Indian spiritual traditions were never cut-off from life. The attempt of our ancient Indian seers and thinkers was rather to raise all areas of life in the light of the spirit. This included concerns of family life, parenting and even conception, pregnancy and prenatal education.
By Choice, not by Chance
Indian tradition has always maintained that pregnancy should be by choice, and not by chance. As per the Vedic tradition a child has to be the result of prayers and aspirations and not the product of mere entertainment and conjugal enjoyment. A number of samskaras or purificatory disciplines have been suggested in the tradition to prepare a couple psychologically and physically for this important work of bringing a child into this world.
There are three major types of scriptures in dharmic tradition which deal with different aspects of pre-natal education:
- Scriptures such as grihyasutras and smritigranthas deal with the rules of rituals and ceremonies to be performed by the parents to bring forth a child who is healthy and heroic, bright and brilliant.
- Other scriptures such as garbhopanishad deal with the Vedantic doctrine of science of embryology. This helps one learn about the physical growth of the embryo since the time of its formation till it becomes ready to be born as a child.
- Within the knowledge system of Ayurveda, Kaumarabhritya deals with the pre-natal and post-natal care of the child.
Our ancestors recognised the need for mental, spiritual and physical preparation of the mother-to-be for the momentous event of childbirth.
In several Indian texts on Ayurveda we find elaborate discussion on ‘supraja-jananam’ (giving birth to a baby with healthy body, mind and soul). This involves the preparation of the couple planning pregnancy prior to conception. As the Mother also reminds us:
True maternity begins with the conscious creation of a being, with the willed shaping of a soul coming to develop and utilise a new body.
(CWM, Vol. 2, p. 157)
Texts on Jyotish as well as several Upanishadic and Puranic texts also speak of the deep significance of preconception preparation as well as various other topics related to conception, growth of the foetus in the womb, care for the mother-to-be, as well as garbha-samskara (education of the foetus in the womb or prenatal education).
Listening to a Personal Journey
In this session of Insightful Conversation, we speak with Vijayalakshmi C. about her own experience in consciously preparing herself for pregnancy and childbirth.
She addresses this significant topic of pre-conception preparation to facilitate a willed or conscious conception. The conversation further goes to enrich our understanding of conscious pregnancy, significance of prenatal education, and maternity in general. Our guest also shares some key insights she has learned and practiced from the ancient Indian traditions as well as her reading of the Mother’s works on this area of prenatal education.
Watch the conversation:
About our guest:
Ms. Vijayalakshmi C. is presently the Director for Human Resources & Operations with SECUDE India. She has over 23 years of experience in the entire gamut of Human Resource Management with large and reputed groups of IT companies in India. Her prior education includes an MBA in HR and Marketing and a B.Sc. in Mathematics.
Ms. Vijayalakshmi is deeply passionate about the area of conscious conception. She got into this area through her own self-study based on the writings of the Mother & our ancient practices of Sanatana Dharma. She has received training by a renowned child educationist in the area of Prenatal and Infant brain stimulation & education. She is also interested in holistic healing modalities and has learnt Varma Therapy, Reiki Healing – Level 1 & 2, Crystal Healing & a few other ancient Yogic techniques for healing.
