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.

Ceremony for Mental development

Why should seemant ceremony be performed in the 4th, 6th and 8th month?

   Reason for holding in the 4th month-As we have mentioned earlier, the aim of the seemantonnayan ceremony is to draw the attention of the parents towards child's mental growth. Therefore it is clear that the best time for this ceremony would be when the brain cells start forming and the child is in its mother's womb. Sushrut has written :

"Panchme manah prati-budhataram bhavati. Shashthe budhih. Saptme sarvaang pratyang vibhaagah pratyakt- tarah. Asthame asthiree bhavati ojah. Tatsra jaatah chenna jaavat niro-justvaat".

   Sushrut says it is best to do in the  4th because the mind starts working and so paying more attention while the mind is developing is the best.  Seemant also can be performed at 6th when the brain formation is rapid. In the  8th month because all four components-body, mind, nervous system, and heart are complete, one should not delay further. Whatever the month is, the aim of the ritual  is that the mother must understand that it is her responsibility for the mental growth of her child. From then on whatever she does, she should do it with caution and care because she is unintentionally influencing the child's brain inside her with each of her reflections.

 

Tamil Song to be sung in Seemantham

 


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