A Complete Guide on Garbhadhana-samskara by Bharat Chandra Dasa

One of the most important aspects of the Daiva Varnasrama culture or Sanatana Dharma culture, is Garbhadhana-samskara. Garbhadhana-samskara is a great science. Ancient manuscripts dealt with this science in detail. Dharma sastras, Grhya sutras, Charaka samhita, Sustruta samhita, Astanga hridayam etc. provide amazing details related to conception and the science related to it.

The heart of the book is the topic of determining the right day and auspicious time for "niseka" to be performed. The modern family planning is more or less a skill of using contraception and undergoing abortion or sterilization to terminate unwanted progeny while continuing to succumb to the sensual fetters of the unplanned sex life. In Vedic understanding, this is an uncivilized and uncultured way of family planning. A cultured alternative is provided by vedas called as Garbhadhana-samskara.

The vedic conception of family planning is a conscious planning of the act of sexual consummation driven by the sole purpose of obtaining a virtuous progeny and not for sense gratification. Therefore, the act of sexual union is considered as a sacred act of yajna or offering to Lord Visnu.This sacred act is governed by a set of medical, cultural, astrological and spiritual instructions.

Topics discussed throughout the book include the following:

1. Concepts of Vedic Family Planning

2. Determining Right day and time for Conception

3. Vows and Preparations Related to Vedic Family Planning

4. Process of Garbhadhana-Samskara

5. Vows after Conception and Diet During Pregnancy

6. Sins of Contraception, Abortion and Sterilization

7. Timeless Stories From Puranas