Why Dictating Timeline To Read Holy Books Takes Away From Personal, Spiritual Experience Of Choice

An Indian political party recently started a campaign that plans to teach the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, etc. to pregnant mothers so that "culture is inculcated to the child in the pregnancy phase itself." This argument isn’t about whether or not what the Bhagavad Gita says is right or whether people must read it. The question here is, how is it fair for politicians to decide when and how we read the Gita?

Of course, the Gita, like many other spiritual books, enlightens its readers. However, it should be out of one’s own will and not force-fed. Spiritual enlightenment happens at an individual’s own pace and time. No one can inculcate religious or spiritual enlightenment in anybody. Isn’t it an individual’s right to want to read a spiritual book, at any point in their life, which in this case happens to be the Bhagavad Gita?

Bhagavad Gita Taught To Pregnant Women

The objective of this campaign is to ensure that babies learn sanskar (Indian culture and values) in the womb. While it is scientifically proven that it is good for pregnant women to be surrounded by positive vibes, there is no scientific backing that a campaign like this would ensure that a generation of sanskari-bachchon will be born.

In the past decade, there has been a rise in the number of neurodivergent kids. However, the assumption that a woman cleansing her womb by reading the Gita could change the DNA of the child lacks substantial proof. Yes, the Gita does give a calming effect but that is not the only way. It should always be the mother’s choice to decide if she wants to read the Gita or engage in any other positive activity for the well-being of the child. The causes of autism have not been narrowed down to date. Neurodivergent conditions, if present in the gene, are triggered by negative environmental conditions.

Anita (name changed) belongs to an economically and socially well-off family and gave birth to a son who was diagnosed with borderline autism. Shreya is a very religious woman, and yet this happened to her because her sister passed away when she was pregnant, because of which Anita went into depression.

Kavya (name changed) is the mother of a toddler who is currently undergoing therapy for borderline autism. During her pregnancy, Kavya spent some time every day listening to Bhajan, watching Indian epics, and reading Bhagwatam. And yet, her child is undergoing therapy because Kavya was stuck in a toxic marriage that put her through severe depression.

These are two real-life examples to counter the statement that if "garba sanskar" is performed correctly, it can change the DNA of the child. Moreover, while it is also scientifically proven that a mother's being exposed to positive things will help form a healthy mind with positive thoughts, force-feeding spiritual texts is not the solution. No baby is born as evil incarnate. A child's chances of becoming Mahadev or a monster depending on their upbringing.

So instead of investing in a campaign that is going to do rounds reading sacred texts to pregnant women under the assumption that it will give birth to healthy babies with positive thoughts, why don't we focus on more realistic issues at hand?

Can we focus on where society is going wrong so that some children are turning into criminals? Isn't it high time we reflected on how we can empower women to walk out of toxic marriages? Shouldn't we shed light on a much-taboo topic, "depression," and come up with ways to spread awareness and deal with it? Could we try to be friendly and supportive parents so that our kids can trust us and approach us when faced with a problem? Shall we start working on these practical solutions that are backed by science and will help advance society?

The views expressed are the author's own.

Suggested Reading: Assam CM On Appropriate Age For Motherhood: Why Is A Woman’s Pregnancy Everyone’s Business?