Ashtanga Hridayam Uttarasthanam Chapter 1: Balopacharaneeyam (Care of the new born baby)

The 1st chapter of Uttara Sthanam of Ashtanga Hridayam is named as Bālopacaraṇīyam adhyāyaṃ. This chapter deals with the explanation of ‘care of the new born baby’.

The topics covered in this chapter include –

Jatakarma
Sutikatthana and Namakarana
Balopcara – care of the baby
Karna Vedhana – puncturing the ear-lobe
Stanyapasran – weaning
Ashtanga Sarpi
Sarasvata Ghrta
Vachadi Ghrta
Hemadi Yoga
Vacadi Ghrta

Pledge by the author (s)

अथातो बालोपचरणीयमध्यायं व्याख्यास्याम: ।
इति ह स्माहुरात्रेयादयो महर्षय: ।
After having offered prayers to the God, henceforth we are going to explain the chapter pertaining to the explanation of ‘care of the new born baby’. Thus say (pledge) Atreya and other sages.

Jatakarma: Care of the newborn

जातमात्रं विशोध्योल्बाद्बालं सैन्धवसर्पिषा ।
प्रसूतिक्लेशितं चानु बलातैलेन सेचयेत् ॥ १ ॥
अश्मनोर्वादनं चास्य कर्णमूले समाचरेत् ।
अथास्य दक्षिणे कर्णे मन्त्रमुच्चारयेदिमम् ॥ २ ॥
अङ्गादङ्गात्सम्भवसि हृदयादभिजायसे ।
आत्मा वै पुत्रनामासि सञ्जीव शरदां शतम् ॥ ३ ॥
शतायुः शतवर्षोऽसि दीर्घमायुरवाप्नुहि ।
नक्षत्राणि दिशो रात्रिरहश्च त्वाभिरक्षतु ॥ ४ ॥
The baby immediately after its birth, should be cleaned/ cleared of the Ulba (greasy matter on the skin, vernix caseosa) using rock salt and ghee. Next, to relieve the fatigue of birth infant should be anointed with Bala Taila (vide chapter 2 of Sarira Sthana) musical instruments should be played The sound should be produced by hitting two stones at the root of its ears; Then the following sacred hymn should be chanted into its right ear; You have been born from every organ of the body. you are reborn from the heart You are myself in the form of a son; May you live for a hundred autumns, may you live long for hundred years, may you attain long life ,let the stars, the quarters, nights and days protect you.

Jatakarma : Umbilical cord, bathing

स्वस्थीभूतस्य नाभिं च सूत्रेण चतुरङ्गुलात् ।
बद्ध्वोर्ध्वं वर्धयित्वा च ग्रीवायामवसञ्जयेत् ॥ ५ ॥
नाभिं च कुष्ठतैलेन सेचयेत्स्नापयेदनु ।
क्षीरिवृक्षकषायेण सर्वगन्धोदकेन वा ॥ ६ ॥
कोष्णेन तप्तरजततपनीयनिमज्जनैः ।
After the child has become comfortable (calm), the umbilical cord should be tied with a thread at the level of four Angula (finger’s breath) above the umbilicus and then cut (with a sharp knife) the thread should be fastened to the neck (without causing hurt). The umbilicus should be anointed with Kustha Taila. Next, the child should be given a bath either with the decoction of barks of trees with milky sap or water boiled with all the fragrant herbs; Such bathing being made in lukewarm water prepared by immersing heated sheets of silver or gold (many times into it).

