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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" />

== Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Procreation is a natural act. A human pair copulated, whenever there was a physical demand for it, without any anticipation of progeny, though it was a usual consequence. The Garbhadhana Samskara, however, presupposed a well established home, a regular marriage, a desire of possessing children and a religious idea that a benevolent divine cause helped men in begetting children. So the origin of this Samskara belongs to a time when the civilization was far advanced from primitive social conditions.<ref name=":1" />

Procreation is a natural act. A human pair copulated, whenever there was a physical demand for it, without any anticipation of progeny, though it was a usual consequence. The Garbhadhana Samskara, however, presupposed a well established home, a regular marriage, a desire of possessing children and a religious idea that a benevolent divine cause helped men in begetting children. So the origin of this Samskara belongs to a time when the civilization was far advanced from primitive social conditions.<ref name=":1" />

There are many siddhantas involved in the development of an organized society and the [[Family Structure in Sanatana Dharma (सनातनीय कुटुम्बव्यवस्था)|role of a family]] as the fundamental unit of a society. Just like Upanayana is a required Samskara for initiation into education, Vivaha samskara is required as a foundation for the family support system. Begetting children was regarded as a sacred duty binding on every individual and the couple lacking children could not be relieved of their debt to their forefathers. We see that parental instincts found their expression in many Veda mantras containing prayers for being blessed with children. The family having many children was an indicator of their prosperity.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>पु॒त्रासो॒ यत्र॑ पि॒तरो॒ भव॑न्ति॒ .... (Rig. Veda. 1.89.9)  

There are many siddhantas involved in the development of an organized society and the [[Family Structure in Sanatana Dharma (सनातनीय कुटुम्बव्यवस्था)|role of a family]] as the fundamental unit of a society. Just like Upanayana is a required Samskara for initiation into education, Vivaha samskara is required as a foundation for the family support system. Begetting children was regarded as a sacred duty binding on every individual and the couple lacking children could not be relieved of their debt to their forefathers. We see that parental instincts found their expression in many Veda mantras containing prayers for being blessed with children. The family having many children was an indicator of their prosperity.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>पु॒त्रासो॒ यत्र॑ पि॒तरो॒ भव॑न्ति॒ .... (Rig. Veda. 1.89.9)  

प्र॒जां च॑ ध॒त्तं द्रवि॑णं च धत्तम् । (Rig.Veda. 8.89.10)</blockquote>Thus the idea and perhaps a simple ceremony marking that of conception were of importance even during the Vedic times. The ritual procedure adopted in the Garbhadhana must have assumed a fairly ceremonious shape before the codification of the Samskaras in the Grhyasutras.<ref name=":1" />

प्र॒जां च॑ ध॒त्तं द्रवि॑णं च धत्तम् । (Rig.Veda. 8.89.10)</blockquote>Thus the idea and perhaps a simple ceremony marking that of conception were of importance even during the Vedic times. The ritual procedure adopted in the Garbhadhana must have assumed a fairly ceremonious shape before the codification of the Samskaras in the Grhyasutras.<ref name=":1" />

== Etymology ==

== व्युतपत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

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 ==

== चतुर्थिकर्मा गर्भाधानम् वा ॥ Chaturthikarma or Garbhadhanam ==

=== Name ===

=== संस्कारस्य नाम ॥ 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.

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.

#* 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>

#* 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 ===

=== कालः ॥ 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" />

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 ===

=== जीवशास्त्र उपलक्षितविषयाः॥ 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,  

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 ===

=== सामाजिकशास्त्र उपलक्षितविषयाः॥ 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" />  

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

We can summarize the following characteristics from the above discussion to dispel some myths pertaining socio-cultural and biological aspects related to this samskara

 

# From the Rigvedic times people were well aware of the biological processes (details about human copulation are found in Shatapatha Brahmana) - knowledge of maturity age of girls, healthy state of the reproductive organs, menstruation in women, process of copulation, medicines and herbs for the physical and mental health of both the mother and child, child delivery, concept of continuing the lineage though the male children (now explained in human genetics) are documented way before any civilization has recorded it.

=== Related to Menstruation ===

=== Related to Menstruation ===