in deglutition. Cleaning by JalAcamana (water) indicates the highly developed sense of oral hygiene. Specific food which is beneficial in respective diseases is also prescribed. Starting the intake of fruits offers energy as well as vital vitamins and minerals to baby. This ceremony can also be useful for assessment of developmental milestones like rolling over, Sitting with own support in tripod fashion, unidextrous reach, stranger anxiety and monosyllabic speech at sixth month. Teeth eruption in children also begins around this age. Hence proper dentition is also to be looked for. Similarly annaprashan at tenth month offers assessment of bisyllabic speech, waving bye-bye, immature pincer grasp and standing with support. Weight of child can also be assessed.

5.CHUDAKARMA SAMSKARA

 Acharya Sushruta opines that Shikha (special arrangement of hair on top on scalp which is left during Chudakarmasamskara) is the site of sira (vessels) and Sandhi (sutures) and hair acts as a protective layer. Cutting of hair gives lightness and prosperity. This samskara gives a chance for examination of skull and growth of hair. Detection of abnormalities like craniocynostosis, wide sutures, microcephaly, macrocephaly, elevated or depressed fonanelle etc. palpation of scalp carefully may also reveal cranial defects or craniotabes.

6.KARNAVEDHAN SANSKAR:

Main intention is to provide protection against GrahaRogas so its effect on enhancing the immunity against microorganism. Injury produced by piercing the ear may initiate the antigen antibody reaction providing passive immunity to the child. This act also activates the immune mechanism so as to bring a secondary immunity against several infections. This rite is intended to open the inner ears of the child for receiving sacred sounds. Method of pressure point pricking as followed in Acupuncture method and stimulation of ear lobule stimulate adrenal glands and intern reduces the respiratory tract infections. Appropriate time to examine respective month (6,7, 8 months) development milestones. Usually baby cries and vocabulary of the child can be indirectly tested (as by 6, 7, 8 months infant start verbalizing words like ma, pa, da etc.)

7.UPANAYANA   SANSKAR:

This Samskara signifies spiritual rebirth that’s why after the UpanayanaSamskar is performed, the young become a Dvija i.e. Twice born. The brain growth of the child gets completed up to the age of 5years. A thread tied around the waist may serve the purpose of assessment of the physical growth and to rule out the malnutrition. This Thread around waist also serves the purpose to ascertain the physical growth. Assessment of maturity of brain to perform intellectual activities during school going age is done.It is also done to initiate sense of responsibility as well as spiritual well-being of the child. The child who has gain the capacity to learn should be initiated to the study of interest with the guidance under Guru.

8.VEDARAMBHA SANSKAR:

Starting formal education at five years, as by this time a normal child learns to walk, run, climb

stairs, tell his name and gender, play co- operatively in a group, copy simple diagrams, usepencil, say song, poem, story, feed by himself and can go to toilet alone. It is also time for assessment of mental growth of child.

Discussion

In Ayurvedic literature – KashyapSamhita is well known most important text for child development and fulfillment. Acharya Kashyap specify 16 type of Sanskar particularly from the birth to the end.

· Out of these describe very important 8 Sanskar, which are having scientifically helpful to nourishment of baby physically as well as mind.

·Jaatkarm Sanskar is helpful to prevent infectious disorders of baby as well as mother.

· In 2nd and 3rd Sanskar which denotes specialty of date, religion, cast, community as well as 3rd Sanskar are helpful for development of physical and mental state.

· In a 4th sanskar- early teething procedure start that by in this time fever or diarrhea or commonly found, hens to improve immunity of child and upgrade digestive system with the help of component of vitamin C and micronutrients.

· In a Karnvedhan Sanskar- act such as acupuncher that’s effect to release adrenalin secretion which is support to all organism of inner level.

· In a Chudakarm Sanskar – particularly helpful in personal and social hygiene that’s preventing again infectious disorders.

·Upnayan and Vedarambhbha Sanskar are markedly Improved actively of child and begins to successful person in future.

Conclusion

These Sanskar are step points of life from where life enters in new phase. These sanskars establish baby and atmosphere to accomplish with situations.

· Each Sanskar has its own value, many times we can prove it by observing its effect but also quite difficult to evaluate on subjective parameters.

· All these sanskars are performed since Vedic period. Weather we conclude logic behind it or not it has some importance in development of Baby.

· In Present Era, there is need of understand its effect on scientific basis and simply its concept to adopt these in society easily and we got the ideal baby for this society

· Hence word Sanskar suggests concept of growth & development and examination of developmental milestones of a growing child.