Jatakarma: Leha Prashana

ततो दक्षिणतर्जन्या तालून्नम्यावगुण्ठयेत् ॥ ७ ॥
शिरसि स्नेहपिचुना प्राश्यं चास्य प्रयोजयेत् ।
हरेणुमात्रं मेधायुर्बलार्थमभिमन्त्रितम् ॥ ८ ॥
ऐन्द्रीब्राह्मीवचाशङ्खपुष्पीकल्कं घृतं मधु ।
चामीकरवचाब्राह्मीताप्यपथ्या रजीकृताः ॥ ९ ॥
लिह्यान्मधुघृतोपेता हेमधात्रीरजोऽथवा ।
Next, with the index finger of the right hand, the physician should elevate the palate (of the baby) and place a sheet/ band of cloth soaked in oil over its head; then the baby should be fed with a Prasya (confection) to confer intelligence, long life and good strength in the dose of one harenu (pea size) in quantity, fortified with scared hymns, aindrī – Citrullus colocynthis, brāhmī – Bacopa monnieri, vacā – Acorus calamus śaṅkhapuṣpī – Convolvulus pluricaulis. The confection may be prepared from the paste of above herbs and added with ghee and honey, or with powder (ash) of cāmīkara – gold, vacā – Acorus calamus, brāhmī – Bacopa monnieri, tāpya – Copper / iron pyrite pathyā – Terminalia chebula. The infant is made to lick, with honey and ghee or with gold and Emblica officinalis powder (ash) may be given (with ghee and honey).

Jatakarma: Vamana

गर्भाम्भः सैन्धववता सर्पिषा वामयेत्ततः ॥ १० ॥
प्राजापत्येन विधिना जातकर्माणि कारयेत् ।
The baby is made to vomit the uterine Fluid / amniotic fluid by using ghee mixed with rock salt. Then the Jatakarma (religious rite concerned method described in texts of Dharmasatra) should be done following the prajapathi vidhi.

Lactation

सिराणां हृदयस्थानां विवृतत्वात्प्रसूतितः ॥ ११ ॥
तृतीयेऽह्नि चतुर्थे वा स्त्रीणां स्तन्यं प्रवर्तते ।
The Siras (veins and other channels) located in the heart of the mother get dilated after the delivery of the child so the woman begins to produce breastmilk on the third day or the fourth.

Food for infant: First day

प्रथमे दिवसे तस्मात्त्रिकालं मधुसर्पिषी ॥ १२ ॥
अनन्तामिश्रिते मन्त्रपाविते प्राशयेच्छिशुम् ।
Hence on the first day the baby should be made to lick gold mixed with honey and ghee, fortified with sacred hymns, all the three times of the day.

Food for infant: First few days

लक्ष्मणासिद्धं तृतीये च घृतं ततः ॥ १३ ॥
प्राङ्निषिद्धस्तनस्यास्य तत्पाणितलसम्मितम् ।
स्तन्यानुपानं द्वौ कालौ नवनीतं प्रयोजयेत् ॥ १४ ॥
On the second and third days, the baby should be given ghee prepared with Ipomoea sepiaria (all the three times); afterwards (from the fourth day) the baby which was hither to prevented from sucking the breast, one Panitala (palmful) in quantity of fresh butter should be made to lick followed by drinking of breast- milk two times of the day.

Jatakarma

मातुरेव पिबेत्स्तन्यं तद्ध्यलं देहवृद्धये ।
स्तन्यधात्र्यावुभे कार्ये तदसम्पदि वत्सले ॥ १५ ॥
अव्यङ्गे ब्रह्मचारिण्यौ वर्णप्रकृतितः समे ।
नीरुजे मध्यवयसौ जीवद्वत्से न लोलुपे ॥ १६ ॥
हिताहारविहारेण यत्नादुपचरेच्च ते ।
The mother only should feed the baby with her milk; that itself is sufficient for the development of the body. In the absence of breastmilk (of the mother) two Dhatri (women who can feed the baby with their breastmilk) who are affectionate not crippled / deformed, observing celibacy (avoiding sexual intercourse) belonging to the same caste and constitution (as of the mother), free of diseases; of middle age, having living children and not greedy, should be adhering to healthy food should feed the infant with all the care.

