Prashana, Prāśana, Prāsana: 15 definitions
Introduction:
Prashana means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Prāśana can be transliterated into English as Prasana or Prashana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Prāśana (प्राशन) refers to the ceremony of “first time tasting food”, which is mentioned as one of the fire-rituals related to the kuṇḍa (“fire-pit”), according to the various Āgamas and related literature. Prāśana is mentioned in the Vīra-āgama (chapter 41). The Makuṭa-āgama (chapter 6) mentions Annaprāśana.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Prāśana (प्राशन) refers to the “ceremonial licking up (of the remains of libation)” (performed during the marriage ceremony), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.50 (“Description of fun and frolic”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] At the behest of the Brahmins, Śiva applied Red powder on the head of Pārvatī. The lustre of Pārvatī at that time was beyond description and very wondrous. Thereafter at the bidding of the Brahmins both sat on the same cushion and attained such a lustre as accentuated joy in the hearts of the devotees. O sage, then they returned to their apartment and, at my behest performed the rite of Saṃsrava Prāśana, of wonderful sportive nature that they were. [...]”.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Prāśana (प्राशन) refers to “taking (newly harvested) food”, as discussed in 4 of the (fourth section of the) Bṛhadbrahmasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text containing over 4600 Sanskrit verses dealing primarily with Vaiṣṇava theology and practical matters concerning the Śrī-Vaiṣṇava community but also discussing aspects of Viśiṣṭādvaita philosophy.—Description of the chapter [śrāddha-vidhāna]: [...] Brahmā reminds the listening sages of the necessity to maintain the pitṛyāgas without lapse throughout their lives (69-72). As for the other times when śrāddha-rites may additionally be done, these are listed: e.g., at eclipses, at the time of taking newly harvested food [? navānna-prāśana], at holy rivers, at pilgrimage spots, at consecration rites, etc. (73-81). [...]
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
prāśana (प्राशन).—n (S) Drinking: also drinking in or absorbing.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Prāśana (प्राशन).—
1) Eating, feeding upon, tasting.
2) Causing to eat, or taste; मन्त्रवत् प्राशनं चास्य हिरण्यमधुसर्पिषाम् (mantravat prāśanaṃ cāsya hiraṇyamadhusarpiṣām) Manusmṛti 2.29.
3) Food.
Derivable forms: prāśanam (प्राशनम्).
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Prāsana (प्रासन).—
1) Throwing, hurling, casting.
2) Throwing down.
Derivable forms: prāsanam (प्रासनम्).
Prāśana (प्राशन).—n.
(-naṃ) 1. Feeding, causing to taste or eat. 2. Tasting E. pra before, aś to eat, intransitive or causal v., lyuṭ aff.
Prāśana (प्राशन).—i. e. pra- 2. aś + ana, n. 1. Causing to eat, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 2, 29. 2. Eating, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 5, 144.
Prāśana (प्राशन).—[neuter] eating, feeding.
1) Prāśana (प्राशन):—[from prāś] n. eating, feeding upon, tasting, [Gṛhya-sūtra and śrauta-sūtra] etc. etc.
2) [v.s. ...] ([from] [Causal]) causing to eat, feeding ([especially] the first feeding of a child; cf. anna-pr), [Manu-smṛti; Yājñavalkya]
3) [v.s. ...] food, victuals (cf. amṛta-pr), [Mahābhārata; Rāmāyaṇa; Harivaṃśa]
4) Prāsana (प्रासन):—[from prāsa > prās] n. throwing forth or away or down, throwing, casting, [???; Jaimini]
Prāśana (प्राशन):—[prā+śana] (naṃ) 1. n. Feeding; tasting.
