Annaprashanam

Description

Importance of food

Modern science divides foods as Carbohydrates, proteins and fats as main category of food, and prescribes only the type of food which controls only the physical body. It does not say anything about the Satva, Rajas, Tamo gunas of the mind which each of us possess. The nature of an individual are controlled up to 90% by food. Vedas say about the theory part of it and Ayurveda says about the practical part of it.  Ayurveda and Veda prescribes food and treatments not only based on making us disease free, give health for body, healthy organs, but also to give us pure thought process for our Anushtanam (rituals) and progress in spirituality to reach the higher goals of our life. Here is the major difference between the modern food practices and the food prescribed by Vedas .

“Lobhoraubhyorhitham” says Ayurveda. It will help for the worldly life as well as for spiritual life. Vedas have given utmost importance to food. Vedas say Shrishti, Sthithi, Samharam all are in ‘Annam’ or food. Initially God split into two, male and female and from that onwards, all further creation is through Annam (food) only. From Paramatma (Supreme being), “Akasham” (sky) has come, from “Akasham”,  “Vayu” (air) has come, from “Vayu”, “Agni” (fire) has come, from “Agni”, “Jalam” (water) has come, and from “Jalam”, “Prithivi” (earth) has come and from “Prithivi”, “Aushadhi” (herbs) has come and from “Aushadhi”, “Annam” has come and from “Annam” Human beings have come. This explains to process of creation of a human being.

What is “Aushadhi” ? It is said that those plants/food which give balam (strength) once is “Aushadhi”. Like rice, “Vazhai or Banana” etc.  Thus these Aushadhi  will not give the balam (strength) second time. There is one anuvakam (paragraph) in “Chamakam” asking for all Aushadhis from Lord Siva. The subtle mind is formed from Annam .”annasya yo anishto bhagaha samapadhyatey”. The last part of Annam becomes mind is what Vedas say. If “Annasudhi” (purity of food) is there, “Saptha shudhi” will be there is what Yogashastra says.

What is this Saptha shudhi?

From Annam comes the Saptadhatu (7 types of constituents). “Rasa”(plasma),”Rakta” (blood), “Mamsa” (Muscle), “Meida” (fat), “Asthi” (bone), “Majja” (bone marrow), “Shukra” (semen). Ayurveda recommends inclusion of 6 types of ingredients in a meal:  Bhojyam (pulses), Bhakshyam (cereals), Chavyam (chewable), Lehyam (paste like), Choshyam (suckable), Peyam (drinkable). Also it said about how the 6 must be required for the healthy body and mind. “Thasmanth Aushadhyatho manushyanam annam”.  Aushadhi is the annam for man as per Vedas. The food is spread all over the body. When the food changes the mind changes, thinking changes, character and body condition will also change.

Annaprashanam should be done in house in the Vaideeka way

Between 150 th and 180th day of birth of the child Annaprashanam should be done. It should be done on Shukla Paksha and Muhurthas should be fixed.

The Ritual is done in the following order 

Ganapathi Poojai, Anugnai, Sankalpam, Kumbhasthapanam , Japam, Prathisarabandham (Kappukettal), Nandi (Hiranyam), Annaprashanam, Asheervadam

Doing Annaprashanam

Serve Food in “elai” or Banana Leaf after cleaning the floor with cow dung. Father should sit facing east. All members of the family have to server the food (Parimaruthal). Both families should join when both sides to put food. This is Sampradayam that both families are getting together by this act. In Annaprashanam no plain rice will be served for the child instead in centre of the banana leaf, palpayasam or Milk Kheer is served. Ghee should be served 2 times in the leaf before serving palpayasam. Gold ring along with Dharba is immersed in the payasam and only the fluid part should be given to child and no rice. By chanting the Veda mantra “Apaam tva oshadeenagum rasaam prashayami “ by adding vyahriti initially. All members in the family will feed the child a little of this palpayasam or kheer. Also in the end, the name of the child will be also said.

Note – Annaprasanam should not be done along with first Birth Day Ayush Homam. It is sasthra virudham