Abstract

GARBH SANSKAR - A STEP TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE

Rashmi Anil Lakhani* and G. B. Sharma

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Abstract

In today‟s fast paced life, it is the need of every expectant mother to have an allrounder child in all spheres of life. The activities of a mother during pregnancy in the form of diet, yoga, meditation, reading books, praying etc and her daily routine affects a growing fetus. It is traditionally believed that a child's development begins in the womb. Garbh Sanskar means educating the fetus. It is derived from the Sanskrit word Garbh[1] means fetus and Sanskar[2] means “Gunantardhanam”- enhancement of qualities. It is the lifestyle modification of the antenatal mother to reform a cultured new generation. According to the WHO[3] and Ayurveda, a cultured new generation in terms of health is defined as physically, mentally, socially and spiritually healthy. Hindu Mythology has witnessed a character named „Abhimanyu‟[4] who grasped the knowledge of Chakravyuh from his mother‟s womb, thus signifying the importance of maternal behavior and emotion on the child. Therefore it is said that great personalities develop from the womb itself. Mother is said to be the architect of a child. Thus Garbh Sanskar is a process which is believed to benefit the child and ensures that the mother is healthy as well. It is a special effort taken to stimulate a baby's sense gently from outside for the maximum development of its physical and intellectual ability.[5] The need of the hour is not just to give birth to any baby but to give birth to a baby with great qualities (Supraja).[6] Therefore certain measures are included in Ayurveda to develop a physically healthy, mentally sound, emotionally competent, holitistic and cultured new generation. The measures included are proper Ahar in Garbha Masanumasik Vruddhi, Garbhini Paricharya, Vihar and Sadvritta that includes do‟s and dont‟s during the period of Garbhavastha, spiritual readings along with activities that increase the intellectual personality of the baby yet to be born are the salient features of Garbh Sanskar. These measures are taken in the Garbh Sanskar process.

Keywords: Sanskar, New generation, Healthy.