Prāśana (प्राशन):—(von 2. aś mit pra) n. das Essen, Geniessen; Speise [Kātyāyana’s Śrautasūtrāṇi 6, 10, 30. 12, 3, 18.] [Śāṅkhāyana’s Gṛhyasūtrāṇi 1, 27. 3, 8.] [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 2, 29. 5, 144.] [Yājñavalkya’s Gesetzbuch 3, 307.] [Mahābhārata 2, 710. 3, 4007. 12, 6722] (a). [Harivaṃśa 14329.] [Bhāgavatapurāṇa.6,14,30.] [Oxforder Handschriften 30,b,30. 33.] anna (s. auch besonders) [Pāraskara’s Gṛhyasūtrāṇi 1, 19.] [ĀŚV. GṚHY. 1, 16.] nivāsaṃ tasya dāsyāmi prāśanaṃ cāmṛtopamam [Harivaṃśa 2560.] lohitaprāśanaiḥ (adj.) khagaiḥ [Mahābhārata 4, 1715.] amṛta Nektar zur Speise habend so v. a. ein Gott [Rāmāyaṇa 1, 16, 4. 6, 4, 7.] — Vgl. nava .
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Prāsana (प्रासन):—(von 2. as mit pra) n. das Werfen, Wegwerfen, Hinwerfen: tṛṇa [LĀṬY. 2, 2, 3.] śamyā [10, 19, 5.] āhavanīye [Kātyāyana’s Śrautasūtrāṇi 2, 6, 51. 12, 1. 16. 16, 1, 19. 22.]
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Prāśana (प्राशन):—= anna [Oxforder Handschriften 291,b, No. 707.]
Prāśana (प्राशन):——
1) n. — a) das Essen , Geniessen. — b) Essen , Speise. — c) die erste Fütterung des Kindes mit Reis. —
2) prāśanī das Geniessen in rasa [Vaitānasūtra]
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Prāsana (प्रासन):—n. das Werfen , Wegwerfen , Hinwerfen [Vaitānasūtra] [Jaimini's Mimāṃsādarśana 4,2,16.]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
Prāśana (प्राशन) [Also spelled prashan]:—(nm) feeding; the first feeding of a child.
...
Kannada-English dictionary
Prāśana (ಪ್ರಾಶನ):—
1) [noun] a taking of a food in small quantity and tasting it.
2) [noun] to cause to eat; to feed.
3) [noun] any food.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Prāśana (प्राशन):—n. eating; tasting;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+0): Prashanarthiya.
Full-text (+28): Annaprashana, Ghritaprashana, Navaprashana, Madhuprashana, Utprashana, Amritaprashana, Aprashana, Amritapana-prashana, Anguliprashana, Vishaprashana, Shamyaprasana, Trinaprasana, Prasan, Samsravaprashana, Madhuparkaprashana, Navannaprashana, Shamyaprasa, Annashana, Prashanin, Prashani.
Relevant text
Search found 46 books and stories containing Prashana, Prāśana, Prasana, Prāsana; (plurals include: Prashanas, Prāśanas, Prasanas, Prāsanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Mimamsa in Medhatithi (study) (by A. R. Joshi)
Definition of Pratipatti Karma in Mimamsa < [Part 3.18 - Pratipatti Karma]
Punarvacana in Manubhasya 2.174 < [Part 3.18 - Pratipatti Karma]
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Effect of swarna prashan on healthy and malnourished children. < [2023: Volume 12, October issue 17]
Ayurvedic method of diagnosis, prevention and cure of hair fall (alopecia) < [2018: Volume 7, February issue 3]
A review on – sarve indriyanam nayanam pradhanam < [2021: Volume 10, October issue 12]
International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga
Immunomodulator Effect of Swarna Prashana (Oral Administration of Gold as... < [Vol. 5 No. 6: Jun (2022)]
Concept of Swarnaprashana As Jatakarma Samskara (Birth ritual) < [Vol. 4 No. 1: Jan (2021)]
Effect of Swarna Prashana (Oral Administration of Gold as Electuary) in Children < [Vol. 6 No. 5: May (2023)]
Agriculture and Animal husbandry in the Puranas (by Purboshri Borpuzari)
Part 26 - Agricultural Products Used as Gifts < [Chapter 2 - Agriculture and its importance]
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
Review on internal use of Gold in the form of Suvarnaprashana in Pediatric... < [Vol. 8 No. 5 (2023)]
Contribution of Sushruta Samhita in the field of Kaumarbhritya - An Insight View < [Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025)]
Ayurvedic view of Immunization in 21st Century - A Review Article < [Vol. 3 No. 04 (2018)]