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Garbadhana (Samskrit: गर्भाधानम्) is classified as the first of the sixteen Samkaras followed by people practicing Sanatana Dharma. The rite through which a man placed his seed in a woman was called Garbhadhana. Saunaka gives the similar definition though in slightly different words: the rite by the performance of which a woman receives semen scattered (by her husband) is called Garbhalambhanam or Garbhadhana.<ref name=":1">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 79-)</ref>
Garbadhana (Samskrit: गर्भाधानम्) is classified as the first of the sixteen [[Samskaras (संस्काराः)|Samskaras]] followed by people practicing [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana Dharma]]. The rite through which a man placed his seed in a woman has been called Garbhadhana. Saunaka gives the similar definition though in slightly different words: the rite by the performance of which a woman receives semen scattered (by her husband) is called Garbhalambhanam or Garbhadhana.<ref name=":1">Pandey, Raj Bali. (1949) ''Hindu Samskaras, A Socio-religious study of the Hindu Sacraments.'' Banaras: Vikrama Publications. (Pages 79-)</ref>
One of the prenatal sacraments, this Samskara of impregnation was performed at the time when the couple are mentally and physically fit to take part in the procreative process.<ref name=":1" />
One of the prenatal sacraments, this Samskara of impregnation was performed at the time when the couple are mentally and physically fit to take part in the procreative process.<ref name=":1" />
Literally it means "implanting an embryo (into wife)". The name suggests the first sexual intercourse of husband and wife. It can be traced to Atharvaveda (5.25) and Bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣat (6.4.21).
Literally it means "implanting an embryo (into wife)". The name suggests the first sexual intercourse of husband and wife. It can be traced to Atharvaveda (5.25) and Bṛhadāraṇyakopaniṣat (6.4.21).
== Chaturthikarma or Garbhadhanam ==
=== Name ===
The rite is called Chaturthikarma because it is performed on the fourth day of the marriage. Nearly all Sutrakaras ordain that after marriage the couple should refrain from conjugal intercourse at least for three nights. The following facts could be noted as a help in determining how the samskara came to be called over time.
# In the Brh. Up. it is given under the name '''Putramantha'''.
# In Grhya Sutras '''Chaturthi-karman''' and '''Garbhadhana''' are two different rites. (They have never used the name Garbhadhana for Chaturthi-karman.)
# The Smrtis have used the name '''Garbhadhana'''.
#* Manu (II.16) has the word the “'''Niseka'''”.
#* Yajnavalkya (II.11) has the word Garbhadhana.
#* Gautama (VIII.1) has the word Garbhadhana.<ref name=":4">Deshpande, Kamalabai (1936) ''The Child in Ancient India.'' Poona: Aryasamskrti Press (Pages 16 - 27)</ref>
=== Time ===
The time prescribed for the rite is mentioned either as the fourth night (B.1.7.37) or more specifically the second part of the fourth night (Bh. 1.19; Apa. 3.9.10), or simply as 'after a lapse of three nights' (J.1.22; Kh. 1.4.12) after marriage. After marriage usually after the fourth day of the menstrual cycle of the wife is prescribed for this samskara.<ref name=":4" />
=== Biological Implications ===
Vedas are rightly said to be the treasure trove of knowledge. We find valid pramanas to prove that our ancient literature was replete with various references of biological and scientific processes. For example,
*
=== Social Implications ===
The time prescribed for the Garbhadhana samskara shows that the age of the bride used to be fit for intercourse and that she was not of a very tender age, when married. When a girl is married at a tender age, the rites are naturally postponed, till she attains puberty. The development of the custom of child-marriage separated this rite from the marriage ceremony and evolved it into a special rite. Being no longer performed on the fourth day of the marriage, the name '''Chaturthikarma''' was thought to be inappropriate and so a more appropriate name, '''Garbhadhana''', came into use. Most of the Sutras have treated this rite as a part of the marriage, and named it as Chaturthikarma, while the name Garbhadhana is first found in Yajnavalkya-Smjti (1.11) and then in Grhya-samgraha (I.2).<ref name=":4" />
We find the following pertinent socio-cultural aspects about this
=== Related to Menstruation ===
Menstruation period of a woman is looked upon as due to some evil spirit, for example, in the Rigveda we find that maidens are in possession of the Gandharvas, the chief of whom is Vishvavasu. Apastamba describes the placing of the staff of an udumbara wood, anointed with perfumes and wrapped round with thread or garment, between the sleeping places of the husband and the wife. This staff is supposed to represent the Gandharva Vishvavasu. For, while taking it up and putting it away the two mantras, Rg. X. 85, 21, 22, invoking Visvavasu to leave the bride, are recited. The removal of this Gandharva is intended so as to remove the evil substance, residing in the wife, before an intercourse is to be had with her.<ref name=":4" />
== Samskara Across Various Time Periods ==
== Samskara Across Various Time Periods ==