Reason for decrease of increase of lactation

शुक्क्रोधलङ्घनायासाः स्तन्यनाशस्य हेतवः ॥ १७ ॥
स्तन्यस्य सीधुवर्ज्यानि मद्यान्यानूपजा रसाः ।
क्षीरं क्षीरिण्य ओषध्यः शोकादेश्च विपर्ययः ॥ १८ ॥
Grief, anger,fasting and exertion are the causes for loss of breastmilk, wines, except sidhu (fermented liquor prepared from sugarcane juice) other than juice of meat of animals of marshy lands, cow milk and plants which have milky sap and qualities opposite of grief etc. (In other words, happiness, love, nutrition and rest) are the reason for increase of breastmilk.

Unhealthy breastmilk

विरुद्धाहारभुक्तायाः क्षुधिताया विचेतसः ।
प्रदुष्टधातोर्गर्भिण्याः स्तन्यं रोगकरं शिशोः ॥ १९ ॥
Breastmilk of those who indulge in incompatible foods, who are hungry (due to either fasting or starvation), unconscious or not having conscience, having vitiation of the tissues (suffering from diseases) and who are pregnant , produces diseases in children.

Substitute for breastmilk

स्तन्याभावे पयश्छागं गव्यं वा तद्गुणं पिबेत् ।
ह्रस्वेन पञ्चमूलेन स्थिराभ्यां वा सितायुतम् ॥ २० ॥
In case of absence of breastmilk, the child should be given the milk of a goat or a cow, possessing similar qualities, boiled with herbs of hrsva pancamula -Shalaparni – Desmodium gangeticum Prishniparni – Uraria picta Brihati – Solanum indicum Kantakari – Solanum xanthocarpum Gokshura – Tribulus terrestris or with the two sthira (saliparni – Desmodium gangeticum and Prisniparni -Uraria picta) mixed with sugar.

Ritual for sixth night

षष्ठीं निशां विशेषेण कृतरक्षाबलिक्रियाः ।
जागृयुर्बान्धवास्तस्य दधतः परमां मुदम् ॥ २१ ॥
On the sixth night, protective rites and offering of oblation (to protect the child from evil spirits) should be performed especially and the relatives (of the child) should keep awake that night,keeping (the child) in a pleasant/ happy mood.

Sutikatthana and Namakarana

दशमे दिवसे पूर्णे विधिभिः स्वकुलोचितैः ।
कारयेत्सूतिकोत्थानं नाम बालस्य चार्चितम् ॥ २२ ॥ बिभ्रतोऽङ्गैर्मनोह्वालरोचनागुरुचन्दनम् ।
नक्षत्रदेवतायुक्तं बान्धवं वा समाक्षरम् ॥ २३ ॥
On completion of the tenth day, sutikotthana ceremony should be performed in accordance with the customs of the family; anointing the baby withRealgar,
āla – Orpiment, rocana – Cow bezoar, aguru – Aquilaria agallocha candanam – and Santalum album. Give the baby a name related to the Gods, the stars, or of relatives and having even number of letters.

Lifespan assessment

ततः प्रकृतिभेदोक्तरूपैरायुःपरीक्षणम् ।
प्रागुदक्शिरसः कुर्याद्बालस्य ज्ञानवान् भिषक् ॥ २४ ॥
Then the wise physician should perform the examination of the body (of baby) commencing with the head for deciding its lifespan based on such features (of long life) described earlier in the prakrti Bhediya (chapter 5 of Sarirasthana).

Balopcara: Care of the baby

शुचिधौतोपधानानि निर्वलीनि मृदूनि च ।
शय्यास्तरणवासांसि रक्षोघ्नैर्धूपितानि च ॥ २५ ॥
काको विशस्तः शस्तश्च धूपने त्रिवृतान्वितः ।
The beds, bed sheets, and covering clothes of the baby pillow should be made of clean cloth (white cloth), washed well having no folds (or wrinkles) and soft and fumigated with materials (herbs etc.) which ward off evil spirits A crow killed (for the purpose) and smeared with Operculina turpethum (mixture) of any three fats – oil, ghee and muscle fat) is ideal for fumigation.

Balopchara: Care of the baby: Amulets etc.

