Preparing for Pregnancy and Related Precautions

Sadguru (Dr) Vasant Balaji Athavale was a renowned Paediatrician. He founded the Paediatrics Department in 1959 in Lokmanya Tilak Mahanagarpalika Hospital, Mumbai. He was Professor and Head of this Department from 1960 to 1990. He was the Chairman of the 'International Conference on Alternative Medicine' seminar in Bangkok in 1980. In 1996, He received the international honour for the 'Best author of books on Ayurveda'. In 2001 & in 2012 respectively, He was honoured with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' in an International conference on 'Ayurveda and Hepatic Disorders' and by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics.

1. The journey from being a seeker to becoming a disciple

A. Having the quality of selflessness and the attitude of sacrifice, which are essential for spiritual practice : Sadguru Vaidyacharya (Dr) Vasant Balaji Athavale started noting down higher level philosophical thoughts on Spirituality in 1980. He toiled day and night to create a vast treasure of knowledge on Spirituality. He donated this treasure to Sanatan Sanstha (to become Sanatan's Texts) in 1990. This sacrifice, before He became a Saint indicates the level of His spiritual practice & seekership. Due to His writings, Sanatan's Texts are now becoming inclusive in the true sense.

B. In 2004, He became Paratpar Guru (Dr) Athavale's disciple (A great Saint who is also His younger brother and is the Founder of Sanatan Sanstha, the world-renowned spiritual organisation).

2. Attaining Sainthood

On 16.12.2012, He reached Sainthood due to His spiritual emotion, intense yearning, an inquisitive nature & humility.

A. Sadguru Vaidyacharya (Dr) Vasant Athavale attained Saint-hood by performing spiritual practice through various Paths of Spirituality : Every person performs spiritual practice as per some path of Spirituality, becomes introverted, progresses spiritually and thus moves towards Sainthood. However, Dr Vasant Athavale attained Sainthood through Karmayoga (Path of Action) by serving the patients, Dnyanyoga (Path of Knowledge) by writing Holy texts, Bhaktiyoga (Path of Devotion) and Gurukrupayoga (Path of Guru's grace) by performing spiritual practice as per all these Paths.

3. Active in seva for Sanatan's mission until His last breath

Sadguru (Dr) Vasant Athavale kept performing satseva for Sanatan's mission until His last breath. When He came to know of Divine particles found in Sanatan's Ashram, He inquisitively studied the subject, contemplated on how to conduct research on this topic from a scientific perspective and gave His own suggestions too.

He renounced His body on 9.11.2013 at the age of 80 years.

The co-author, Dr Kamlesh V Athavale, is the son of Sadguru (Dr) VB Athavale. He has achieved success in examinations of M.D. (Paediatrics), D.N.B., M.N.A.M.S. (India) and F.A.A.P. (Paediatrics and Neonatology, USA). He is working as a Neonatologist at Duke University Medical Centre (USA). He is also Director of Neonatology at Nash General Hospital.

Every parent wishes that their child be healthy, beautiful and intelligent. For a healthy crop, the seeds have to of very good quality. One has also to plan for sowing the seeds and planting the seedlings. This applies to human beings as well. For exceptional progeny, this planning has to be done before marriage. If we wish that our child be virtuous, we have to select a virtuous companion to marry. This Text elaborates the various measures to be taken by the parents-to-be, so that the required virtues are inherited by their child and the garbhadan ritual advised by the Scriptures for good progeny.

This Text provides information on how according to the science of genetics, the ailments and virtues in the family of the parents are genetically transferred to the child. The father-to-be and the entire family should provide appropriate help to the pregnant woman, support her and thus, keep the environment in the house blissful, religious and sattvik.

If this Text is studied by every parents-to-be and members of the woman's paternal as well as in-law's house, they will understand how to welcome the new guest in the house blissfully. The new born that arrives in the house is a member who connects the entire family and brings each member closer with love. This Text is useful not only for the family members, but even doctors, nurses, social workers, etc.

We pray earnestly to the Almighty, who controls the entire world - "May the nine months of pregnancy of a woman be spent in a healthy and blissful state, may the physical, mental and spiritual growth and development of each child be good right from its foetus state and may it progress to become an ideal citizen in future! - Authors