GARBHADAAN SANSKAR

• ‘Sanskara’ in sanskrit means rites which are performed by a human being during the various stages of his life. It is a sacred ceremony. According to the theory of karma, these are the behavioral characters shown by an individual in his journey of life. Some of these traits are formed when a person is in his mother’s womb while some are developed by him over his lifetime.
• These sanskaras have an impact on the person’s subconscious mind. They make a person’s nature. Sanskara varies in number in different traditions. There are 40 sanskaras in Gautam Dharmasutra whereas in Grihasutra, they are 16 in number.
• 16 sanskaras are known as Shodash sanskara. First sanskar is Garbhadaan sanskar. It means the intent of having a child by the couple.

WHAT IS GARBHADAAN SANKARA?

• ‘Garbha’ means foetus and ‘sanskar’ means attaining or educating the child. It is the ceremony performed by the couple before conception. In Ayurveda, it is believed that the child’s mental and behavioral development starts in the mother’s womb. The mother’s happy or sad mood affects the baby’s psychological development.
• Garbhadan sanskara is present in India since Vedic period. There are many examples where mothers are blessed with the baby of their choice by receiving blessings from the rishi munis.
• It is scientifically proven that mother’s thoughts can lead to hormonal secretions in her body which affect the baby.  Garbhadaan sanskara can make a mother feels positive and thus leads to healthy development of the baby.
• In today’s world, the number of mental health disorders are increasing rapidly. It is very necessary for a person to have mental toughness to survive in this world. According to the ancient text, our times is known as Kalyug. All kinds of bad activities, breakdown of relations, lack of affection for our near or loved ones are occuring in this period. Such activities also occurred in the previous yugas but in kalyug, they will reach to its maximum. It is very necessary for the person to have good principles so that he can traverse his life’s journey with peace.
• A child always learns from his parents. They are his guru. What a father or a mother does or tells his child, he will do the same. So they should do good karmas, for their child to be physically and mentally healthy. They can clean their baby’s karma by maintaining good deeds before conception. It has an effect on genetic environment of the child. This will make his behavior or nature.
• In Hindu tradition, there are many examples of how garbhadaan sanskar had a positive effect on some of the most famous mythological characters like Abhimanyu, Prahlad, etc. They attained enlightenment in mother’s womb with garbhadaan sansakra.
• Everyone wants a healthy child. Garbhadaan sankara is not focused solely on the child, it works on the mother also. There are various activities like lifestyle and diet changes which are recommended to the mother in garbhadaan sanskara. A healthy and positive mother can definitely bear a healthy child.

WHEN TO START GARBHADAAN SANSKAR

• It is started one year before conception. The couple will perform celibacy or brahmacharya for purification of their bodies. By making their bodies pure, they can call good souls in the womb.
• Garbhadan sanskara covers prenatal, natal and breast feeding phases of the mother. They guide parents until 2 years of the birth of the child.

GUIDELINES FOR GARBHADAAN SANSKARA

Garbhadaan sanskara helps in making the mother physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy. There are certain guidelines which are given to the pregnant women. These are:

Healthy diet

• A well balanced diet is very important in pregnancy as whole of the child’s development is dependent on it.
• According to Ayurveda,  Ahara rasa is nutrition which is obtained by the mother. It helps in her nourishment, formation of breast milk and growth of the child.
• A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is recommended.
• Mother should eat sattavik food. The food should be fresh.
• There should be balanced amount of iron, calcium and folic acid.
• Panchamrit should be given to the mother. Panchamrit means a preparation made from five things. These are: milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar. It is very beneficial and increases mother’s immunity.
• Drugs and alcohol intake is strictly prohibited.

Positive mindset 

• Pregnancy can make a mother irritable and moody. Sometimes it gets difficult for the mother to manage her emotions.
• A mother should do such things which makes her feel happy. She could develop a hobby also.

Yoga or pranayama

• Light exercises improves blood circulation and thereby improves flexibility of the body.
• It reduces backache which is a common symptom of pregnancy. Due to weight of the child,  lordosis of the lower back occurs. It causes pain.
• Pranayama or breathing exercises calms the mind and relaxes body.
• Particular yoga asanas if performed by the mother increases her chances of having a full term normal delivery and with minimum labor pain.  

Meditation 

• It is an essential aspect of garbhadaan sanskara. It calms the mind and thus leads to decreased stress level.
• It helps in getting into the zero state of mind, thereby gives tranquility to the mother.
• Also, a mother should visualize good things about the child while meditating. It will develop a strong and positive bond between the mother and the child.

Listening music 

• According to Ayurveda, a baby responds to the external stimulus like movies, music, etc. seen or listened by the mother.
• A baby starts listening to the outside voices from fourth month of pregnancy.
• A mother should listen soft and soothing music. She should listen spiritual songs or bhajans or hymns. These all have an impact on the child.

Reading calm or spiritual texts

• Garbhadhaan sanskara suggests mother to read spiritual and educational books. With spiritual texts she will have a sense of contentment. While reading something educative, it shapes the child’s personality in the womb.
• Books with good moral stories are recommended. But if mother enjoys some other stuff, she can read it too.

Prayer 

• It is a very important part of garbhadaan sanskara. If a mother does prayer and reads ancient scriptures, it will have a positive effect on the child’s mind.
• The child will have good health and moral values. It is a part of his spiritual development.

Consuming medicated cow’s ghee during pregnancy

• Medicated ghee made from cow’s milk is given to the mother from 4th to 9th month of pregnancy. 
• It is very beneficial for the child’s physical and mental development.
• With consumption of medicated ghee, a mother have more chances of normal delivery.
• However, doctor’s consultation is needed.