Pumsavana seemantham is the pre-natal Hindu religious ceremony. Pumsavana Karma is described in Dharmashastra texts in Hinduism as ‘a rite by the performance of which a child is expected to be born.’ This puja vidhi is one of the prenatal sacraments which is performed after conception has been ascertained.
Through Pumsavana vidhi, the child is consecrated in the womb itself.
Pumsavana Karma After How Many Weeks
Pumsavana karma is performed in the third or fourth month of pregnancy, when the moon is on a male constellation.
Pumsavana Karma Procedure
- The pregnant woman is required to fast on that day.
- After a bath, she puts on new clothes.
- Then a sprout of a banyan tree is pounded and the juice is poured into the right nostril of the pregnant woman.
- It is believed that introducing the juice of the banyan twig of the root is a remedy for preventing abortion and ensuring the birth of a healthy baby.
According to the well known ancient medical authority Sushruta, the banyan tree has got the properties of removing all kinds of troubles during pregnancy, like excess bile, sensation of burning,etc.
Dropping medicines into the nostrils is common in the Hindu system of Ayurvedic treatment. Therefore, it is evident that the ritual prescribing it is undoubtedly founded on the medical experience of the people.
During the procedure, the father should place a dish of water on the lap of the mother and touching her stomach, recite the hymn ‘suparnosi’ (Paraskargrhyasutra.i.14.5)
Bibliography
Hindu Samskara (1982) – R B Pandey – Motilal Banarsidass New Delhi
Encyclopedia of Hinduism Volume IX – page 306 - IHRF