Abhishek: Swamiji pranam you are requested to guide me that what are the sanskaras to be taken by the pregnant mother and sanskaras to be given to child after birth for all round development of the child.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you.
In this regard, I paste my relevant articles. If some knowledge is yet required then you may send your requirements through E-Mail. In addition, a lady must study religious books, books on social virtues, bravery during the whole period of pregnancy which create pious effect on the heart of baby. Several spiritual books have been written by me, with the grace of the God, a list of which is also appended below. If you desire, you may send your requirement and postal address, please.
Tips for Pregnancy
It is said in four Vedas that “Mother is the creator of child’s future.” It is in her hands that how she builds her child’s future by adopting good spiritual preaches, which are all mentioned in four Vedas. Some of the aforesaid preaches are written here.
Always be cheerful, wear pious ornaments, wear quite light coloured clothes and not dark, should keep peace in her mind, think welfare of others, should serve her Acharya/Guru (who knows Vedas), avoid such things which can cause anxiety to her.
She should not take stale food, dry food like fried vegetables etc. She should not go in haunted house, cremation ground, shouldn’t stand under the tree at night, shouldn’t get annoyed, or shout. Try to be in happy-pleasant mood all times because this all affects the baby to be a wise.
When a baby is in womb then mother’s every action plays important role in building child’s physique. For child’s physical and mental growth, a mother should be careful about her eating habits and way of living so that it should not affect the child in anyway.
At this stage, simple living and high thinking counts. At this stage mother should recite Gayatri mantra and repeat the name of God both times and read spiritual books because it makes the future of baby bright. Good sceneries and spiritual photos must be seen and baseless photos, baseless talk must be avoided.
Precautions
Don’t sit on heels. Do not go up and down. Asan on which you sit should be soft. Don’t try to restrain the flow of bathroom, toilet, gas etc. Do not do work hard. Do not take hot and heavy eatables, also do not starve yourself. Don’t see the shallow regions like trenches, gorges, pits anything which is deep like well etc.
Pregnant lady should not put her body to motion frequently. Her body should be kept at rest position as far as possible. Always look at good things and not ugly sights, listen good preach etc. Do not lie on back, lie on body side.
Do not take non-vegetarian food. Food having addiction should be avoided. Deeds which our perceptions and organs restrain to do, immediately leave that deed in all respect. Food should be simple, juicy and tasty.
When mother enters in 5th month the mind of child is more active, in 6th month intellect, in 7th organs are developed. So a mother should do pious deeds because every action of mother affects the unborn baby unknowingly.
In 8th month, a pregnant lady has two hearts. One heart is her own and the other is of the baby. In this month special attention is to be given so a mother should be very much careful about it.
For good growth of child and a mother following things can be adopted:
1. In 1st month plain, cold milk should be taken. Take beneficial and nutritive food.
2. In second month lady should take milk having medicinal qualities (in which you can put elayachi, chhuara etc.) after sieving you can have it.
3. In 3rd month take 2 small tablespoon of honey and 1 small tablespoon of ghee in milk. NOTE —-NEVER TAKE IN EQUAL PROPORTION BECAUSE IT IS FATAL.
4. In 4th month mix one tola (app. 10gms) pf fresh butter in milk.
5. In 5th have milk with ghee in it.
6. In 6th and 7th month have milk with kishmish, elayachi, chhuara etc. (these all are applicable if digested, otherwise take advice from physician to take better food.)
7. In 7th month, the pregnant lady experiences itching in her skin specially on her womb’s skin. As far as possible she should tolerate it and should restrain from using her nails over the effected area. She should apply the extract of sandal wood and lotus over her breast and stomach. Other option is that she may apply the mustard oil prepared by boiling sirs’s peel, flower of guava, mustard seeds, mulathi, (these are all medicinal herbs mentioned in Atharvaveda.)
In case itching is not tolerated then she may casually apply her hand over the effected area. Restrain eating sour, bitter, fried food, use less salt, have sweet food and lot of water (at least more than 15 glasses a day). Do not let yourself be effected by constipation. So to avoid constipation have milk with Gulkand.
Please pay attention to these advices because these lead to formation of sanskars on the child, which have a great importance to make child’s future. There are 16 sanskars in human life which are mentioned in our eternal four Vedas.
Human body is blessed by God to attain the salvation during family life and while discharging all duties of family. We should do pious deeds such as Yajyen, yoga practice. In the past three yugas dignities like Vyas Muni, Shri Ram, Mata Sita, Shri Krishna, all did yajyen, yoga practice while living in their family life and doing their respective duties towards Acharya, family, nation etc., and at last they achieved their goal of salvation. So we too should adopt this eternal, Vedic and pious path to achieve the same. Again it is in the hands of a mother to build a good and shining future for her child.
