Suvarna prashan is an ayurvedic medicine for children( 0- 16years ) mainly given to increase immunity, recurrent illness, concentration and memory. Suvarnaprashan is given to children in the morning daily/ on every pushya nakshatra for at least one year for excellent results.
Gold is used as medicine since long back. We found its reference since Vedic era by its synonym ‘hiranya’. Gold is always respected as a precious metal. Our ancients were very well aware of its uses. We have a tradition of using gold as an ornament, and also for medicinal use. In kashyapsamhita, sushrut samhita, charaksamhita, ashtang hruday, bhavprakash, bhaishajya ratnavali and yogratnakar, after birth it is advised to give gold rubbed on clean stone and give with honey and cow’s ghee. It is told that it increases baby’s immunity, intelligence, strength, appetite, complexion, and health. Today we are expending lot’s to improve children health still facing many health issues so decided to study in detail about suvarnprashan method, its uses, practical application of suvarnprashan in today’s era in this article. In our clinic we are giving suvarnprashan on every pushyanakshatra since 2012.
In charak samhita, sharirsthan adhyay, jatisutriyashr adhyay, after delivery first clean baby’s mouth with ghee and saindhava, put cotton soaked in ghee on head, then cut umbilical cord and put medicated oil on wound. Then give honey and ghee with chanting mantra after that give mother’s milk. In sushrut samhita, after child’s birth, after leaking honey and saindhav, baby will vomit the amniotic fluid then put cotton soaked in ghee on his head after that cut the cord and then allow licking gold, honey and ghee with anamika finger- finger near to little finger to the baby. And also give bath with bala and gold, silver medicated water. On first day of birth it is advised to give honey, ghee and gold thrice a day with chanting mantra, 2nd day and 3rd day, lakshmana medicated ghee, 4th day honey and ghee twice a day then start mother’s milk. In Medhaayushkamiya adhyay, sushrut narrates bilva, vacha medicines to administer with gold and ghee honey with chanting ‘shreesukta’ on pushya nakshatra gives long and healthy life. In Ashtang hruday, immediately after birth after chanting mantra about baby’s healthy growth, long life and praying for his health, after cutting umbilical cord immediately advised to give mixture of herbs brahmi, endri, vacha shankhapuspi or, emlica officinalis- amla powder with gold, or gold with herbs, and honey and ghee allow to leak. Vagbhat explained that as mother’s milk is not there up to 3 days after delivery, honey ghee, and herbs combination thrice a day we can give as baby’s food. In Astang sangraha, eindri, brahmi, shankhapushpi, vacha, or combination of vacha, shatavari, ananta and brahmi, with honey and ghee, in harenu quantity, given to increase baby’s intelligence, health, life, and strength. In kashyap samhita, sutrasthan lehadhyay, kashyap in detail narrates about baby’s jatakarma. Systematically he narrates about lehana (medicines or gold with honey and ghee administration).
The specific benefits of Swarnaprashana are as follows
1. Medha Agni Bala Vardhanam (improvement of intellect, digestion, metabolism, immunity, and physical strength).
2. Ayushyam (promoting lifespan).
3. Mangalam (auspicious).
4. Punyam (righteous).
5. Vrushyam (aphrodisiac).
6. Varnyam (enhancement of color and complexion).
7. Grahapaham (protection from evil spirits/ microorganisms).
The specific benefits of Swarnaprashana according to the duration of administration have been mentioned such as:
1. If administered for 1 month, the baby will become Parama Medhavi (highly intelligent) and Vyadhibhir Na Cha Drusyate (will not be affected by any disease)
2. If administered for 6 months, the baby will become Srutadhara (will be able to remember the things, which are just heard).
3. All the above-said benefits are indicating the enhancement of all favorable factors required for proper growth and development of a child, which is considered to be rapid during Shaishavavastha (infancy).
Researches :
- A critical appraisal on Swarnaprashana in children. Ayu. 2014 Oct-Dec;35(4):361-5. doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.158978. PMID: 26195896; PMCID: PMC4492018.
- Swarna Bindu Prashana-an Ancient Approach to Improve the Infant’s Immunity. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2021 Jun;199(6):2145-2148. doi: 10.1007/s12011-020-02353-y. Epub 2020 Aug 27. PMID: 32856248; PMCID: PMC7451701.
| Suvarnaprashan date: 2022 |
| 18 January |
| 14 February |
| 13 March |
| 10 April |
| 7 May |
| 4 June |
| 1 July |
| 28 July |
| 25 August |
| 21 September |
| 18 October |
| 14 November |
| 12 December |
