Jatakarma: The Hindu Birth Ceremony That Blesses Newborns

This world is known for its own diversity of cultures and traditions when it comes to the birth of new born. Welcoming a new born for which parents have gone through a long journey is really overwhelming. The parenthood starts here with medical care of the mother to ensure the safety of the baby and lots more. In this fast paced life people might forget to follow the tradition. But definitely these rituals and traditions are designed for the people which hold great significance. 

Thanks to our elders who always help us to stay connected with tradition and practices to seek maximum benefits out of it for new born. One such practice is to make the baby taste something sweet. There is a specific reason behind making babies sweet is to make their tongue sweet. In Hindu culture this practice is called Jatakarma. Do you remember your grandmother telling you that your father made you taste honey on the very first day of birth? What is the reason behind this ritual? Is there any real benefit to new born or only a sort of traditional practice? Let’s make out the answers for all such questions in this blog post. 

What is Jatakarma sanskar? 

Jatakarma sanskar is one among crucial traditions followed immediately after the birth of a newborn baby in Hindu culture. It basically comes with practice of making the baby taste some sweet things like honey or ghee on the lips. This practice is primarily done from the father for the first time. The father performs this ritual to make the baby know that after mother, he is second to known in this world. 

Father chants the mantra of the god in the ear of the baby and completes the process with touching honey or ghee on lips. This process is done with the aim to promote positive vibes and prosperity to little ones. Also, this helps in strengthening the bond between father and baby. This ritual helps in passing on good traits from the elders to the young ones and wish them good luck for future life. It is done with intention to seek the proper growth and development of the little one who is just separated from the mother. Yes, the ceremony holds the importance but also holds the scientific reason behind it. 

What is the procedure of the Jatakarma sanskar? 

Firstly, the father of the baby utters the solemn saying, ' I am performing the ritual of Jatakarma sanskar to protect the baby from all defects and pray for the overall growth in life and intellectual development of the little one.’ Following father touches the honey or ghee touched with a gold ring to enter the essence of gold in the mixture on the lips of the little one. Remember this process should be accompanied with mantras to get maximum blessing from God to the baby. This particular mantra chanted during the ceremony is known as “Madhu Sarpy Prashant Mantra”. Once completing the ceremony, the baby is handed to the mother to feed and care for the baby. 

Mantras to include in Jatakarma sanskar 

After the baby is born, clean and gets dressed, the ritual of Jatakarma sanskar is performed to seek unlimited wealth, long life and a strong body. Some of the mantra to chant are as follows: 

• ‘Jaatham vaatsaprenaabhimrisya aapa-grusutra’ 

It is the very first mantra to chant even before touching the little one. 

• ‘Uttarena Yajusha upastha aadhya-aa-gru’ 

Firstly, the father should take the baby in his lap and chant this mantra. 

• ‘Assminnaham sahasram pushyami dhamanah sve vase’

This mantra is chanted in the right ear of the newborn. It means the father prays to develop an independent future for the baby which will benefit him in old age. 

• Ya daivis chatasrah pradiso vatapatnidabhi Surya vichashte 

Tasma tvajarasa aadadhami prayakshma yetu nirrutium paraachaih’. 

It means Lord survya tends to spread light in all directions. Father prays to god to get a good direction in further life. May all the yakshma mean diseases run away from the body of the baby. 

What is the purpose of Jatakarma sanskar? 

Jatakarma sanskar is basically performed after the birth of a child even before it gets detached from the umbilical cord. But what is the purpose behind this ritual? Let’s check this out quickly. 

• It is performed with the main aim to remove or minimize any tetralogic disorders from the baby's body. 
• Purposefully it helps in improving the intellect and health of the little one. 
• The first five years of the baby is important to gain the maximum development in health. Hence, the ritual is done to pray for maintaining optimum spirituality. Physical, mental and social growth of a little one.
• The environment around the baby plays a great role in shaping the behavior and character of the baby. Jatakarma sanskar helps the baby to get the right development with seeking proper behavior patterns. 
• The ritual directly stimulates the intelligence level of the baby. 

Vedic importance of Jatakarma sanskar 

According to Vedas, Jatakarma sanskar is fourth among sixteen mentioned samskar performed in the life of an individual. But basically, it is the first postnatal ritual performed after the birth of the baby. This ritual is performed even before the child gets fed with mother’s milk. Once the umbilical cord is served and the baby is wrapped in clean cloth it is the correct time to perform Jatakarma sanskar. 

In modern days, the birth of a baby occurs in the hospital which makes it a bit tough to follow the ritual itself. Therefore, it is advised to perform the ritual after the fifth or sixth day of the baby's birth. Also, a puja is conducted to complete this ritual and get blessings for the baby. This pooja is called ‘paanchvi’ and ‘sahavi’.

Science behind performing Jatakarma sanskar 

After the birth of a baby, it becomes difficult for the baby to get immediately adopted with the surrounding environment. This ritual helps in introducing the sensory organs of a baby to a new atmosphere. A newborn starts the sensory organs with touch of father/mother, sound, smell, sight, etc. The father feeds the little one with a mixture of ghee or honey with a bit of Gold. Check the importance of introducing this mixture on a scientific basis. 

