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Critical Analysis of Bala Samskara Wsr to Developmental Milestones in Children

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Critical Analysis of Bala Samskara Wsr to Developmental Milestones in Children ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE Mar-Apr 2018 Critical Analysis of Bala Samskara w.s.r. to Developmental Milestones in Children : A Review Study Anukriti Guar,1 Nisha Kumari Ojha2 1Post Graduate Scholar, 2Assistant Professor, Department of Kaumarabrutya, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. A B S T R A C T Samskaras are a religious right, rituals sacrifices and a religious ceremony. Samskara also build a wakefulness of the attainment of social status and rights for the individual. In Ayurvedic aspect Samskara Samskaro hi Gunaantaradhanam is “ ” which means qualitative improvement carried out by incorporating the precise qualities (transforming of the qualities). Any process which brings continuous positive changes in a given material (Dravya), physical body (Shareera), intellectual capacity (Mana) and the personality (Atma) is called Samskara. These are significant in perspective of child health and provide chance for routine examination of growth and developmental milestones of child at regular intervals. A thorough review of childhood Samskara reveals that they were aimed at preparing the baby for proper feeding habits, ensuring adequate nutrition, preventing diseases, adapting baby to environment, gave individual identity and educated the child. Samskara signifies growth and development and the ceremonial announcement of milestones achieved providing with periodical screening. Ayurveda also describes different Samskaras in the different period of life to mark or to announce attainment of different milestones thus ensuring proper growth and also to differentiate them from the child with developmental delay. Key words: Samskara, Growth and development, developmental milestones, Ayurveda. INTRODUCTION improvement carried out by incorporating the specific [1] According to Indian culture, each and every important qualities (transforming of the qualities). The word activity is linked with ritual to signify it. If the best Samskara is being used for several meanings for qualities and characteristics are cultivated in them example in sense of education, cultivation and right from their childhood then it impact throughout training a purificatory rite or ceremony to change the his life. Many principles of Ayurveda are related with qualities or intrinsic worth. Physician can also assess religious rituals of ancient India. In Ayurveda, the the proper growth and development of the child while performing these Samskaras.[2] Samskara ceremonies word Samskara is introduced as “Samskaro hi invite many persons including spiritual gurus, learned Gunaantaradhanam” which means qualitative persons, elderly ones and other people which provide Address for correspondence: [3] Dr. Anukriti Guar a great opportunity for them to get a look of child. Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Kaumarabrutya, National The learned one instantaneously notices any Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. irregularity or lack in developmental milestone. There E-mail: [email protected] are many anatomical changes occurring in neonate Submission Date : 18/03/2018 Accepted Date: 20/04/2018 Access this article online while coming from intrauterine life to extra uterine Quick Response Code life, which are necessary for survival. These changes Website: www.jaims.in are in synchronized manner and are achieved within certain range of time period. Samskara prepare one for the next stage of growth. DOI: 10.21760/jaims.v3i02.12094 Samskara aim in the first instance at material gain to the individual. During some ceremonies prayers are Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Mar - Apr 2018 | Vol. 3 | Issue 2 89 Anukriti Guar et.al. Critical Analysis of Bala Samskara w.s.r. to Developmental Milestones in Children ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE Mar-Apr 2018 offered to gods for health, wealth, children, intellect age thread initiation) etc. which contribute to family and social happiness. Vedarambha (beginning Samskaras also build a wakefulness of the attainment of Vedic study) of social status and rights for the individual. Samskaras bring about cultural gains. The various Yuvavastha (in Samavarthana (end of ceremonies related to the Samskaras help in the adulthood) studentship) formation and development of personality. Samskaras Vivaha (marriage convey a higher sacredness to life. Various Impurities ceremony) associated with the body are cleared by performing Samskaras. Vanaprastha (renouncing the Classification of various Samskaras householder's life) The number of Samskara varies in different Hindu Sanyasa (leading the Dharma Granthas, it is about 16-40 but the applicable life of a monk) Samskara are 16 in number.