Garbhadhana Samskara: The Science of Vedic Family Planning

English
332 (Throughout B/w Illustrations)

Introduction
What is Family Planning? World Health Organization defines family
planning as - "Voluntary planning which involves various measures to
be taken by a couple to prevent or delay the pregnancy. These measures
are broadly classified as contraception, abortion and sterilization.
Family planning also includes measures taken to treat infertility in
order to achieve pregnancy." Many a times, infertility is caused due to
abuse of methods to prevent pregnancy such as abortions, hormonal
pills, etc. Overall, 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. The foundational principles of modern family
planning do not aim to lead an individual to the ultimate goal of life
nor help one enlighten towards such a goal. Therefore, such plans are
condemned in Vedas as sinful. A cultured alternative is provided by
Vedas called as Garbhadhana-samskara, a great science in itself. That
is the subject matter of this book.
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 Vishnu. This sacred act is governed by a set of medical, cultural,
astrological and spiritual instructions. It is indeed a great science!
Many Vedic texts consider that, Garbhadhana-sams