Jata Karma Samskara
Prem Namaste, Vanakum, Hare Krsna, Jai Sri Krsna, Jai Sri Ram
All glories to our eternal Parents Shri Shri Radha
Krsna.
All glories to the most merciful Shri Shri Lakshmi Nrsimhadeva.
All
glories to Srila Prabhupada, and the other wonderful and inspiring gurus.
All
glories to the wonderful servants of the Supreme Lord.
A few weeks back we emailed an article on Samskaras (Purificatory Rites) and last week we emailed the first Samskara called the Garbhadhana Samskara (Impregnation Rites) on how to conceive a child the correct and bonafide way… Srila Prabhupada mentions that 10 Samskaras (Purificatory Rites) are compulsory…. And in these articles that we are presenting to you in the next few weeks we will be elaborating on them in much more detail… This week the Pumsavan Samskara (The creation and Protection of a vigorous child), Seemanton-nayanam Samskara (Parting of the wife’s hair), Sosyanti home (purificatory rites for a woman about to give birth) and finally the Jaata Karma Samskara (The Ceremony at birth) are explained….
This Samskara is performed during the third month of pregnancy. The lawgiver Manu says it should be performed when the foetus begins to move in the womb. During this period the food sheath (cover) and vital sheath of the child are formed. At this stage a havan is performed so that the mother and child is protected from any evil influences and obstacles. According to some Vedic texts the juice from crushed banyan leaf sprouts should be poured into her right nostril to give her strength at this time.
Since the child depends completely on the assimilated foodstuff of the mother, during pregnancy there are restrictions on the food consumed by the mother. Too much salt, chilli, onion and similar foods are strictly forbidden for the pregnant mother because the child’s body is too delicate and new to tolerate such foods. By consuming such foodstuff the child incessantly suffers pains that are almost intolerable because of the child’s tenderness. The pregnant mother should mainly consume foodstuff like milk, fresh fruits, salads and other satwik foods. During the time of pregnancy the mother should avoid staying awake late at night, exerting herself physically, taking purgatives, and experiencing all types of mental strain. When the above is not followed that’s when the child CAN abort and miscarriage can occur.
Due to space in this article, for further reading please do click onto this URL link from the Srimad Bhagavatam 3rd Canto Chapter 31 in detail on how the child suffers if the mother consumes the incorrect foodstuffs. References: - Sat Kriya Sara Dipika and Srimad Bhagavatam. This auspicious rite is either performed during the 4th, 6th, 8th, month of the pregnancy. Here a havan is performed protect the mother and child from any evil influences and this havan also bestows health unto them. The Supreme Lord is invoked to bless the mother and child and also to bring forth a long-lived, brave and praiseworthy child. The harmonious vibrations set up by the recitation of mantras and the performance of the ceremony helps in shaping the body of the child beautifully. According to the Aashva-laayana Smrti: “ Evil demons, bent on sucking the blood come to the pregnant woman to devour the foetus. In order to remove them, the sacred Seemantonnayanam samskara is performed. From the 4th month of pregnancy the formation of the mind of the child begins, therefore, the pregnant woman is required to take utmost care to avoid any physical shock to the foetus.” Matsya Purana mentions: “ A Pregnant woman should not take meals during twilight, should not stay under the shade of a tree, she should bathe in warm water with medicinal herbs, give charity and worship the Supreme Lord. She should avoid swift walking, climbing stairs and staying awake at night. She should avoid saline, hot, stale and heavy foods. The child of a woman who observes these rules becomes long-lived and talented; otherwise abortion takes place without a doubt” Due to space in this article, for further reading please do click onto this URL link from the Srimad Bhagavatam 3rd Canto Chapter 31 in detail on how the child suffers if the mother consumes the incorrect foodstuffs. References: - Sat Kriya Sara Dipika; Srimad Bhagavatam; Aashva-laayana Simriti; and the Matsya Purana A few days before the birth of the child, the wife should be moved to the confinement room which may be located in the southwest part of the house, facing east or in the so call modern times like 2008 before she leaves to the hospital. When the wife is about to bear the child the priest or husband should perform this rite (a havan) for the safe delivery of the child and the wife's good health. This prayer is generally left out due to time, place and circumstances… References: - Sat Kriya Sara Dipika This ceremony is performed immediately after the birth of the child. The father welcomes his newborn child and prays for the child’s long life, intelligence and well-being. The father places some ghee on the tongue of the newborn, while reciting some auspicious mantras. The reason ghee is used is, according to Ayurveda it produces beauty, memory, intellect, talent, luster, strong semen and long life. This ceremony is also called medha janana, a ceremony to produce intelligence in the child. Thereafter the child is fed milk. It is of utmost importance that the correct time of the birth is noted. In this rite there is no havan to be performed. In the Srimad Bhagavatam 1.12.14 purport states, “ When a child is born Jatakarma Samskara is performed. The Devis and Devas and the forefathers come to see the child.” Thereafter the husband or one of the members of the family should go to an astrologer or a priest who is familiar with astrology to see if a child is born in an auspicious or inauspicious time. By inauspicious time I mean when a child is born in an evil nakshatra (star), for example if a child is born in the 1st pada (quarter) of Ashwini, the child may not survive, or if the child is born in the 4th pada of Ashlesha the lives of the parents may be danger and so forth. Not only “evil” stars are noted but “evil” yogas, Amavasya birth, Krishna Chaturdasi, unusual delivery and so forth. A child born in an inauspicious time can wipe out an entire family depending on the time born. It is very important also to consult an astrology or priest to choose a suitable name for the child and the 3rd day, 6th day, and the 12th day bath times and so forth. Please understand these are not mere rituals rather they are very essentials for the child’s benefit. References: - Sat Kriya Sara Dipika, Srimad Bhagavatam, Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra.
Procedure: When the child emerges from the womb the covering should be removed and the child should be cleansed. Try to show a picture of Radha-Krsna to the child so that the first visuals the child sees of this material world is of the Divine Couple. Then the father should say: A day before a young girl should on a washed stone slab, grind rice and barley into powder using an unused stone. The father should take the powder using the thumb and ring finger of his right hand saying: He should place a little of the mixture and very little ghee on the tongue of the new-born child using a spoon saying: Father should then give a little ghee again saying: Chant the Maha mantra to nullify any mistakes for the ceremony. Feed milk to the newborn. The mother and child should stay in the confinement room for ten days (for a brahmins) or 30 days for a non-brahmin. The father and all other close relatives should observe asauca (impurity) during which time they should refrain from all duties requiring purity for execution (visiting temple, or worshipping the Deity). Thank you for taking time to read this article. We are
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