Seemant
(Mental
development ceremony)
Rituals for the
pregnant women are done in all cultures. In USA, it is called baby shower ,
where it is a social function organized by pregnant women's friends who
would shower gifts that would be needed for the mother and newborn child.
The ancient vedic ritual (Seemant) is more than a social function.
The baby shower gives only practical materialistic benefit for the
mother or the newborn baby. But Seemant ritual helps in the mental
development of the child.
What is the meaning of Seemant?
The junctions
of the head is called Seemant. The head houses the brain which is the
thinking organ. Thus Seemantonnayan means uplift of the brain (unnayan) or
development of the brain. Thus this ceremony draws attention of the mothers
center around the development of the brain. Punsavan ceremony is for the
physical development and seemant is for mental development. With these two
all that is needed for an unborn child is covered.
The ceremony:
In the Seemantonnayan ceremony the husband pours aromatic oil on the hair of
his wife, combs her hair, removes the hair knots.
This signifies that the attention of the husband and wife should center
around the mental development of their child. They must understand that the
mental development of the child depends on them. Whatever mental and
intellectual life they lead will find its imprint on their child. The
ancient masters believed that the mother is such a mould which can
cast the child according to will. If this
time is lost then the child, after it is born, can be influenced with good
or bad circumstances of the outside environment.
In Indian tradition on seemant day, favorite food of the pregnant mother is given.
In a social gathering, gifts are given to make her mind happy. Her hair is decorated with flowers.
She wears new dress. Glass bangles are given to her and she wears till the
child is born. Since the tingling sounds of the bangles are produced, the
baby listens to the sound which makes the baby very attentive to sounds.
The intention of this ceremony is to make the pregnant mother happy. Only a
happy mother can give birth to a cheerful and happy kid. You will understand
the deep scientific significance of performing this ritual.
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