In the miraculous journey of pregnancy, the first trimester is a time of profound significance. It marks the inception of a new life within the womb, a life that holds infinite possibilities and potential. At Krishna Coming, we understand the importance of this transformative period, and in this article, we explore the incredible concept of Garbh Sanskar and how it can positively influence your baby's development during these crucial early weeks.
Garbh Sanskar, a profound tradition, is not just a set of rituals but a holistic approach to nurturing the unborn child's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It recognizes the profound connection between the mother and the developing fetus, emphasizing the power of the mother's thoughts, emotions, and environment in shaping the child's future.
The first trimester is a time of rapid development. Your tiny embryo transforms into a recognizable human form. Organs, limbs, and systems begin to take shape. It's during this phase that the foundation for your baby's future is laid. Garbh Sanskar recognizes this critical juncture and offers valuable insights into optimizing this phase.
Recent scientific research has shed light on the connection between Garbh Sanskar practices and epigenetics. Epigenetics explores how environmental factors, including a mother's lifestyle and emotional state, can influence the expression of genes in her child. Garbh Sanskar's emphasis on positivity and well-being aligns with the principles of epigenetics, showcasing its potential to shape a child's genetic destiny.
Although, the practices related to Garbh Sanskar begins from the day you decide to conceive, and the lifestyle to be followed throughout, that practice, should be a lifelong virtue, but there are some specifics as well. In the first trimester generally for the two months there aren't any Vaidic Rituals but at the commencement of the third month according to Vaidic culture the 2nd of the 16 sanskar is to take place, which is known as Punsavan Sanskar.
This Garbh Sanskar in the first trimester ensures that the baby is blessed with supreme intelligence, strength and exceptional mental capabilities. And to achieve such results the parents and the rest of the family members have to create such an environment, which is actually the object of the Punsavan Sanskar. There are some misconceptions about the sanskar itself that it is only for the well being male child, which is totally wrong. Punsavan talks about the birth of a ‘Purusharthi Santan’ which means an industrious child, a strong child whether a boy or a girl.
Punsavan being a Vaidic ritual may seem very complicated to perform but that is not the case, although there are some requisites as it is a ‘Vaidic kriya’ such as yagya with chanting of Vaidic Mantras but that can be performed by any Brahman with good knowledge of Vaidic Karm Kand. Here at Krishna coming we have gathered some of the highly qualified Vaidic scholars and Brahmans who have dedicated their lives learning these Vaidic rituals. They are not only experts in these kriyas they in fact ensure that they are living by the code as suggested in the Veds for a Vaidic Brahman. So if you too want to perform this Sanskar from the comfort of your home and want all the rituals to be performed under the guidance of the experts. Try Krishna Coming Garbh Sanskar App. At Krishna Coming we provide an online Garbh Sanskar Course which has Online Garbh Sanskar classes to help you through these rituals. And not only rituals, the Krishna Coming app has a team of experts from the field of nutrition, meditation, and doctors to guide you through your pregnancy. Try today.
Punsavan sanskar is performed mainly in four stages in the same ceremony these stages are:
These four stages comprise the whole of the Punsavan Sanskar each of the stages have their own significance. Let’s cover them one by one.
Aushadhi Avaghran (Herbal Application):
During the Punsavan Sanskar, a special herbal concoction is administered through the nasal passage of the pregnant woman. In this ritual, drops of Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) extract, a renowned Ayurvedic herb known for its antimicrobial and health-promoting properties, are applied to the nasal passage of the expectant mother along with the chanting of sacred mantras.
Giloy extract is believed to be devoid of impurities and possesses disease-fighting attributes. During the ceremony, the Giloy extract is carefully applied to the nasal
passage of the pregnant woman using a small stick made from the branches of the Giloy plant.
While performing this ritual, the presence of family members and the priest is crucial. They recite a specific mantra, which goes as follows:
“ॐ अदभ्यः सम्भृतः पृथिव्यै रसाच्च, विश्वकर्मणः संवर्त्तताग्रे।
तस्य त्वष्टा विदधद्रूपमेति, तन्मर्त्यस्य देवत्वमाजानमग्रे। “(Rigveda 10.31.17)
It is believed that as the mantra is chanted, the pregnant woman, using her right hand, gently applies the herbal extract to her nasal passage, drawing the breath in. Simultaneously, family members, including the soon-to-be father, place their right hands on the pregnant woman's abdomen and participate in the recitation of the mantra. This collective act is thought to invoke divine blessings and good health for the unborn child.
Garbha Puja (Worship of the Womb)
In Hinduism, the womb is revered as a sacred vessel through which a soul enters the human world. To sanctify this divine process and nurture the unborn child within the womb, the Garbha Puja, or Worship of the Womb, is performed. During this ritual, the pregnant woman and her family members come together to offer prayers and devotion to the developing child.
The Garbha Puja emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and nutrition during pregnancy, which is believed to contribute to the holistic development of the child. It is also customary for the pregnant woman to recite the Gayatri Mantra daily, seeking divine blessings for the well-being of her child.
Ashravastana (Assurance)
"Ashravastana" is a specific and crucial ritual performed during the Punsavan ceremony. Its primary purpose is to create an environment conducive to the complete development of the child within the mother's womb. This ritual involves the invocation of divine powers to ensure that the family members fulfill their responsibilities towards the unborn child with unwavering devotion.
During Ashravastana, the pregnant woman herself makes an assurance that she will not only take care of her diet but will also impart good values to the child by avoiding negative emotions such as jealousy, anger, and faults. This commitment to nurturing the child's emotional and spiritual well-being is central to the ceremony.
Vishesh Ahuti (Special Offering)
The final stage of Punsavan Sanskar, Vishesh Ahuti, centers around a special offering made within the framework of a traditional yagya (ritual sacrifice). It is believed that offerings made during yagyas are sanctified by divine powers, and this belief is carried into the Punsavan ceremony. During Vishesh Ahuti, a unique offering is presented to the fire, accompanied by the recitation of mantras that seek divine blessings for the child's well-being and prosperity. The offering, typically made in the form of rice kheer or Charu, symbolizes the sanctification of food and the earnest desire for blessings. Subsequently, this sanctified food is given to the mother, signifying Charu Pradan, which is a profound act of offering the sanctified food to divine energies for the benefit of the child.
In conclusion, the Punsavan Sanskar is a sacred and elaborate ceremony that seeks divine blessings for the well-being and development of the unborn child. Rooted in deep spiritual beliefs, this ritual emphasizes the importance of a positive and nurturing environment during pregnancy, invoking divine protection, and nurturing the child with values that enrich their future. By understanding the intricacies of each stage, one gains a profound appreciation for the depth of tradition and spirituality within Hindu culture, encapsulated in this timeless rite.