[4] These are; Antyeshti (death Vaya (different stages of Shodasha Samskaras cremation) age) Critical Interpretation of various Samskara Garbhavastha Pre-natal Garbhadana (sacrament mentioned in Balyavastha (in pregnant period of impregnation or The detailed analysis of Samskara, classical lady) conception) description and their significance in examination of Pumsavana different developmental and growth milestones is as (engendering a male follows; issue) Jata Karma Samskara Seemantonayana (hair- The wo means born or brought into parting) rd ‘Jata’ existence.[5] Immediately after birth Jatakarma is Neonatal Jatakarma (birth rituals) indicated. According to Acharya Charaka, after the period initial stabilization of baby (Prana Pratyagamana) and Namakarana (naming cord cutting, Jatakarma should be performed. First of ceremony) all, the child should be given Madhu and Ghrita. There after, milk from the right breast should be given to the Balyavastha (in Infantile Nishkramana (first child.[6] Acharya Sushruta has opined Jatakarma as childhood) period outing or outing cleaning the vernix on newborn`s body, clearing ceremony) newborn`s mouth by Saindhava and Sarpi and placing Karnavedhana (piercing a ghee soaked cotton on baby`s head. This is followed the earlobes) by cutting of umbilical cord at distance of eight angula Annaprashana (feeding from baby`s skin and tying it by thread which is tied to [7] ceremony) baby`s neck. After this baby is make to lick gold Bhasma mixed with honey and ghee. Pre- Choodakarana (shaving Analytical interpretation school / of head) School ▪ Jatakarma is the birth rite which helps the baby Upanayana (sacred exceed from intrauterine life to extra uterine life. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Mar - Apr 2018 | Vol. 3 | Issue 2 90 Anukriti Guar et.al. Critical Analysis of Bala Samskara w.s.r. to Developmental Milestones in Children ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE Mar-Apr 2018 This provides an opportunity to examine the baby cleft palate, natal teeth, fissured tongue, immediately after birth. Cleaning the vernix ankyloglossia, tracheo-esophageal fistula etc. provides tactile stimulation to the baby to make it Namakarana Samskara breath or cry.[8] It is a religious ceremony conducted by the family ▪ Swarnaprashana given to baby as a mixture of members to keep name for the newborn child which gold Bhasma, honey and ghee. Gold Bhasma gives gives personal identity to the child. physical protection to baby, immune booster, enhances brain development and is in nano Timing of Namakarana Samskara varies a lot as per particles which is easily absorbable by baby`s different Ayurvedic texts; intestine. ▪ Charaka - 10th day onwards ▪ Honey is a rich source of fructose to yield energy ▪ Sushruta - 10th day after birth and also presence of hermin prevents from ▪ Vagbhatta - on 10th day along with Sutika Utthana respiratory infection. Kashaya Rasa of honey or on 12th, 100th day or 1st year. clears the Strotas also. Honey also serves as a mild allergen, which gives the first opportunity to The Sutika mother should take bath with baby`s body to start the synthesis of antibodies. Sarvagandhodaka, Shveta Sarshapa and Lodhra, wear clean, holy white coloured dress and decorate herself ▪ Ghrita is high caloric diet helps to a new born with various desirous ornaments. The father should baby instant energy with lubricating effects. keep two names for his son by worshipping the Kula Giving Madhu and Ghrita in equal quantity is a Devata like Nakshatrika name and Abhiprayika name. Samyoga Viruddha which may help in developing The Nakshatrika name should be of same Nakshatra immunity. in which the child is born. In Abhiprayika name, Aadi, ▪ Also this first feed fulfils the criteria of Trophic Madhya and Antya Akshara should be arranged in feed (a minimum amount of the feed given to the special fashion. Aadi Akshara should be Ghosha Varna baby to initiate intestinal movements and to while Madhya Akshara should be Kanthastha Varna activate the gut). like and Antya Akshara should be Ushma Varna. Sons ▪ This Lehana (licking of medicine preparations) also name should have even letters and daughters name [10] gives an opportunity to physician to assess the should have odd letters. rooting, sucking and swallowing reflex of neonate. Analytical interpretation Breast feeding is to be given on the first day so as ▪ Namakarana Samskara is a special procedure to ensure proper nutrition and protective practiced in paediatrics, in which a newborn child immunoglobulin present in colostrums. is given with name. This looks like a simple ▪ Placing cotton soaked in ghee on head maintains procedure but name gives personal identity to a temperature of the baby and provides insulation. child which has got its own significance in future It prevents heat loss from baby’s head, which has life. It is an important tool for socialization
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