Sanskaars
Soul residing within body is an eternal, immortal, indestructible matter. It is the body which perishes, is subjected to death and decay and finally burnt in the flames of pyre. But soul abandons the body on death and enters another body according to previous lives’ deeds (karmas). Atharvaveda mantra 7/67/1 and 5/1/2 say about rebirth. The mantras say that if a person does pious deeds according to Ved, shastras and holy books, then he gets human life again with all happiness to continue worship. Geeta shloka 13/8 also enumerates birth-death, old- age, disease as sources of sorrow. Yog shastra sutra 2/9 also states death to be the biggest cause of sufferings and distress. However, with the grace of God, man has taken birth to mitigate and finally remove all sufferings and distress.
There is no doubt that Vedas are the most ancient holy texts on the earth in which God Himself has explained the secrets of all universal matters, worldly/spiritual such as responsibility- actions/ deeds, science, worship etc. to man. Since the beginning of earth Aryans have been knowing the date of process of creation of universe and this fact has even been hinted in Yajurveda mantra 15/65. Accordingly, the age of present earth dates back to approximately 1 arab 96 crores 8 lakh 53 thousand years.
At the beginning of each creation, the knowledge of 4 Vedas emanates from God and is originated in the heart of four Rishis. (Rigveda mantra 10/109/1 and 10/181/1 refers). This is the reason that God has been called as first guru of Rishis (as per Yog shastra sutra 1/26) and after that Rishis and Munis give the knowledge of Vedas to human beings. For that matter Vedas knowledge is eternal which emanates directly from GOD and it is most important for human beings to do deep study of Vedas. Just as father does everything which is in the best interest of his children, similarly GOD is father to whole world and He does the best for the welfare of mankind selflessly by creating universe and providing all material to live upon. In fact it is for the welfare of mankind that GOD has given the eternal knowledge of four Vedas to whole mankind. Moreover, GOD has given the knowledge of 16 sanskars in Vedas to remove innumerable sufferings/sorrows of humans in the form of old age, diseases, birth death and so on.
Since these sanskars have been elaborated in Vedas, therefore study of Vedas is imperative to know about these sanskars. By sansaar it is meant that just as a child erases any incorrect thing written with pencil and then writes correct word on the same rubbed place similarly on performing sanskars any bad deed causing sorrows etc. imprinted on chitta gets erased and pious, beneficial sanskars get imprinted on chitta which leads to destruction of all bad karmas and consequently soul escapes from facing the outcome of bad karmas i.e. sorrows.
In fact, the soul enjoys happiness which is the result of pious good karmas. Sanskar ceremony is performed in Yajyen only thus Yajyen and Acharya possessing eternal knowledge of Vedas are indispensable for performing sanskars. This statement can be supported by a historical example that all sanskars of Sri Ram were performed by Guru Vasishth and of Sri Krishna by Rishi Sandeepan and other rishis and so is the case of all ancient public. It is through the performance of these sanskars that the soul conquers above quoted problems like birth-death, old age, disease etc. while performing each sanskar, divine blessings are showered by both, GOD and Acharya/learned possessing knowledge of Vedas on one to all participating in ceremony i.e. children, young and elderly people for a long, happy life etc. However due to lack of knowledge of Vedas and thus under the influence of most of the saints of present times, who are against the Vedas, the public has deviated from true path and abandoned performance of these sanskars, study and listening of Vedas and practice of ashtang yoga and consequently this ignorance has put a question mark over the bright future of people all over the world which was made bright by performing the sanskars. Yajyen is indispensable for the performance of each of the 16 sanskars which may be elaborated as under.
The sixteen sanskars are performed under guidance of a learned Guru who knows Vedas because in every sanskar the havan is performed with Vedic mantras. These all were performed in Satyug, Dwapur, treta yuga and too by Shri Ram, Shri Krishna, etc.
1. Garbhdhan Sanskar — which is performed just after marriage and before pregnancy to have a good baby.
2. Punsvan sanskar — which is performed just after pregnancy of second or third month.
3. Seemantonnayan sanskar — in 4th, 6th or in 8th month of pregnancy.
4. Jaatkaram Sanskar — just after birth of a baby i.e., on the same day.
5. Naamkaran sanskar — after 101 days of birth in which name of the baby is announced.
6. Nishkramann sanskar — when the mother and baby comes out of the house. In the 3rd or 4th month totravel or to go anywhere.
