What is Swarnaprashana?
Swarna Prashana is one of sixteen samskaras mentioned in ancient texts for paediatrics. It is an unique method to build long lasting health and intellect naturally without leaving any harmful side effects.
Swarna prashana is an unique method of giving swarna bhasma (gold ash) mixed with honey and ghee that is fortified with herbal extracts like vacha, brahmi, shankupushpi, etc. to children orally.
This process promotes overall growth in a natural way. Due to its broader benefits, it is not only useful for normal children, its much more beneficial for children with special needs such as autism, learning difficulties, attention deficit disorder, hyper activity, delayed milestones, etc.
Benefits
Benefits of Swarna prashana is elaborated in “Kashyapa Samhita” that was written before 600 BC.
“SUWARNAPRASHANAM HYETANMEDAGNI BALAVARDHANAM AYUSHYAM MANGALAM PUNYAM VRUSHYAM VARNYAM GRAHAPAHAM”- Ka. Su. 18/ 4-5
It means the following benefits can be achieved
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- Medha (intellect)and metabolic power)
- Bala (strength)
- Aayush (gives long life)
- Mangalam (is auspicious)
- Punyam (virtuous)
- Vrushyam (aphrodisiac)
- Varnya (increases complexion)
- Grahapaham (eliminates the evil effects of planets)
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Age
Swarna prashana can be given from birth till 16 yrs.
Time
On empty stomach, preferably early morning.
Day
Preferably on pushya nakshatra day.
Why Pushya nakshatra?
Pushya is one among the 27 nakshatras. It is also known as Indrapurohita, Pusya, Pushka, Pushkarya, Pushkararaja, Pushyami, Poosam (Tamil), Pooyyam, Paushakya, Tishya, Taisa and Vutkrta.
Pushya is considered as most auspicious among other stars, they call it “The Star of Nourishment” the word itself translates to “Nourisher” or “thrive”, etc. It means it provided nourishment like a how a mother take care of their kids. No wonder Cow’s udder is one of the symbol for Pushya and if you look closer at the sky its arrangement looks similar to Cow’s udder. As we know cow’s nourishes us by milk, urine for medicinal purpose and cow dung for its bio-gas, natural and most powerful manure for plants. Even when a cow dies its helps others by its flush, skin, etc.. Cow is a true nourisher! It has a great importance not only in Ayurvedic or siddha medical science, but over all ancient Indian culture. In General it is the day best for following activities:
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- To take medicines
- Learn from guru (advice)
- To prepare herbs
- To meet spiritual person and learn
- To learn about ritual & veda /agamas
- To plant tree
- If it falls on a Thursday is known as Guru Pushya Yoga or Guru Pushya Nakshatra Yoga and
- Gurupushyamrut Yoga
- To learning mantra and tantra
- Higher education from father, grandfather, guru or a great person
- To possess a master
- Travel abroad
- In general its good for financial and business gains
- If it fall on a Sunday it is called as Ravi Pushya Yoga or Ravi Pushya Nakshatra Yoga
- To learning mantra and tantra
- It’s a shopping day! Best for shopping for events like marriages, and festivals
- Buy new car or any other vehicle
- Gold and diamond jewellery,
- Domestic and electronic items.
- New venture can also be started.
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It is believed that all new works, started during this time, are fulfilled and give positive results. Over all Pushya falling in Thursday or Sunday it is called as Pushy Amrit Yoga Muhurat. As per Siddha and Ayurveda, administrating drugs on this day seem very effective in terms of action. Since Swarna Prasha’s main ingredient is gold it is an auspicious day to buy gold / to prepare / administer the preparations of gold. Some claim that radiation of the medicinal potency is more in gold on this day. That said to be good day to administer any type of medicine.
Ideally Swarna Prashana should be started from Pushya Nakshatra day and then there after can be given daily early in the morning, but if not possible to give daily at least it should be given on consecutive Pushya Nakshatra days which tends to come after every 27 days.
Duration
We can either follow daily for one month (30 days), which can be extended to 6 months (180 days) Or, we follow monthly once on pushya nakshatra till age 16.
Procedure
Parents should face north and kid should face east while giving this drops.
Diet
Food – Preferably on empty stomach, to enhance better absorption. The child can be fed after 30 minutes. It’s better to avoid junk food that day.
Pushya (poosam) star dates 2021
January – 1/1/21 (Friday)
January – 28/1/21 (Thursday)
February – 25/2/21 (Wednesday)
March – 24/3/21 (Wednesday)
April – 20/4/21 (Tuesday)
May -18/5/21 (Tuesday)
June – 14/6/21 (Monday)
July – 11/7/21 (Sunday)
August – 8/8/21 (Sunday)
September – 4/9/21(Saturday)
October – 1/10/21 (Friday)
October – 29/10/21 (Friday)
November – 25/11/21 (Thursday)
December – 22/12/21 (Wednesday)