Thousands of years ago in the cradle of civilisation, mother India
conceived a natural ayurvedic approach to nurture parents and babies through
the journey of creation.
Today, with the world’s second largest population, India’s accumulated wisdom complements modern obstetrics, offering tips for a healthy pregnancy, smooth delivery and a blissful baby.
A relationship ripe with mutual love and commitment may
naturally grow into the co-creation of a child. This is why the Vedas calls the
married phase expansion or garhastyam. The sacred ceremony for
impregnation is known as Garbadhana samskara. Ideally the field is fertile to
germinate the seed through the preparatory purification, rejuvenation and
emotional practices.
The
prime time for procreation is calculated by the woman’s ovulation phase. Women
with regular menses and awareness of their cervical mucus changes and
temperature shifts can often sense their most fertile time. Alternatively one
can purchase a pharmacy ovulation test or seek guidance from a natural
fertility consultant.
An Indian astrologer (Jyotish) can also advice the most
auspicious time called rtu-samaagam for successful conception. Ayurvedic texts
warn that it is detrimental to conceive at certain times including after a
heavy meal, within 96 hrs of the menstrual period, during dawn or dusk, at
midnight, on a full moon, new moon, fasting days and when the woman is
bleeding. Days considered lucky for conception are on the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th,
10th, 12th, 14th and 15th days after the end of the menses. If you have a
gender preference the Vedas states conceiving on an odd day will produce a
daughter and an even day a son. To optimise the man’s sperm volume and motility
it is best if he can conserve his sperm for three to seven days before the
conception day. Because the couples’ consciousness partially determines the
type of soul attracted to them and imbues the zygote with its first subtle
influence it is recommended that they elevate their spirits and connect with
divine grace by meditation, offerings or rituals. On this significant day they
should feel contented and deeply connected. If either feels thirsty, hungry,
fearful, sad or angry it is better to wait. After preparing the ‘love nest’,
bathing, dressing in fresh white garments and applying essential oils and
flower garlands they can recite the following prayer from Charaka Samhita in
unison.
Aum ahirasi ayurasi sarvata pratishthasi dhaata tvam, dadhaatu vidhaata tvam, dadhatu bramhavarcasa bhava
Brahama brhaspatir vishnu soma surya tatha asvinau
Bhagotha mitra varunau veeram daddaatu me sutaam
Brahama brhaspatir vishnu soma surya tatha asvinau
Bhagotha mitra varunau veeram daddaatu me sutaam
This is translated as“O creator and the cosmic truth! Please bless
us with a courageous/strong child with a long life and health, with the
qualities of Brahma (power to create), Brhaspati (power to alter the future),
Vishnu (power to maintain), Soma (power to flourish), Surya (power to be
succeed), Mitra (power to love) and Varuna (power to nurture)”.