जीवत्खड्गादिशृङ्गोत्थान् सदा बालः शुभान् मणीन् ॥ २६ ॥
धारयेदौषधीः श्रेष्ठाः ब्राह्म्यैन्द्रीजीवकादिकाः ।
हस्ताभ्यां ग्रीवया मूर्ध्ना विशेषात्सततं वचाम् ॥ २७ ॥ आयुर्मेधास्मृतिस्वास्थ्यकरीं रक्षोऽभिरक्षिणीम् ।
The baby should always be adorned with auspicious mani (amulets), prepared from the horn of Rhinoceros and other (animals) which are living, wear potent herbs such as brāhmī – Bacopa monnieri, aindrī – Citrullus colocynthis,
jīvaka -Malaxis acuminata etc. On the hands, neck and head especially Acorus calamus should be worn constantly; these bestow long life, intelligence, memory and health, protects from the evils.

Karna Vedhana: Puncturing the ear-lobe

षट्सप्ताष्टममासेषु नीरुजस्य शुभेऽहनि ॥ २८ ॥
कर्णौ हिमागमे विध्येद्धात्र्यङ्कस्थस्य सान्त्वयन् ।
प्राग्दक्षिणं कुमारस्य भिषग्वामं तु योषितः ॥ २९ ॥
दक्षिणेन दधत्सूचीं पालीमन्येन पाणिना ।
मध्यतः कर्णपीठस्य किञ्चिद्गण्डाश्रयं प्रति ॥ ३० ॥
जरायुमात्रप्रच्छन्ने रविरश्म्यवभासिते ।
घृतस्य निश्चलं सम्यगलक्तकरसाङ्किते ॥ ३१ ॥
विध्येद्दैवकृते च्छिद्रे सकृदेवर्जु लाघवात् ।
नोर्ध्वं न पार्श्वतो नाधः सिरास्तत्र हि संश्रिताः ॥ ३२ ॥
कालिकामर्मरीरक्तास्तद्व्यधाद्रागरुग्ज्वराः ।
सशोफदाहसंरम्भमन्यास्तम्भापतानकाः ॥ ३३ ॥
तेषां यथामयं कुर्याद्विभज्याशु चिकित्सितम् ।
स्थाने व्यधान्न रुधिरं न रुग्रागादिसम्भवः ॥ ३४ ॥
During the sixth, seventh or eighth month, on an auspicious day, the ears of the healthy baby should be punched, during winter, keeping the baby in the lap of the Dhatri (nursing mother) and cajoling it. The right ear should be punctured first, if the baby is a male and the left ear if she is female. The physician should hold the needle with his right hand and the earlobe with the other hand (left), the site of the puncture should be in the centre of the lobe slightly towards the cheeks, it should be smeared with thin layer just like Jarayu (foetal covering) with the juice of Laksa (Laccifer lacca) which then shines like the sun rays, and on which a lump of solid ghee stays steady, should be marked out and puncturing should be done at (near) the orifice created by God, only once, straight and lightly; neither high up, nor to the side nor too low, because siras (veins) called Kalika, Marmari, and Rakta are situated there only (which are to be avoided) and by cutting them redness, pain, fever associated with mild swelling, burning sensation (of the pinna) rigidity of the neck and tetanus will be produced. In these, quick treatment should be done by considering the particular disease. Puncturing at the correct site neither leads to bleeding nor appearance of pain, redness etc.

Karna Vedhana : Puncturing the ear-lobe

स्नेहाक्तं सूच्यनुस्यूतं सूत्रं चानु निधापयेत् ।
आमतैलेन सिञ्चेच्च बहलां तद्वदारया ॥ ३५ ॥
विध्येत्पालीं हितभुजः सञ्चार्याथ स्थवीयसी ।
वर्तिस्त्र्यहात्ततो रूढं वर्धयेत शनैः शनैः ॥ ३६ ॥
After puncturing the ear lobe, a thread soaked in fat (oil or ghee) should be put into the hole with the help of the needle, (thread is passed into the eye of the needle and then needle pulled out after causing the puncture) and the site is bathed with raw (uncooked) oil, in the same manner. The thick earlobe should be punctured with the thick needle, after feeding the baby with good food, after a lapse of three days, a bigger/ thicker thread should be insertedinto the orifice and be widened slowly (in due course of time by inserting thicker materials, ear ornaments etc.)

