Article in Kannada by: Tharodi Suresh
English Rendering by: Smt Padmini Srinivasan
During the Seemanta samskara, a special Mantra (hymn) is to be recited and played on the veena as well. This well-known hymn is “Soma EvanO raajetyaahuh braahmaNeeh prajaah | vivruttachakraa AseenaastirENa (asau) kaavEri tava”. This hymn should be chanted as well as played on the veena in Gaandhaara grama (An octave heard by celestials unattainable by a human voice under normal circumstances). Generally no one possesses the ability to chant in Gandhaara grama. Accordingly Veena is an ideal instrument to play in this graama. Sage Naarada blessed the great devotee Prahlaada with this veena-playing samskara, when he was in his mother’s womb.
Sriranga Mahaaguru used to quote often from Aitareya Upanishad- “There exists a divine veena; the man-made veena is its replica. We should imitate the veena within us”. When a veena is played with a vow to beget a Jnaani child, the child imbibes the Braahmee-shakti (divine power) through the mother’s ears, helping it towards Brahma-Jnaana at birth. We should not forget that all this is true only when all the procedures stipulated by Maharshis’- Vijnaana (Maharshis’ inner experience of creation) are executed in a flawless manner. The prerequisite that sense organs should follow the mind which in turn should follow the Atman (self) is valued here.
Raakaa, Dhaatru, Naejamesha are all deities associated with the womb. They should also be appeased. A bull should be given as charity. The wife should touch a male calf. In all, the plan is enchanting as it carries with it a Pum Bhaavana(Jnaana-oriented mind-set) with touch, sight, hymns appeasing deities and many other ritualistic procedures pervading all over, to aid the birth of a Purusha (Jnaani). With a backdrop of purity and security, keeping in view the important purpose of this Samskara, Shastras (Vedic rules) prescribe many do’s and don’ts for the couple. A pregnant lady should not ride over animals, travel in carts, trek hills or climb steps. Grinding, pounding are not allowed. Eating food during sandhyaa period (twilight time) and sexual union are forbidden.
Charities, dwelling in an immaculately clean house, adorning valuable garlands, chanting Stotras (divine poems) and reading illustrious books, all add to happiness. Visiting temple, meeting Mahatmas (pious people) adds to the well-being of the pregnant mother, as well as the unborn child. So also, the husband should not get hard physical work done from his wife. Her good wishes should be fulfilled. Her desires should also be in line with Dharma (principles of nature). Distant travel, shaving, sexual union are all forbidden for the husband. There are many more laws and bans prescribed for the husband and wife. The Vijnaana behind all these actions cannot be explained in this short article.
Blemish less propagation, of the matrimonial intentions of the divine couple of the universe (Shiva-Parvati / Sriman Naaraayana-Lakshmi), makes Seemantonnayana a sacred and auspicious ritual. It is an elevating ritual in the sense that the perceptions obtained during Dhyaana-Samaadhi (yogic union with self) are well understood and truly propagated through Retoyajna (sexual union).
Note: The Kannada version of this article can be viewed at AYVM blogs