Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, a gynaecologist and foetal therapist, suggested on Sunday (June 11) that pregnant women should engage in practices, such as chanting the 'Sunderkand' and reading religious epics such as the Ramayana to promote their babies' mental and physical well-being. Her comments came at an event called 'Garbha Sanskar', which was held by an organisation affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), news agency PTI reported.
Doctors affiliated with Samvardhinee Nyas will provide a mix of "scientific and traditional" prescriptions to expectant mothers in order for them to give birth to "sanskari and deshbhakt" babies under the 'Garbha Sanskar' programme, the report said.
Reading religious texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, chanting Sanskrit mantras, and practising yoga are among the prescriptions. The procedure will begin with pre-conception and will continue until the baby is two years old. According to the 'Garbha Sanskar' module, family members of expectant mothers will also be guided during the programme.
Samvardhinee Nyas is a branch of the Rashtra Sevika Sangh, a women's organisation similar to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Speaking at the virtual launch event, Soundararajan praised the Samvardhinee Nyas for developing the 'Garbha Sanskar' programme module and stated that implementing this "scientific and holistic approach" to pregnancy will "certainly" yield positive results.
"We have seen expectant mothers in villages reading Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other epics, as well as good stories. There is a belief, particularly in Tamil Nadu, that pregnant women should learn Sunderkandam from the Kamba Ramayana," she said, according to the report. Chanting "Sunderkand" while pregnant is "very good for the babies," she added.
"Sunderkand" is a chapter in the Hindu epic "Ramayana" that depicts Lord Hanuman's adventures and his selflessness, strength, and devotion to Lord Rama.
The scientific approach to pregnancy, according to Soundararajan, who is also the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, is to prevent complications during the period, but the holistic approach to pregnancy would help pregnant women give birth to healthy and sound babies.
Yoga practise during pregnancy will benefit both the expectant mother and the baby in the womb, and will eventually aid in normal delivery, she said, emphasising the importance of motherhood and the 'Garbha Sanskar'.
A central team of eight people has been formed to guide and oversee the implementation of the 'Garbha Sanskar' programme. She revealed that the central team consists of ayurvedic, homoeopathy, and allopathy doctors, as well as a "subject expert" while discussing the programme.