Breastmilk weaning

अथैनं जातदशनं क्रमेणापनयेत्स्तनात् ।
पूर्वोक्तं योजयेत्क्षीरमन्नं च लघु बृंहणम् ॥ ३७ ॥
After the eruptions of the teeth, the baby should be taken away from the breast (stop breast feeding) slowly (over long periods). She should then be fed with milk described earlier (in verse no 20) and anna (boiled rice or other boiled foods) which is easily digested and stoutening.

Diet after 02 weaning

प्रियालमज्जमधुकमधुलाजसितोपलैः ।
अपस्तनस्य संयोज्यः प्रीणनो मोदकः शिशोः ॥ ३८ ॥
दीपनो बालबिल्वैलाशर्करालाजसक्तुभिः ।
सङ्ग्राही धातकीपुष्पशर्करालाजतर्पणैः ॥ ३९ ॥
Sweet balls prepared with fruit kernel of Buchanania lanzan, madhuka – Glycyrrhiza glabra, madhu – honey, lāja – parched paddy, sugar candy should be given to the child after weaning (withdrawal of breastmilk). It gives pleasure / contentment That prepared with tender fruits of bilva – Aegle marmelos, elā – Elettaria cardamomum, sugar and powder of parched paddy, kindles digestion; nutritive drink prepared with flower of Woodfordia fruticosa, sugar, and parched paddy, is water absorbent (causes constipation).

Management of complications of weaning

रोगांश्चास्य जयेत्सौम्यैर्भेषजैरविषादकैः ।
अन्यत्रात्ययिकाद्व्याधेर्विरेकं सुतरां त्यजेत् ॥ ४० ॥
Its (of the baby) diseases should be cured / treated with herbs/ medicines which are mild, not causing discomfort, except in emergency diseases administration of purgatives should be strictly avoided.

Protecting a fearful baby

त्रासयेन्नाविधेयं तं त्रस्तं गृह्णन्ति हि ग्रहाः ।
वस्त्रवातात्परस्पर्शात्पालयेल्लङ्घनाच्च तम् ॥ ४१ ॥
The baby should not be frightened/threatened even though disobedient (irritable), because evil spirits will seize (take possession) the frightened baby. She should be protected from cloths (rough and thick coverings which cause suffocation etc.), breeze, touch by others (than the mother) and fasting (lack of food).

Brahmi Ghritham

ब्राह्मीसिद्धार्थकवचाशारिवाकुष्ठसैन्धवैः ।
सकणैः साधितं पीतं वाङ्मेधास्मृतिकृद्घृतम् ॥ ४२ ॥
आयुष्यं पाप्मरक्षोघ्नं भूतोन्मादनिबर्हणम् ।
Medicated ghee prepared with brāhmī – Bacopa monnieri, siddhārthaka – Brassica juncea, vacā – Acorus calamus, śārivā – Hemidesmus indicus, kuṣṭha – Saussurea lappa, – rock salt ,sakaṇaiḥ Piper longum and if consumed bestows good speech (voice), intelligence, memory and long life; protects from sins, and evil spirits, insanity due to possession by evil spirits gets cured.

Ashtanga Sarpi

वचेन्दुलेखामण्डूकीशङ्खपुष्पीशतावरीः ॥ ४३ ॥
ब्रह्मसोमामृताब्राह्मीः कल्कीकृत्य पलांशिकाः ।
अष्टाङ्गं विपचेत्सर्पिः प्रस्थं क्षीरचतुर्गुणम् ॥ ४४ ॥
तत्पीतं धन्यमायुष्यं वाङ्मेधास्मृतिबुद्धिकृत् ।
Medicated ghee is prepared with the paste of one pala (48 grams) each of vaca – Acorus calamus, indulekhā – Psoralea corylifolia, maṇḍūkī – Centella asiatica, śaṅkhapuṣpī – Convolvulus pluricaulis, śatāvarīḥ – Asparagus racemosus, brahmasomā – Butea monosperma / Ephedra vulgaris,amṛtā – Tinospora cordifolia, brāhmīḥ – and Bacopa Monnieri one Prastha (768 grams) of ghee and four parts (3.072 litre) of milk This Asthanga Ghrta, if consumed is benevolent (wards of evil), bestows long life, good speech (voice), intelligence, memory and good mind.

