Samskara means "*purificatory rite*." To make their child Krishna conscious,
the grihastha couple joyfully imparts the Vedic samskaras, right from
his/her birth and thus helps the child to eventually attain the spiritual
platform. In fact, purification of a human being starts even before his
birth and this samskara is called Garbhadan (or Garbhalambanan) samskara. If
one is not purified by the process of the seed giving ceremony, or
garbhadhana samskara he is immediately classified amongst the sudras because
only the sudras do not undergo this purificatory process (Krsna book, II
p.236).
Though the vedic samskaras may be considered secondary activities because
they are discarded when one passes from the material body and society, they
are important because they sanctify and prepare the body and mind for the
primary activities of devotional service. Though there is no qualification
for taking to devotional service other than faith, one who has undergone the
samskaras in proper manner and also has faith will have some advantage in
the progress of his sadhana. Therefore the acaryas have emphasised the
importance of undergoing all of the samskaras. It is to be concluded that
while conceiving a child one's mind must be very sober and devotional. For
this purpose the garbhadhana samskara is recommended in the Vedic scriptures
(SB 3.16.35).
The union of man and wife should take place neither during the day nor
during the sandhyas (daybreak and twilight). Daytime is of course the time
when man should carry out his duties: waking bathing, meditating,
worshipping the Supreme Lord, studying scripture, chanting japa, serving the
deity, carrying out household duties, welcoming guests etc. Sandhyas
should only be utilized for chanting gayatri mantra and meditating on the
Lord. As well, Prasnopanisad says that a man reduces his life span by having
sexual relations during the day. One who performs during the night is
considered to be brahmacari (ie he maitains his strength).
Lord Sri Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita 7:11. *"I am the strength of the
strong, devoid of passion and desire. I am sex life which is not contrary to
religious principles, O lord of the Bhäratas [Arjuna]."* "Sucinäm Shrimatäm
gehe. So this child is born of a devotee father and devotee mother. Now
he'll again begin from the point where he lost last life. Suppose Krishna
consciousness he executed fifty percent. So he'll begin from this life
fifty-one percent. That fifty percent was in his stock. But ordinary
karmis—cent percent lost. He has to begin another chapter of life according
to his karma." (Srila Prabhupada. 17th July 1971. Lecture in Detroit.)
"Any grhastha (householder) who copulates with his own wife only when it is
time for conception is called brahmacari or celibate. There are sixteen
nights for conception of the woman from the day of the discharge of
menstruation. Among them, the first four nights are rejected and very much
criticized (by scripture). Of whatever days are left, on the even numbered
days, one produces a son and on the odd numbered days, one produces
daughter. Sexual union during the odd days of the menstrual cycle will tend
to produce a female body in the child, whereas union performed on an even
dhinam will bring forth a male body. So those purified souls who wish to
beget a putra (a son who can liberate one from the hell known as Pu) should
try to conceive on the even days (dhinam) of this cycle.
According to Ancient Vedic scriptures, the first four days are asuchi
(impure) due to blood flow, therefore abstainance is required lest bad
repercussions for the yajumans will be invoked. Therefore, all sane people
avoid the first four days. By the performance of this samskara, the physical
contact between a man and a woman is sanctified. Also intelligent, pious and
God-conscious children are born by the strength of performance of Garbhadan
samskara. This is the most important samskara which Srila Prabhupada has
emphasised in all his purports on the subject. Grihastas should produce
children as a sacrifice to Lord Vishnu. Grihasthas give birth to children to
make them Krishna conscious and liberate them.
As soon as the wife is pregnant, no more sex life until the child is born
and is grown up at least for six months. After that one may have sex life
on the same principle. If one does not want more than one or two children,
he should voluntarily stop sex life. One should not use any contraceptive
method and at the same time indulge in sex life. That is very much
sinful.(letter from Srila Prabhupada, San Fransisco, Sept 20, 1968)
--
Yours
Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com
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