• Honey 

Honey is a proven rich source of fructose. Therefore, it helps in preventing the development of respiratory disease. Even it helps in cleaning the internal transporting parts of the little one. Honey prevents aspiration in little ones with clearing secretion from the mouth. Honey boosts the energy level in a baby. It possesses antimicrobial properties and hence a proven immune enhancer for little ones. 

• Ghee/butter 

Ghee or butter is introduced to babies to prevent the condition of hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when there is heat loss from the head which has the largest surface area. Ghee or butter works here to maintain the temperature of the baby's body regardless of the surrounding environment. It works well in lubrication of mucosa which ultimately helps in wound healing of the baby and cleaning of mouth. Baby initially faces the problem in digestion because of immature liver functions. Therefore, administration of ghee or butter will allow easy passage of early stool because of the presence of LCT properties. Most importantly, ghee prevents jaundice in babies after birth. It is because ghee reduces the sudden load of bilirubin pigment in the enterohepatic flow in the liver. 

• Gold 

Gold is important to include for showering intellectual power and memory for little ones. Also, it is a proven immunity booster along with promoting good health for eyes. Gold readily comes with detoxification properties. It is the best chosen ingredient to have a great skin tone. Don’t forget to encourage its cardiotonic properties in the list. 

• Breast Milk or colostrum 

The first milk from the mother is called colostrum which contains many antibodies like IgG, IgA etc. This pre-milk is rich in nutrients and is most essential for boosting the immune system of a baby to develop the ability to fight against infections. 

• Licking of the honey mixture 

This process gives a chance to the physician to access the sucking reflex and rooting ability of the little one. 

Further, the baby exactly responds as per the emotions of the parents, touch and their body language. Now the baby has developed the sense to recognize this feeling. For example, if the parent touching the baby is irritable and lethargic sensing this the baby also responds with irritable behavior and crying. Hence, the ritual boosts the positive and calm feeling in parents and babies. 

The sacred verses are chanted in this ritual which are proven ways for stimulating the auditory system in newborn. The vibration from the chanting is cached through the auditory system and provokes cognitive activities in the little one. Even the vibrations are stronger enough to stimulate brain nerves. 

But remember that the sound intensity entering in little one's ears should not exceed the level beyond 75 decibels. Or else a baby might face hearing loss or disturbance in physiological or behavioral ways. 

A kalash or pot filled with hot water is kept near the little one. It helps in removal of insufficient heat and moisture captured in the lower respiratory tract of the little one. If not done, then this might cause the ciliary cells dysfunctioning leading to transportation of oxygen issues. Hence, this pot is mandatory to keep near the little one at least for 10 days. Also, it prevents bacterial colonization on the sensitive skin of babies. 

Benefits of Jatakarma sanskar 

Jatakarma is the traditional ritual performed immediately after the birth of a baby. But it is followed even in the modern times due to following benefits: 

• Welcoming of the child 

This ritual symbolizes the formal function which officially welcomes the baby in the family and in the community. 

• Bonding 

This particular ritual helps in promotion of the bonding between the parents and newborn. Also, it fosters a feeling of security and love for the little one. 

• Health 

Jatakarma sanskar mainly follows the ritual of feeding the baby with honey or ghee having a mixture of gold. This mixture has proven benefits to boost the immune system of the baby and overall health too. Hence, it is indeed advised to perform this ritual for all newborns. 

• Spiritual values 

It is believed that this ritual purifies the soul of a newborn and fosters spiritual values. 

• Cultural continuity 

Perform this ritual which helps in maintaining the cultural as well as traditional connection for the future generation. 

• Blessings 

The baby receives all blessings from family, friends and relatives and other elderly members. Therefore, it is considered beneficial and auspicious for the future of a child. 

Conclusion

Sanskar is essential in the Hindu culture. It is a milestone which helps the person to lead a spiritual life from birth till death. Sanskar is a big part in the life of an individual to bring up the spiritual value and lead a good life. One such samskar is Jatakarma. It is simple to follow but makes a great connection between father/mother and child. It tends to foster the spiritual value and daily need for balance in the life of a little one. Also, there is proven scientific importance of Jatakarma sanskar which one should indeed include for raising a genius baby with proper health. These rituals are performed with a definite purpose to raise a good upcoming generation. 

FAQs 

       1. What is the Jatakarma ceremony? 

The ceremony tends to welcome the baby in the world with adding a touch of blessings from God and strengthen the bonding with parents. 

       2. Is it safe to introduce honey or ghee to a newborn baby? 

Yes, honey or ghee in pure form has its own benefits on the newborn baby. It stimulates the five sense organs of the baby and boosts the immune system. 

       3. Why is breast milk so beneficial for the newborn? 

Breast milk contains antimicrobial properties, antibodies like IgA, IgG and more. Also, it possess all nutrients which help the baby to fight against reveling infection boosting the immune system. 

       4. Where does Jatakarma lie in the series of sixteen Sanskar? 

Among the sixteen sanskaras, Jatakarma sanskar is ranked fourth. But it is the first prenatal ceremony performed after the birth of a baby. 

      5. What are mantras for the newborn babies? 

Mantras like Papanashini, Ashirvachan, Raksha Kavacham, Shatayu Mantra etc are tagged best for newborn babies.