Sarasvata Ghrita

अजाक्षीराभयाव्योषपाठोग्राशिग्रुसैन्धवैः ॥ ४५ ॥
सिद्धं सारस्वतं सर्पिर्वाङ्मेधास्मृतिवह्निकृत् ।
Medicated ghee prepared with goat’s milk, abhayā – Terminalia chebula, Vyosa (Black pepper – Piper nigrum, Long pepper fruit – Piper longum and Ginger – Zingiber officinale), pāṭhā – Cissampelos pareira, ugrā – Acorus calamus, śigru – Moringa oleífera saindhavaiḥ – and rock salt known as Sarasvata Sarpis (ghrta) confers good speech (voice), intelligence, memory and digestive capacity.

Vachadi Ghrita

वचामृताशठीपथ्याशङ्खिनीवेल्लनागरैः ॥ ४६ ॥
अपामार्गेण च घृतं साधितं पूर्ववद्गुणैः ।
Medicated ghee prepared with vacā – Acorus calamus, amṛtā – Tinospora cordifolia, śaṭhī – Hedychium spicatum, pathyā – Terminalia chebula, śaṅkhinī – Canscora decussata, vella – Embelia ribes, nāgaraiḥ – Zingiber officinale apāmārgeṇa ca – and Achyranthes aspera is similar to the earlier (in properties).

Hemadi Yoga

हेम श्वेतवचा कुष्ठमर्कपुष्पी सकाञ्चना ॥ ४७ ॥
हेम मत्स्याक्षकः शङ्खः कैडर्यः कनकं वचा ।
चत्वार एते पादोक्ताः प्राशा मधुघृतप्लुताः ॥ ४८ ॥
वर्षं लीढा वपुर्मेधाबलवर्णकराः शुभाः ।
Gold, white variety of Acorus calamus and Saussurea lappa; arkapuṣpī – Holostemma ada-kodien and Bezoar; gold, matsyākṣakaḥ – Bacopa Monnieri śaṅkhaḥ – and Convolvulus pluricaulis, kaiḍaryaḥ – Murraya koenigii, kanakaṃ – Datura metel vacā – and Acorus calamus catvāra – these four groups of herbs mentioned in each quarter verse, consumed mixed with honey and ghee, licked for a period of one year bestow good body growth, intelligence, strength, colour (and complexion) and goodness.

Vachadi Ghrita

वचायष्ट्याह्वसिन्धूत्थपथ्यानागरदीप्यकैः ॥ ४९ ॥
शुध्यते वाग्घविर्लीढैः सकुष्ठकणजीरकैः ॥ ४९ऊअब् ॥
Medicated ghee prepared with vacā – Acorus calamus, yaṣṭyāhva – Glycyrrhiza glabra, sindhūttha – rock salt, pathyā – Terminalia chebula nāgara – Zingiber officinale, dīpyakaiḥ – Trachyspermum ammi kuṣṭha – Saussurea lappa, kaṇa – Piper longum ,jīrakaiḥ -Cuminum cyminum, licked (daily) purifies the speech (voice).

इति श्री वैद्यपति सिंहगुप्तसूनु श्रीमद्वाग्भटविरचितायामष्टाङ्गहृदयसंहितायां षष्ठे उत्तरस्थाने बालोपचरणीयो नाम प्रथमोऽध्याय: ॥ १ ॥
Thus, ends the chapter- Balopacaraniya the first in Uttarasthna of Astanga Hrdaya Samhita composed by Srimad Vaghata, Son of sri Vaidyapati Simhagupta.