Women have a special place in the Hindu religion as we have the examples of having many women deities whom we worship on several different occasions. Women are also the embodiment of Holy Mother in the Hindu religion and it has been mentioned in several Hindu religious scriptures. Motherhood is considered as the most rewarding experience for the ladies, especially in the East. Pregnancy and the process of giving birth to a child gives the woman a sense of great joy, accomplishment and emotional fulfillment.
For an instance, in the ancient Hindu scripture Mahabharata, lord Arjuna teaches the great warfare technique called Padmavyuha to his pregnant wife Subhadra and the child in the womb, Abhimanyu learns it. That is also the reason why pregnant ladies are advised to read the scriptures and keep their thoughts positive so that the child in the womb gets positive impulses and not the bad vibes. The modern medical research has also shown that the feelings and experiences of the pregnant ladies have had impact on the growth and development of the child in their womb.
It is widely believed and considered in the Vedas that to get the best benefits, the Vedas must be either recited or listened. The great ancient sages of India have composed the verses in the divine and one of the oldest languages—that is Sanskrit, in such a way that reciting or even listening to the Vedic mantras is a great boon to the heart, body, mind and soul. The spiritual vibrations have a refreshing and rejuvenating impact on our physical and mental faculties and enhance our spiritual self. That is the reason why, in traditional Indian and Nepali families, the pregnant ladies are advised to read or recite scriptures and Stotras like Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavatam, Vishnu Sahasranama, Lalita Sahasranama, Sri Rudram etc. They give good health, serenity and peace to the mother and the energy of the mantras during this formative stage will help the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual growth of the child in the womb and afterwards also.
There are also several specific mantras in the Vedas for the welfare of the pregnant ladies and for the child in the womb. Reciting or listening to them on a daily basis is considered highly auspicious to both mother and the unborned child.
Following is the summary of some of the popular Vedic verses used while in pregnancy:
< Vandana trayee – The traditional invocation to the Guru, Lord Ganesha and Saraswati.
< Prayers to Lord Agni – Bless me and my husband with long life, good understanding and integration of our body mind and soul and a lasting relationship in this birth and also in future births. Bless us with a good child. Let my children be happy and healthy and my house be full of auspicious things. May Goddess Subhalakshmi (righteous/auspicious wealth) come to me and may I be a good householder giving love, affection and devotion and with courtesy and hospitality for everyone. Bless us with a long life.
Prayer to the seasons – Vasanta, Grishma, Varsha, Sharath, Hemantha and Shishira seasons performed the Ekadasha Ratra Yagya and were blessed with good children. May the ones who listen to these mantras be blessed with good and healthy children.
< Prayer to Lord Indra, Lord Agni and Soma – May my womb be a safe place for my child.
< Prayer to Lord Indra – O, Lord Indra, fulfill all my desires and bless my child with vitality and bless my child so he uses the energy for good deeds.
< Prayer to Lord Dhata – Bless me and my child with Sakala Sowbhagyam – all types of good fortune.
< Prayer to Soma and Raka Devi –Destroy the bad Karmas and bless me with a healthy child who will tread the righteous path with auspicious thoughts and be fortunate.