7. Annprasahnn sanskar — in the 6th month of the baby after birth on the same day of birth. In this sanskarthe baby is allowed to take solid food because up to 5th month baby had been taking milk/water only.
8. Chudakaram sanskar i.e., Mundan sanskar—in the first or third year.
9. Karannbhed sanskar— ear piercing ceremony.
10. Upnayan sanskar i.e., allowing baby to go to school for first time.
11. Vedaarambh sanskar i.e., to start study of Vedas in 6 to 8 years.
12. Samavartan sanskar — i.e., the baby has attained the knowledge of Vedas. It is performed in the age of fourteen years.
13. Vivah sanskar i.e., marriage ceremony.
14. Vanprasth sanskar — in the age of 51 plus.
15. Sanyas sanskar — in the age of 75 plus or at any age when anyone becomes ascetic.
16. Then the last, Antyeshti sanskar when death comes. This sanskar is of dead body i.e., cremation
Chanting of Gayatri Mantra
Please, start the day by chanting Gayatri mantra in the early morning sitting on suitable asan like Sukhasan, Siddhasan or Padmasan etc. concentrate on the point between two eyebrows which is called “Agyachakra”. The Gayatri mantra should be chanted along with its meaning both times. Also, please try to perform daily hawan even with Gayatri mantra. Then try to study any of my books daily and put up question if any.
After 15 days chant the Gayatri mantra only thrice thereafter do the name jaap of Almighty God-“Om”. The jaap must be done daily by heart and not orally.
The Gayatri mantra is as follows —
OM BHURBHUVAHA SWAHA TATA SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGODEVASYA DHIMAHI DHIYO YO NHA PRACHODYAT
Meaning of Gayatri mantra stating each word is as follows. Its meaning is based on Vedas and Sanskrit grammar. Grammatical hints are in short please.
Om has three Hindi words. Aa, Uu AND Ma. Aa is meant for Aakaar from which three names of God are built,Viraat, Agni, and Vishwadi. From Uu = uukar from which Hiranyagarbha, Vaayu and Tejas names occur andMa = makaar from which Ishwar, Aditya and Praajyan aadi, holy names of God occur. Rigveda mantra 1/164/46 says God is one but His names are several. But here OM the holy name of God is only being explained.
VIRAAT= Viraat word is made from dhatu ‘Rajrideeptau’ i.e., manifest. Therefore Viraat means He who manifests the universe. As God manifests the universe, thus Viraat is the name of God. Rigveda mandal 10, sukta 129 states that like potter makes pot from clay, similarly God creates universe from non-alive matter prakriti. Prakriti is unseen matter. From unseen matter, the whole universe is created in the visible form. Science also says that matter is never destroyed but changes its form. Suppose a paper is burnt, paper changes its form into ashes. Then ashes are crushed and thrown in air. At this moment, the paper changed into ashes becomes invisible but was never destroyed. Similarly the whole universe at the time of finaldestruction is turned into prakriti i.e., into unseen form.
AGNI = From dhatu, ” ANCHU GATI POOJANAYOHO” the word “AGNI is made. Its meaning is — He who is a form of wisdom. “SARVAJAYEN” i.e., omniscient. I.e., knows even every atom of universe and even beyonduniverse too. He who is to be known, to be gained and worshippable. So agni is the name of God.
VISHWA = Vishwa word is made from dhatu, “VISHPRAVESHANE”. Its meaning is in whom the universe is entering or He is entering the universe. So being omnipresent, Vishwa is the name of God.
HIRANGARBHA = i.e., ” JYOTIRVAYIHIRANYAM”. Its meaning is, who is the base of all sun, etc., luminous lokas or He who is the living place of all luminous lokas.
VAAYU = from dhatu, “VA GATIGANDHANYOHO”, vaayu word is made. Its meaning is He who holds, gives life and destroys and the mightiest amongst all. So the name of God is Vaayu.
TEJ = from dhatu, “TIJA NISHANE”, the word Tej is made who is self made and self-enlighted and gives light to sun, moon, stars etc. God does not take light from anywhere else but gives light to sun, moon, stars, etc. so the unbroken, unobstructed/unproduced and eternal shape of light is Almighty God and not sun, moon etc. So the name of God is Tej.
ISHWAR = from dhatu, “ISH ASHWERIYE”, the word Ishwar is made. Its meaning is whose knowledge is thoughtful and true and has unlimited wealth, fortune and glory etc. Therefore the name of God is Ishwar. Here it is not out of place to mention that soul (man/woman) has limited qualities and are dependent whereas God is independent and has unlimited qualities that is why He is God.
