ANNAPARASANAM (giving
the child solid food)
This is the ceremony for the first feeding of
cooked rice. Imagine its being performed at the time of one�s
Upanayana or marriage! The object of this
karma is to pray to the gods with Vedic
mantras to bless the child with good digestive powers, good thoughts
and talent.
Literally 'putting solid food or rice into a
child's mouth for the first time'. Anna means 'food', especially
'boiled rice'. Prashana means 'eating, feeding', and specifically
'the first feeding of a child'. The ceremony ritualizes the start of
a nursing child's additional solid nourishment from the age of six
or seven months. This sanskara developed out of the physical need of
the child for more nourishment. It also established a point in the
child's development at which the mother should consider beginning to
wean him.
After a muhurta has been selected for the ceremony,
friends and relatives are invited. Food is cooked to the chanting of
appropriate Vedic mantras. The father feeds the child as the priest
recites the Maha vyahritis. The child is then placed on kusha grass
before the fire. Next, the father offers oblations to Agni praying
that the child should be strong and well spoken. He also prays for a
long, happy and contented life, for fame, and for a broad vision for
the child.
After this, according to the Markandeya Purana, the
child is placed amongst tools and articles used in various crafts
and occupations. It is believed that the article that he touches
first decides his future occupation.
When this has been done, the Brahmins invited for
the occasion and relatives are fed food specially cooked for the
occasion. The Brahmins are also given gifts.
According to the Grihyasutras , Annaprashana should
be performed when the child is between six and seven months old. For
a weak child, it can be postponed further. However it should not be
performed before the child is four months old because he will not be
able to digest food before then. Nor should the ceremony be
performed after he is a year old because delaying additional
nourishment could retard the child's natural growth and development.
Some people believe that it should be performed after the child's
first teeth come out as this is a sure sign that he will be able to
digest solid food.
It is performed when the child is about six months
old which is the weaning time. Susruta commends this weaning time as
best for both the mother and the child. Offerings are made to the
goddess of Speech and Vig-our. Then it is prayed that the child�s
senses have their full gratification to live a happy and contented
life.The father feeds a little of sweet-food anointed with gold, to
the child, uttering that he feeds it with
thirthas and herbs which may ensure a
healthy life to the child and prevent ill-health.
According to Sushruta, the food given to the child
during Annaprashana should be easy to digest. He should be fed
different foods with different flavors. Some suggest a mixture of
honey, yogurt, and ghee. Others recommend meat. The meat of every
animal and bird is believed to have a different quality, which is
imparted to the child. For example, fish is believed to give
swiftness. The Markandeya Purana recommends milk, rice, ghee and
honey. The concept of Annaprashana existed among the Aryans before
they came to India |