In Hinduism, prayers for fertility are offered to gods and goddesses who are known to bless devotees with children, marital happiness, and physical well-being. Devotees seeking fertility often pray to deities like Parvati, Kamadev, Rati Devi, Krishna, Shiva, Annapurna, Saraswati, Dhanvantari, and the Ashwini Kumaras. Each of these deities has a unique significance in promoting fertility, health, and harmony.
Deities to Worship for Fertility
- Goddess Parvati: She symbolizes motherhood, family, and feminine power. As Shiva’s consort, she represents fertility and creation.
- Kamadev and Rati Devi: Kamadev is the god of love and desire, while Rati is his consort. Together, they bring passion, harmony, and the desire to expand family.
- Lord Krishna: Known for his divine love and charm, Krishna is believed to bless couples with marital bliss and children.
- Lord Shiva: Known as the creator and destroyer, Shiva’s blessings are believed to aid in both conception and protection of the unborn child.
- Goddess Annapurna: Symbolizing nourishment and prosperity, she is prayed to for a healthy conception and child.
- Goddess Saraswati: She represents wisdom and purity, often prayed to for a harmonious and joyful family life.
- Lord Dhanvantari: The god of medicine, prayed to for physical health and a safe, healthy pregnancy.
- Ashwini Kumaras: The twin gods of medicine and health, known for their ability to bring health and vitality, they are invoked for protection of both mother and child.
Simple Prayers and Mantras for Fertility
Here are a few prayers and mantras that can be chanted individually or as a couple to seek blessings for fertility:
For Goddess Parvati
- Mantra: “Om Hreem Shreem Parvatyai Namah”
- Meaning: Salutations to Goddess Parvati, the divine mother.
- Recite this mantra 108 times on a Thursday, visualizing blessings for a child and family harmony.
For Kamadev and Rati Devi
- Mantra: “Om Kamadevaya Vidmahe Pushpabanaya Dheemahi Tanno Anangah Prachodayat”
- Meaning: Invoking Kamadev to bless with love, fertility, and joy.
- This mantra can be chanted on Fridays, which are auspicious for love and family unity.
For Lord Krishna
- Mantra: “Om Kleem Krishnaya Govindaya Gopijanavallabhaya Swaha”
- Meaning: A mantra for love, harmony, and blessings from Krishna, especially for childbearing.
- Ideal to recite this mantra 108 times on Wednesdays.
For Lord Shiva
- Mantra: “Om Namah Shivaya”
- A powerful mantra for protection, fertility, and family blessings.
- Chanting this in the early morning or evening daily brings calm, reduces stress, and enhances fertility.
For Goddess Annapurna
- Mantra: “Om Annapurnayai Namah”
- Meaning: Salutations to Goddess Annapurna for nourishment and prosperity.
- This can be chanted every morning before cooking or consuming food, invoking nourishment and health for the family.
Ashwini Kumaras Mantra for Health
- Mantra: “Om Ashwinikumara Devaya Namah”
- Meaning: Salutations to Ashwini Kumaras for health and vitality.
- Chant this mantra every Tuesday for strengthening the mother and child’s health.
For Lord Dhanvantari
- Mantra: “Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Dhanvantari Maha Vishnave Namah”
- Meaning: Prayers for health and protection from ailments.
- Ideal for chanting every morning for health benefits throughout pregnancy.
Simple Puja Steps
Preparation: Clean the puja area and set up a clean cloth, ideally in white, yellow, or green, as these colors represent peace, prosperity, and life. Light incense, a diya (oil lamp), and offer fresh flowers to the deity’s picture or idol.
Offerings: Place a small plate with fruits, sweets, and milk as offerings. Fruits like bananas and coconuts are considered auspicious and symbolically represent fertility.
Invocation: Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and visualize the deity. Offer a prayer with gratitude, and ask for blessings for fertility, health, and family unity.
Chanting Mantras: Recite the chosen mantra(s) for the deity you wish to invoke. Repeating 108 times is considered auspicious and brings focused energy into the prayer.
Ending the Puja: End the puja by offering water to the deity and seeking blessings by gently touching the deity’s feet (if using an idol). Conclude by sitting quietly in gratitude, visualizing the blessing being granted.
Ideal Clothes and Colors
- Women: Wear saris or salwar suits in soft colors like green (symbolizing growth and fertility), yellow (symbolizing purity and prosperity), or red (signifying life and energy).
- Men: Prefer dhoti or kurta in white or yellow.
If traditional attire is not feasible, wear comfortable and modest clothes in similar colors, as they are considered more auspicious.
Rare Facts and Practical Tips
Tulsi Plant: Keeping a Tulsi (Holy Basil) plant at home and watering it daily is believed to bring fertility and peace. Tulsi is sacred to both Krishna and Vishnu, and couples can pray to it for a happy family life.
Eating Prasadam: Consuming sweets made from dairy (like kheer) after offering them as prasadam is believed to nourish and increase fertility.
Positive Visualization: In modern times, some people incorporate meditation and visualization techniques during prayers to enhance mental well-being and relieve stress, which indirectly benefits fertility.
Using Cow Ghee in Puja: Offering cow ghee in diya lamps while praying is thought to enhance fertility and bring a healthy child. This is due to its sattvic (pure) nature in Hindu belief.
Avoid Negative Influences: Avoid negative conversations or thoughts related to conception. Instead, focus on uplifting, peaceful activities and try engaging in hobbies or meditation.
Additional Practical Steps and Ideas for Modern Times
Schedule Puja as a Couple: In today’s busy world, find a common time to pray as a couple. This strengthens your intention and creates a mutual environment of peace and support.
Mantra Recordings: If chanting is challenging, listening to mantra recordings regularly can also invoke blessings. Try to do this in a calm and quiet space.
Monthly Fasting: Some devotees choose to observe a fast on certain days like Shivaratri or Ekadashi, offering prayers for fertility. This fosters discipline and devotion.
Modern Fertility Therapy Integration: Many practitioners now combine prayers with modern fertility treatments. The belief is that prayers bring calm and positivity to the medical process, enhancing overall well-being.
Following these practices with faith, regularity, and openness in both mind and heart can aid in bringing the blessings of fertility and family unity.