ADITYA = from dhatu, “DO AVAKHANDANE”, Aditya word is made. Its meaning is the one who cannot be broken into pieces and thus cannot be destroyed. So God’s name is Aditya.
PRAJAYEN (PRAGYA) = from dhatu, “JYEN AVABODHANE”, Prajayen word is made whose wisdom is totally without any misunderstanding and thus he who knows every Manner and behavior of whole universe without misunderstanding. So God’s name is Prajayen. So here also it not out of place to mention that illusion can never attack on God and God is totally free from illusion.
BHUHU= “BHUHU ITI VAYEE PRANAHA” i.e., He who is the base of lives of universe, is most beloved, even more than Pran i.e., breath. So Bhuhu is the name of God.
BHUVAHA= “BHUVAHA ITI APANAHA” i.e., He who is totally free from any sorrow, and with whose contact, the soul removes his all sorrow. So the name of God is Bhuvaha.
SWAHA= i.e., “SWAHA ITI VYANAHE” who is omnipresent in the universe and is holding the same. So the name of God is Swaha.
SAVITUHU = He who creates the universe. So the name of God is Savituhu.
DEVSYA= who gives all pleasure/merriment, so the name of God is Dev.
VARENYAM = He who is the most supreme and acceptable. God is most supreme and acceptable for worship.
BHARGAHA = the purest entity (though God is formless, but finding no suitable English word of Sanskrit word, “SUDH SWARUPAM” the word entity has been used.)
TAT = i.e., the God i.e., of the purest entity.
DHIMAHI = i.e., we must hold (sort of meditation) because
YAHA = the God
NAHA = our,
DHIYAHA = mind (i.e., in our minds)
PRACHODYAT = by inspiration (fulfil the mind with wisdom)
MEANING
“We meditate the God who is the base of lives’ of universe, totally free from any sorrow, omnipresent, creates the universe, gives all pleasure/merriment,most supreme and acceptable, purest entity; May the God enlighten our minds with wisdom by His inspiration”.
Here it is not out of place to mention that idea of a (one) Ved mantra is based on ideas of several Ved mantras. So in the above Gaytri mantra, there are three things —-
Bhuhu, Bhuvaha, Swaha, Savituhu, Bhargaha, Devsya are some qualities amongst unlimited qualities of God. These are called Stuti i.e., to say about God with His real qualities and not self made etc.
Secondly Dhimahi means meditation i.e., one should always sit in meditation and do hard and pious deeds for which he will have to study Vedas in full, while discharging moral duties towards family and nation.
Third and last is DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODYAT. It is a prayer to God explanation of which is cited above.
In the above mantra we pray to God but mere prayer does not solve the purpose until we do hard work according to the prayer.
As regards pronunciation of Gayatri mantra, either you may contact any learned acharya locally or a cassette with recitation of Gayatri mantra by me can be sent to you on receipt of your postal address, if you so desire, the price of cassette will be worth Rs.20/- excluding postal charges
How to do havan
Please sit in the morning to perform havan. Havan must be in sunlight then it is more beneficial. Then half a bowl of fresh water with a tablespoon must be with you with small twigs especially of mango tree if possible, havan samagri, ghee, camphor and match box must be there with you. Please sit on sukh asan on four times folded blanket and blanket must be on mat.
Sukh asan i.e., sit on duly folded feet in comfortable position. Then first close your eyes and concentrate between two eyebrows and chant Gaytri mantra three times within heart and not by mouth. Then open your eyes.
Take one spoon of water in right palm. Chant this mantra, OM AMRTO UPASTRANMASI SWAHA and drink the water which you have put in your palm. Then again take the spoon of water in right palm then chant the next mantra, OM AMRITA APIDHANMASI SWAHA, and drink the water. Then again take the water in right palm and chant the mantra, OM SATYAM YASHAH SHRI MAYI SHRI SHRAYTAAM SWAHA, and drink the water. Then wash the right palm while sitting, with the same water kept in bowl.
Then put the twigs into havan kund with one piece of camphor and burn it. During this process chant the Gaytri mantra again and again till such time the fire is lighted sufficiently. Then chant the Gaytri mantra and at the last add the word Swaha and offer ghee with tablespoon, quantity equivalent to 4 to 5 drops. And if you are alone then also offer in fire pinch of havan samagri from your right hand’s finger and thumb avoiding forefinger. So this offering may be of 11 times, 21 times or 51 times as the time suits. It is the simplest way and I have not quoted the complete method of Yajna. The havan with Ved mantras are always offered as the best worship of God only please. Do havan daily and both times.
