Two or more different rituals can be performed during the pregnancy. Punswan during or right after 3rd month and semantonnayan between 5th and 8th month. There are some reference that Punswan is for physical growth of the fetus and Seemantonnayan is for the mental growth. Several differet ways are mentioned in scriptures as well- some mention different types of food that husband prepares and feeds his wife such as milk, yogurt, rice, khichadi, or kheer (milk pudding) while other text mentions fire ritual. Herbal drop in wife's right nostril for son and left nostril for daughter is mentioned as well. For seemantonnayan one cute ritual is cited that the husband parts and fixes his wife’s hair.
I will try to simpify and combine these. In modern time even in India mostly baby shower (seemantonayan/godbharai) is the only ritual commonly performed.
In general, during pregnancy, nourishing food, positive thoughts, and proper environment are important. In my family coconut water, milk, milk products, almonds, ghee, dates, figs, raisins, sour plain pickles were arranged for a pregnant woman. Papaya, very spicy and left-over food were discouraged as well as lifting heavy items, climbing stairs, and travel- specially during the first three months. Eating frequently and getting proper rest was encouraged. Listening to spiritual songs, reading scriptures and/or chanting gives spiriual foundation. It is believed that the learning starts in womb. Story of Abhimanyu.
It was considered a good deed to offer helping hand to a pregnant woman and satisfy her craving.
the ritual
Part 1- with close family
Body- take a bath and wear clean clothes.
Space - clean space and set up a kalash which is a decorated pot with mango leaves and coconut.
Mind - with 3 deep breaths, invoke god/goddess, ganesh, ancestors or meditate.
🙋Once in a meditative state, pregnent woman takes water and rice for Sankalp which is setting up an intention to provide prenatal care, protection and physical growth of the fetus. She touches her womb and prays to surround the unborn with devine protection: This could be a simple daily ritual after bath. Pick one of the meanings below:
Imam garbham dharayami, yasya tvam janita bhava “I carry this embryo, may you be the protector...”athrva veda
गर्भं त्वा धारयिष्यामि जरा वृद्धिभ्यः परेहि।जिव्हायाः पृष्ठमास्थाय रक्ष त्वं गर्भमात्मनः॥ “I carry you gently, child, far from decay and harm. Settle behind the sacred tongue—may you guard yourself within.”
🙋 Family member or priest performs womb (Garbh) puja. They touch the womb and promise to offer support and pleasant surrounding. Also offer flower, rice, fruits, coconut, nuts and herbs. Following may be used during the part two ritual, if performed separately
शिवा गर्भिण्यै भवतु या गर्भं धारयिष्यति।संपूर्णं गर्भं सुषुवीत स नः सूनवमावहत्॥ “Let the mother be blessed, whose womb carries life. May she give birth to a complete and healthy child.”
🧵 They tie the thread of protection (kalawa/raksha) with mantra gayatri mantra- a pryaer for enlightenment and wisdome: rigveda 3.62.10 and/or Om prajapati natwadetananyo- rigveda and/or mangalam bhagwan vishnuh-garud puran. "May Lord Vishnu bring auspiciousness"
👃Pregnenet woman smells herb (tulasi, sage, or mint)
😋Eats food made by husband or family member.
Part 2 with family and friends
To cheer her up, friends and family members gather. They will receive seeds, soil, water, candle and lighter for ritual. Everyone will plant a seed and nurture it through out the pregnancy.
FOR Ritual:
This could be a fire ritual or just mental ritual. First we will offer gratitude to five elements that are the building blocks of our existence: the air, the sky or space, the earth, the fire and the water. We will acknowledge their presence in nature and in our own body. We will try to connect with them and from that deep connection, we will send our good wishes/blessings towards mother and the new life inside her.
The word Mangal will be repeated many times which means be blessed, be favorable, be auspicious. (This part is based on the zoom ritual I designed for my daughter:)
1. We will begin with Air. Vayu and prana are different Sanskrit names of AIR. Let’s close our eyes and take 3 deep breaths and feel the breath entering our body. Express gratitude and thank the AIR for keeping us alive. From that deeper place, we will direct our attention towards mother and the life inside her and bless them.
Mangalam bhawatuh vayuh, manglam pranah bhawatu, Mangalam sagarbha bhawatu manhlam bhrunah bhawatu.
2. Now we will look towards sky or simply think about it. nabh and vyom are different Sanskrit names of SKY “Aakaash”. Sky is above us but it is also all the open space everywhere. We will try to feel that space inside our body and from there send good wishes towards mother and her baby.
Mangalam bhawatuh nabhah, manglam vyomah bhawatu, Mangalam matah bhawatu manglam bhrunah bhawatu.
3. Next, we will touch the soil or the ground and acknowledge the support from the mother earth. dharati and prithwi are different Sanskrit names of EARTH. Earth element is present in our bodies as bones and muscles. We will try to feel them, thank them and send our blessings towards mother and the little one.
Also, mother is representing the mother earth carrying another life inside her. To acknowledge that we can plant a seed or just touch the ground with that thought.
Mangalam bhawatuh dharati, manglam prithwi bhawatu, Mangalam matah bhawatu manhlam bhrunah bhawatu.
4. Fourth essential element is water. udakam and salilam are different Sanskrit names of WATER. Water is represented as blood inside our body. Let’s feel the blood flowing through our veins. Touch the water and sprinkle on the planted seed or just think about it. May that water element flows freely in mother and nourishes her baby.
Mangalam udakam bhawatu, manglam salilam bhawatu, Mangalam matah bhawatu manhlam bhrunah bhawatu.
5. Fifth element is FIRE. Agnih and wahnih are different names of FIRE. Acknowledge that fire is a very important element that purifies and transforms. Fire also processes food in our stomach and provides nourishment. Please light the candle and circle around the plant or the mother with the thought 'May that fire bless and protects the mother and her baby.'
Mangalam agnih bhawatu, manglam vahinh bhawatu, Mangalam matah bhawatu manhlam bhrunah bhawatu.
FOR fun part: Pick whichever seems appropriate or interesting:
The husband may part and fix his wife’s hair. He may feed her Urad khichadi or some other food that he cooked.
friends and family fill up mother’s lap with gift of fruits, flowers, and nuts. (Usually in traditional Indian family baby stuff is not gifted before birth.)
they may apply henna on mother's womb with blessings. We did this for Julia.
they cheer the mother with singing, dancing, games and blessing for the safe delivery.
Later the couple or family members set up a delivery room. In my family coal fire in mudpot at the door as guard and water near mother's bed was set up.