Suvarnaprashan

suvarnaprashan is an ancient Indian practice that has been around since the Vedic ages. Swarnaprashana involves giving a gold-based medicine to children for various health benefits.

When a child is born in our house, the doctors advise us to get vaccinated at different time periods to protect the health of the child. This basic idea of vaccination, modified in the near past, is in our ritual tradition since thousands of years, but we do not have knowledge of it. The ability to resist different diseases inside our body means that our immunity protects us from different diseases, and when this power is lost, then we become sick. The body itself tries to produce this ability, and the vaccine supports it.

Modern science extracts vaccines for many diseases, and further research is going on. This is a continuous work. Our Acharyas think about this principle thousands of years ago, and they found only one weapon, i.e. gold. And for this, they gifts us the Suvarnaprashan Sanskar. Suvarna means gold and Prashan means licking.

According to the Kashyapa Samhita, the term Suvarnaprashana refers to the administration of gold in combination with other herbs in a Leha/Prasha form. This practice involves administering leham made from a mixture of Ghrut, honey, and Suvarna Bhasma to children to improve their overall health and immunity.

The benefits of Swarnaprashana were described by the Maharshi Kashyapa in his Sanskrit book Kashyapa Samhita.

Why only gold?

Gold is the best metal for our body. It is not only for children, but it is equally effective and immunity boosting for all ages. That’s why gold has been important in our life for centuries. It is considered auspicious because of its significant effect on our physical and mental disorders, and its donation is considered the best.

Our forefathers have a clear understanding of how gold should enter our body. That’s why we have the practice of wearing pure gold ornaments, and sometimes elders scold for wearing fake jewelry. This is the reason why our kings and city-rich people used to eat food only in golden plates, so that the gold gets rubbed inside our body. Wearing gold ornaments, buying gold, donating gold, collecting gold, eating gold in a plate, it has been a very important point of view of our Acharyas that gold not only increases the immunity of the body but also increases our mental and intellectual capacity.

It is a very bright metal that protects the body, mind, and intellect. That’s why the economy of the whole world is dependent on gold. This is the sign of its importance in our life!

When and to whom the Golden Prashan Sanskar?

Suvarnaprashan is one of our 16 sacraments. In our country, when a child is born, there is a tradition of licking honey on his tongue or writing Om on his tongue with a silver rod (salai).

The basic form of this tradition means our Golden Prashan Sanskar. To lick the quantity of gold, i.e., gold prashan. We do this, but we do not understand it. How did it come and why did it come? We did not know what was its purpose and result. It is not a small thing to survive in any form even after centuries. Our Acharyas must have worked hard for that, only then it has reached us. But here we have never tried to understand, nor has anyone taken the trouble to explain.

Suvarnaprashan is made from a mixture of gold along with some Ayurvedic medicines, cow’s ghee, and honey. And starting from the day of birth, it should be licked throughout childhood or at least for six months. If we have missed it, then we can take advantage of it by starting anytime within childhood, i.e., till the age of 12 years. This is to confirm our tradition, people close to the child present only gold ornaments or gold things; Perhaps at that time, he would be offering only this Suvarnprashan.

Suvarnprashan Benefits:-

Swarnaprashana is made more effective when administered on the day of Pushya Nakshatra, which is believed to be an auspicious day for this practice.

Pushya constellation is said to have Pushti (Strengthening), and Poshana (Nourishing) qualities. Hence this constellation is chosen to administer this Suvarna Prashana.

Ghrut is one of the main ingredients of Swarnaprashana. Ghrut or any other Medhya ghrut like bramhi or according to condition of child personalized ghrut can be prepared.

Honey is another important ingredient, and it has a cooling effect and is easily digestible.

Suvarna Bhasma, which is the ash of gold, is the final ingredient. It has Rasayan properties and is good for treating fevers, hoarseness of voice, and tuberculosis.

It’s always advised not to skip the Swarnaprashana to maintain the efficiency of the medicine. But if missed a day nothing harm. Suvarnaprashan is not administered if the child is critically ill or having some acute problems like fever or vomiting on that particular day.

It is recommended that Swarnaprashana be administered to children on an empty stomach to ensure maximum absorption. It is also important that the child faces east and the parent faces north while administering the drops.

In addition to improving a child’s health and immunity, Swarnaprashana is also believed to have cognitive and emotional benefits that can positively impact a child’s overall growth and development.

Pregnant women can also benefit from Swarnaprashana, and it is recommended that they start taking it from the third month of pregnancy until the end of the sixth month.

Dosage:

Pregnant woman: 6 drops at the time of Sunrise daily from 3rd month of pregnancy and continue till the end of 6th month.

Newborn: 6 drops at the time of Sunrise daily

This practice is particularly beneficial for children as it helps in their nutrition, metabolism, growth and development, physical strength, and immunity.

Swarnaprashana is the only gold preparation with specific benefits based on the duration of administration. it can be safely administered to all children.

Studies have shown that Swarnaprashana can have positive effects on the digestive and immune system. It can even be given to infants, as their immune system is still developing and vulnerable to infections. It can also be administered to those with immunodeficiency states, provided there are no serious illnesses associated with it.

Gold is said to have nanoparticles, which can have health benefits. Swarna Bhasma, a gold-based medicine used in Swarnaprashana, is said to contain gold nanoparticles with crystallite size 28–35 nm and is 99% pure gold. Studies have shown that smaller particles of colloidal gold are absorbed more readily in the gastrointestinal tract.

Facts about Suvarnprashan

Nowadays many pharmacies and many unqualified people also give Suvarnaprashan in the market.

It is leham sanskar not dropper sanskar so ghrut honey and Suvarna are main ingredients which when mix thoroughly prepare authentic suvarnprasnh leham. It must include all ingredients for its effectiveness not just liquid drops with which suvarn will nor get mix properly and if used settled at bottle which make its less effective. 

Those people feed only on one day in a month i.e. on the day of Pushyan Nakshatra or on that day according to their suitability.

It is not possible to get the benefit according to the above verse by feeding it only once in a month.

Sometimes they sell bottles of Suvarnaprashan in such a quantity that it lasts for a month for just Rs.20-30 or Rs.100. How much gold will be used in 10 grams bottle at this price and how effective will it be? Even a single dose of 25mg of authentic Suvarna bhasm will cost Approx. for Rs. 400-500. Then what will you get in Rs.100 dose

Suvarnaprashan is to be given only once at any time of the day and there is no need to keep it in the fridge. It can also be taken with any medicine in any disease.

If you want to give your child or your loved one’s child from the time of birth, then order it in the last month of pregnancy and start from birth itself.

Swarnaprashana is a safe and effective Ayurvedic practice that has been used for centuries to promote the overall health and development of children. It can also have benefits for adults, particularly as an immuno-modulator and fertility enhancer.